Frankston Susono Friendship Association: JAPANESE FESTIVAL BRINGS A SLICE OF JAPAN TO FRANKSTON

Article by Jess Hast - jemhast.com

Last Sunday, Frankston locals were treated to a taste of Japanese culture in their own city. The Frankston High School Senior Campus was adorned with flags, banners and torii gates to welcome visitors to a day of energy, excitement and fun!

The Frankston Japanese Festival is held biennially by the Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA), a volunteer group operating the sister city relationship on behalf of Frankston City Council. The Festival is held to celebrate the relationship between Frankston and Susono which was established in 1982. FSFA and their Japanese counterparts SOFA, endeavor to provide their respective communities with valuable opportunities for cultural exchanges.

Japanese performers from around Victoria put on an unforgettable show for festival goers. The talented and laid-back Ichimadin group played beautiful music from the shores of Okinawa, all while making Hawaiian shirts look cool. Wadaiko Rindo, a Japanese drumming group, put on a stirring performance on the taiko drums three times throughout the day. Richmond Tigers fans may have recognized Wadaiko Rindo as the drummers who rouse the crowd at the beginning of Tigers home games.

The Aiki Shuren Dojo from Mt Martha put on a martial arts demonstration for everyone to enjoy. The school specializes in aikidō, a modern martial art focusing on defending oneself without injuring an attacker.

Visitors found tranquility watching the tea ceremony performed by Ritsuko Greenwood and the ladies from Chado Urasenke Tankokai. The tea ceremony is a centuries-old classical Japanese art form which creates a peaceful, refined atmosphere. The group hosted three ceremonies across the day which were extremely popular with visitors. Miho Araki of ebisu design also hosted calligraphy sessions where visitors could have their name written in the beautiful and exquisite brushstrokes of Japanese script.

For those who prefer hands-on activities, there was plenty on offer. The ikebana (flower arranging) workshop run by the Ohara Ikebana group provided visitors with the chance to learn about traditional aesthetics and beautiful blooms. Etsuka of Harapeko Kids showed everyone how to make healthy, delicious and cute character lunchboxes at the kyaraben workshop using ingredients such as rice, seaweed and veggies.

Visitors were given the opportunity to don a traditional Japanese yukata, a colourful garment often worn to celebrations, tied with a sash known as an obi. The Japanese Garden provided a stunning backdrop for people to take photos while looking resplendent in their yukata. The garden was presented beautifully by the FSFA team with particular efforts from Vice Chairperson and determined gardener Simon Hast.

Younger festival goers flocked to the Children’s Activities room which was run by teachers and students from Frankston High, Derinya Primary, and other local schools. Kids could get creative with Japan-inspired crafts such as designing a fan, making a tonbo dragonfly, origami and a festival colouring sheet. Playful types enjoyed a range of Japanese games including yo-yo water balloons, a fishing game, kendama, spinning tops and a sumo game. Activity cards were handed out to enthusiastic participants at the front gate which encouraged kids to explore the festival and collect stamps upon completing a range of activities.

The Schools Parade gives students who are studying Japanese at local schools the opportunity to participate in festival culture. Students from Balnarring, Derinya, Dromana and Overport Primary Schools, plus Frankston High School were a riot of colour and sound as they paraded through the Festival. Shortly afterwards, the Festival’s first Beyblade knockout tournament was a smash hit with well over 80 kids entering. Beyblade is a Japanese phenomenon much like a high-tech version of spinning tops which takes place in a special arena stadium. Congratulations to Oliver from Balnarring Primary who was the tournament winner!

Community groups joined the Festival with intriguing displays featuring their crafts. The Waverley Bonsai Group displayed their gorgeous bonsai plants for all to appreciate. The Australian Japanese Model Rail Group showed off the intricate details of their model train lines which were greatly admired by boys of all ages. The Melbourne Shōgi Club attended and taught locals about shōgi, Japan’s equivalent of chess as well as animal chess for children. FSFA also organized a virtual reality demonstration which allowed guests to slip on a VR headset and explore the city of Susono, minus the flight to Japan!

Stallholders selling various Japanese goods came together to create an exciting market experience. Visitors could buy anything from Japanese-style bread to eco-friendly beeswax wraps to cosplay cat ears. Stalls by Anna Japana, Baker Bears, Beez Whisper Eco Wraps, Ebisu Design, Have a Nice Day by Suzuki, Lupicia Fresh Tea, Mic Macs, Nekomimi Mode, Sachi Craft, SAORI Premium Sauces and SMILE added a pinch of colour and a dash of smiles to the festival flavour.

If you missed out, don’t worry. The FSFA Japanese Festival will return in 2020 and will also welcome a delegation of visitors from Susono! Like Frankston Susono Friendship Association – FSFA on Facebook to get all the information about future events.

FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson, Mayor Colin Hampton and Vice Consul-General Shota Tohara during the Opening Ceremony

Wadaiko Rindo Taiko Drumming Group performing during the Opening Ceremony

FSFA Vice-Chairperson Simon Hast, Vice Consul-General of Japan Shota Tohara, Sister Cities Australia Executive Committee Member Christina Despoteri, FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson and Mayor Colin Hampton