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JETAA Pub Night at Crane and Tortoise - Thursday 6th May!
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We've got a great new venue - plus a new day of the week (Thursday) that doesn't clash with Champions League midweek international matches!

If you haven't been to the Japanese pub/restaurant the Crane and Tortoise, this is the perfect chance for you to try their authentic, tasty Japanese food and drinks. Do come along to chat with fellow former JETs... and you can even practice your Japanese - all the staff there are actually Japanese!

Date: Thursday 6th May
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: Crane and Tortoise, 39 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8PR. The closest tube is Chancery Lane and you can find a map here: http://www.jetaa.org.uk/events/pub-night/

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Japanese Embassy Events this Spring
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There are plenty of events at the Embassy to keep you busy this spring. In particular, the first Wednesday of the next three months will feature free film screening nights at the Embassy of Japan in London, the first being on Wednesday, May 5th.

See the Embassy of Japan in London webpage for details of how to register. http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/ (Now the JETAA Pub Night has been moved to the first Thursday of the month, there's no reason not to go to both events...)

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Japanese Garden Party - Sunday 23rd May
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Don't miss this family-friendly day out at the annual Japanese Garden Party. The Mini Matsuri is held to celebrate the long history of Anglo-Japanese relations and is supported by the Hammersmith & Fulham council, the Japan-British Exhibition 100 Committee, the Japan Society, and the Japanese Resident Association.

There will be: Wadaiko/Bon-Odori/Okinawa Eisa/Enka singing/a Marshall Art Demo on stage; Tea Ceremony/Kamishibai/Garden Tour/Origami and Shodo Workshops; plus Japanese food/Japanese gifts/Information stalls!

The Japan's first major exhibition to the West took place in White City, London in 1910. The Japanese garden was created as a part of the exhibtion and today the garden still stands exactly in the same place as 100 years ago. This festival celebrates the centenary of the creation of the garden and the Japan-British Exhibition 1910.

Date: Sunday 23rd May
Time: 12 noon-4pm
Venue: Hammersmith Park Japanese Garden, South Africa Road, White City, London W12

The JETAA London website http://jetaa.org.uk/ is currently being updated. Here is the info included in the latest JETAA mailshot.

Thanks to all for the fantastic response - 2010's JETAA Winter Ball is shaping up to be the best ever. For a more informal night out, come along to the JETAA Pub Night or our Karaoke Shinnenkai to mix and mingle with ex-JETs!

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JETAA Pub Night at FLUID next Wednesday!
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Come along to Fluid to chat with fellow former JETs. There's Asahi, Japanese-inspired cocktails and we'll even treat you to some izakaya style table food.

Date: Wednesday, 13th January
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: FLUID Bar, Farringdon (38 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6JN)
Map: Click here

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Shinnenkai - Karaoke!!
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Celebrate the start of the decade by singing your heart out at the On Board Karaoke Box & Bar!
There's still room for you - sign up now for the JETAA London New Year Karaoke Extravaganza!

To register email Josy at events@jetaa.org.uk
Date: Saturday 30th January
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Price: £15 (plus extra for drinks)
Venue: Onboard Karaoke Box
Basement 8 Kenway road
Earls Court
SW5 0RR
0207-244-6850

This cosy karaoke bar is a real find - located in the basement of restaurant called Orjowan just a couple of minutes walk from Earl's Court station. They have the largest range of Japanese Karaoke in London as well as plenty of English-language songs.

We plan to hire the entire bar, including 3 karaoke rooms. This will give you a chance to move around and meet new people in between songs! The bar is quite small so please let us know if you would like to attend so we can ensure there is enough room!

If the evening is successful, the owners of the bar are thinking of setting up special karaoke nights for JETAA members and Japanese expats in London.

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JETAA London AGM Results
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JETAA London enjoyed a good turnout and a successful evening at the Annual General Meeting last Wednesday. Thanks to all for coming! A few changes were made to the committee, which is now as follows:

Co-Chairperson: Josy Audigier
Co-Chairperson: Sharon Bignell
Vice Chair: Edward Horner
Treasurer: Hugh Thomas
Communications Officer: Vanessa Villalobos
Events Co-Ordinator: Andrew Urquhart
Events Co-Ordinator: Serena Yeung

A very warm welcome goes out to Andrew and Serena, new committee members for 2010.

