Event announcement: CamCon, 12th May 2012

April 13, 2012, 4:50 am

≫ Next: ICN gallery: “20>20″ J-pop-culture artists

≪ Previous: Weekly Shiritori #15

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If you’re in England on 12th May and you love manga, you might be interested to hear that Cambridge has a new convention! CamCon will make its debut on Saturday, 12th May – a brand new convention dedicated to comics, anime, fandom, gaming, alternative fashion and everything else wickedly cool held at Cambridge’s very own … Continue reading »

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ICN gallery: “20>20″ J-pop-culture artists

April 13, 2012, 7:11 am

≫ Next: New Ghibli: From Up On Poppy Hill (コクリコ坂から)

≪ Previous: Event announcement: CamCon, 12th May 2012

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“20>20″ J-pop-culture artists is a beautiful showcase of 60 manga illustrations by young artists, showing at the ICN gallery in London now until 28th April. I first saw the exhibition at Hyper Japan earlier this year. All of the pictures are gorgeous, but I quickly picked this one as my favourite: I love how it captures … Continue reading »

New Ghibli: From Up On Poppy Hill (コクリコ坂から)

April 13, 2012, 1:33 pm

≫ Next: Hanami in London

≪ Previous: ICN gallery: “20>20″ J-pop-culture artists

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Last year when I went to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, I picked up a flyer for an upcoming Studio Ghibli film called From Up On Poppy Hill (コクリコ坂から / Kokuriko-zaka Kara). The film was released in Japan in July 2011, but by that time I had already returned to the UK. Now, finally, … Continue reading »

Hanami in London

April 14, 2012, 12:49 pm

≫ Next: Wanderlust: 10 alternative things to do in Tokyo

≪ Previous: New Ghibli: From Up On Poppy Hill (コクリコ坂から)

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One Japanese tradition that I absolutely love is hanami (花見). For those of you who don’t know, hanami is a cherry blossom viewing party. One thing worth knowing in relation to hanami is the saying “hana yori dango” (花より団子), which basically means “food is more important than flowers”. So, yeah, a hanami party is really … Continue reading »

Wanderlust: 10 alternative things to do in Tokyo

April 19, 2012, 2:35 pm

≫ Next: Weekly Shiritori #16

≪ Previous: Hanami in London

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I’m excited to share the news that Wanderlust have published my article “10 alternative things to do in Tokyo” in the “Inspire Me” section on their website. Just click on the screenshot below to have a peek: (If that link expires, you can also click here for a PDF version of my article.) If you … Continue reading »

Weekly Shiritori #16

April 20, 2012, 3:36 pm

≫ Next: Exhibition: Part 1 “What is Ukiyo-e?” at the ICN gallery

≪ Previous: Wanderlust: 10 alternative things to do in Tokyo

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Last week’s post was about Tearai (てあらい/ 手洗い), so this week I need to start with い (i). I had a couple of suggestions for topics this week, including “izakaya” (居酒屋) and “irohauta” ( いろは歌) from a new reader, Lily. They are lovely suggestions, but I already covered izakayas in my A-Z of Japan series, and I’m afraid … Continue reading »

Exhibition: Part 1 “What is Ukiyo-e?” at the ICN gallery

April 23, 2012, 2:12 pm

≫ Next: LOOCHOO ‘Time’ – Art & Design Exhibition from Okinawa

≪ Previous: Weekly Shiritori #16

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Part 1 “What is Ukiyo-e?” is the first part of a very exciting three-part series to be held at the ICN gallery in London. This is the final week of Part 1 so, if you haven’t already made it down to the ICN gallery, what are you waiting for? So, what is ukiyo-e? Back in … Continue reading »

LOOCHOO ‘Time’ – Art & Design Exhibition from Okinawa

April 25, 2012, 3:21 pm

≫ Next: Weekly Shiritori #17

≪ Previous: Exhibition: Part 1 “What is Ukiyo-e?” at the ICN gallery

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Never having made it as far south as Okinawa while I was in Japan, I was intrigued to hear about an exhibition in London influenced by Okinawan culture and traditions. Tonight, I went along to the opening night of LOOCHOO ‘Time’ at The Crypt Gallery in London to see what it was all about… In the … Continue reading »

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Weekly Shiritori #17

April 27, 2012, 1:11 pm

≫ Next: Japan: Kingdom of Characters

≪ Previous: LOOCHOO ‘Time’ – Art & Design Exhibition from Okinawa

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Last week’s post was about ikebana (いけばな/ 生け花), so this week I need to start with な (na). I had a couple of suggestions for topics this week, including ナルト (Naruto) – the manga – from ラマタ  and なると (Naruto) – the fish cakes – from Alyse. Kiki suggested  natto (納豆 / fermented soya beans), Nara (奈良 / a city in Kansai), … Continue reading »

Japan: Kingdom of Characters

April 29, 2012, 2:18 pm

≫ Next: Mitsuko Delivers – A film by Yuya Ishii

≪ Previous: Weekly Shiritori #17

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This weekend I took a trip up to Norwich to visit a friend, and we went to see the exhibition Japan: Kingdom of Characters at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Japan: Kingdom of Characters is on until 24th June and it’s free to enter. It’s quite a small exhibition, and you can’t take photos in … Continue reading »

