Hurray! February is halfway over! But it's still freezing. With this in mind, here are my top toasty picks to get you through February in Londontown...

1. Melt into a Nabe Pot

The times I've googled 'oden - London' and 'nabe - London' and 'I want to eat oden in London!' and various combination thereof, I've never been able to find a restaurant that specialises in the warming Japanese hot-pot here in London. But now, thanks to the comprehensive EAT-JAPAN website, I've found out about Cocoro Restaurant near Bond Street, located at 31 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2NH. Read the article on EAT-JAPAN.

2. Defrost Your Buttocks with Uniqlo Heattech Long Johns

I don't know how I would have survived winter without these. I gave some to my mum at Christmas. Later, she complained she had cold legs. I said: 'Why don't you put your long johns on?' She said: 'Because I don't want to get used to wearing them all the time.' I said: 'Why?'. She didn't know...

Look, if you haven't got your obligatory Uniqlo Heattech undergarments on, you need to go and get some. Now!

Seriously, that is some cold rock you've been living under.

3. View Gorgeous Shiny Things

If you still haven't made it to see Hiroshi Suzuki's gorgeous 'Silver Waves' exhibit at The Goldsmith's Hall, you've got two more weekends. The free exhibition closes on March 6th.

4. Rediscover Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro is British. I know this.

But I've just got to get a mention of his 2009 book 'Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall' in here somehow, ok? What could be more comforting than this cheerful cover on a dark afternoon in February, I ask you? Pop on your Heatech long johns and snuggle down for a nice, long read.

The 'Insight into Beauty - Contemporary Craft Inspired by Japan' runs from until the 27th November at The Embassy of Japan, open weekdays 09:30 - 17:30, closed weekends. The Embassy of Japan is located at 101 - 104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT. Admission is free, but photo ID is necessary to gain entry to the Embassy.

'This exhibition at the Embassy of Japan presents various aspects of contemporary craft made in the United Kingdom yet inspired by Japanese materials, techniques and design. It looks at basketry, lacquer ware, ceramics and textile arts created by both Japanese and non-Japanese artists alike. The name of the exhibition is taken from the words of Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961), who led the Japanese mingei (folk crafts) movement fostering an interest in the aesthetic value of craftsmanship in Japan.'

This exhibition is a part of Asian Art in London. Visit the Embassy's website for more information.

A captivating display of 'Ukiyo-e' prints, literally meaning pictures of the floating world. Created by masters such as Hokusai, Hiroshige, Utamaro and Kuniyoshi this selection of enchanting prints encompasses the beautiful women, dramatic landscapes and Kabuki actors of the Edo (1603-1868) and Meji (1868-1912) periods.

Prints and postcards of images from the exhibition will be available to purchase from artsdepot's box office.

Date: Until Thursday 22nd October
Time: Open daily 12pm 4pm (6 - 8pm on selected performance evenings)
Cost: FREE EXHIBITION
Where: Apthorp Gallery, artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA

An exhibition on 'Josiah Conder and Japan' will be held at the Embassy of Japan in London from 1-29 October 2009.

This exhibition outlines the life and works of British architect Josiah Conder (1852 - 1920) in Japan and the renovation of the Conder-designed Mitsubishi Ichigokan Building and Museum in Tokyo, which is due to open in April 2010.

Known as a 'Father of Japanese Modern Architecture' - Josiah Conder was a British architect who, after first stepping onto Japanese soil in 1877 at the young age of 24, became one of the most influential figures in the history of modern Japanese architecture.

Although Conder's achievements are little known to the people of Britain, he has left an indelible imprint on the consciousness of many in Japan where he is the subject of enormous respect and his work is cherished and loved by all.

Visit the Embassy's website for more information on how to visit this exhibition.

'Hooray for the Nagasaki Tramcar'

Exhibition of prints and drawings at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House, and a talk by Chris Orr RA. (14 September -11 December 2009). The talk is on 4th November, 2009.

