On September 27, a range of harmonious sounds played on traditional drums rang out across the streets in the heart of Tokyo. The beats were emanating from both Korean and Japanese traditional drums being played at the “Korea-Japan Festival 2014 in Tokyo,” running from September 27 to 28.
The fair was launched in 2005, a year designated as “the year of Korea-Japan friendship” in honor of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since then, it has helped to bring the two neighbors closer by means of musical performances and other cultural events.
This year’s festival first took place in Seoul on September 14, and continued to create a festive mood in Tokyo as it moved to its second-half venue in the Japanese capital.
In attendance at the Tokyo festival were representatives from both countries, including Seoul’s ambassador in Tokyo, Yoo Heung-soo, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Hisako, Princess Takamado, and Secretary General Fukushiro Nukaga of the Alliance of Korean-Japanese Lawmakers.
Those gathered at the park, amounting to tens of thousands, were met with a series of dances and performances, including modern dance shows such as hip-hop and b-boy dance battles, as well as traditional dances, including performances of Korea’s most popular traditional martial art, taekwondo.
Later in the day, a Korean pop competition was held where 35 participants from seven regions across Japan, people who were lucky enough to have gotten through the competitive preliminaries, showed off the singing and dance skills that they had honed as they sang and danced to the most famous K-pop tunes.
When the Korean traditional SOREA Band showed up on stage, a buzz went through the crowd. The five-member girl band started playing their respective traditional instruments, but added modern color, whether it be electronic or funk beats, to the traditional sounds.
There were special booths set up in the vicinity, too, where visitors could sample Korean street food, like rice cake seasoned with chili paste, or tteokbokki, and Korean-style savory "pancakes," or buchimgae, as well as traditional rice beer, makgeoli.
Some of the visitors were also spotted trying on traditional Hanbok attire and taking selfies, while others indulged in making traditional handicrafts out of Hanji, the traditional mulberry paper.
“I believe this festival means a lot to both countries, in that the next year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Korea and Japan,” said Seoul’s ambassador in Tokyo, Yoo Heung-soo.
“As the saying goes, ‘After the storm comes the calm,’ we still face historical issues, great and small, but we can get through them together and build a closer and more sound friendship,” he added.
By Sohn JiAe
photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Center, Japan
jiae5853@korea.kr
The fair was launched in 2005, a year designated as “the year of Korea-Japan friendship” in honor of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since then, it has helped to bring the two neighbors closer by means of musical performances and other cultural events.
This year’s festival first took place in Seoul on September 14, and continued to create a festive mood in Tokyo as it moved to its second-half venue in the Japanese capital.
The Korea-Japan Festival 2014 takes place in Hibiya Park, in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on September 27.
In attendance at the Tokyo festival were representatives from both countries, including Seoul’s ambassador in Tokyo, Yoo Heung-soo, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Hisako, Princess Takamado, and Secretary General Fukushiro Nukaga of the Alliance of Korean-Japanese Lawmakers.
Those gathered at the park, amounting to tens of thousands, were met with a series of dances and performances, including modern dance shows such as hip-hop and b-boy dance battles, as well as traditional dances, including performances of Korea’s most popular traditional martial art, taekwondo.
Later in the day, a Korean pop competition was held where 35 participants from seven regions across Japan, people who were lucky enough to have gotten through the competitive preliminaries, showed off the singing and dance skills that they had honed as they sang and danced to the most famous K-pop tunes.
When the Korean traditional SOREA Band showed up on stage, a buzz went through the crowd. The five-member girl band started playing their respective traditional instruments, but added modern color, whether it be electronic or funk beats, to the traditional sounds.
The Korea-Japan Festival 2014 in Tokyo features a collaborative piece between traditional drummers from both Korea and Japan on September 27.
There were special booths set up in the vicinity, too, where visitors could sample Korean street food, like rice cake seasoned with chili paste, or tteokbokki, and Korean-style savory "pancakes," or buchimgae, as well as traditional rice beer, makgeoli.
Some of the visitors were also spotted trying on traditional Hanbok attire and taking selfies, while others indulged in making traditional handicrafts out of Hanji, the traditional mulberry paper.
Seoul’s ambassador in Tokyo, Yoo Heung-soo, delivers his congratulatory remarks during the Korea-Japan Festival 2014 in Tokyo.
A visitor samples a traditional Korean snack during the Korea-Japan Festival 2014 in Tokyo.
The Korea-Japan Festival 2014 in Tokyo has vendor booths where visitors can try samples and get a glimpse into the wide array of Korea-made products.
“I believe this festival means a lot to both countries, in that the next year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Korea and Japan,” said Seoul’s ambassador in Tokyo, Yoo Heung-soo.
“As the saying goes, ‘After the storm comes the calm,’ we still face historical issues, great and small, but we can get through them together and build a closer and more sound friendship,” he added.
By Sohn JiAe
photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Center, Japan
jiae5853@korea.kr
This year’s Korea-Japan Festival welcomes more than 60,000 people, 10,000 more than last year.
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