Isshoni London Blogtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://42008-11-20T12:25:54Z... the Gateway to Japanese LondonMovable Type 3.33Japanese Language Club Social Evening at Bincho: Wednesday 26th November 08, 6pmtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5732008-11-20T12:17:35Z2008-11-20T12:25:54Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.ukThe 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.
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Manga Shakespeare Artists at Orbital Manga: Saturday Nov 22nd 08, 2-4pmtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5722008-11-19T10:09:53Z2008-11-20T14:53:31Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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6th Form Japan Day: Friday 21st Nov 08tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5692008-11-18T11:00:02Z2008-11-18T11:07:35Z 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,...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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Jazz on the Road at The Old Queen’s Head: Thursdays, 20th Nov and 18th Dec 2008tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5672008-11-17T11:59:24Z2008-11-17T15:27:07Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.ukJazz 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.
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Tokyo-based Music Label Noble at Café OTO: 14th and 15th Nov 08, 8pmtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5652008-11-14T10:32:52Z2008-11-14T10:37:57Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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Fine, Totally Fine at ICA: 14th – 20th November 2008tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5642008-11-13T09:57:17Z2008-11-13T10:01:14Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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Tetsuo Fujimoto Exhibition at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation: 12th Nov – 17th Dec 08tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5632008-11-12T09:43:55Z2008-11-12T09:50:11Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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Sounds of Water by Masako Shiraishi at the Embassy of Japan: 11-26 Nov 08tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5622008-11-11T09:17:11Z2008-11-11T09:24:23Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.
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Kimono Fashion Show at The Japan Room: Tues Nov 11th 08, 5.30pm onwardstag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5602008-11-10T09:10:06Z2008-11-10T09:24:22Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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 Showcosts £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.]]>
Japan Junction Architectural Exhibit: 8th – 16th Nov 08tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5592008-11-07T12:36:19Z2008-11-07T12:41:45Z 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...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
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.]]>
Akemi’s Japanese Cultural Workshop at Orbital Manga: Saturday, 8th Nov 08, 2-6pmtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5582008-11-06T10:29:52Z2008-11-06T10:35:48Z A fun, family-friendly day, Akemi’s Japanese Cultural Workshop is also FREE! You can learn how to tie a kimono and an obi (kimono sash), about the chanoyu tea ceremony, and how to write your name in Japanese calligraphy. A...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
A fun, family-friendly day, Akemi’s Japanese Cultural Workshop is also FREE! You can learn how to tie a kimono and an obi (kimono sash), about the chanoyu tea ceremony, and how to write your name in Japanese calligraphy.
A lecturer in Japanese Culture, Akemi is the eldest daughter of a Samurai family. She currently lives in England but often takes cultural visits to Japan.
Read more about the event at the Orbital website, and more about Akemi at her website.
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Hokusai Lecture Series: November 6th, 13th, 20th (Thursdays)tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5572008-11-05T15:47:13Z2008-11-05T15:54:11Z Everyone knows Hokusai’s iconic ‘Under the Wave off Kanagawa’ woodblock print – a motif which swept over the world in 1830. Known as ‘The Great Wave’ this ocean view was symbolic of Japan’s growing concern about the foreign worlds...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.ukEveryone knows Hokusai’s iconic ‘Under the Wave off Kanagawa’ woodblock print – a motif which swept over the world in 1830. Known as ‘The Great Wave’ this ocean view was symbolic of Japan’s growing concern about the foreign worlds that lay across the seas.
The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures presents a series of three lectures called ‘Hokusai’s Great Wave – The Making of a Global Icon’. Presented by Christine M.E. Guth, these lectures coincide with the British Museum’s recent acquisition of an excellent example of the print.
For more information about these free lectures on Japanese Art in London see the Sainsbury Institute's website.]]>
Euodia Ensemble at St. George’s Bloomsbury Church: Wednesday 5th Nov 08, 7pmtag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5512008-11-04T07:23:43Z2008-11-05T20:48:31Z If you’ve had your fill of fireworks and are looking for something a little more… well, divine… you might like to catch the Euodia Ensemble Chapel Concert on Wednesday evening. Held at St. George’s Bloomsbury Church, this concert by...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
If you’ve had your fill of fireworks and are looking for something a little more… well, divine… you might like to catch the Euodia Ensemble Chapel Concert on Wednesday evening. Held at St. George’s Bloomsbury Church, this concert by the critically acclaimed Japanese Christian ensembleis entirely free of charge. (You can't miss 'Mr. Bary Tone' in London!)
Their website is at http://euodia.jp/
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Guy Fawkes Night Fireworks: Remember, Remember the 5th of November!tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5442008-10-31T09:46:18Z2008-10-31T10:29:58Z Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder and treason Should ever be forgot... In England we don’t enjoy fireworks on balmy summer evenings. Oh no. Rather, we wait until it’s...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.ukRemember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder and treason
Should ever be forgot...
In England we don’t enjoy fireworks on balmy summer evenings. Oh no. Rather, we wait until it’s freezing outside, and then try cheer ourselves up with them! Guy Fawkes Night is rapidly approaching - offering many chances to watch fireworks around London, beginning as early as Hallowe’en Night.
Also known as Bonfire Night, fifth of November is the anniversary of the Gunpower Plot of 1605 when a group of English Roman Catholic revolutionaries planned to blow up the House of Lords. This would have killed King James and most of the aristocracy, but Fawkes was caught trying to ignite the gunpowder. He was tortured and then executed.