'Chris Orr RA was Professor of Printmaking at the Royal College of Art (1998-2008) and is now Professor Emeritus. He has exhibited at the Whitechapel, Serpentine Galleries, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum and the Tate, as well as at the Jill George Gallery London, and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. In 2008 he was awarded an MBE for services to the Arts.'

The exhibition is free to view. Visit the Daiwa Ango-Japanese Foundation's website for more details.

Walking in My Mind exhibition at The Hayward explores the inner workings of the artist's imagination through immersive, large-scale installation art.

Ten international artists transform the Hayward Gallery's indoor galleries and outdoor sculpture terraces into a series of gigantic sculptural environments, each of which represents an individual mindscape. Interior worlds of emotions, thoughts, memories and dreams collide with exterior reality, blurring the boundaries between inner and outer space.

Artists in this exhibition include the Japanese natives Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara and Chiharu Shiota.

Koukan Gallery is now showing 'Art for the Garden' by Japanese art gardener Takeshi Nagasaki (1970-) of N-tree.

'This exhibition develops the concept of garden installation using various objects (waterspout, water basin, fountain stone, bonsai tree, photograph, woodcut print) and encapsulates ideas (such as the consciousness of seeds and tree roots) inspired by Nagasaki's work in the garden.

Moreover, we will explore MEMENTO for the garden with a program including presentation/ discussion and an open garden tour of recent projects.'

The exhibition runs from Tuesday, 16th September to Saturday, 3rd October 2009 at Koukan Gallery, 106A Alexandra Park Road, London N10 2AE

For more information,
Tel: 020 8444 7121
Email: rie@koukan.co.uk

VIsit Room 91 at The British Museum to discover 'The Power of Dogu' exhibition, on until the 22nd of November.

'An exhibition featuring about 70 prehistoric figurines (dogû) from Japan. Appealing and mysterious clay figurines that were made in large quantities throughout the Japanese archipelago during the Jômon period (BC13,000 - BC300), they were crafted in a wide variety of styles and most are less than 30-40cm in height.

This is the first international exhibition dedicated to dogû and it will present many works designated by the Government of Japan as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, most of which have never left Japan before. '

MIZU, KI, ISHI (water, wood & stone) exhibition will run from the 1st to 28th September 2009, Monday to Friday 8-12 a.m. and 1-5 p.m., Saturdays 8-11.30 a.m.

Three exciting Japanese visual artists explore the depth and beauty of natural materials in the unusual context of a timber merchant's yard in Hammersmith.

Isao Miura, Lisa Keiko Kirton and Kyoko Sugai present their in conjunction with The Gallery at Moss & Co, Dimes Place, 104 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 OQW.

For more information:
Tel:07968 256416
Email: chris.beckett@ukonline.co.uk

'Mizu' is a participatory art workshop for all ages by artists Lisa Keiko Kirton and Kyoko Sugai.

The workshop will be held at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre on 30th July 2009, from 1-5pm, and 31st July 2009, from 12-4pm.

'Lisa Kirton asks visitors to draw or paint their image of 'WATER' on postcards provided.

Kyoko Sugai will hold a workshop which will use collage with water colour paint to express 'SUMIE' or calligraphy like images through contemporary art.'

The workshops will be held in Room 3, Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London NW3 3NR.
For more information email: Lisa@kenkirton.com

Shozo Michikawa's exhibition entitled 'Nature into Art' will be at Galerie Besson until 5th August, 2009.

'An exhibition of new ceramic sculptures by Shozo Michikawa. Michikawa lives and works in Seto - an area rich in ceramic traditions. His works combine traditional Japanese techniques and aesthetics with a modern energy and vigour.'

Michikawa will also be a demonstrator at this year's Aberystwyth International Ceramics Festival.

