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I LOVE
IRELAND
FESTIVAL
BY MARTIN LEROUX
Commence the wearing of the green. Saint
Patrick’s Day is just around the corner,
and Japan is preparing to celebrate its
love affair with Ireland—a relationship
spanning more than three centuries.
Time has strengthened the Land of the Rising
Sun’s infatuation with the Emerald Isle. Asia’s
first Saint Patrick’s Day parade took place in Tokyo
back in 1992—and the tradition is still going
strong, beckoning green-clad crowds to march
down Omotesando.
But it’s more than just a spirited stroll. Held in
tandem with the parade, the I Love Ireland Festival
spotlights the culture, bringing together musicians,
artists, sports enthusiasts and business
experts to show what makes Ireland unique.
According to Haruka Masumizu, PR officer of
the Irish Network Japan (INJ, www.inj.or.jp) and
organizer of the festival, Japan’s affinity with
Irish culture can be attributed to its universality.
“It fascinates such a wide range of people,
young and old, irrespective of background or
nationality,” she says. “Irish culture—be it dance,
music, literature or food and drink—which has
always strengthened ties among Irish emigrants
around the world, works also to bond Japanese
and Irish people together.”
This year marks the I Love Ireland Festival’s
second installment, and it promises to be bigger
than the last. “Irish music will be the main
theme of this year’s parade,” adds Masumizu.
“We will have bands and baton twirlers from
Japanese universities; Okinawa dancers; Tokyo
pipe bands; as well as the wonderful brass
sounds of the U.S. Army Band.”
Also scheduled to perform are Beoga, a
Grammy-nominated Irish fusion band making
their Japan debut; Tricolor, a traditional Irish
band comprising Japanese members; and some
of the principal dancers from “Riverdance.”
Speaking of the popularity of Irish arts and
culture, Festival coordinator Yasuko Teramachi
says, “One of the characteristics of Irish culture
is its simplicity, similar perhaps to the Japanese
‘zen’ philosophy, which seems to have been
forgotten nowadays.”
While there will be performances aplenty,
the Japan branch of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí
Éireann (CCE Japan, http://comhaltas.jp)—a
group dedicated to promoting Irish music,
art and dance—will also have a booth on-site
offering information on the arts and local
classes.
Ireland’s own Gaelic football, a sport that’s
gaining traction in Asia, is also represented.
Differing from soccer, the sport is played with
a round ball with 15 members per team. Goalposts
are of the same shape as those of rugby,
with what resemble soccer goals added.
Luke Dillon, vice chairperson of the Japan
Gaelic Athletic Association (Japan GAA, www.
japangaa.org), says the GAA uses the sport as
a medium to promote Irish culture and build
cross-cultural relationships.
“The social aspect is key, with friendships
and bonds built up though various events,” Dillon
explains. “This not only applies to Japan
GAA but to all Irish organizations within Japan.”
Business is also an important facet of cultural
exchange. The Ireland Japan Chamber
of Commerce (IJCC, www.ijcc.jp), established
in 2008, works to fortify relations between
the Irish and Japanese business communities
through seminars and networking events; and
also will be present at the Festival.
“Ireland can be an attractive location for
Japanese companies to locate their European
operations,” says Gerard Mulligan, IJCC president.
“It has a highly-educated population that
is one of the youngest in Europe, is Englishspeaking
and an excellent doorway to the 500
million-strong European markets.
“Likewise, Japan is an attractive market for
Irish companies looking to compete in overseas
markets.”
To fully immerse yourself in the Emerald Isle,
the I Love Ireland Festival might be the ticket.
March 15, 10am-6pm. Yoyogi Park. Harajuku
or Meiji-jingūmae. www.iloveireland.net
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