The 31st Taito Ward Community Exchange Festival
The 31st Taito Ward Community Exchange Festival
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Doors open: 11:30 a.m. Performance begins: 12:00 noon
Venue: Asakusa Public Hall
At the “31st Taito Ward Community Exchange Festival,” hosted by the community committees of 17 districts within Taito Ward, Yushinmon gave a demonstration.
We had also performed at the 29th festival two years earlier, and thanks to the positive response at that time, we were invited to perform again without a long interval.
In addition to students from the Taito Branch, representatives from various districts gathered, and more than thirty members in total took the stage.
Before the performance, SOKE Nakazaki offered guidance, reminding us that as disciples of Yushinmon, we should unite our hearts not only among ourselves but also with performers from other organizations, and contribute to making the festival lively and successful. His words renewed our sense of responsibility and focus.
We began by reciting the Soke Kun together, followed by demonstrations of Kenshuho, Kata, Yakusoku Kumite, Buke Mai, Bo-jutsu, Iai, Shiwari, and finally, all participants performed Shiko-tsuki together. We concluded by reciting the Gosei Kun.
While it was important to display the power and technical precision of Budo, we also considered the perspective of audience members who may be less familiar with Budo, and therefore structured a tightly condensed program within the limited time available.
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| Seiza, Mokusō (Silent Meditation), and Soke Nakazaki Yasutaka Kun |
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| Master of Ceremonies: Shihan Konoki |
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Demonstration |
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| Representatives Demonstration |
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| Shihan Ono: Tokumine-no-kon |
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| Instructor Inaba: Kushanku |
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| Shiko-tsuki by all participants |
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After the event, we received the following message from an attendee:
“A child clearly led the recitation of the Soke Kun, and all others firmly followed in unison. It was wonderful. The atmosphere instantly tightened—it truly felt like Budo.
By including not only karate but also bo-jutsu and iai, I could sense the depth of the techniques that your organization has inherited and preserved.
It was my first time seeing Buke Mai. I could tell that your organization firmly carries on the spirit and tradition of Bushido.
I was watching from the second-floor seating, and an elderly person was singing along with the music. After the Buke Mai ended, they applauded while saying, ‘Wonderful.’
And the kata performed by the women were incredibly sharp and impressive.”
