Discover the new manga by Hoshino Yukinobu - which is actually an ongoing new storyline set in the treasure trove of the British Museum. It's easy to pop in to the the exhibition in Room 3 (right inside the front entrance - on the left) for a peek at what the much-love character Professor Munakata thought of his first trip to the British Museum!

'Hoshino Yukinobu (b. 1954) is a world-famous manga artist. One of his most popular characters is Professor Munakata who investigates history and folklore in his manga adventures. In this display, you can see original artwork by Hoshino, including drawings showing the start of Professor Munakata's new adventure set at the British Museum.

Step into a life-sized manga with Hoshino's comic-book creations filling the walls and floor of Room 3. You can also browse a selection of Japanese manga books in the small manga kissa (literally 'manga coffee shop' - although coffee will not be available) in the corner of the room - a perfect way to discover more about the art of manga.'

Visit the British Museum's website for more information.

The Embassy of Japan is once again launching another major manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN 2009, with fantastic prizes. This year the competition is open to anyone fourteen years of age or over.

1st Prize: 2 return tickets to Japan, courtesy of ANA
2nd Prize: TOSHIBA laptop computer
3rd Prize: RICOH digital camera

The closing date for entries is Friday, 25 September 2009. For full details about the competition, please see www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp

'Orbital Manga is hosting a rare and exclusive signing with Manga Artist Benjamin (writer and artist for the stunning manga book "Orange" by Tokyopop)

Benjamin is a phenomenal mainland China artist, whose stunning digital art adorns in his Art Book Xiao Pan's, "FLASH". His artistic style really catches the eye, and every panel in "Orange" is painted, brush style in colour with great detail.

He'll be demonstrating his remarkable technique and signing copies of his books including the limited edition landscape-format hardback of "Orange", his latest lavish art book "Flash", 'Chinese Youth', 'Remember', 'One Day' (in French) and images and prints on the day of the signing.'

Shhh! It’s a bit of a well-kept secret that Hammersmith Park boasts a small but perfectly-formed Japanese Garden, originally commissioned for the Japan-British Exhibition of 1910.

Painstakingly constructed, even the bridge crossing the pond was brought in especially from Japan, brick by brick!

It was rescued from neglect in summer 2008 by Friends of Hammersmith Park Japanese Garden and experts from Japan. To keep the garden in shape in 2009, there will be a ‘General Tidying Session’ on May 30th, from 11am-3pm. Get your wellies on and email jb.ex100@yahoo.co.uk to join in.

Following the restoration work on Saturday, there will also be a garden party on Sunday May 31st, from 12pm-4pm! Taiko, bon dancing, story-telling and Japanese food will make this a great day out for the whole family.

Download Garden Party Event Flyer

Orbital Manga is the nucleus for connecting with all things manga, anime and cosplay in London.

Even better – there’s a wide selection of the latest manga titles available in English. So, it’s just like being in Japan, except you can actually read everything! Yay! Located just around the corner from Leicester Square, at 4c Orion House, Upper St Martins Lane, this slice of Japan couldn’t be closer to home.

The British Museum’s Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Galleries have recently been refurbished to tell the chronological tale of Japanese culture from ancient prehistory, to the present...

There are paintings and prints, exquisite Samurai treasures, everyday objects, even modern manga.

When you enter the gallery, you will note the lovely tea-house. The London-based Urasenke Foundation Chado group does demonstrations there on a regular basis – contact the museum for more information about times and dates.

Have you found a little part of Japan in London? I'd love to hear about it!

From 12pm to 8pm on Saturday 14th of March, you can simply turn up at the Tokyo Toys Trocadero Store to get your portrait drawn... Manga Style!

'Yay! The lovely talented Sweatdrop Studios artists are back at our store this weekend! This time we have Faye Yong, Laura Watton and Nana Li!

Prices: Pencil £10, Black & White £12, Full Colour £20. Add 50% to price for every extra person in picture.'

Visit the Tokyo Toys website for more information.

Listening to Akemi Solloway talk at Orbital Manga on a gloomy Saturday afternoon we were whisked away on a winding journey – one that led us out of the intimate central London shop and into the wide world of Japanese culture…

A teacher and lecturer in Japanese culture, Akemi seamlessly weaves illustrative anecdotes and factual information about traditional clothing, tea ceremony, religion, calligraphy, with more modern trends such as manga and anime.

Appealing to contemporary concerns, Akemi showed the benefits of kimono – the large sleeves make a natural pocket that could help cut back on plastic bag wastage. Likewise, the Japanese all-purpose carrying cloth is a beautiful and re-usable carry-all. Akemi also produced a fan from her obi (belt) and explained how this can be an effective weapon when made in iron.

Akemi digresses artfully in response to audience questions yet always remains on track. Diet, posture, prostitution, slurping, Harajuku girls – everything adds to the picture.