Mitsuko Delivers – A film by Yuya Ishii

April 30, 2012, 11:06 am

≫ Next: Weekly Shiritori #20

≪ Previous: Japan: Kingdom of Characters

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Mitsuko (Riisa Naka) is a young woman who believes everything will be okay and always tries to help those around her. One day, she met an American man and wanted to help him. They became involved in a relationship and she moved with him to California. A little later, her boyfriend left her and Mitsuko … Continue reading »

Weekly Shiritori #20

May 18, 2012, 1:50 pm

≫ Next: Monthly Recipe: Japanese Curry Rice (カレーライス)

≪ Previous: Mitsuko Delivers – A film by Yuya Ishii

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Last week’s post was about Ruuchuu (ルーチュー), so this week I need to start with either チュ (chu) or ウ (u). I’ve had lots of suggestions from readers this week:  unko (うんこ / faeces) from Jenna, uki (雨季 / うき / rainy season) from furo-chan, and chu-hai (チューハイ / a Japanese alcoholic drink) , chuuka ryouri (中華料理 / … Continue reading »

Monthly Recipe: Japanese Curry Rice (カレーライス)

May 18, 2012, 3:43 pm

≫ Next: Tsuki magazine issue #1 on sale now!

≪ Previous: Weekly Shiritori #20

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This month’s recipe is a Japanese classic - Curry Rice (カレーライス). Because I was never sure how to make vegetarian curry rice while I was living in Japan, I ignored the dish completely. Now, for the first time, I made my own version based on a mash-up of various recipes and advice from friends. Haikugirl’s Curry … Continue reading »

Tsuki magazine issue #1 on sale now!

May 19, 2012, 5:18 am

≫ Next: Announcing the Brighton Japan Festival 2012!

≪ Previous: Monthly Recipe: Japanese Curry Rice (カレーライス)

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The first issue of Tsuki magazine is finally out, and it’s looking good! Tsuki magazine is a new writing and photography magazine created in Tokyo. It contains essays, stories, interviews and gorgeous photos, all with some connection to Japan. Highlights of the first issue include an interview with Loco in Yokohama about his new book … Continue reading »

Announcing the Brighton Japan Festival 2012!

May 19, 2012, 6:09 am

≫ Next: Coriolanus: baguettes and a basket case

≪ Previous: Tsuki magazine issue #1 on sale now!

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Now in its fourth year, Brighton Japan is returning for 2012! Brighton Japan is the UK’s largest annual celebration of Japanese culture, with events taking place in Brighton’s most prestigious venues over eight days at the end of June. Brighton Japan is the brainchild of Brighton’s premier Japanese restaurant, Moshi Moshi and is supported by Asahi. … Continue reading »

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Coriolanus: baguettes and a basket case

May 22, 2012, 4:42 pm

≫ Next: Considering Kusama

≪ Previous: Announcing the Brighton Japan Festival 2012!

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All images courtesy of The Globe, © Simon Annand When I first heard about the Globe to Globe festival – 37 Shakespeare plays in 37 languages – I immediately wondered what the Japanese offering would be. I’ll admit that I did hope it would be something well-known like Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s … Continue reading »

Considering Kusama

May 25, 2012, 11:04 am

≫ Next: Weekly Shiritori #21

≪ Previous: Coriolanus: baguettes and a basket case

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You might remember that I recently went along to the Yayoi Kusama retrospective at the Tate Modern and was left a bit non-plussed by it all.  Well, last night, Frances Morris, Head of Collections (International Art) at Tate and former Head of Displays at Tate Modern, spoke at the Japan Foundation about curating the Yayoi … Continue reading »

Weekly Shiritori #21

May 26, 2012, 1:07 pm

≫ Next: “Still Life” by Lya Nagado at the ICN gallery

≪ Previous: Considering Kusama

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Last week’s post was about chu-hai (チューハイ / 酎ハイ), so this week I need to start with い (i). I’ve had a few suggestions from new reader アネケ this week:  ijime (苛め / いじめ / bullying), irezumi (いれずみ / a kind of tattoo), izakaya (居酒屋 / いざかや / Japanese bar), imari  (いまり / imari porcelain). Thank you … Continue reading »

“Still Life” by Lya Nagado at the ICN gallery

May 27, 2012, 3:33 pm

≫ Next: Exhibition: Masakatsu Kondo at All Visual Arts

≪ Previous: Weekly Shiritori #21

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There is something incredibly haunting about Lya Nagado‘s doll portraits, currently on display at the ICN gallery in Shoredich, London. I would even go so far as to use the word “freaky”. They remind me of those horror movies about dolls that come to life and kill you. And yet, I found them compelling. I … Continue reading »

Exhibition: Masakatsu Kondo at All Visual Arts

May 28, 2012, 2:12 pm

≫ Next: Announcing the winners: JapanesePod101.com competition!

≪ Previous: “Still Life” by Lya Nagado at the ICN gallery

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If you’re in London over the next few days I highly recommend paying a visit to All Visual Arts in King’s Cross, where you can see Nagoya-born Japanese artist Masakatsu Kondo’s exhibition “Whenever I Am Silent“. The exhibition is open until 31st May, and the gallery opens from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Kondo’s work … Continue reading »