The Return of Japan Matsuri

Tony Yasamura jumps clean in the air as part of his onstage performance. Japan Matsuri was finally back after a four year absence. 1/800s 50mm F1.8 ISO 160.

When I joined the Japan society my aim was to experience as much Japanese culture as possible whilst being in the UK. What better way to get a sense of the country and its culture than to attend the annual Japan Matsuri that ranks as the biggest Japanese event in the UK. Normally held on the first Sunday in October, the spectre of Covid meant there had been no event since 2019. With that done and dusted with it could finally return to its usual place in Trafalgar Square.

The same Taiko drummers I saw at the Japanese Garden Community Day kicked off the event with another exhilarating performance on stage. 1/1250s 50mm F1.8 ISO 250.

Naomi Suzuki from the Japan Association in the UK sings the Japan Matsuri song on stage with some of the younger attendees 1/1250s 50mm F1.8 ISO 250.

H.E. Hayashi Hajime Ambassador to the UK and the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt Chancellor of the Exchequer having a friendly chat. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 100.

Japanese Ambassador Hayashi Hajime gave a short speech during the opening ceremony. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 100.

As did Jeremy Hunt, a keen Japanophile who lived in Japan for several years teaching English during his youth. He finished his speech with a short message in Japanese. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 100.

Breaking open the Sake barrels to mark the official opening. 1/1250s 50mm F1.8 ISO 250.

The event had a little bit of everything: food, culture, activities, and demonstrations that represent not just the most well-known aspects of Japan but from regions top to bottom, from Hokkaido to Okinawa and everything in between. Succulent fresh fruit from Fukushima to snacks from Kumamoto. There was certainly no shortage of things to eat, whether you wanted something hot to eat there and then or to take away for later, everyone was well catered for. Numerous large Japanese businesses such as Japan Airlines and two of the major Japanese railway companies: Central Japan Railway Company & East Japan Railway Company were also there. Japan is keen to attract as many tourists as possible in the post Covid era, especially as the Yen remains weak.

Close-up of the Taiko drummers in action. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 125.

Many of the food stands had free samples for curious onlookers. 1/800s 50mm F1.8 ISO 200.

Inspecting the Wares 1/800s 50mm F1.8 ISO 200.

After the opening ceremony came the Mikoshi procession. A Mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine. 1/3200s 50mm F1.8 ISO 250.

Delicious grapes hailing all the way from Fukushima. 1/1000s 50mm F1.8 ISO 100.

Interviewing the kids on stage. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 125.

Tens of thousands of people were in attendance and even though Trafalgar Square is not exactly tiny, at the peak during the day you could barely see the floor. Amazing results for the organisers but it made photography a real challenge. It wasn’t often you had a clear line of sight in the crowds. As I was there on as the photographer for the Japan Society, I was also to access the press area in front of the main stage, and I found myself there for most of the day. The schedule was jam-packed with an amazing array of martial arts, music, dancing, and comedic performance from Britain’s Got Talent sensation Tony Yasumura. If you don’t know who he is then look him up online, I’m sure you’ll soon be shouting ‘pants’ at your screen. Perhaps the most special performance was that of two Ainu, people indigenous to Hokkaido, singing in their native language. It could well have been a first for the UK.

There was no shortage of food options for attendees. 1/500s 50mm F1.8 ISO 100.

Simon Wright, the director of programming at Japan House London, was one of the main presenters on stage. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 125.

An onstage demonstration of Ryukyu Kobujyutsu, traditional martial arts from Okinawa. 1/1000s 35mm F1.4 ISO 125.

They employ fighting techniques using what would have been the ordinary tools of farmers. 1/1600s 50mm F1.8 ISO 250.

Or in this case fishermen, this was certainly the first time I’d seen a paddle used in martial arts. This demonstration was by Shihan Julian Mead, a 7th Dan master. 1/1600s 35mm F1.4 ISO 125.

The Tamakurya stand had plenty of interest. Another one I had seen before at the Community Garden Day. 1/500s 50mm F1.8 ISO 125.

Thankfully for myself and the other photographers, the staging and lighting were really well done which made our lives much easier. I was really thrilled with what I shot and from the feedback I have gotten it seems so is everyone else. I’ve been told that they some of the best images they’ve ever seen of the Matsuri, and the Japanese Embassy has even used one on their website. All very heartwarming, especially after all the effort I put in. But what I did really does pales in comparison to the legions of volunteers and organisers (and the weather gods who mercifully spared us rain) who worked tirelessly to get this event back in London after a lengthy absence. They really deserve all the thanks and recognition owed to them.

Naturally the Japan Society had its own stand to promote the organisation and work it does. Hopefully it resulted in many more new members. 1/640s 50mm F1.8 ISO 160.

Japan Society CEO Michael Rivera King was smiling all day long as he chatted to members of the public. 1/1000s 50mm F1.8 ISO 160.

The Kendo demonstration was loud and frantic. 1/1000s 50mm F1.8 ISO 400.

Whilst the Aikido demonstration had plenty of flips. 1/1600s 50mm F1.8 ISO 160.

The crowds were large around the main stage and I certainly wasn’t the only one to bring their camera. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 64.

It was remarkable to listen to the Ainu duo Ankes singing in their native tongue. The woman is a teacher at the only primary school in the whole of Japan that teaches in Ainu. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 64.

If you didn’t go this year, then I really hope you can make it next year. I would say see you there, but I am hoping I won’t be. Why? Because I am planning to finally visit Japan for the first time to get the all-singing, all-dancing experience. I’m sure there will be no shortage of photographic opportunities.

And then representing the opposite end of Japan was the music and dance from London Okinawa Sanshinkai. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 64.

A gorgeous performance of the elegant art of dance, Nihon Buyo, by the Hiroko Tanaka Nihon Buyo Group. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 80.

Tony Yasamura showing off his naked poses whilst wearing PANTS. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 125.

Naomi Suzuki performing songs from the hit anime Kimetsu no Yaiba. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 200.

Another very elegant performance came towards the end of the day with the ‘Sakura Beauty with Koto and Shakuhachi’ in combination with Sakura Cherry Tree Project. 1/800s 105mm F1.4 ISO 250.

Playing the Koto, a traditional Japanese instrument. 1/1000s 105mm F1.4 ISO 400.

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