Festival brings flavour of Japan

Leeds University Union’s Japanese Society is holding a Star Festival, known as Tanabata Matsuri, after receiving funding for the event from the country’s embassy.

It will feature lessons and workshops on Iaido sword fighting, calligraphy and origami and a performance of traditional Japanese music from Clive Bell and Rie Yanagisawa.

Tea ceremony experts wearing traditional kimonos will be serving matcha tea for visitors to Leeds University Union on Saturday.

There will also be images from Japan in an photography exhibition.

The event, which has been sponsored by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, aims to improve links between Japan and the UK.

The Japanese Tanabata Matsuri Festival celebrates a legendary tale of the coming together once a year of two star lovers separated by the Milky Way.

Although not celebrated until the summer months in Japan, the university’s Japanese Society has decided to bring it forward to use it as the theme for their cultural fair.

The festival opens on Friday at the Leeds University Union’s Hidden Cafe with an event designed for local schools.

It is then opened up to the public from Saturday at 10am at the Leeds University Union’s Hidden Cafe. Admission is free.