Galerie Besson is located at 15 Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond Street, London, W1S 4SP.
Tel:020 7491 1706
Fax:020 7435 2570
Email:enquiries@galeriebesson.co.uk

'Dawn showcases the work of Naoko Miyazaki, a London-based Japanese artist and graduate of Chelsea College of Art/University of the Arts, in the atrium space at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The principle work is a 10m high suspended cut paper installation at one end of the atrium, as well as more recent wall-mounted works on paper and a floor-based installation.'

Atrium Gallery, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, is located at 1 Embankment Place, London, WC2N 6NN.

The Japan Centre will welcome the experts from the British Origami Society every Saturday in July from 12-5pm, for a free workshop on the art of paper folding.

'It's going to be a great opportunity to watch professionals at work, to get tips and ask questions in a friendly and relaxed environment.

You can even take home what you make and impress all your friends and family. It's taking place every Saturday, in the Japan Centre Bookshop. People of all ages welcome!'

■おりがみWORKSHOP開催のおしらせ■

The British Origami Societyのメンバーを講師に迎え、７月の毎週土曜日に12-5pmの間で開催されます。　どなたでも参加無料！

日本の文化とイギリスのセンスが混ざり合う新しい折り紙です。お一人でも、お子様とご一緒の参加でも大歓迎！！お買い物の際には、是非お立ち寄りください。

The British Origami Societyとは、40年以上の歴史があり、世界中の700名以上のメンバーを誇る折り紙クラブです。日本人の方にも新しいスタイルの折り紙作品が魅力です。彼らのユニークで芸術的な作品はこちらからご覧ください！

'Following the success of the Kuniyoshi Exhibition, The Royal Academy is now hosting its annual summer exhibition, now in its 241st year, which will feature Japanese woodblock print artist Katsutoshi Yuasa.

Now in its 241st year, the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition 2009 continues the tradition of displaying a wide range of new work by both established and unknown artists in all media including painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and architecture.'

'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.'

A Net of Eels by Jake Tilson and Kyoichi Tsuzuki will be at The Wapping Project, London from 10th July to 23rd August 2009.

'An exhibition of new work by British artist/writer/cook Jake Tilson and Japanese photographer/cultural commentator Kyoichi Tsuzuki, 'A Net of Eels' is a playful and evocative exploration of the complex cultural and culinary significance of the Eel in Japan and the UK.

Featuring a selection of photographic images, audio works and found objects drawn from historical contexts and everyday popular culture, the project combines Tilson's highly personal and eclectic approach to his subject (as seen in his celebrated narrative cookbook A Tale of 12 Kitchens, 2006) with Tzusuki's more anthropological observations (evident in his popular photographic publications Roadside Japan, 1996 and Tokyo Style, 1993).

A Net of Eels is commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella in association with The Wapping Project. Supported by Arts Council England and The Great Britain Saskawa Foundation. Presented as part of the Wapping Project / Jerwood Found in Translation programme.'

The Wapping Project, The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SG
Tel: 0207 680 2080

An exhibition of new works by Mitsuko Hoshino entitled 'tracing elements' will be at the Gallery Koukan, London until the 17th June 2009.

'This is first major exhibition of new works by Mitsuko Hoshino in London since 2003. The show will include twenty-two new works in a site-specific installation.

Previously in London, Hoshino had a solo exhibition at Daiwa Anglo-Japan Foundation and in 2007 she was short listed for the Jerwood Drawing Prize. Other recent international solo shows include Gallery Gen, Tokyo (2006) and Gallery F.route, Kanagawa (2009). Her work is represented in private collections in Europe, USA, UK and Japan.'

Gallery Koukan is located at 106A Alexandra Park Road, London N10 2AE and is open Tues - Fri 12:00 - 16:00 / Sat 11:00 - 15:00.

For more details call:020 8444 7121 or Email:rie@koukan.co.uk

Photography in Nineteenth-Century Japan is the subject of 'A Special Issue of History of Photography' (released for Summer 2009, by Taylor & Francis).

This edition is guest edited by Luke Gartlan, with contributions by Sebastian Dobson, Karen Fraser, Luke Gartlan, Mikiko Hirayama, David Odo and Mio Wakita.

