7th Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo: Authentic Japanese Culture at Aeon Mall

**How to Enjoy the Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo: A Food Writer’s Visit** **Published on 2021-05-[...]

**How to Enjoy the Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo: A Food Writer’s Visit**

**Published on 2021-05-12 at 15:29**

The Japanese Brand Expo is a highly entertaining exhibition that covers various aspects of daily life, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation. This event is held annually in different parts of China, providing a platform for cultural and economic exchange.

**Suzhou’s Connection with Japan**

Suzhou has a long-standing relationship with Japan, characterized by frequent cultural exchanges and close economic ties. This strong foundation has laid the groundwork for cooperation between the two regions.

**7th Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo Details**

From May 15th to 16th, the grand 7th Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo will be held at the first floor central square of Aeon Mall Suzhou Industrial Park Hu Dong. Many Japanese companies will bring a variety of exhibits, and local Japanese governments will showcase authentic local specialties, further promoting tourism, economic, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

**Exhibits and Experiences**

In addition to the eagerly anticipated exhibits, the Japanese Brand Expo also features several popular performances and the most authentic Japanese cultural experiences. Whether you’re looking for a date night, family entertainment, or a shopping experience, the Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo is the top choice for the weekend.

**On-Site Activities**

1. **Awa Odori Dance**: Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the passion of Awa Odori Dance up close at the Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo. Originating in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, Awa Odori is a representative traditional Japanese dance. The annual Awa Odori festival in Tokushima City attracts millions of viewers every August. Dancers in Tokushima’s traditional costumes dance to the rhythmic music, creating an infectious and memorable experience that has been praised as a representative Japanese landscape poem.Wadaiko: Special Invitation to Highly Skilled Performers

We are pleased to extend a special invitation to highly skilled Wadaiko performers to promote traditional Asian percussion at the Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo. Wadaiko, a representative Japanese percussion instrument, is closely related to traditional Japanese culture. In ancient times, the Japanese used Wadaiko to ward off evil spirits. It is also used to welcome gods and can be found in courts, folk, and Noh dramas.

Shamien and Shakuhachi: A Fusion of Cultures

What kind of sparks will traditional Japanese musical instruments create in Suzhou, the city of Pingtan? We invite you to the scene to discover the magic. The Shamisen, similar to the Chinese Sanxian, holds a high status as a traditional Japanese musical instrument with significant historical and artistic value. It is known for its clear and pure sound, simple yet melodious. The Shakuhachi, named for its length of one foot and eight inches, has a vast and desolate sound, capable of expressing ethereal and tranquil artistic conceptions. In 1909, during the cherry blossom season, the poet Su Manshu was inspired by the sound of Shakuhachi in the drizzling spring rain, leading to the creation of the timeless poem ‘The Ninth Poem of the Original Poems’.

Ikebana: The Art of Arrangement

Ikebana, also known as the way of flowers, is the art of arranging flowers, branches, leaves, and vessels to appreciate the changes of nature and life. This art form celebrates nature, etiquette, virtue, the spirit within, and the clarity of the heart. Ikebana pursues the aesthetic and spiritual values of ‘stillness, elegance, beauty, truth, and harmony’.As a showcase of Japanese brands, the 7th Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo is a gathering of big names, naturally complemented by the presence of major Japanese corporations. Participating companies and autonomous bodies bring you the most authentic Japanese food, beverages, and daily necessities, with numerous gifts available on site.

Major corporations such as Tokyu Hotel Group, Kowa Pharmaceuticals, Mitsubishi Pencil, Kirin, and Nichirei are just a few of the companies featured. They are joined by a host of others including Kyushu Railway Company, Takashima Sake Brewing Co., Ltd., Kirin (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Choyo Umeshu (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Mu Zhuo Si (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Pencil Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Kowa Pharmaceuticals (China) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Yi Xin Advertising Co., Ltd., Shanghai Bo and Sen Trading Co., Ltd., Suntory (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Tokyu Hotels, Aifu Ti (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd., Suzhou Yi Ming Trading Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Da Zheng Li Health Care Co., Ltd.

Japanese local governments also play a significant role, with participation from Oita Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Tottori Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Ehime Prefecture. These autonomous bodies have prepared a variety of content, including Japanese cuisine, beautiful scenery, and artistic culture, all available for experience upon entry.

Visitors can immerse themselves in Japanese culture and find their favorite exhibits with various styles to choose from. The expo ensures that you will find what you desire, with such a great opportunity only available at the 7th Suzhou Japanese Brand Expo.