Fantastic Japanese music, martial arts and food came to Wapping Gardens yesterday raising £2,300 for the Red Cross Tsunami appeal.
Wapping resident Richard Hughes lived in Japan for eight years and organised the event because “The Japanese are the first to jump up and help when something happens, so it makes sense to try and help them”.
Residents of E1W played traditional Japanese games and learned origami and calligraphy (shuji) before watching a skilful karate demonstration by Masumi Sato-Dungey who holds a 2nd dan black belt.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/JapanQuakeCharityDay
The Japanese Community in Wapping
Richard and his wife Asami called their 18 Japanese friends in Wapping after hearing about the earthquake on 11th March with the idea of a Charity Day and they all agreed “Let’s do it”.
Events like these are common in Japan so it seemed logical to Richard and his friends to bring the festivities to Wapping and raise funds for the Tsunami appeal.
Pictures by Mark Baynes www.Baynes.co.uk
Drumming up support with Japanese folk music
Bands played a modern adaptation of 18th century traditional Japanese folk music, all organised by black belt Masumi who works as a music and theatre producer.
Watch part of the closing performance by the second band of the day made up of Hibiki (shamisen), Jiro (drum) and Yoshinovi (percussion) who gave some incredible drum action at the end and left everyone wanting more.
More pictures from Wapping Japan Charity Day
Trouble viewing? See Wapping Japan Charity Day photos on Flickr
Help the Wapping Japan Charity Day raise more
The Wapping Charity day on 10th April 2011 raised a Wapping £2,300, double Richard’s original target.
£800 has been donated via the Just Giving website and Richard’s wife Asami has raised a further £1,300 at other events, bringing the total so far to £4,400.
Please continue to donate at www.justgiving.com/JapanQuakeCharityDay and support the Red Cross Tsunami appeal.
