Hot off the press. New Japan 2001 Subsidy Scheme Deadline.

previously COUNTDOWN to JAPAN 2001!
17 September 2001
Hot off the press. New Japan 2001 Subsidy Scheme Deadline.
Japan 2001 has officially launched an extra subsidy scheme deadline! In addition to the 20 October deadline,
there will be an extra application deadline on 10 January 2002. In order to be eligible to apply to the subsidy
scheme, which has been set up to help event organisers fund their events, you will need an authorised Japan
2001 event. For more information contact, Japan 2001 Tel 020 7499 9644.
What's happening!
Studio Ghibli - The Art of
Japanese Animation. From
19/10/01
until
11/11/01.
Barbican Screen will present
for the first time in Britain a
complete retrospective of the
work of Japan's leading animation house, Studio Ghibli. Many
Ghibli films have been national
blockbusters, regularly beating
Disney imports at the Japanese
box-office!
The following films will be showing at the Barbican.
Princess Mononoke (PG), Laputa Castle in the Sky (PG), My
Neighbours the Yamadas (PG), The Crimson Pig (12), Only
Yesterday (PG), Grave of the Fireflies (12), Defenders of the
Forest (PG), My Neighbour Totoro (U), Nausicaa of the Valley
of the Wind (PG), Kiki's Delivery Service (U), Whisper of the
Heart (PG), On Your Mark (PG). For dates and times, contact
the Barbican Centre box office Tel 020 7638 8891.
Japanese Animation Weekend at the Barbican. From
20/10/01 until 21/10/01. Drawing activities for children aged
5-11 and their families. The Studio Ghibli takes you on a captivating journey through cityscapes, landscapes and skyscapes. This is your opportunity to work with professional
artists and learn the tricks of trade. Take inspiration from
the films and create your own magical drawings. Tickets are
£2.00 and workshops will be from 11am-12.30pm, & 2pm3.30pm. Contact the box office Tel 020 7638 8891.
Shinto - the Sacred Art of Ancient Japan. Until 02/12/01.
The most comprehensive exhibition of Shinto Art to take
place outside Japan, showing treasures from shrines, temples
and museums. There will also be a series of wide-ranging lectures by British and Japanese scholars which will enhance
the understanding and appreciation of the exhibition at the
British Museum. Contact Mavis Pilbeam, Tel 020 7323 8832.
Discovering Japan at the British Museum. Until 16/10/01.
An interactive exhibition exploring Japanese culture in seven
themes: Costume, Food, Garden, Design, Wrapping, Writing
and Shinto Shrine. To book a visit for your class, contact
Helen Glaister at The British Museum Education Dept, Tel
020 7323 8938 or email hglaister@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Prehistoric Japan - The Archaeological Collections of Neil
Gordon Munro. Until 27/01/02. An exhibition of artefacts
excavated or collected by Neil Gordon Munro, a Scottish
doctor resident in Japan at the beginning of the twentieth
century. At The Royal Museum of Scotland, Chambers
Street, Edinburgh. Contact Tel 0131 247 4219 or email
info@nms.ac.uk or visit www.nms.ac.uk
Eastern Puzzles. From 29/09/01 till 03/11/01. Offers participants hands on experience of haiku, music, kamishibai storytelling as well as modern variants of traditional Japanese
crafts such as papermaking, origami, printmaking and calligraphy. Contact Elizabeth Hammill, Artistic Director Tel 0191
276 4304 or email info@ccbook.freeserve.co.uk
Shonen no Hi - Days of Childhood by Yuji Ando. Until
26/09/01. An exhibition consisting of 50 pictures from a
collection called "Shonen no Hi". The theme of the art work
is “childhood happiness and
Do you have creative students??
innocence”. Entrance to the
The Way We Are Competition. A photographic competition
exhibition is free. At
on the theme 'The lives of young people in the UK'. Students
Fulham Central Library
choose one of their peers as a
Exhibition Hall.
subject and create a portfolio
of five photographs showing his Yuji Ando is keen on becomor her daily lifestyle, personali- ing involved with workshops
ty or hopes. Open to 14-18 year in primary and secondary
old residents in the UK. schools in the London area.
Competition
deadline
is These workshops would
17/12/01. 1st prize is two return involve examining Japanese
flights to Japan. For competi- rural life from the perspection rules and entry forms con- tive of Ando's childhood.
tact Japan Festival Education Contact David Ambrose Tel
01372 841016 or email
Trust Tel 020 7630 8696.
