Events

Experience a taste of Japan

Saturday, 13 September 2008, Black Lion Leisure Centre

10.30am-5pm

The festival celebrates the culture and traditions of Japan, through its displays and workshops. Experience the colours of Japan through interactive workshops and demonstrations. Discover and learn the ancient disciplines of martial arts displays and enjoy the opportunity to take part in taster sessions.

Tempt your taste buds and experience the flavours of Japan through sushi and tea ceremony workshops. Let your imagination delve into Japan’s myths and legends as they are brought alive in the storytelling arena. Relax and try the complementary healing arts of reiki, bowen and shiatsu.

Enjoy the incredible displays of music, costumed characters and dance, including local dance group – Medway Baton Twirlers - and performances of the Fisherman’s Dance and Haruhi Dance by visiting Japanese students from Chaucer College. The Meantime Taiko Drummers will host thundering drumming workshops for people of all ages.

Medway Council is proud of Medway’s long seafaring connections and the continuation of its links with Japan through the Will Adams Festival and the twinning of the Japanese cities of Yokosuka and Ito with Gillingham. We look forward to seeing you at the Black Lion and at the other events planned for that weekend.

Cllr Howard Doe
Portfolio Holder for Community Services

So who was Will Adams? Will Adams, whose Japanese name was Miura Anjin, is probably better known in Japan than in his native country of England. He was born on 24 September 1564 in Gillingham, Kent. From an early age, the sea and ships fascinated him. He joined the Royal Navy in 1588, serving under Sir Francis Drake during the wars with Spain. After the war, Will retired from the Navy, married and went to Holland. In the summer of 1598, he was appointed Chief Navigator of the flag ship Hope and set sail for the East Indies. After a hazardous voyage from West Africa, his ship went aground on the island of Kyushu, Japan in 1600. Will was taken to the Shogun, questioned and imprisoned as a pirate. When released, he was ordered to sail to Edo (Tokyo). Having impressed the Shogun with his knowledge of shipbuilding and navigation, Will went on to set up the first trading link between Britain and Japan. In recognition of his services, he was granted the honoured title of Samurai and given a small estate in Hemi (modern Yokosuka).

How to find the Black Lion Leisure Centre

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