The London Market Language Exchange presents a Japanese Club social evening for those interested in practising Japanese.
Held at the stylish Bincho restaurant (a specialist in yakitori), on the second floor of the OXO Tower, the £10 entrance fee will cover some tasty snacks.
For more information, email IUAJapanClub@tokiomarineglobal.com or visit the Language Club homepage.
A book signing and sketching session with the artists of the latest Manga Shakespeare books will be held at Orbital Manga this Saturday the 22nd November.
Taking Shakespeare into a totally different realm are Chie Kutsuwada (As You Like It), Ryuta Osada (Othello) and Mustashrik (Julius Caesar) who will all be there on the day.
Want to know more about Manga Shakespeare? You can join www.mangashakespeare.ning.com network to read the Manga Shakespeare production blogs.
This is a FREE one-day course for sixth formers keen to know more about Japan, its traditional culture and role in the modern world. If you are studying Japanese at school or are considering doing Japanese studies at university, this day will offer insights through workshops and lectures.
Learn about Japanese culture, politics and economy through lectures and then pick from a range of elective workshops on taiko drumming, Noh theatre and yosemoji calligraphy. There will also be practical advice on Japan-related study and career opportunities.
This event is put on by The Japan Society and The Embassy of Japan at Westminster Academy in London. Contact Anna Davis with questions or to reserve places at anna.davis@japansociety.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7592 7039.
Jazz on the Road continues: live Japanese Jazz at The Old Queen’s Head in Islington featuring: Drugstore Cowboy (Live Band), Maki and Kola and the Jazzcotech Dancers. With guest DJs Patrick Forge, as well as London-based Japanese DJs Koichi Sakai and Kay Suzuki.
From 7pm to 2am, £5, nearest tube Angel.
Email jazzontheroad66@gmail.com for more information about the night.
Looking for something different to do this weekend? If you are around Dalston this evening or tomorrow why don’t you check out the two-day festival presented by the Tokyo-based Music Label 'Noble' at Café OTO?
Catch Midori Hirano, who works with computers and samplers to create piano-based music. Now We've Got Members is an eclectic mix of world music, jazz, rock and disco played by between eight and fifteen members. Kenichi Iwasa is a multi-instrumentalist and will play with special guests.
Starting at 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights, you can pay £6 for one night or £10 for two.
Fine, Totally Fine (Zen Zen Daijobu) will be screened at the ICA for six days only. Proving popular at the Raindance festival earlier this autumn, you’ve got another welcome second chance to catch this light-hearted comedy directed by Yosuke Fujita.
Click here to read more about the film.
The intricate 3D ‘machine drawings’ of Japanese artist Tetsuo Fujimoto are at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House from 12th November to 17th December 2008.
Fujimoto’s work is comprised of layer upon layer of stitches, an effect that changes depending on your closeness to each piece. He explains his art as ‘encompassing both the macro and the micro’… the overlapping lines lead us further inside.
Tetsuo Fujimoto, trained as a weaver, is now Professor at Division of Contemporary Art and Theory, Faculty of Art, Hiroshima City University.
The Private view of the exhibition is between 6-8pm on 12th November. Fujimoto also talks to Lesley Millar, Professor of Textile Culture, University for the Creative Arts on 14th November, at 2pm.
Viewing is free; the Daiwa House is open from 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday. You can read more about the Private view conversation with Lesley Millar and book online here.
The Sounds of Water Sculpture Exhibit features massive ceramic and bamboo installations by Japanese artist, Shiraishi Masako.
Her award-winning sculpture was last seen in the UK at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2008.
The exhibition is at the Embassy of Japan, open from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Admission is FREE, don’t forget your passport or driving licence as photographic identification is needed.
Presented by Tanaka Mineko, President of Tondaya, a kimono wholesaler in Kyoto, this exhibit is accompanied by a talk and demonstration about the tradition and art of wearing kimono, and is followed by a champagne reception!
You can also take a tour of The Freemason's Hall, a beautiful art-deco building in which The Japan Room is located. The Freemason’s Hall is not normally open to the public.
The Kimono Fashion Show costs £15 for members of the Japan Society and £28 for non-members. To register call the Japan Society on 020 7828 6330 or email them at events@japansociety.org.uk with 'Kimono Fashion Show & Demonstration ' in the subject, giving your name, email address and telephone number.
Works by twenty Japanese designers who have studied, and practise, architecture in London will be on show in ‘Japan Junction’. The exhibition is at trendy Dalston venue Café OTO from Saturday the 8th to Sunday 16th November.
By viewing the various works you can see how the architects have been influenced by their environment, and their Japanese background.
Café OTO’s website is here. If you’d like more information, contact londonarchitects@hotmail.co.jp.