(image by ark on Flickr)

Children all around the world have grown up with the groundbreaking and iconic animations of Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy (or 鉄腕アトム Tetsuwan Atomu, literally meaning "Mighty Atom"). Astro Boy originated in the 1950’s and the popular character has since enjoyed enduring fame. Spawning dozens of films, the prolific work of Tezuka will celebrated at the Barbican to mark the 80th anniversary of his birth. An exhibition of films and drawings by the ‘God of Manga’ will run from the 18th to the 24th of September at the Barbican.

creator –創作者
literally –文字通り
enduring –耐えること
spawning – 産むこと
prolific –多産
exhibition –展覧会

(image by Orangutan Bert 23*32 on Flickr)

The Embassy of Japan is holding a manga writing competition. Manga Jiman 150 celebrates pride in Manga, and also 150 years of friendship between the UK and Japan. This is a great chance to have your hard work rewarded!

The first prize is two tickets to Japan, and there are a host of other great prizes. You just need to be over 14, and submit 6-8 A4 sized pages featuring a reference to ‘150’. For more information contact the Embassy of Japan. The deadline for entries is Friday, 26th September 2008.

competition – 競争
rewarded –報酬を与えられる
a host – (idiomイディオム) 多数
submit –堤出しなさい

After taking time off to move home, I am tickled pink to re-launch the Isshoni London blog! The blog will bring you information on Japanese London – forthcoming events, news, reviews and interviews to keep you connected with what’s happening and what’s hot.

What’s changed with Isshoni London?

1) The location – I am now based in leafy, friendly Wimbledon
2) The logo – a new-look logo, designed by artist and writer Al Milway, and put in place by Dan and Kate of Kitchen Critic! Thanks guys, it looks fab!
3) The blog – will now be updated regularly.

Each article on the blog will be written in English, with a Japanese glossary below. That means it not only contains all the latest about Japanese London, but provides a useful resource for English reading practice at any level, from beginner to advanced.

re-launch - 再開
tickled pink - (idiom イディオム) 非常に興奮する
forthcoming - 迫った
fab - (slang 俗語 )すばらしい
article - 記事
glossary - 語集
resource - 資源

Photo courtesy of the Japanese Conversation Group Website

It’s almost time to celebrate the blooms of spring, and appreciate the finer things in life (like beer and sushi) under the cherry blossoms. The annual Japan Society Conversation Group Hanami takes place on Saturday 19th April at 1pm under the cherry trees near Albert’s Memorial in Hyde Park. The JET Alumni Association is invited, so this will be a great day for international relations! Bring a picnic and something to sit on.

This event takes place rain or shine. If the weather proves uncooperative, the Queen’s Arms pub (on Queens Gate Mews) will provide lashings of Kirin beer.

Why can’t you get a decent bowl of ramen in London?

With this question in mind, I thought I would take the opportunity to survey a random group of people at The London Japanese Meet-up on Tuesday.

The kind of love and respect for ramen shown in the video above seems unknown in London. People I spoke to sadly did not report very good experiences of ramen here. Soba, yes. Udon, fine. Ramen in London? No.

If you know of a great place for ramen in London, please let me know!

The only person brave enough to recommend any London ramen, Keiko quite likes Ryo on Brewer Street. They do have a pretty good ramen menu… the best of the bunch?

But let me tell you about some favourite Japanese restaurants of some people I spoke to (non-ramen specific!).

Chika recommended Yo Sushi. But that’s because she works there! Go to a busy branch, and order rather than taking what’s on trundling around the kaiten belt.

Gil rather fancies Nobu.

Kazu couldn’t say enough about Asakusa restaurant at Mornington Crescent. He especially loves the Agedashi-dofu.

Are you a student, teacher, businessperson, professional, housewife (or husband!) with an interest in the links between the UK and Japan? You’re in the right place! ようこそIsshoni Londonへ!

London can be overwhelming. This blog will help you make the most of your time by letting you know about all the best things (places, events, shops, restaurants, trends, news, and communities) that connect Britain and Japan through language and culture...

I love living in London, and getting involved with everything that’s going on. I want you to feel connected to this vibrant city too!

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