The Daiwa Anglo Foundation will host the launch of the book at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House on Tuesday 30 June 2009, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. If you wish to attend, you must book your place here.

There will be presentations by Dr Luke Gartlan and Sebastian Dobson from 6.00pm chaired by Professor Toshio Watanabe, followed by a drinks reception.

This issue of History of Photography will be available on the day at the special price of £15 (normally only available via subscription for £40 per issue).

'From the earliest accounts of its arrival in Japan, the camera has played a key role in the visual culture of Japanese society. In this provocative collection of essays, six renowned scholars have highlighted the historical diversity and significance of photography as a medium par excellence of Japanese visual modernity. Luke Gartlan and Sebastian Dobson will present their most recent research on the domestic enthusiasm and complex socio-political uses of photography in late Edo and early Meiji Japan. What role did photography play in negotiating the emergence of Japanese modernity? How do its diverse historical applications, in both everyday and official government contexts, challenge our understanding of the period? Avoiding the tendency to impose unifying historical narratives, these papers will present detailed case studies of key moments in the history of photography's arrival in Japan which raise broader issues central to current debates on the era's visual culture.'

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!

The Gallery at Wimbledon College of Art welcomes the first solo exhibition of Toshihiro Komatsu in the UK from 24th April until the 22nd May.

'The show at the gallery has been organised as the first in a series of exciting exchange projects between Wimbledon College of Art and Kyoto Seika University and is the result of a one-month residency by Komatsu at WCA hosted by the Fine Art School. For the exhibition, Komatsu will make a new site-based work for the gallery space with other project material on show in the Foyer.

In his work, buildings frequently become both the subject and object. He is preoccupied with the numerous movements between public and private space that we negotiate each day and sets out to interrogate our living or working spaces from as many different viewpoints as possible by dissecting and re-configuring them.'

The Gallery is located in Wimbledon, at Wimbledon College of Art, Merton Hall Road, London, SW19 3QA

Open during exhibitions on Monday to Friday, from 1pm - 6pm and on Saturdays from 11am - 3pm. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Bank Holiday

For more information...
Tel: 020 7514 9703
Fax: 020 7514 9642
Email: thegalleryatwimbledon.arts.ac.uk

Renowned Tokyo-based artist Ujino Muneteru is a Southbank Centre Artist in Residence, supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Until Friday 24th April 2009 you can see his sound sculpture/performance project, The Rotators. It's in the UK for the first time as part of Ether 09. Find it at The Hayward Project Space, the Visual Arts part of the Southbank Centre...

Ugly Knitting
'In The Hayward Project Space, Ujino presents Ugly Knitting. Domestic appliances such as blenders and hairdryers are assembled together with Ujino’s Rotatorhead, created from DJ mixing decks, in this chaotic but elegant installation.'

The Hayward Project Space
10am-6pm (daily), Late night Fridays until 10pm

Sherbet Dab Swivel
'Ujino unveils an amazing outdoor sculpture assembled from a London taxi, street sweeper, traffic lights and more from the street.'

Festival Terrace

Ujino performances
'Ujino brings his sound sculpture Sherbet Dab Swivel to life in a series of live performances blurring the boundaries between music and art.'

Friday 10 April
6.30pm (Festival Terrace)
11pm (Concrete at the Hayward)

Saturday 11 April
6.30pm (Festival Terrace)
11pm (Concrete at The Hayward)

Sunday 12 April
6.30pm (Festival Terrace)

All events are FREE!

The Private View with the photographer Chino Otsuka and Greg Hobson, Curator of Photographs at the National Media Museum is on Tuesday 7th April 2009, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. The event is at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House, the closest tube is Baker Street. Booking is essential.

The free exhibition runs from 6th April to 5th June 2009 (excluding Bank Holidays), from Monday - Friday, 9.30am-5.00pm. There are also late night openings: 28th April & 21nd May (until 8.00pm).

