Seiji Okada had just left his desk at the Japanese embassy in Afghanistan when the Talibans bomb hit. If he hadnt gone into another office at just the right moment, he wouldnt be alive today. As it was, he and the other embassy staff had to spend two days in a bunker.
When you live in such a dangerous, tension-fraught environment, you need something to take your mind off day-to-day responsibilities and stresses. But its not like you can step out for an evening concert or dinner.
For Okada, who in January became the Japanese Consul General in Vancouver, music was the answer.
He and other staff from nearby embassies, including Canadas, would gather regularly for a jam session. Theyd play everything from jazz to pop to a little rock n roll. However, because theyd sometimes be playing late at night, or the sounds of the city kept bringing them back to the reality they were trying to elude for an hour, each of them bought electronic instruments. Theyd plug them in, put on their earphones and start jamming. Anyone who walked into the room would have thought they were mimes.
Okada played his electric wind instrument at a Vancouver Heritage Foundation garden dinner at the Japanese consulates residence in Shaughnessy. As Heritage House Tour patrons delighted in the fusion of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine presented by consulate chef Takanori Iwatsubo, various performances took place on the lawn. At several points, a smiling consul-general strode up to join them, his instrument proving to be incredibly versatile flute, saxophone, clarinet, it does it all.
Like his chef, Okada easily crossed the bridge between traditional and modern genres (although you could sense an inner Dexter Gordon asking if he could come out and play...)
The Japanese consultate is hosting two cultural events. Katsura Sunshine, who performs Rakugo comedy in English is at the Steveston Buddhist temple Aug. 30, the Alan Emmott Centre next to the Nekkei Centre Aug. 31 and at The Cultch.
Sept. 1. Shigin+, a recital of ancient poetty in a collaboration of traditional Japanese performing and visual arts, is at Pyatt Hall (843 Seymour) on Sept. 6. Admission to all events is free but reservations are required: call 604-684-5868 ext. 372 or email [email protected].
