Introducing Jazz Guitarist and Composer Nobuki Takamen!

Performing at 12 to 1 PM at the Fair will be Nobuki Takamen, who leads his own group, the NOBUKI TAKAMEN GROUP, which performs his original compositions and arrangements throughout the tri-state area. A mainstay of the New York jazz scene, he has also performed at jazz festivals, including the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2009, the Medicine Hat Jazz Fest 2009, the Calgary Jazz Festival 2009, the Rochester International Jazz Festival 2007, and toured annually throughout Japan since 2004.

Nobuki has two albums as a leader released from What's New Records. Both the first album, Bull's Blues (2006), and the second, FROM NOW ON (2008) are comprised entirely of his original compositions an! d have b een featured in DownBeat, Just Jazz Guitar, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Guitar Book, LA Jazz Scene, Jazz Life Magazine and Swing Journal.

The group performed at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC in July 2009. This performance was recorded live and it is to be released as his third album, Live at the Iridium in 2010.

Nobuki endorses Acoustic Image Amplifiers, Raezer's Edge Speaker Cabinets and Yamaha USA.

Nobuki Takamen, born in 1977 and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, now resides in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The Band:

Bass: John E.

Drums: Yutaka Uchida

Fuji Ryu Taijutsu

New York's public peace is certainly considered improved. However, have you ever had a feelinging of helplessness when you walk through the dark city streets? Imagine a situation if the other party has guns and the knives. Can you deal with such a situation even you have know karate, judo or other martial arts? Fuji Ryu Taijutsu assumes the time attacked in the town and is practicing the art of defense which can be used in the actual combat.

Fuji Ryu Taijutsu is a Taijutsu, but it's not the fantasy ninja stuff. Fuji Ryu Taijutsu had been taught to Afghanistan guerrillas against the invasion by Soviet Union Military from 1985 to 1991. It is a realistic combat self-defense style.

Fuji Ryu Taijutsu is an original Japanese martial art. They have combined techniques from traditional Japanese martial arts and modern Japanese martial arts to create a practical self defense system.


Fuji Ryu Taijutsu's system is very simple. They have designed the system so that it is easy to learn for both men and women of all ages and physical abilities, even if you don't have any previous martial arts experience.

In the beginners class you will focus on building strength as well as shaping and conditioning your body to prepare you for the rigors of the intermediate/advanced class. You will practice zen-meditation, basic throwing, grappling, kicking, punching, blocking, breakfalls and light-contact sparring with full protective gear to fimiliarize yourself with the more advanced techniques.

In the intermediate/advanced class we will focus more on real fighting situations. You will learn techniques that will work in real-life altercations. We will prepare you to defend yourself against a much larger opponent, multiple attackers, chokes, grabs, as well as various weapons: guns, knives, bats, etc... You will not only learn self defense techniques but also a fighting spirit to help you deal with the stress and shock of a sudden violent encounter.


Fuji Ryu Taijutsu's beginners class is similar to a sport based martial art in such that it burns calories, reduces stress, improves your physical strength, flexibility and endurance. It is also a very effective self-defense system against real-life attacks by one or more opponents of any size for intermediate/advanced practitioners.

Fuji Ryu Taijutsu promotes and teaches self defense, self control, confidence, humility, diligence and a quest for knowledge.

Please feel free to contact them with any questions and join their free class!!


http://fujiryu.client.jp

fujiryu.us@gmail.com

KYOKUSHIN Karate Classes

Historically, Japanese Karate originated from the age of the Samurai, when the worker classes were weapon-less. So, the art of fighting with bare hands, or “kara-te” evolved as a form of self-defense. The philosophy of KYOKUSHIN Karate emphasizes the achievement of personal goals, whether physical, mental or spiritual and stresses the development of patience, respect and character. KYOKUSHIN practice is physically demanding, yet suitable for all ages and abilities, with special training programs and events for advanced students, absolute beginners, children, seniors and professional tournament competitors. KYOKUSHIN produces some of the most celebrated karate fighters in the world and is renowned in the martial arts field as “The Strongest Karate.”

KYOKUSHIN Karate curriculum stresses the practical application of offense and defense techniques in a controlled environment to prepare for situations one might face in real-life. Every student starts as a beginner and is guided to fulfill their potential under the care and personal attention of our IKO-Certified Black Belt Instructor Team.

They are open seven days a week and offer classes on Madison Avenue, Edgewater, NJ, and Westchester, NY with reciprocal training privileges at all three locations locally and membership in the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan operating Affiliate Schools in 135 countries around the world. FREE TRIAL class for Kids!

KYOKUSHIN KARATE is located at:

The Dojo Athletic Arts Training Center

265 Madison Ave, 5th Floor @ 39th St

(212) 947-3334

http://www.thenycdojo.com/

http://www.kyokushinkarate.com/

Introducing Pop/R&B Singer and Songwriter MAI Kawamura!

MAI Kawamura

We are pleased to have Mai Kawamura, pop/R&B singer and songwriter, perform at the Fair!

Originaly from Aichi, Japan, Mai released her debut album in Japanese in 2002. In 2005, she left Japan for New York to pursue her dream to establish herself as a singer/songwriter in America, and in 2006 she released her first U.S. album, Sa Ra So Ju (Available on iTunes and Amazon.com).

MAI has appeared in many charity events and concerts in and around NYC, including the 2009 Japan Day in Central Park. Mai sites "One Big Love" and "Feeling of Appreciation" as two of the main themes of her songs.

"I want to write and sing songs that make the whole world feeling good," says Mai. Her love for pop music extends into 1960's Japanese pop songs, which she covers often, both in concerts and albums.

Mai's newest six-song album will be released in the U.S. this fall, followed by a Japanese release in early 2010.

Mai will be perfoming from 5 - 6 PM at the NYC Japan Street Fair (Madison Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets).

The Band:

Bass: Ajia

Piano: Tsubasa

Performers at the Fair!

Besides all the tasty food, shopping, fun and games, you'll be entertained by several Japanese musicians, artists, and dancers throughout the day. Here's the lineup:

12 PM - 1 PM
Nobuki Takamen Group (Jazz)

1 PM - 2 PM
Hariyama Ballet and Kyokushin Karate

2 PM - 3 PM
Fuji Ryu Taijutsu (Ko Budo)

3 PM - 4 PM
New York Taiko Aiko Kai (Japanese Drums)

4 PM - 5 PM
NY Okinawa Club (Sanshin perfomance)

5 PM - 6 PM
Mai Kawamura (Pop)