1. Strings between older people and Japanese arts Azuki Foundation

2. Azuki Foundation was set up in October 2012 to increase public awareness of the culture and music of Japan. Azuki Foundation Azuki Foundation’s initial focus is on “culture and wellbeing” It will provide workshops for older people using movements and elements unique in Japanese arts and culture, such as Bon dance, Ayatori and Otedama. David Cameron’s “challenge on dementia” in 2012. The UK has 800,000 people living with dementia. In Japan, there are 4.6 million.

3. Back Ground Ran a 5- week Bon dance workshop for older people as part of Big Dance 2012. Introduced “Fukuchiyama ondo” - 16 sts preps of movements - Helpes to prevent dementia (local government’s research) Thought Traditional Bon Dance Created original Bon Dance London Borough of Islington - Men in Islington:the lowest life expectancy in London - Women in Islington: the third lowest (Cultural Matters- A Cultural Strategy for Islington Council 2012- 2015) High rates of physical and mental illness.

4. Back Ground Bon Dance Back Ground Bon Dance Bon Dance is a traditional Japanese community dance. Simple, elegant, slow and smooth movements to music. Provides modest physical exercise Promotes social contact and health

5. Back Ground Feedback Interest from media (ex. Asahi News paper) Great feedback from participants and organisers. Benefits Improves body coordination / Concentration/ Helps create new community groups/ Inspire people’s imagination

6. New Project 1) OTEDAMA Japanese bean bag juggling Rhythmic and Playful Gentle physical movement Economical, anywhere, anytime Play individually or in a group

7. New Project 1) OTEDAMA Scientific evidence UK and Japan - New Scientist (UK) reported juggling improves brain activities. - There is an ability to alleviate depression (A Japanese psychologist, Dr Kazuhiko Nakahara) Benefits Improves body posture / Improves coordination / Concentration

8. New Project 2) AYATORI Cat’s cradle or string figures Visual imagination Play individually or in a group Interactive Economical, anywhere, anytime

9. Benefits Manipulation of the fingers / Imagination / Creativity / Concentration New Project 2) AYATORI Scientific evidence - There are clear differences of the brain activity level before and after practicing ayatori (Dr Satomi Noda of St. Mary’s College Nagoya (2009) - The International String Figure Association provides several research on ayatori

10. How we deliver workshop? Basic structure ●Learn sequence of Bon Dance ●Step by step making AYATORI ●Practice OTEDAMA Sharing For example… ●Change from original movements to own movements ●Making shapes using by different body parts instead of fingers Creation ●Create New Bon Dance routines Ayatori and Otedama as an art form ●Performance Challenging Creative Accessible Interactive Great fun

11. OTEDAMA Creative work

12. AYATORI Creative work

13. Our Aims Promote health and well-being to help alleviate dementia and depression Provide opportunities to create new communities for people to help avoid isolation Stimulate people’s imagination and creativity Improve self-esteem and confidence Improve sense of physical and mental well-being for older people Introduce unique Japanese arts and culture

14. Action Plan Community Centres in Islington Project starts September 2013 (supported by Award for All, Big Lottery ) Supported by Award for All, Big Lottery

15. Thank you Azuki Foundation www.azukifoundation.org www.azukifoundation.org