Opening Ceremony of Traditional Okinawan Crafts Exhibition: Bonds Connecting the Ryukyu Kingdom to the Present ~ SJ60 x Shuri Castle Restoration Commemorative Project ~
 Guests enjoying juice and tea from Okinawa  Sanshin performance by the Singapore Sanshin Association |
The opening event of “Traditional Okinawan Crafts Exhibition: Bonds Connecting the Ryukyu Kingdom to the Present” was held at JCC on 2 September, featuring traditional Okinawan crafts and the story of Shuri Castle.
JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko welcomed the guests, highlighting Okinawa’s unique history and the culture it has shaped. Mr Uchima Hirotaka, Director of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Singapore Office, also addressed the guests, and shared many charms of Okinawa. Singaporean travel writer Ms Wendy Ng , a former JET ALT in Okinawa, spoke about the prefecture’s beauty, culture, food, and people, expressing her deep affection for Okinawa. Highlights included a live performance of sanshin (a three-stringed instrument unique to Okinawa) by the Singapore Sanshin Association. There was also a surprise at the end, as JCC Third Attache Ms Tobaru Ayumi, who is from Okinawa, led the audience to join in a traditional dance that is performed to celebrate good fortune. It was a night to immerse in Okinawan culture, as guests enjoyed local cuisine prepared by Nirai-Kanai, an Okinawan restaurant in Singapore, local drinks such as Awamori, Shikuwasa juice and Sanpin-cha, as well as star sand bottle-making experience. The exhibition was held at JCC from 2 - 16 September, whereby visitors could explore the beauty of Okinawa, enjoy the limited star sand bottle-making and snap memories at the Okinawa photobooth! |
 JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko delivering her opening speech |
 Director of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Singapore Office Mr Uchima Hirotaka delivering his opening remarks |
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 Singaporean travel writer and former JET ALT participant in Okinawa Ms Wendy Ng presenting about Okinawa |
 Audience dancing a traditional Okinawa dance that is performed to celebrate good fortune |
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 Guests viewing the exhibition |
 Guests could make their own star sand bottle |
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 Local cuisine prepared by Nirai-Kanai, an Okinawan restaurant in Singapore. |
 A variety of awamori that was served to guests |
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Japan Creative Centre 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372 +65 6737 0434 / jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC Nearest parking at Orchard Hotel & Delphi Orchard |
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