All Japan Karatedo Federation Women’s team kata performed in New York

[All Japan Karatedo Federation] Women’s team kata performed in New York ​
All Japan Karatedo Federation, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Press release: October 7, 2024 Women’s team kata performed in New York Saya Horiba, Yaka Yoshimoto, Nana Kashiwamoto (All Japan Karatedo Federation National Team Women’s Team Kata) attended a reception held in New York, USA on Monday, September 23rd. Both students belong to Kokushikan University) performed a demonstration.
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The venue was Gotham Hall on Broadway Street. This event was sponsored by the Japan Tourism Agency as part of the Japan-U.S. Tourism Exchange Year event, and approximately 250 people, including local tourism businesses, media, and political and business leaders, were invited. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (then Prime Minister) gave the opening speech, and Yasokichi Konishiki, a former sumo wrestler, took the stage as a special guest. It was a lively event, with booths from related ministries and Japanese tourism businesses promoting Japanese sake and tourism content for visiting Japan.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46272/42/46272-42-b2f6ceaac699260cef28fcedac5ee191-3000×2000.jpg Athletes in group form appeared on stage The players appeared in the middle of the reception, when the busy venue had gone dark, and first showed part of their kata one by one, and then began the group kata. The audience, who had been chatting in response to the sound of the gi and the spirit, turned their attention to the stage and quieted down. In the second half of the performance, they performed the form “Chatanyarakusanku” with “It’s My Life” by America’s leading rock band Bon Jovi in ​​the background music, and the performance ended successfully with cheers and applause. The All Japan Karatedo Federation will launch its first martial arts tourism project ” Karate Premium Tour (Adopted by the Japan Tourism Agency as a project to promote the expansion and quality improvement of inbound consumption by providing special experiences, etc.). Prior to this, it was a demonstration that was able to spread the appeal of karate
internationally. Comments from the participating players are as follows. Haya Horiba (4th year, Kokushikan University) “Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to perform on such a wonderful stage.Seeing the overseas customers listening to the stories with interest at each booth and eating Japanese food, I was able to learn about the culture that we take for granted when we are in Japan. I strongly realized that there is value in food.I would be happy if I could convey the strength, beauty, and splendor of Japanese martial arts to as many people as possible.” Yoshimoto Miari (4th year, Kokushikan University) “I felt a sense of pride and responsibility in performing Japanese karate in a different cultural area, and realized that the goodness, beauty, and strength of karate can be conveyed beyond language.When I started the demonstration in a nervous atmosphere, The venue went quiet, and at the end I heard a lot of applause and cheers.I was reminded once again that karate is loved and respected all over the world.” Nana Kashimoto (3rd year, Kokushikan University) “As it was my first time to perform overseas, I was a little nervous at first, but the reaction from the audience during and after the performance was very positive, and I felt that my charm was conveyed, so I was very happy. There are many people who have seen karate for the first time, and I would like to continue to work hard to popularize it in order to enliven Japan and the karate world.” Risa Tanaka (Kokushikan University Karate Club Coach) “We were able to perform smoothly in front of many local media, travel agency personnel, and Japanese companies living in the United States.Thanks to the wonderful performance and the students’ hard work, we received a warm welcome and praise from the venue. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to represent the All Japan Karatedo Federation, demonstrate my skills, and work to spread karate to people overseas. ”