Davidcambrose@aol.com
For queries and information on education events, contact Mark Smith at:
Japan 2001 Education, JFET, 59 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ tel: 020 7630 8696 email: mark@jfet.org.uk
or for general Japan 2001 information you can also contact Elizabeth Pickup:
Japan 2001, Embassy of Japan, 101 - 104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT tel: 020 7499 9644 email: ep@japan2001.org.uk
Hundreds of workshops are being held throughout Japan 2001. Why not attend some of these workshops, develop a new skill and put them to use in your school? Or even base your own Japan 2001 event around these newly
acquired skills! Many of the workshops listed are linked to exhibitions and events, whose details are not included here. For more information on these contact the organisers of the events below or visit the Japan 2001 website at www.japan2001.org.uk
North West Area
London Area
Material World: Japan. From
01/09/01 until 01/03/02. School sessions for Key Stage 2 pupils, which
examine art inspired by and from
Japan. Pupils will look at textiles,
prints and wallpapers, explore
Japanese culture and develop their
origami making skills.
Origami Making. Until 01/03/02. A
free drop-in activity held throughout
the period of the 'Reflecting Japan'
and 'Textural Space' exhibitions.
Suzuki Training Workshops for performers. Based on the
Suzuki Method, these workshops are designed to offer performers the opportunity to re-consider 'acting' from a different perspective. Dates and times vary. At Jerwood Space,
171 Union Street. Contact Contemporary Arts’ Project
International or email workshop@capi.org.uk
Ikebana Demonstration. On 25/09/01. Ikebana by Mrs
Kiyoko Sawada Rudd in the Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Kew.
£16 per person (£12 concessions). Includes entry into Kew
and refreshments prior to the demonstration. At Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond From 13:30 - 15:30. Contact
Adult Education Tel 020 8332 5626.
Noh Masks on 24/10/01 and 26/10/01. Mask making workshops for 5-11 year olds. Places need to be booked in advance.
‘Inspired by...’ From 04/11/01 until 30/11/01. Lectures,
exhibition and related workshops by 'The New Elizabethans'
Experiencing Space. From 21/09/01 until 18/11/01. Teaching embroidery group. An exhibition of Japan-inspired textile
sessions for students at secondary and post-16 level. On art and designs, embroidered book bindings, straw embroi26/09/01 there will be an educators' preview evening, includ- dery, and embroidery on paper. At the Museum of Garden
ing an introduction to the exhibition, free teacher’s pack and History, Lambeth Palace Road. Contact Leon Conrad Tel 020
performance of contemporary Japanese music. Open to all 7582 8213 or email info@lcdesigns.org
tutors and teachers at secondary and post-16 level. Free but Kamakura-bori: 500 Years of Lacquered Wood Carving.
places need to be booked in advance.
From 14/11/01 until 13/02/02. Demonstrations of woodcarvAll above events will be held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, ing will be held on 17 and 18/11/01 at Victoria & Albert
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester. Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington. Contact Clare
Cotton/Alex Townsend Tel 020 7942 2197.
Contact Tel 0161 275 7450 or email whitworth@man.ac.uk
Light Motifs: an Aomori Float and Japanese Kites. From
15/11/01 till 31/03/02 Artists from Aomori City will build a
Buddhist Meditation Workshop. On 17/11/01. Part of 'Tales Nebuta festival float in the Wellcome Trust Gallery at the
from Japan' to be held at Lotherton Hall, Aberford, Leeds British Museum with kites from across Japan hanging above.
There will also be a study day on 16/02/02. For more inforfrom 14.00. Contact Tel 0113 281 3259.
UK-Japan business seminars. From 08/10/01 until 31/10/01. mation contact Sara Pimpaneau on 020 7323 8036.
Seminar series focusing on the Japanese economy and indus- Washi - The Papermaker's Art
tries in the 21st Century. At the University of Sheffield and Out of Paper. On 22, 23 and
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Contact Yoshimi Mcleod 26/01/02. Workshops at the
Tel 0114 201 2575 or email ymcleod@syitc.com
British Museum which focus on
Yorkshire Area
South East Area
Education Outreach Programme: Contemporary Art &
Culture in Japan. Seminars, workshops, artist residencies
lectures and a conference all happening throughout October.
