Interested in brushing up your Japanese?

What about teaching Japanese?

The Language Show will take place over three days from 30th October to 1st November 2009, at Olympia 2, near Hammersmith.

For free tickets to attend, visit The Language Show's website.

'The Language Show is the UK's biggest event for language learners, teachers, linguists and anyone with a love for languages. The show offers language enthusiasts all the help, advice and resources needed to learn or teach languages all under one roof. Plus, there's a dedicated Language Careers Fair for job seekers.'

The Japan Foundation will also be running a stand together with JP-Books at The Language Show 2009. Talk to them about Japanese language education in the UK and to browse an assortment of Japanese books. There will also be Japanese language tasters running over the course of the three days.

'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 want to learn how to make great sushi in time for the picnic season, try the Sushi making class at the contemporary Japanese restaurant: SO Restaurant!

Held every Saturday afternoon in May, the two-hour course starts at 3.30pm. You'll be able to enjoy your creations just in time for dinner...

The classes are £60 pounds per person. Sign up on the sushi-making website or call 020-7292-0767.

SO Japanese Restaurant is located in the heart of Soho, at 3-4 Warwick St. Piccadilly, London, London W1B 5LS.

If you want to brush up your Japanese cooking skills, Atsuko's kitchen is the right place for you! Her Advanced cycle of 5 classes will start on Wednesday the 11th of March, but check her homepage for more information.

'Where is it? At "The Grocery" 54-56 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP -The classes will be held in the cafe area.

How much does it cost? The price for 5 classes is £150 - this includes the ingredients too.

If you can't attend for five weeks but you'd still like to attend, Atsuko can arrange for you to attend one class for £34.

What do I need to bring? Nothing - you can bring an apron if you would like to.'

'At Atsuko's Kitchen, we'll learn about the basic Japanese seasonings. I'll introduce some of the more common ingredients as we cook together.

The classes are easygoing and informal - I want to teach you practical dishes that you can prepare easily at home.'

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

Academics from both the UK and Japan with an interest in the science of intense laser interaction with matter will meet for a one and a half day seminar in December.

Advanced laser technology has made great progress in both countries and the many potential applications of intense lasers will be discussed.

The event will be held at The Royal Society – the UK’s national academy of science. Email peter.norreys@stfc.ac.uk for more information.

This is a FREE one-day course for sixth formers keen to know more about Japan, its traditional culture and role in the modern world. If you are studying Japanese at school or are considering doing Japanese studies at university, this day will offer insights through workshops and lectures.

Learn about Japanese culture, politics and economy through lectures and then pick from a range of elective workshops on taiko drumming, Noh theatre and yosemoji calligraphy. There will also be practical advice on Japan-related study and career opportunities.

This event is put on by The Japan Society and The Embassy of Japan at Westminster Academy in London. Contact Anna Davis with questions or to reserve places at anna.davis@japansociety.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7592 7039.