As Japan reels from the most severe earthquake to ever hit the country, the Japanese Culture Week in Islamabad continued with remembrance for the departed and hope for the future.
Japanese Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi, in his speech, thanked the people and government of Pakistan, “Your support and well wishes have enabled us to continue the events of Japan Week in Islamabad. I believe it will strengthen bridges of friendship and establish cultural harmony between the people of Japan and Pakistan.”
The penultimate day of Japanese Culture Week featured an ikebana exhibition and a judo demonstration. The multi-dimensional view of the country’s heritage is what the week-long event aims to impart among the denizens of Pakistan.
The judo demonstration was held at 10:30am in the morning, with students from Beaconhouse and Comsats in attendance. Lasting about 40 minutes, a judo team comprising boys and girls presented various techniques and warm-up exercises, enthralling the audience by routines like ukemi (break falls), yoko ukemi (falling sideways) and more. Played in 199 countries including Pakistan, Judo was developed in Japan in 1882 and is one of the oldest sports to be played professionally.
Ikebana exhibition was arranged in the afternoon. The first part had Professor Asifa Ataka, specially flown out from Karachi to conduct workshops, and her students arranging flowers in traditional ikebana style. Asifa and her students used various mediums and techniques in their display of ikebana — Moriboro and Shoka style of arrangements were the main focus of the exhibition.
Using Iris, Blossoms, Daisy, Sweet Williams, Orchids, Roses, Sun Flowers and Birds of Paradise, the artist ensured that the arrangements included flowers and leaves readily available in the market. Some exotic varieties were also used.
Pakistan Japan Cultural Association President, Ijlala Haider Zaidi, quoted Keats in admiration of Ataka’s work: “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
Once completed, the arrangements were placed for the audience to see.
During the exhibition, the visitors gathered together to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the earthquake and the tsunami.
The evening concluded with a prize distribution ceremony for the workshop attendees.
With additional reporting by Momina Sibtain
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