At the Gallery Theatre, University of Brighton, Grand Parade
Brighton. Contact Colin Matthews Tel 01273 643012.
the creation of Japanese handmade paper. Students will gain
hands-on experience of making
washi using traditional Japanese
materials and techniques. From
19/01/02 till 20/01/02. Paper
interaction workshops for the visually impaired, involving the
scents of flowers, herbs and spices to create simple, responsive sheets of paper.
Theatre of the Heart. From 09/10/01 until 11/10/01. Three
days of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops and a
mini performance of Noh, led by Naohiko Umewaka and Poh Contact Helen Glaister Tel 020 7323 8511 or email hglaisSim Plowright. At the Centre for the Study of Noh Drama, ter@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Royal Holloway College, University of London, Egham. Contact
East Area
Dr Poh Sim Plowright Tel 01784 443922 or email
drama@rhul.ac.uk
The Past and the Present. On 13/10/01. A day course for
Ikenobo Ikebana. From 19/03/02 until 23/03/02. 3 one day adults, which offers a dual perspective on the art of pottery.
workshops and a one day exhibition and demonstration by a Including a visit to the Flaming Pottery exhibition. At
visiting Professor from Kyoto. At Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Fitzwilliam Museum Trumpington Street, Cambridge. Free
East Croydon. Contact box office Tel 020 8681 0821 or email but places need to be booked in advance. Contact box office:
01223 332993.
hansa_h_patel@hotmail.com
South West Area
Midlands Area
The Rising Sun: Samurai to Pokemon. Until 06/10/01. A Raised Forms - Hiroshi Suzuki & Kei Ito. Until 07/10/01.
number of workshops and demonstrations alongside the Innovative raised metal vessels and sculptural textiles speSamurai to Pokemon exhibition.
cially commissioned for the gallery, with masterclasses
Soroban - The Japanese Abacus. On 25/09/01. accompanying the exhibition. At The Pearoom Centre, Station
Yard, Heckington. Contact Clare Bryan Tel 01529 460 765 or
Demonstration and workshop by Kimie Markarian.
email pearoom@oden.org.uk
All above events will be held at the Royal Albert Memorial
Museum, Queen Street Exeter. For more information contact 'Inspired by...' From 30/10/01 until 01/11/01. Lectures,
exhibition and related workshops by 'The New Elizabethans'
Tel 01392 665858 or email ramm@exeter.gov.uk
embroidery group. An exhibition of Japan-inspired textile
Washi - The Papermaker's Art Out of Paper. From art and designs, embroidered book bindings, straw embroi10/12/01 till 21/02/02. Exhibitions of rare, traditional and dery, and embroidery on paper. At Holme Pierrepont Hall,
contemporary paper art with demonstrations and workshops Holme Pierrepont Nr. Nottingham. Contact Tel 0115 933
by Elaine Cooper and visiting Japanese masters. At The Study 2371.
Gallery, The College, North Road, Poole. Contact Jem Main New Year Exhibition and Kakizome Workshop. From
Tel 01202 205200 or email info@thestudygallery.org
14/01/02 until 26/01/02. Exhibition and workshops of water-
Playing with Fire. From 01/03/02 till 31/03/02. Yasuo
Terada has been invited by the Leach Pottery, St. Ives,
Cornwall to build and fire a charcoal raku kiln. Mr Terada will
also teach a variety of masterclasses on pottery making.
Contact Jason Wason at jason@wason64.freeserve.co.uk
The Poetry of Japan: visual art
meets literature. From 07/10/01 till
12/10/01. A haiku poet will work with
the public and schools to write poet ry in response to two exhibitions of
Japanese art. At Bristol City
Museum and Art Gallery, Queen's
Road, Bristol. Contact Kate Newnham
Tel 0117 922 3571 or email general_museum@bristol-city.gov.uk or
visit www.bristol-city.gov.uk/museum
colours and calligraphy work by Yuko Sekiguchi. At Ripley
Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Ripley from 09:30 17:00 (15:00 Sat) Workshops 12:00 - 15:00 Sat. Contact Yuko
Sekiguchi Tel 01773 748203.
Scotland Area
Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Printing. From
06/10/01 until 07/10/01. A two-day course with Paul
Furneaux introducing techniques of traditional Japanese
woodcut printing. Participants learn to cut woodblocks and
print using watercolour. Part of the West Lothian Japan
Festival. At Howden Park Centre Livingston from 10:00 16:00. Contact box office 01506 433634.
