2022 JETAA Natsu Matsuri – Japanese Summer Festival
2022/8/28
On August 28, the Embassy joined the 16th Natsu Matsuri organized by the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association (JETAA) Ottawa Chapter at Annie Pootoogook Park and Sandy Hill Community Centre in the city of Ottawa. Although the day of the event turned out to be one of the hottest days of summer throughout the day, about 700 visitors visited the event site, celebrating the event which was held for the first time since 2019.
At the booth set up by the Embassy, we promoted the Embassy’s cultural events, the JET Programme, MEXT (The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
scholarship, and Ship for World Youth program, and held interactive activities such as sensu decorating, yo-yo fishing, and traditional Japanese toys like kendama and ring tossing. The Embassy also made available Japanese snacks for guests to enjoy. At this Natsu Matsuri, 15 organizations participated by setting up booths to promote their activities, including Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA), non-profit organizations, artists, and local Japanese businesses, and introduced their activities and Japanese culture to the guests. In addition to these booths, there was also a full performance program throughout the day, which included demonstrations of traditional martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Kyuudo, as well as traditional musical performances including Yosakoi, Bon Odori dancing, Taiko drumming and Shamisen.
Remarks were given by Mr. FURUYA Tokuro, Deputy Head of Mission and Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Canada, Mr. Shuaib Syed, President of JETAA Ottawa, and Ms. Melisa Kamibayashi-Staples, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association. Minister Furuya appreciated the JETAA Ottawa Chapter for its longstanding commitment to Natsu Matsuri in Ottawa, and congratulated the 16th Natsu Matsuri for being held in-person after the pause of the past two years.
At the booth set up by the Embassy, we promoted the Embassy’s cultural events, the JET Programme, MEXT (The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
scholarship, and Ship for World Youth program, and held interactive activities such as sensu decorating, yo-yo fishing, and traditional Japanese toys like kendama and ring tossing. The Embassy also made available Japanese snacks for guests to enjoy. At this Natsu Matsuri, 15 organizations participated by setting up booths to promote their activities, including Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA), non-profit organizations, artists, and local Japanese businesses, and introduced their activities and Japanese culture to the guests. In addition to these booths, there was also a full performance program throughout the day, which included demonstrations of traditional martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Kyuudo, as well as traditional musical performances including Yosakoi, Bon Odori dancing, Taiko drumming and Shamisen.
Remarks were given by Mr. FURUYA Tokuro, Deputy Head of Mission and Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Canada, Mr. Shuaib Syed, President of JETAA Ottawa, and Ms. Melisa Kamibayashi-Staples, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association. Minister Furuya appreciated the JETAA Ottawa Chapter for its longstanding commitment to Natsu Matsuri in Ottawa, and congratulated the 16th Natsu Matsuri for being held in-person after the pause of the past two years.
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| Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Furuya gives opening remarks |
Embassy of Japan booth |
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| Sensu decorating at Embassy booth |
Kids Zone with yo-yo fishing |
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| Schedule of performances |
Aikido disarming demonstration by Budo Yoseikan Aikido |
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| Taiko performance by Oto-wa Taiko | Tateyama Kendo and Iaido Club demonstrating Kendo |