'UK-based Japanese Visual Artist, Chino Otsuka, will show her Imagine finding me series in London for the first time. In these digitally manipulated and composite images, Otsuka explores themes of belonging, identity and memory.

Chino Otsuka was born in Tokyo and left Japan at the age of 10 to be educated at Summerhill School in the UK. She published her first autobiographical book in Japan at the age of 15 to much acclaim and completed her MA in Fine Art Photography at the Royal College of Art. Since then she has had numerous solo and group shows internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include Memoriography at the British Library (2008), Imagine finding me at TRACE (2006) and High Street at Gallery Vassie, Amsterdam (2005). She is currently on a Photography Bursary , National Media Museum UK (2008-9) and was Pearson Creative Research Fellow of the British Library (2007-8). Chino Otsuka lives and works in London and regularly gives workshops at Victoria & Albert Museum.'

For further information please visit www.dajf.org.uk/ChinoOtsuka or contact exhibitions@dajf.org.uk

'Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798 - 1861) is considered one of the greatest Japanese print makers. He dominated the nineteenth century alongside such illustrious names as Hokusai and Hiroshige.

On show at the Royal Academy of Arts will be his innovative representations of tattooed heroes of the Suikoden and his most successful applications of Western perspective, as well as good examples of his humorous design. '

You can book tickets on-line, or call 0870 8488484. An Adult ticket is £10.50, various concessions are available.

The exhibition is open from 10am - 6pm everyday, and until 10pm on Fridays. The Royal Academy of Arts is located near to Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD.

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...

The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is pleased to announce the first major solo exhibition in London by Katsutoshi Yuasa, at the Daiwa house until March 19th 2009.

Yuasa makes large monochrome woodcuts based on his own photographs. They are not so much observations but rather contemplations of the world around us and invite more questions that they reveal.

A lengthy process is involved in converting a photograph into a woodcut. In order to attain the purity and essence of the image, the photograph is processed in monochrome by computer. This ‘purifying’ process goes even further as the resulting image is carved from a wooden panel with a traditional Japanese knife. The final result is printed by hand on paper.

In October 2008, Yuasa’s work was selected for ‘10’, as one of the ten successful graduates of the printmaking course from the last decade. This exhibition was held to commemorate the retirement of Professor Chris Orr RA at the Royal College of Art.

'Echoes through Nature: Woodcut by Katsuotoshi Yuasa' is organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in association with Mark Jason Gallery and TAG Fine Arts. It is a Japan-UK 150 event.

For more information visit The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation website.

The Manga and Anime art exhibition at St. John's Wood Library will continue through December and January!

The popular exhibition features work by talented manga and anima artists. Read more on main organiser Akemi's website here.

The exhibition Yose-moji and the Shaping of 'Wa’ featuring Japanese calligraphy by Tachibana Umon is now on at the Japanese Embassy.

Yose-moji is a distinctive style of Japanese lettering designed to promote Yose - a Japanese vaudeville theatre with various acts often complementing star comic monologue performers. Highly influential in Japanese culture since the 12th century, Yose is still performed today.

The thick lines on Yose-moji lettering developed to reflect the the lack of space in Yose performances - the full house the performers were hoping for! Yose-moji continues to grab attention on signs, posters, flyers, banners, tickets, programmes, books and even CD covers today.

You can view the exhibition for free, Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm, photo ID is required for admission. The Embassy is closed from 25th Decemeber to 4th January.

Visiting members of the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints in Tokyo will demonstrate the printing of Katsushita Hokusai's most famous design, Under the Wave off Kanagawa (known as The Great Wave), from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt Fuji.

On 14th December from 2-4pm at the V&A, and on 15th and 17th December from 2.30-4.30pm at the British Museum, the demonstrations will feature Japanese commentary consecutively translated into English.

The original print designed by Hokusai in 1830 is now on display in the Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Galleries at the British Museum until mid February 2009. The special exhibition, Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e, will be shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 12th December 2008 to 15th March 2009.

