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Free outdoor Asia ethnic cultural performances will be staged on Sunday (December 2) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza from 2.30pm to 5pm featuring Japanese ethnic performances such as wadaiko, judo, traditional music and dance as well as Chinese traditional stage arts.
One of the highlights of the event is wadaiko to be performed by the Hong Kong Japanese School Primary Section Wadaiko Club and the Japanese International School Primary Section Wadaiko Club. In ancient Japan, wadaiko was often used in religious ceremonies and rites. The sound of wadaiko, which symbolises the sound of Buddha, was believed by Japanese farmers to cast out plagues and evils.
The "Hong Kong Judo Kan" will demonstrate different Judo techniques, showing the world of modern Japanese martial art to Hong Kong audiences.
Performers of "Wakayagi Ryu-Ko no Kai" dressed in kimonos will perform Japanese traditional dance. The dancers have to maintain good control on steps and the position of their bodies. Another group "Jilin Dancing Group" will present Japanese folk dances: "Nanchu Soran" and "Yocchore¡¨. "Nanchu Soran" is a Hokkaido dance which gives thanks to the sea god and "Yocchore" is from Kouchi-ken praising god for abundant harvest.
Formed by a group of Japanese residents in Hong Kong, the "Ensemble Dimanche" will play a variety of music from famous symphonies to the music of Japanese animation films.
During the show, there will also be Chinese traditional stage arts performances. Students from the Shaolin Monastery will perform flag dance and Chinese traditional stage arts while a "Bianlian" (literally "Changing Face") master will change different coloured masks within a fraction of a second.
The Asia ethnic cultural performances are jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Consulate-General of Japan, and supported by "2007 China-Japan Exchange Year of Culture and Sports" and JNTO Japan National Tourist Organisation. For enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo
Ends/Monday, November 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:38
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