Last week Stephen Metcalfe
MP visited the Kodosai Cultural Event to show his support for Japanese martial
arts and culture in the local area and also to celebrate the established links
between Japan and South Basildon and East Thurrock resulting from the 2012
Olympic Games.
The event, held in
association with a number of organisation including the Japan Society UK and
local Karate Club Maru Karate Kai, was the biggest Japanese martial arts and cultural event staged in Essex this year.
It aimed
to celebrate Japanese activities in Basildon, recognising the Japanese Olympic
and Paralympic swimming teams staying in Basildon for the London 2012 Olympic
Games, and to promote Anglo-Japanese relations.
The local
MP, who is patron of Maru Karate Kai, was able to get a taste of traditional
Japanese martial arts, Shodu (calligraphy), Kyudou (archery), Ikebana (flower
arranging), Nihongo (Language), and traditional drumming music.
He
commented: “This was a fantastic event showcasing Japanese culture. I was blown
away by some of the demonstrations and performances and it was a great way to
celebrate our links with Japan.”
“It must
have taken a great deal of organising and hard work to put on so I would like
to thank everyone involved. I hope that those who went learned as much as I did
and I look forward to supporting other events such as this in the future.”
