Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Endemen ameshachehu.

It is a great pleasure for me to see so many of our friends this evening for our KENDO Performance at the Italian Cultural Institute.  First, please allow me to express my heartfelt welcome to all of you.

Before we go any further, I would like to thank the Japan Foundation in Tokyo for sponsoring this overseas tour of the KENDO team.  Without its funding, this performance would not be possible.  My appreciation also goes to the Italian Cultural Institute for allowing us to use their beautiful, cozy hall for today’s event.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is a very exciting day for us in Addis Ababa, as we have our own ‘Seven Samurai’ with us.  As you all know, the Samurai were the warrior class in Japan’s Feudal Era.  Although we do not have this class now, their spirit and culture have continued, and Bushido is still practiced today.  Among the Samurai warriors, the KENDO or the Art of Sword was one of the most important martial arts to be practiced because a Samurai’s sword was said to be a Samurai’s life.  The Art of Sword, or KENDO, has developed as a beautiful and strong discipline, training not only the bodies but the hearts and minds of the warriors.

This evening, our Seven Samurai are from Okayama Prefecture located in the western part of Japan.  All of them are excellent KENDO practitioners.  They will demonstrate their art, using the bamboo swords which are commonly used for practice and competition.  Today, we are also honored to have a special demonstration using a real sword called “katana,” which is very rare to see, even in Japan.

          I believe that through this performance, the Seven Samurai will be able to demonstrate the true meaning of strength.  It is not how big one is or how strong one might look.  It is the discipline, the skill and the years of hard training that nurtures strength within, which allows the practitioners to fight with dignity and integrity.

Now, let us witness together, the disciplined, passionate but composed Art of the Sword; that is KENDO.

          Amesegenalehu.  Thank you very much.