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.

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.

This leading art fair involves top art dealers from Kensington Church Street, Mayfair and St. James’s, and incorporates selling exhibitions and auctions at Bonham’s, Christie’s and Southeby’s. Also, London museums present exhibitions and lectures to complement the events.

Japanese art is well represented in the 2008 event programme, highlights include:

* Japanese and Other Asian Works of Art Auction at Bonhams: Monday, 3rd November at 2.30pm

* Japanese Lacquer Workshop at Gallery 27: Tuesday 4th November 08, 12.30 – 5pm (This event entitled ‘Magical Moments in the Stream of Life’ is free, but must be booked – call Simon Pilling 07946 577 303 or email sjp@simonjp.plus.com

* Fundraising Lecture for the Denys Eyre Bower’s Japanese Collection at Chiddingstone Castle: Tuesday 4th November 08, 7pm (pictured here is Japanese armour from the collection). Held at Christie’s, tickets cost £25 and include a reception. Contact Alex Lochrane, director of Chiddingstone Castle 01892 872 747 or email director@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

* Gallery Talk on Conservation Work on Japanese Paintings in the Japanese Galleries: Wednesday 5th November at 1.15pm. The free talk is in Room 92 at The British Museum.

* Japanese Art & Asian Textiles Auction at Christie’s South Kensington: Thursday 6th November, 10.30am and 12noon.

See the Asian Art in London website for more information on events.

Hafu exhibition is a photographic exhibition of half Japanese people with seminars on identity and appearance. Held at the Bodhi Gallery on Brick Lane, you can see the exhibition from 24th – 30th October 2008, 11am – 5pm.

A collaborative project, Hafu showcases 9 photographs from "Hafu/ Half Japanese" by the photographer Natalie Maya Willer along with interviews by researcher Marcia Yumi Lise. The stories of the half Japanese people featured richly illustrate how they construct their identities and create their sense of belonging in their place between two different cultures.

For Japan Society members, there will be a private exhibition tour with the photographer Natalie Maya Willer and researcher Marcia Yumi Lise on Friday 24th October, from 7-9pm. Booking is required for this event, call the Japan Society Office at 020 7828 6330 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

There is also a seminar on Saturday 25th October 2008 from 2pm - 6:30pm exploring various issues surrounding the topic of half-Japanese descent given by the creators of the exhibition as well as other prominent experts. Booking is essential.

For more information on the exhibition visit the (rather nice!) Hafu website.

Last Thursday evening I was lucky enough to attend the private viewing of Kishio Suga’s art exhibition at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House. This is his first UK solo show, and his work will be here until November 7th 2008.

The evening was an enlightening one. Sipping red wine I puzzled at the unfamiliar placements and interpretations of wood, stone, metal, paper, etc. that make up the art. Yet, I left with a deep appreciation of the hidden currents of the Japanese artistic genre of ‘Mono-ha’.

Suga has devoted over 40 years of his life to Mono-ha. Even so, he explained concepts behind the art without drama or even discernable emotion, speaking evenly into the microphone and pausing for translation. But by the end he had made clear the depth of his dedication to Mono-ha: “I would like to talk all evening about this...” he confessed shyly to the appreciative listeners.

Mono-ha is translated as the ‘School of Things’. Suga described how we must abandon the idea that things exist for us, or for a function. As humans, we think that all things exist for our purpose. In art, we think of things as material from which to create art. However, we should think about the special characteristics of natural things, without assigning our preconceived symbolic meanings.

It seems natural objects, in any form, inspire Suga. I asked him what he likes best about England he answered without hesitation: “Bijin!” (Beautiful women!). When pressed he expanded – “In Japan we have many mountains. Here you do not. I like that.” Nature impresses him – especially if it’s by a conspicuous absence.