Traditionally, on Guy Fawkes Night children stuffed an effigy called a ‘guy’ and asked for a donation saying “Penny for the guy”. The children bought fireworks with the proceeds and the guy was later thrown on a bonfire.
To find fireworks in your area, have a look at the handy Firework Finder website. Or, View London has displays listed by date.
gunpowder - 火薬
treason - 反逆
plot - プロット
balmy - 暖かい
bonfire - 篝火
Roman Catholic - ローマカトリック教
revolutionaries - 革命家
aristocracy - 貴族政治
tortured - 苦しめられる
executed - 死刑
effigy - 彫像]]>
Hafu / Half Japanese Exhibition – Interview tag:www.isshonilondon.co.uk,2008://4.5432008-10-30T09:21:50Z2008-10-30T11:20:41Z Down a flight of steep stairs on Brick Lane, a typical multi-cultural London crowd milled around in Bodhi’s intimate gallery space. They had braved the dark, drizzly October evening to check out something a little bit different: the Private...Vanessahttp://www.isshonilondon.co.uk
Down a flight of steep stairs on Brick Lane, a typical multi-cultural London crowd milled around in Bodhi’s intimate gallery space.
They had braved the dark, drizzly October evening to check out something a little bit different: the Private View of Hafu / Half Japanese photographic exhibition.
Contemplating the large, clear photos of half Japanese, reading their candid profiles and sipping vivid green Midori cocktails people eyed each other curiously – are they a ‘hafu’? Are they not? Does it matter anyway?
I caught up with Natalie Maya Willer, the photographer, and Marcia Yumi Lise, the social researcher to ask them a few questions.
What attracted you to London?Natalie: I decided not to embrace either side of my cultural background (German and Japanese) and try something completely new. It’s easy to live in London because there are so many cultures.
Marcia: I’m half Italian so I was attracted to Europe generally. I choose London because it’s so culturally rich.
What are your favourite Japanese spots in London?Natalie: I haven’t been involved in Japanese London very much before. But now I am starting to engage with contemporary Japanese culture and I enjoy visiting the Daiwa House and going to Japan Foundation talks.
Marcia: The Japan Centre has absolutely everything!
What do you want people to take away from your exhibition?Natalie: I’d like people to explore identity – to more deeply enquire into our perceptions of identity. When the half Japanese people here came to the photo shoot we found that questions came out… everyone wanted to talk about their experiences of being a ‘hafu’.
Marcia: I think when you see the group of photos here you can see the diversity... We need to stop making generalisations but instead look at each person individually. The exhibition has given us a domain to explain individual experiences of being half-Japanese.
What do you think is the future for the concept of ‘race’?Natalie: Society creates identities out of appearances. In the future we’ll be more aware that race does not equal identity.
Marcia: There is a general consensus that ‘races’ don’t actually exist! Humans are 99.9% the same. But confusion and issues stem from the concept of ‘race’ – which is a false premise in itself...Read more about the concepts of Hafu at the website. Photos of the exhibition are by Paola Sarappa. Photo of the seminar is by Hitomi Yoda.]]>
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.
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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.
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Also known as Bonfire Night, fifth of November is the anniversary of the Gunpower Plot of 1605 when a group of English Roman Catholic revolutionaries planned to blow up the House of Lords. This would have killed King James and most of the aristocracy, but Fawkes was caught trying to ignite the gunpowder. He was tortured and then executed.
Traditionally, on Guy Fawkes Night children stuffed an effigy called a ‘guy’ and asked for a donation saying “Penny for the guy”. The children bought fireworks with the proceeds and the guy was later thrown on a bonfire.
To find fireworks in your area, have a look at the handy Firework Finder website. Or, View London has displays listed by date.
gunpowder - 火薬
treason - 反逆
plot - プロット
balmy - 暖かい
bonfire - 篝火
Roman Catholic - ローマカトリック教
revolutionaries - 革命家
aristocracy - 貴族政治
tortured - 苦しめられる
executed - 死刑
effigy - 彫像]]>
What attracted you to London?
Natalie: I decided not to embrace either side of my cultural background (German and Japanese) and try something completely new. It’s easy to live in London because there are so many cultures.
Marcia: I’m half Italian so I was attracted to Europe generally. I choose London because it’s so culturally rich.
What are your favourite Japanese spots in London?
Natalie: I haven’t been involved in Japanese London very much before. But now I am starting to engage with contemporary Japanese culture and I enjoy visiting the Daiwa House and going to Japan Foundation talks.
Marcia: The Japan Centre has absolutely everything!
What do you want people to take away from your exhibition?
Natalie: I’d like people to explore identity – to more deeply enquire into our perceptions of identity. When the half Japanese people here came to the photo shoot we found that questions came out… everyone wanted to talk about their experiences of being a ‘hafu’.
Marcia: I think when you see the group of photos here you can see the diversity... We need to stop making generalisations but instead look at each person individually. The exhibition has given us a domain to explain individual experiences of being half-Japanese.
What do you think is the future for the concept of ‘race’?
Natalie: Society creates identities out of appearances. In the future we’ll be more aware that race does not equal identity.
Marcia: There is a general consensus that ‘races’ don’t actually exist! Humans are 99.9% the same. But confusion and issues stem from the concept of ‘race’ – which is a false premise in itself...
Read more about the concepts of Hafu at the website. Photos of the exhibition are by Paola Sarappa. Photo of the seminar is by Hitomi Yoda.]]>