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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

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

The latest, coolest Japanese films crowd into London every autumn for your viewing pleasure. And catching London's Japanese film season is perhaps even better than seeing films in Japan! Why? Here, the Japanese films are subtitled in English!

Here's 5 steps to all knowing you need to know:

1. BAFTA'S PREMIERE JAPAN 09: 9TH - 11TH OCT 2009

Premiere Japan 09 will, for the fifth consecutive year, screen the best and most recent films to come out of Japan selected by the world-renowned East Asian film critic, Tony Rayns, and film scholar and critic, Alexander Jacoby. It will be held at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN on 9, 10 and 11 October 2009.

This year there will be screenings of six films yet to be released in the UK. Tickets are £5 - £7.50.

In addition to the Japanese film screenings on Saturday and Sunday, in between films, there will be the opportunity for all the family to try their hands at Japanese games, origami, calligraphy as well as dress up in Japanese yukata.

Activities start at 2 pm and run all afternoon until 5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday in the David Lean Room. Everyone is welcome to join in!

2. JAPANESE FILMS AT THE 53rd LONDON BFI: 14TH - 29TH OCT 2009

The new Astro boy, Bare Essence of Life Ultra-Miracle Love Story, Kamui, and City of Life and Death are amongst the BFI's offerings this year!

Book online before tickets sell out!

3. JAPANESE FILMS AT THE 17th RAINDANCE FESTIVAL: 30TH SEPT - 11TH OCT 2009

There is a Japanese film screening every day of the film festival!

Since 1998, Raindance Film Festival has continued in its strong support for
Japanese filmmaking, with its Way Out East section the largest annual
showcase for new Japanese cinema in the United Kingdom, screening at least
ten recent features and documentaries annually.

The 17th Raindance Festival, held between 30 September - 11 October 2009, this year turns its spotlight on the rising number of women filmmakers in Japan, with a special selection of five features and one shorts program from some of the country's most exciting talent.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Individual tickets

Apollo Cinema (Piccadilly Circus)
19 Lower Regent Street 
London 
SW1Y 4LR
£12.00 / £8.00 concession from Main Box Office at apollocinemas.com
or call 0871 220 6000

4. BARBICAN'S JAPANIMATION: UNTIL NOV 2009

On the 26th of October, the Barbican is screening Sword of the Stranger, with director Masahiro Ando and producer Mashiko Minami both in attendance for a discussion after the screening. The event will be hosted by Helen McCarthy, co-author of The Anime Encyclopedia.

On 26th November there are two whimsical anime films: Ponyo on the Cliff By The Sea (by Hayao Miyazaki), and Mai Mai Miracle.

5. MIDNIGHT EYE - THE LATEST AND BEST IN JAPANESE CINEMA

Last but not least... if you are a fan of Japanese cinema you should visit the Midnight Eye website. Subscribe to the newsletter to stay on top of what's happening. The editor at Midnight Eye is Jasper Sharp, who is also The Raindance Festival's Japanese programmer. This is the site to find out about the latest and best in Japanese Cinema!

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

2009 sees the anniversary of Butoh founder Hijikata Tatsumi's first performance.

To celebrate this Theatre Training Initiative is presenting a series of workshops with some of the leading figures in Butoh's development.

To compliment this we will also be screening archive footage of leading artists including Hijikata together with accompanying talks.

The Courtyard Theatre, Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street, London N1 6EU

The Clore Management Centre, Birkbeck, University of London, 25-27 Torrington Square, London WC1E 7JL

For more information contact: info@theatertraining.org.uk

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

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!

Part of the International Buddhist Film Festival at the Barbican which is taking place from 7th to 17th May 2009.

Kihachiro Kawamoto: The Puppet Master (PG)

'Japanese animation beyond anime: The renowned Kihachiro Kawamoto is regarded as the master of Japanese puppet animation. Famous for his beautiful, expressive puppets, Kawamoto integrates the traditional art forms of Noh, Bunraku doll theatre, and Kabuki into a unique aesthetic to exquisite effect.'

Playing 9th May 2009, 6pm in Cinema 3. Book online here.

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!)...