Celebrating Indo-Japan friendly ties

To celebrate 2017 as the year of friendly exchange between India and Japan, a two-day cultural festival 'Konnichiwa Japan' was held recently, at DLF Place, Saket to celebrate and strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations. 'Konnichiwa' is a Japanese term similar to our 'Namaste' or an informal 'Hello!'

For the first time ever in Delhi, two retired Sumo Wrestlers, Kazumaza Satou Bungonishiki, and Yoshinori Tashiro Toouyama flew in to give Delhiites a taste of Sumo wrestling. The event started off with a special performance of Taiko, an ancient Japanese form of percussion using large drums, and had Undokai (Sports Meeting), FIFA 18 Gaming Competition, Anime Cosplay, Japanese tea ceremony, Bonsai display, Ikebana and Origami stalls, Japanese contemporary and traditional dance performances, and an array of Japanese cuisine lined up to showcase the culture of Japan.

"In the recent years Indo-Japan relationship has undergone a qualitative shift as the economic relation between India and Japan is rapidly developing. Under this circumstance, cultural relations have become better and stronger to encourage the cultural interflow between India and Japan, promote better understanding about Japan in India and strengthen people to people contact. We seek to promote youth exchanges between the two nations through such initiatives. The festival comprises of many cultural demonstrations, which will enable people to have a slice of traditional Japanese culture while sitting in India,'' said Ravi Chopra, President, Discover Japan club.

Talking about their experience of coming to India for the first time, the sumo wrestlers present at the event, shared some insights into the game. Sumo wrestlers start to practice the art at an early age. Since there is no limitation to one's weight, if a wrestler is heavier he has an advantage over the others. One has to consume enough food equivalent to 20 persons to maintain their structure, and practice for seven hours a day, informed Bungonishiki, who had retired on May last year at the age of 30. Sumo wrestlers can be found in majorly fours countries – Japan, Mongolia, Russia, and Hawaii.

The event had been organised by Discover Japan club in India and World Heritage Academy in support of Embassy of Japan, and Japan Foundation in India in association with Discover India club in Japan to promote cultural collaboration between the two nations.