Interestingly, the talk highlighted the surprising commonalities between Japanese and British culture. For example, we both have Royal Families (Princess Akiko of Mikasa is currently studying at University of Oxford). The familiar sailor outfit of Japanese high school students came from the British Naval Officers. Tea is beloved in both countries, as are flowers (Japanese ladies idealise the typical English country garden; English ladies study Ikebana!).

If you'd like to hear Akemi talk, visit The Japanese Art Festival in Richmond on 28th February and the 1st of March...

I also managed to ask Akemi a few more questions about her own thoughts and motivations...

What first inspired you to bring Japanese culture to the UK?

When I first moved to the UK in 1995 people weren’t talking about Japan very much. I brought with me to the UK hundreds of kimono, and through them I began to share Japanese culture. I also took an MA in Japanese Religion so that I could explain more about it to people, through school visits and talks.

But now, Japanese culture is very popular in the UK. Why do you think that is?

I think that manga and anime brought Japanese culture to a wider audience. When I talk to young people taking Japanese GCSEs or A levels I find that they have often developed their interest in Japan through reading manga in English!

What the best way to access Japanese culture in London?

I think one the best ways is through manga and anime. Cosplay is also becoming more and more popular, with many events for people to get involved in.

What’s your favourite part of living in London?

Freedom. Here, as a woman, I can have a business. I am free to do what I want and am not restricted by the traditional role a woman must play in Japan.

Thanks to Akemi for a great afternoon. Check out her website to find out about events she’ll be holding. Akemi is the main organiser of The Japanese Art Festival in Richmond on 29th February and 1st March 2009.

gloomy - 薄暗い
winding - 曲線
intimate – literally 親友, but meaning 狭いところ
seamlessly – literally 継ぎ目無, but meaning 滑らかに
weaves - 編む
illustrative - 詳しい
anecdotes - 逸話
contemporary - 現代
concerns - 心配
wastage - 消耗
alternative - 代わり
digresses - 脇に逸れる
artfully - 巧妙に
commonalities - 同じ事
sailor outfit -セーラー服
idealise -理想的にしなさい

The highly anticipated Japanese Art Festival - art, cultural activities, cosplay and exchange - will take place on Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March 2009. It takes place at the Richmond Adult Community College(5 minutes walk from Richmond tube or rail).

Akemi Solloway, the main organiser of the Japanese Art Festival, is a lecturer of Japanese culture and daughter of an old samurai family. In addition to Akemi, the core supporters of this festival are AJAMCA, the Anglo-Japanese Anime, Manga and Culture Association, and the School of Japanese Language and Culture.

If you are interested in finding like-minded people with an interest in Japan, this is the place to be! There are lots of 'interesting things to see and do and the chance to take part in further activities in the UK and Japan'.

Admission to the Japanese Art Festival is FREE! See the festival's website for more information on events (including a J-pop party and a Japanese martial arts demonstration!)...

Orbital Manga is offering a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day this Saturday, the 14th February.

'From 2pm some of the best talented UK manga artists will draw cute manga portraits of you and your loved one for just £10!!

There will also be a Valentines Day Manga Art Competition with prizes from Orbital Manga and Letraset.
'Send/bring in your cutest love inspiring manga art to us by 14th February or come in on the day and get drawing and submit your drawing by 5pm.'

Visit Orbital's website for more information...

Japanimation: Far East anime masterclass presents a series of film events at the Barbican running until February 2009. Looking at classics of Japanese animation, the festival is hosted by Helen McCarthy – anime expert and co-author of The Anime Encyclopedia.

Including ‘Sword of the Stranger’ (25th November 2008), ‘Dororo’ (28th January 2009), ‘Phoenix: Immutable Conclusion’ (1st February 2009), ‘Akira’ (1st February 2009) and ‘Treasuretown: Tekkonkinkreet’ (24th February 2009), Japanimation is a great chance to re-visit the classics of anime and introduce them to your friends!

Visit the Barbican site for more details, and to book online.

A splendid event for Cosplay fans – The Grand International Cosplay Ball will be held on the 30th November 2008 at the Clapham Grand.

It will be an evening of theatre, burlesque and live music - with many different diversions ranging from CanaDark’s fire and poi spinning to a kimono fashion show presented by Japanese cultural specialist Akemi Solloway.

Set dances (Rumba, Waltz, Tango, Jive!) will also take place at the beginning of every hour; you’ll be given a dance card at the beginning of the evening to fill up!

The dress code is cosplay (any style or genre permitted), or smart/stylish dress only. Other styles of dress are also welcome, including EGL (Gothic Lolita), Visual Kei, Burlesque, Vintage, Steampunk and Glam Rock.

The Clapham Grand is a gorgeous venue - a theatre in Victorian times, since converted to a nightclub with modern facilities and original features. Tickets are £18 and can be purchased online at The Grand International Cosplay Ball website.

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.

(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