Pat's Blog

Aye, the world is a changing place and Takamatsu held its very first St. Patrick’s Day on March 20th this year.



Of course one doesn’t have to be Irish at all to enjoy this and it’s lovely to see so many Japanese people playing a role and getting in to the spirit of things. Really encouraging, genuinely so and to gush; just wonderful!



My own background with 4 grandparents from Ireland and a name like Pat Scanlon earmark me as obviously Irish or at least descent, and yet I felt the people I saw here and in Tokyo at the very large St. Pat’s parade there, have the genuine Celtic spirit much more than I ever have. There seems to be a strong affinity for Celtic culture in Japan and particularly things Irish. And that’s not just the liquid refreshment variety either although there was plenty of that flowing at the Craic Pub afterwards.



The level of musicianship by some of these pipers, fiddlers, etc., is exceptionally high. I can’t accept that it would be that much better in Ireland. These Japanese players really work at this and they sounds great.
http://www.thecraic.biz/
The Shamrock pub in Takamatsu also had a do previously in the week.
http://twitter.com/#!/thebarshamrock



We have to thank Irishmen Mr. Shane Martin Coughlan president of Open Dawn and Mr. Michael Bedlow. lecturer at Shikoku Gakuin for their steerage and efforts to get this up and running. Shane has been a tireless worker for the relief of people in the Fukushima area, driving there multiple times using his own money, with much needed supplies last year. I’m proud to call him my friend.
Both worked their bottoms off getting this organized and we thank you!
http://www.opendawn.com/about/



So what does it mean to be Irish in Japan? Having the right spirit and above all having fun. Just look at some of these faces … The Japanese have really taken to St. Pats with annual parades in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Chiba, and half a dozen more cities and even Okinawa. The Irish Embassy in Tokyo has all the relevant information and if you’re in Takamatsu next year in March, please come!
http://www.embassyofireland.jp



http://www.facebook.com/IrelandFestivalJapan
We even have green Udon. The Udon is of course the local specialty and made green for the day by using seaweed. It tasted … well, not too bad.



I’ll be back with a report of a very unusual art exhibition for you next week or so. Until then, bottoms up for St. Pat’s day, my day. (hic) Aye? I hear fiddle music in the distance …. The sound of clinking glasses and laughter. Time to away for a whiskey or three.
And keep all those cards ‘n letters and comments coming in …