Canterbury Japan Day is an event organised annually by The Japanese Society of Canterbury with the aim of sharing authentic Japanese culture with Cantabrians.
In 2015 it will take place from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 1 March at Riccarton Park Function Centre, Riccarton Racecourse.
Programme of events
Planned events include:
- the major attraction film "Theatre of Princess Kaguya";
- performances by the Garden City Big Band, the Japanese Drums group Takumi, the Canterbury Japanese Choir, and by Koyu-kai, a group who play traditional Japanese instruments like the koto and the sangen;
- the Kitsuke Obimai - a demonstration of how to put on kimono and obi;
- a traditional tea ceremony;
- calligraphy, bonsai, ikebana and paintings.
There will also be some 50 stalls selling Japanese delicacies, and craft objects.
The history of Canterbury Japan Day
The inaugural Canterbury Japan Day was held on 11 March 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Japanese Society of Canterbury and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Japan. It also marked the anniversary of the 2011 East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
The Day proved very popular and has become an annual event, attracting about 20,000 visitors in 2014.
Theme
The theme for this year's Canterbury Japan Day is Autumn. Colourful leaves (koyo) will decorate the Function Centre, reflecting the fact that the viewing of Autumn leaves is a popular activity in Japan.
In 2014 the theme was Summer and in 2013 Spring.
Check out photos of previous Japan Days on our photostream.
Our online resources
- Japanese organisations: listing of Japanese organisations, reflecting a range of cultural, arts and sporting associations. From CINCH, our Community Information Christchurch database.
- Language courses providers: Japanese language course providers. From CINCH, our Community Information Christchurch database.
- Mango Languages: Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn a variety of languages, including Japanese. It also contains instructions on how to learn English for native Japanese speakers. Use at a library or enter your library card & password / PIN.
- World Languages Collection: learn more about our collection of fiction and non-fiction in languages other than English.
- New Settlers page: explore the range of resources and services Christchurch City Libraries offers to new residents.
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