If you wish to contact JETAA London, please email:
General enquiries - london@jetaa.org.uk
Events info - londonevents@jetaa.org.uk

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Tokyo Day 2010
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Tokyo Day(s!) are taking place on the last weekend in January. Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visitors to the event can learn about and enjoy many aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, including screening of popular anime films.

Date: Saturday 30th January and Sunday 31st January 2010
Time: 10-6pm Sat, 10-4pm Sun
Venue: London
Website Link: http://www.tcp2010.com/

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Warm Sake Tasting at So Restaurant ***********************************************************
The British Sake Association is holding a warm sake tasting at So Restaurant (3-4 Warwick Street, London W1B 5LS) on Tuesday 16 February from 6-8pm.

This will be an informal sake tasting where you will have the opportunity to sample 6 different sake and enjoy canapés provided by So Restaurant. There will also be the opportunity to buy the sake tasted on the evening.

All JETAA members enjoy a 10% discount on the £30 ticket price, making it £27 per person.
To reserve your place contact Sarah Wedgbury at slwedgbury@gmail.com.

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Japanese Cooking Class at Atsuko's Kitchen ***********************************************************

Benefits of the class
- Learn to cook delicious Japanese cuisine
- Eat the meal you've cooked at the class!
- All the ingredients will be included in the course price
- 5 week course, but flexibility if you miss a class

A beginners course will be starting on Tuesday 26th January.
The classes start at 6:30p.m. for 2 hours session.
Dates: January 26th, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

The same beginners course will be starting on Wednesday 24th February.
Time: 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Dates: February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

Place : The Grocery
54 -56 Kingsland Road
London, E2 8DP
- the class will be held at the cafe area.
Price: £165 for 5 week course includes all the ingredients.
Price for the individual class will be £38 per class.

For the booking information:
http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/node/3

These dark, bitterly cold winter evenings are seriously perfect for catching up with your movie viewing. Why not see one of the many excellent Japanese films playing in London throughout January and February?

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'Still Walking' Hirokazu Kore-eda: Opens 15th January at BFI
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This beautiful film follows the random details of a Japanese family - a 'home drama' - through a 24-hour reunion at the parental home. Still Walking (Aruitemo Aruitemo) captures the tensions and dynamics of family life with a wonderfully perceptive eye.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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Yasujiro Ozu Season at the BFI : 1st January - 28th February
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A prolific film-maker, best known for his 1953 film Tokyo Story (Tokyo Monogatari), Yasujiro Ozu first entered the film business in 1923. BFI celebrates his career with screenings of many films, including Tokyo Story and Late Autumn on extended run.

Also at BFI now, you can catch one of the dozen films influenced by Ozu's artistry (including Still Walking and many other international films).

http://www.bfi.org.uk/ozu

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'Ponyo' New Miyazaki Film: Opens 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Miyazaki fans will be thrilled to hear Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo) will be showing from 12th February at Curzon cinemas at locations around London. A film about a goldfish inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, Ponyo is Studio Ghibli's latest masterpiece!

Can't wait? If you've got little ones, try BFI's 'Film Funday' on 31st of January. There's a Ponyo workshop from 12pm in the Foyer, followed by a preview of the film at 2pm.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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'Takeshis'': From 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Beat Takeshi's examines identity and celebrity in his fascinating 2005 film entitled Takeshis'.

See the Curzon website for more information about the film.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

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2010 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Girls on Film
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(above, scene from Non-Ko)

9 February 2010 - 17 February 2010
This year's Japan Foundation annual touring film programme looks at contemporary Japanese cinema made for, about, and by women. This film season is produced and organised by the Japan Foundation with advice from Jasper Sharp (editor of Midnight Eye - a Japanese Cinema website).

See the Japan Foundation's website for information on how to enter their competition for a pair of free tickets to each film. They are also seeking evaluators, who will receive a complimentary ticket in exchange for their feedback on a questionnaire.

http://www.jpf.org.uk/

If Sapporo Snow Festival is just too far to go, you can get the same frosty feeling by visiting the London Ice Sculpting Festival, January 15th and 16th. This 2nd Annual event features International Ice Sculptors competing to carve their interpretation of the Festival's specially chosen theme, 'Cool Trading', from 2m blocks of ice! Free to attend, the festival is held in the centre of Canary Wharf, next to the ice rink in Canada Square Park.

The team from the Netherlands won the 2009 London Ice Sculpting Festival...
The winning team was made up of Marjon Katerberg (left) and Lars Borst (right) seen below with their finished sculpture

There's a welcome lull in frenetic London life over August... time to enjoy some of the finer things in life: food, music and the great outdoors.