Global Families. From 08/10/01 until 12/10/01. A series of
workshops, talks and displays on Japanese culture and
lifestyle organised by Library Services as part of their
Global
Families celebration. Part of the West Lothian Japan
Discovering Japan at the Study Gallery Bournemouth.
Festival.
Contact Library Services Tel 01506 776327.
From 29/10/01 until 05/12/01. An interactive exhibition
exploring Japanese culture in seven themes: Costume, Food, Haiku Poetry Workshop. On 13/10/01. Colin Will, a widely
Garden, Design, Wrapping, Writing and Shinto Shrine. To published poet and specialist in Japanese poetry, will hold an
book a visit for your class, contact Jem Main, Bournemouth introductory workshop on the various Japanese poetic forms
and Poole Sixth Form College, North Road, Parkstone, Poole of haiku, tanka, senryu and renga and their adaptation to
Tel 01202 205200 or email info@thestudygallery.org
Western culture. Part of the West Lothian Japan Festival.
Free but book in advance. Contact box office 01506 433634.
Wales Area
Japanese Dance Workshop with Yoshie Asano. On
15/10/01. Asano, together with West Lothian's Dance Artist
teaches and demonstrates the elegant and intricate art of
Minyo folk dancing. Introducing the history, traditions and
techniques of dance in Japan. Part of the West Lothian Japan
Hisagokai Kabuki. From 29/09/01 until 30/09/01. A demonFestival. Contact box office 01506 433634.
stration and lecture on classical kabuki theatre by the seven
Study
Course. From
strong Hisagokai company, followed by a practical workshop. Serizawa
At Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Canolfan y Celfyddydau 08/10/01 till 12/10/01. Practical
University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Contact 01970 622133 or course on katazome stencil-dyeing
technique, in conjunction with
email cprwww@aber.ac.uk or visit www.thecpr.org.uk
Serizawa's textile exhibition. At the
Washi - The Papermaker's Art Out of Paper. On 01/10/01
Royal Museum of Scotland, Chambers
until 11/10/01. Exhibitions of traditional and contemporary
Street, Edinburgh. Contact Wilma
paper art with demonstrations and workshops by Elaine
Henderson Tel 0131 2474206 or email
Cooper. On 6/10 there will be an open day for the general
w.henderson@nms.ac.uk
public. At Sony Event Hall, Pencoed Technology Park,
Pencoed. Contact John Bevan Tel 01656 786172 or email
Northern Ireland Area
john@jbconsultancy.co.uk
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers: Masterclass and Community
Education Outreach Programme: Contemporary Art & Drumming Project. From 01/10/01 till 03/10/01. Mugenkyo
Culture in Japan. Workshops from 13/12/01 until 15/12/01. pass on their skills to schools, groups and individuals in the
Includes seminars, conference, workshops, artist residencies Lisburn Borough. At The Island Arts Centre, Lagan Valley
and lectures. At Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Canolfan y Island, Lisburn. Contact Sharon Turtle Tel 028 9250 9509 or
Celfyddydau, University of Wales, Aberystwyth Contact Eve email art.information@iac.lisburn.gov.uk
Ropek Tel 01970 622887.
Calligraphy Exhibition. From 18/09/01 until 09/12/01.
Exhibition of Japanese calligraphy including a workshop on
30/09/01. At Bleddfa Centre for the Arts, Knighton. Contact
Tel 01547 550377 or email enquiries@bleddfacentre.com
Japan in Highgate: School Arts Festival
Japan visited Highgate as part of the Arts Festival at Highgate Boys School this year. Suzanne Perrin of Japan Interlink,
co-ordinated the Japanese events with William J Lawrence, Classics Master at the school and Sumo expert.
A colourful display was set up including aspects of Japanese culture, costume, lifestyle, festivals, leaders like Prime Minister Koizumi and the Emperor, Sumo wrestling, Martial arts
and Manga comics. The centrepiece was an impressive Kabuto-set symbolising the Boys’ Day
festival and huge Koi streamers with a banner of latter-day Yokozuna Chiyonofuji on either
side. The boys had an introduction to the display and background history of Samurai culture
in Japan before going to the sports centre for an exciting display of martial arts. First a
demonstration of Kendo by four members of the Kendo Association in full array, in which
boys were invited to "take a hit" with the shinai (bamboo sticks) at the Kendojin.