I wondered about the surprising titles of his work. The branch and cement block sculpture is known as ‘Separating-Space’. Other pieces at the exhibition were called ‘Multiple-Reason-Cultivation’ and ‘System of Gathered Points’, for example. Suga explained that we should deprive things of their accepted names: “How do we perceive things without names?” he questioned. “The important thing is the reality of existence, the condition of things,” he went on; “it’s stimulating when you see yourself and natural things as equal.”

In setting up his exhibition at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House Suga had to think about putting the ‘natural’ things that comprise his art into an ‘artificial’ space. However, he said, the way you interpret the contextual placement of the art all depends on your point of view. Reality is ambiguous.

Catch Kishio Suga at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House. Make of it what you will... that's certainly the artist's wish.

enlightening 啓発的な
sipping - すすること
puzzled - 困惑する
unfamiliar - 不慣れ　⇒　見慣れない、馴染みの無い
placements - 配置
interpretations - 解釈
appreciation - 感謝、賞賛
hidden - 隠される
currents - 流れ　⇒　思潮、風潮
drama - 戯曲
discernable - 認識できる
emotion - 感情
dedication - 献呈　⇒　献身
abandon- 断念
preconceived - 予想される　⇒　偏見的な
symbolic - 象徴的
hesitation - ちゅうちょ
pressed - 再度頼まれる
expanded – literally 拡大される but meaning 付け加える
conspicuous - 顕著
absence - 不在
sculpture -彫刻
deprive -奪い取りなさい　⇒　取り上げる
perceive - 感知しなさい
reality - 現実
existence - 存在
ambiguous -曖昧

This exhibition features 150 works by manga and anime artists, and is in conjunction with the Japan-UK 150 festival.

Until the 2nd of November it will be at Westminster Reference Library, London. The exhibition will then move to St John's Wood Library, London until the 30th of November.

There will be an opening party at St John’s Wood Library on Monday 3rd November from 6pm to 8pm with Japanese dancing, traditional instruments and a lecture by Akemi Solloway entitled "How Manga and Anime's costume is connected with Japanese traditional Culture".

You can read more about the events and exhibitors at Akemi’s website.

This fascinating exhibition at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House will be Kishio Suga’s first solo show in the UK. His work is from the ‘Mono-ha’ (school of things) movement which swept through Japan’s art scene in the late 1960s.

‘Mono-ha’ emphasises the placement of natural ‘things’ such as wood, paper, stone, etc. into a context that highlights their relationship with people and their environment. This causes the viewer to perceive the ‘things’ in a different, unfamiliar way, opening a new channel of communication between the art and the viewer.

There are a number of events surrounding this exhibition: a private viewing on Thursday 16th October, a conversation with Simon Groom (Director of Modern and Contemporary Art, National Gallery of Scotland) on Friday the 17th, as well as late night and weekend openings.

Book your place for the special events online at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation website, or simply drop-in between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday to see the exhibition.

(I'll be attending the private viewing on Thursday and hope to have a few words with Kishio Suga about his art. Stay tuned!) Update: read the interview here!

solo - 単独
emphasises - 強調する
placement - 配置
context - 文脈
environment - 環境
unfamiliar - 不慣れ

This free exhibition entitled Zen Calligraphy and Painting by Yamaoka Tesshū marks the 120th anniversary of his death.

22 hanging scrolls by Tesshū, as well as work by two other contemporaries, can now be seen in the Toshiba gallery of Japanese Art at the Victoria and Albert museum, until the 14th December. Tesshū’s work shows a fascinating progression, and finally, a rapid change after his enlightenment at the age of 45.

But what is Zen calligraphy?

Beyond thoughts, emotions and expectations lies the state of mushin (no-mindedness). Only in this state can true creativity arise, rather than from conscious effort. The works of Yamaoka Tesshū inspired Hitsuzendo - The Way of the Zen Brush. In Hitsuzendo, calligraphy must connect the individual to the highest reality.

calligraphy –書道
progression – 進行
enlightenment –啓発
mushin – 無心
Hitsuzendo –筆禅道