If you, like I am, are counting down the days to the Japan Matsuri at Spitalfields this September 19th, you should indulge in a little Japanese cultural exploration over the summer!

1. EAT FOR FREE AT TOKYO CITY

I know! I couldn't believe it either! Simply book your table in advance at Tokyo City Japanese Restaurant near Bank on any Tuesday in August, anytime from 11.30am to 10pm at night. A tasty offer too good to miss, you simply pay a £2.50 service charge and the cost of drinks you order.

City workers can feast for free on everything from handmade sushi and sashimi to bento boxes filled with Japanese classics, plus other traditional Japanese dishes, and help Tokyo City celebrate their 10th birthday and the launch of their new August menu.

Tokyo City is at 46 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7AY

Call 020 7726 0308 and quote the Tokyo City offer when you book.

2. DISCOVER CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MUSIC

You'll be pleased to hear Tsuru Sushi plays host to new Japanese music the last Wednesday of every month! Their 100% Genki events showcase Japanese musical and performance talent.

The events have been running for one year on the last Wednesday of each month, and attract a diverse crowd from the Japanese and local communities. Performers are also diverse, ranging from Wataru Kousaka, a sanshin player, to contemporary electronic composer Anchorsong and many others.

3. EXPLORE JAPANESE GARDENS

All is green and lush in August, and there's no better time to enjoy the lovely Japanese gardens scattered around London.

Kew Gardens, Richmond, is home to a striking 5-story pagoda set within its verdant gardens. If that's not enough for you, check out the Chokushi Mon - Gateway of the Imperial Messenger - a mini repica of the one in Kyoto. Other Japanese exhibits include the Minka House, an authentic Japanese farm dwelling bordered by a serene Bamboo Garden and, last but not least, there is a new glass Bonsai house to explore at Kew!

If you prefer your Japanese Gardens to be more on the, well, free side, try Holland Park's beautiful Kyoto Gardens. Watch colourful Giant Koi carp drifting lazily around the pond from the pretty arched bridge to catch the chilled-out summer feeling!

If you feel like getting out of the city, visit www.japan-interface.co.uk/gardens/ for a fantastic searchable guide of all the Japanese Gardens in the UK and Ireland.

4. CELEBRATE TANABATA STAR FESTIVAL WITH THE KIDS

Tanabata Star Festival falls on 'the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the Japanese lunisolar calendar' - which in 2009 happens to be August 26th!

Tanabata celebrates the legend of star lovers Hikoboshi (Alter) and Orihime (Vega) who meet over the Milky Way (Amanogawa) and fall in love. On one special day, once a year, these two stars burn more brightly as the star lovers are allowed to meet and pledge their love to each other once again.

TARA Studio will host storytelling activity events for children aged 4-8 and their families from 26th-29th August. Children will learn the Tanabata song and make a wish to hang on the bamboo tree.

TARA Studio is at 356 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4ES

Visit the website at www.tara-arts.com or call 0208 333 4457 for more information.

5. LEARN JAPANESE STYLE HOME COOKING

Atsuko's Kitchen is offering Japanese home-style cooking classes for beginners at The Grocery. Try something new this summer - the short five-week programme is ideal for filling that August lull. Starts Wednesday 12th August. There are also Advanced classes on Tuesdays.

The Grocery is located at 54 -56 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DP The website is at www.atsukoskitchen.com

Booking is essential - call 07921 397792 or email classes@atsukoskitchen.com

For the first time in the UK, Japanese artist Noboru Tsubaki will exhibit his work of art, Insect World, a giant inflatable locust which was first presented at the 2001 Yokohama Triennale.

'The journey of the giant locust travelling to Pestival arose from the idea that insects can create a cultural link between Japan and the UK through the shared experience of insects. Pestival is a moible arts festival, examining insect-human interactivity in bioscience, through paradigms of contemporary art, cinema, music and comedy as well as direct scientific demonstration and educational projects.'

Also, 'Pestival Artist in Residence Noboru Tsubaki is creating a unique Vegetable Wasp homage to Michael Jackson at his studio in Southbank Centre. Inspired by Noh Theatre and insectoid manga super heroes, Tsubaki is creating a kind of cocoon for Jackson to enable him to traverse between the world of the living and the dead. Tsubaki will wear the suit and take on the spirt of Jackson! He also references the totyukasou, which is a mould that controls its insect prey and eventually destroys them, in a similar fashion to the "parasitic human insects that surrounded Michael Jackson".'