This was followed by a demonstration and talk on swordsmanship and fighting techniques by the acclaimed British Samurai
Michael Jay, the only non-Japanese to hold a samurai rank since Will Adams in 1600! At a lunchtime demonstration, a packed
audience of over 100 pupils and teachers were impressed by the martial displays and enjoyed the opportunity to see real
swords and practise moves in action. Everyone from teachers, pupils and general staff seemed to take great interest and
enjoyment from the displays we put on at the school - just what Japan 2001 is all about!
Nina and Frederick
In July 2001, Performance artists, Nina
and Frederick took over two primary
schools in Coventry with their own quirky
and delightfully chaotic mishmash of songs,
video and digital technology. Using FilmTheatre via the internet, involving children
at Stivichall and Aldermoor Farm Primary
schools, cleverly edited footage of Nina
and Frederick's unusual experiences in
Japan were shown. The children then contributed with their own video footage
which was sent to a peer group of 9-11 year old Japanese children
studying "English" culture in a purpose-built "English" Home in
Tokyo.
Finally e-cards were sent and received between the groups in the
UK and Japan via the Nina and Frederick website and the children's alternative "100 Views of Mt Fuji" has now been mounted
for a limited period in the website gallery. Baffled ? For a more
straightforward account, speak to a Coventry 9-year-old... or visit
the Nina and Frederick website www.ninaandfrederick.co.uk. For
more information, contact Richard Talbot Tel 07899 872215 or
email frederick@ninaandfrederick.co.uk
Ackworth School: Japan 2001 Exhibition
At this year’s school open day at Ackworth school, Tim
Nuthall and four Japanese students organised a Japan
2001 exhibition. The exhibition was set up in the art
block and contained a room covered from the floor to
the ceiling in brown cardboard to emulate a simple
Japanese design, with much of the card having been
painted green to create a grass effect. The window panels in the room had also been covered with kanji or been
covered with coloured Japanese paper. Along with the
displays of Japanese food, art, language, geography, history and culture, was a Japanese garden lantern that
had been borrowed for the day from a local garden centre.
About 400 people saw the exhibition, which also contained items borrowed from the Embassy of Japan.
Some even had a go at 'The Chopstick Challenge' that
involved transferring as many Smarties from one bowl to
another in one minute and a ‘True or False’ quiz. The
exhibition was so successful we have started to plan a
larger, more ambitious Japan 2001 event for next term.
This time we envisage a day of Japanese workshops and
even a concert in the evening.
Resources
Kite Krazy. If you like kites, why not get hold of a Kite Kit? There are three types of kites available, a basic kite at 50p
each and two types of Japanese kites at £3.50 and £5.00 each. These kites can be decorated with kanji or even Japanese
poetry. For more information contact Malcolm Goodman on Tel 01642 550827 or email malcolm.goodman@virgin.net Also you
may want to visit Malcolm's truly incredible website on www.kiteman.co.uk
Taiko Drumming. Kagemusha has produced a video that introduces you to the key elements of Taiko druming. The video is
concerned with the principles and practice of playing Taiko and covers four key principles. To order the video, send a cheque
for £16.00 (inc VAT, P&P) payable to Kagemusha Taiko, to P.O.Box 128, Exeter EX4 6YT. Please allow 28 days for delivery.
Leeds City Council has produced a 17 page information pack to accompany the "Tales From Japan" exhibition, which will be
held until 31/12/01. To obtain a pack please send a cheque payable to Leeds City Council for £2.50 + 50p P&P to Mrs V
Jackson, Lotherton Hall, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB or Tel 0113 281 3259.
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery have produced a free teacher's JAPAN 2001 OFFICIAL EDUCATION PARTNERS
pack available to schools planning to visit the museum. To obtain a
Education Founding Benefactor: Japan Festival Fund
pack, contact the education administrator on Tel 0117 9223567.
We go to School in Japan. A book for Key Stages 1 and 2 written Official Education Partners:
from a global viewpoint describing the activities throughout the year
All Nippon Airways
in a Japanese school. Available from end of September at £6.58 (inc
P&P). For more information contact Gwynneth Ashby Tel 01425
British Airways
278130 or email gwyn@logic-net.co.uk