Japan day at the Expo. A culture explosion.

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Written by Irene Cella

Expo 2015, Japan Day is almost here.

11 July 2015 promises to be a day wholly dedicated to the Land of the Rising Sun, with a special ceremony and a host of events to take place in the Milano Expo auditorium.

The event is expected to begin at 16.30 and is organized by the Instituto di Ricerca per l'Industria Globale e il Progresso in collaboration with the Japan pavilion, who offered its cooperation to promote a message of great relevance: 'the wisdom of nature'. The motto is meant to address the global scale of issues tied to food and nutrition, hoping for an improvement of nutritional conditions in the whole world.

Many artists, Japanese cultural ambassadors, will perform in a variety of shows. Let's get to know them a bit better:

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

It will be the cute yet energetic pop star, now world famous, who will bring kawaii to the Expo.

In a recent interview with Japan Times she said that, in her opinion, music is a medium capable of bringing together people with different backgrounds, and that she cannot wait to debut in Italy with her music. She's also glad to share with Italy Japan's culinary culture; she mentioned her passion for umeboshi (dried plums), a food that keeps her batteries charged during her tours.

Hailing from Harajuku, Kyary begins her career as a singer in summer 2011 with the mini album Moshi Moshi Harajuku, expanded and reissued in 2012 under the title Pamyu Pamyu Revolution. So began a global success story, fueled by her first national and international tour in 2013, taking her in 8 countries and 13 cities. The same year she publishes Nanda Collection, her second album, reaching the top spot in the Oricon Weekly Chart.

The following year she embarks in her successful second international tour, touching 11 countries and 15 cities. In 2014 she publishes her third album Pika Pika Fantajin, which is simultaneously released in 15 countries and becomes her second album to top the Oricon Chart.

The hall tour Kyary Pamyu Pamyu No Kumo No Ue No Heaven's Door totals more than 35000 spectators. Just as successful was the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu No Karafuru Panikku TOY BOX arena tour, which began on October 15.

Thanks to her expressive and original aesthetics she has become a Harajuku icon, and will now act as a supporter for the 2015 Japan Expo pavillion.

Hosho Kazufusa

Born in 1986 as the first son of Fusateru Hosho and nineteenth generation head of the family. His mentors were his father and his grandfather, Fusao Hosho.

He performs onstage for the first time in 1991, interpreting a child in the play Seioubo. In 1995 he is the protagonist of Iwafune and up until then he interpreted 'Sagi', 'Shakkyo (Renjinshi), 'Dojoji', 'Okina' and 'Ran'.

In 2008 he attains the title of twentieth generation head of the Hosho family. He now teaches at Tokyo University of the Arts, he is executive director of the Hosho Association and supervisor for the Noh theater Wa no Kai.

Sisyu

Internationally known calligrapher and artist, last year she was selected as representative artist for Japan at the Louvre museum, in concomitance with the show Corrousel Du Louvre, sponsored by the French National Art Association.

She won the prestigious 'Jury Prize' thanks to her wonderful works that captivated the French museum judges. She has the merit of globally legitimizing calligraphy as an art form. She is now part of the committee created by the Cultural Affairs Agency for events tied to the 2020 Olympics. 

Yoshida Brothers

Ryoichiro Yoshida (1977) and Kenichi Yoshida (1979).

Tsugaru-jamisen players. Hailing from Noboribetsu, Hokkaido.

At 5 years of age they begin performing on the shamisen and since 1990 they find a mentor in Takashi Sasaki, founder of Tsugaru-Jamisen.

Their first success comes with the Tsugaru-Jamisen championship, and in 1999 they publish their first album Ibuki, becoming a landmark in the history of traditional Japanese music. Since then they released 13 albums, the most recent titled Horizon.

In 2003 they have their USA debut, and a string of international collaborations jump starts their global career.

Dadadadan Tenko

Mondorilsaya founds this taiko ensemble in 1987. Hailing from Osaka, they offer wild and spectacular live performances that proved to be wildly popular.

The participated in events and TV shows in more than twenty countries, proving themselves to be a group that effortlessly conjugates modernity and tradition.

Morizo and Kiccoro

Official characters of the Aichi Expo. Morizo being the elder and Kiccoro the younger. They are spirits inhabiting the Kaisho forest in Aichi prefecture. They are part of the roster of Expo supporters, just like the artists introduced above.