Pestival is to be held at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

For more information go to www.pestival.org

'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

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！

If you loved festivals in Japan you'll be excited to hear about the 2009 Japan Matsuri here in London! You'll find old favourites such as water balloons and masks, o-mikoshi, bon dancing, taiko drumming, festival food, performances, stalls and more!

This exciting festival will be held on Saturday, 19th September, 2009 at Spitalfields. For more information visit www.japan.matsuri.com

Why not get involved?

BRING your family and friends! Japan Matsuri opens to the public from 10am - 8pm on Saturday, 19th September 2009.

VOLUNTEER - before the event or on the day. The Japan Society needs people to help the planning team now; to set up and clear away on 18th and 19th; and on the day to act as stewards and activity leaders (origami, calligraphy, kimono dressing etc). For details please email intern@japansociety.org.uk.

PARTICIPATE in Nodojiman - the J-factor. Anyone, whatever their nationality, who can sing a Japanese song in Japanese, is encouraged to enter. For details, visit www.japanmatsuri.com.

ENTER the Japan Matsuri photography competition, for the best festival image from the day. Capture the spirit of the Matsuri and win fabulous prizes! For details, visit www.japanmatsuri.com.

BON ODORI - Join London Bon dancers to help generate a mass public bon odori. A rehearsal evening will be arranged in the week before the matsuri. Please contact intern@japansociety.org.uk if you're interested.

If you love laid-back Okinawan culture you'd best not miss this FREE, family-friendly festival at Cafe Oto!

The Okinawa Festival is on from 1pm to 5pm this Saturday, 20th June, with two musical performances by the London Okinawa Sanshin Group, at 2pm and 4pm.

'The London Okinawa Sanshin group is a bunch of people who are crazy about Okinawan folk music.

There will be a stall selling Okinawan food and their local produce.'

Cafe Oto is at 18 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL.

Tube: The nearest station is Dalston Kingsland just one minute walk from Cafe OTO. Dalston Kingsland is now part of the London Overground network so you can use your Oyster card. Take the tube to Highbury & Islington (Victoria line) then change to the London Overground. Alternatively take the Tube to Liverpool Street then bus 149 or 242.

Bus:　Dalston is well served for buses from all-over London . The following buses stop nearby: 30, 38, N38, 67, 76, 149, N149, 56, 277 & 242

沖縄まつりのお知らせ

沖縄イベントがロンドン市内で開催されますのでそのお知らせです。
沖縄出身者を中心として活動しているロンドン三線会と沖縄県人会主催。
沖縄戦が終了した慰霊の日にちなんで
平和＆歌コンサートとエイサー（沖縄の集団太鼓円舞）を行います。
沖縄に興味のある人、沖縄がすきな人、沖縄知ら
ないけど知りたい人、南国の雰囲気がロンドンで
体験できますので会場へ足を運んでみて下さい。
沖縄料理、泡盛、沖縄菓子も楽しめます。
もちろんちびっこも同伴で参加できます。

日時　：　6 月20 日（土）　午後1 時～5 時
場所　：カフェオト、18 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL
(http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/contact.shtm)
入場無料　（お食事・お飲み物代は別途）
公演2 回, 第1 部： 2 時～3 時、第2 部： 4 時～5 時

カフェオトはロンドンOverGroundのDalston Kingsland駅下車１分、Liverpool Street駅からはバス１４９番あるいは２４２番で約２０分です。バスはほかに３０，３８，６７，７６，５６，２７７が使えます。

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 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!)...

Dokudami Komachi is a performance unit of two women who together demonstrate the traditional Japanese arts of Amezaiku and Kamishibai in their own, contemporary way!

Amezaiku involves sculpting candy into the shapes of animals and characters. A folk art hundreds of years old, Dokudami Komachi keep alive this craft practised only by a handful of people worldwide. Sugar syrup is heated to 80°, before being pulled and then shaped using tiny scissors.

Kamishibai is a form of story-telling with pictures, accompanied by music played on a traditional Japanese instrument, the sanshin. The ‘paper-drama’ of the Dokudami Komachi will be accompanied by also by dancing, by Fujita Naoko.

There will be performances at Daiwa Japan House on the 9th, 13th, 14th of December, at the Kitchen studio in West London on 12th December and at the The Japanese School in Acton on 13th December.

Check the Dokudami Komachi website or emaildokukoma@yahoo.co.jp for more information.

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.