Several cultural enthusiasts explored Menlyn Maine’s green precinct mall, East of Pretoria, to experience a vibrant cultural celebration that delved into the heart of Japan’s anime, music, botany, and cuisine.
The event was loaded with karaoke, food, and a celebration of the Japanese cultural spirit at Central Square Menlyn, Maine.
The three-day Japanese Festival event was held from September 20 to 22, in association with the Embassy of Japan to display the extraordinary celebration of Japanese culture.
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Attendees enjoyed an array of exhibitions, such as incredible bonsai displays and the “Kido Senshi Gandamu” (Mobile Suit Gundam) anime, which focuses on characters fighting in robots called mobile suits, which was first broadcast in 1979.
The festival also treated cultural enthusiasts to demonstrations of one of the most well-known martial arts that arose from the Samurai Ken-do.
Ken-do is Japanese fencing, meaning “way of the sword.”
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Nicola Keogh, Marketing at Central Square Menlyn Maine, said the festival displaced awesome performances and exhibitions, while shoppers had a chance to experience Japan’s rich traditions firsthand.
The festival displayed Ikebana – the art of flower arranging, as well as bonsai, tiny trees that are super cute and take years of care. Also on display were Samurai armour, as worn by legendary warriors, and Uchikaka – Japanese traditional wedding gowns, which are absolutely stunning!
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On Friday, the festival started with a Karaoke night, and people had the chance to sing their hearts out and enjoy Japanese drinks and yummy food.
Saturday and Sunday hosted the Origami Earrings Workshop where participants had the chance to make their own cool earrings and the Lucky Bread.
The participants also enjoyed refreshing Japanese cocktails.
Sue Jacobson
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