Japan Expo is inviting you to enjoy two aspects of the fascinating Okinawa culture through Sanshin performances and Gojuryu Karate demonstrations!

See you on the cultural stage on Sunday
to listen to Sanshin and admire Gojuryu Karate

Okinawa

In the very South of Japan, the Okinawa archipelago proposes you to discover heavenly beaches and water activities, to meet its friendly inhabitants and to taste the local food, the secret of its inhabitants’ long lives. Its geography and its history allowed Okinawa to develop its own identity within Japanese culture.

Make your first steps in discovering Okinawa thanks to a Sanshin performance by the Club de Sanshin de Paris and a Gojuryu Karate demonstration at Japan Expo!

Sanshin

© tsukasa metwally

Sanshin (literally three cords) is a music instrument close to a lute which accompanies traditional songs from the Ryûkyû and Amami islands in the South of Japan (current Okinawa). Derived from the Chinese Sanxian which is said to have been imported by immigrants in the 14^th century, the instrument underwent several modifications to get to its current shape (probably in the early 18^th century). Later, it gave birth to the Japanese Shamisen.

Gojuryu Karate

© tsukasa metwally

Gojuryu Karate was created by master Chôjûn MIYAGI in the early 20^th century.

It is a style of Karate based on the combined use of strength and suppleness, Gô and Jû which give it its name. One of his most famous students was Eiichi MIYAZATO who was the master of Masaji TAIRA, founder of Okinawa Gojuryu Karatedo Kenkyukai and one of the most brilliant of today’s masters in Okinawa.