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Rekindling cultural ties across the seas 

The recently concluded Japan Sri Lanka Expo 2017 drew an unprecedented crowd to the BMICH in Colombo from the 3rd to the 5th of February. The exposition was organized by the Japan Expo Premier Committee in collaboration with several Japan affiliated institutions namely JETRO Colombo, JICA Sri Lanka, Japan Foundation as well as the Japanese Red Cross Society. The exhibition was sponsored by the Japanese embassy in Colombo and the Sri Lankan embassy in Tokyo, Japan. 

Ms. Yamaji Nao, one of the members of the representative committees who arrived from Japan shared her views and experience during the three day exhibition, with the help of interpreter Ms. Piyumi Hettiarachchi - a member of the Sri Lankan representative committee. 

Expressing her views, Ms. Yamaji Nao said that one of the key objectives of organizing Japan Sri Lanka Expo 2017 is to spread awareness of Japan's cultural diversity among Sri Lankans, while giving the Japanese a similar exposure on Sri Lanka. She also emphasized that Japan and Sri Lanka has maintained strong ties for many decades, and through the exposition they intend to introduce Japanese culture, music, food and arts to the Sri Lankans. 

"We held a variety of performances including the Japan's most popular Sumo wrestling, 'Takarabune' - a traditional drums and dance performance, musical performance of Shamisen - Japanese string instrument and so on." said Ms. Nao. Showing her surprise at the great enthusiasm shown by the visitors she added, "We were not aware that people abroad were interested in our culture to this extent." 

The expo also featured B-STATIONS a popular dance and vocal group and a performance of the renowned pianist Acoon Hibino in addition to a fashion show highlighting the traditional kimono designs. 

The expo hall was divided into different sections based on different themes, giving a unique yet refreshing experience to the visitors as they proceed along from one zone to another. The expo included a cinema zone, kids theatre, spaces dedicated for workshops including Japanese Tea ceremony, flower arrangement, ornamental plants as well as for Tatami (Japanese flooring material). Furthermore, information booths were also stationed at the expo hall for the convenience of the visitors to obtain valuable information about Japan. 

The second floor lounge was particularly drawing the interest of the visitors of all ages as it featured an array of food stalls. The stalls gave the visitors a taste of Japanese traditional cuisines including sushi, yakisoba, tofu, traditional pancake, Japanese green tea as well as traditional meat dishes. 

One one side of the food court were soaring posters featuring various drama and anime characters. The lounge was also decorated with festoons of traditional lanterns, making a fine crimson canopy adding a touch of festive vibes. The Tea workshop on the third floor was gracefully decorated with various hand crafted plants, in addition to colourful umbrellas and floral work surrounded by dozens of paper cranes in origami style. 

A movie based on the much loved tele series Oshin was screened at the cinema zones apart from a host of popular movies including Seven Samurai, a fusion of Super Kabuki and One Piece, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Detective Conan. Speaking about the promotion of Japanese drama and anime (Japanese animation) in Sri Lanka, Ms. Nao said that some of the local channels have been airing drama episodes for some time, and they intend to further promote them through dedicated channels. 

One of the biggest highlights of Japan Sri Lanka Expo 2017 was the arrival of Ms. Ayako Kobayashi, who played the role of Oshin's childhood, to Sri Lanka. Expressing her views on Ms. Ayako Kobayashi, Ms. Yamaji Nao said, "She is a greatly talented actress who is well known not only in Japan but all across the world. And Oshin is a much loved and highly popular drama in Japan as well." 

When enquired as to how Japan has preserved its culture for centuries while remaining as one of the most powerful and developed countries in the world, Ms. Yamaji Nao said, "We as Japanese do not engage in any special activity to preserve our culture. But one of the things we practice in general is that we converse in Japanese language at all times, even during special occasions, festivals and functions." 

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TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS by Ganga Ratnayake