Japanese Events in London: 16th - 22nd November 2009
A reminder that we still have availability on our Japanese language course in central London starting the beginning of January 2010.
:: Update:: 
The US president Obama had a short visit in Japan this week. Apparently some Japanese publishers and English schools consider Obama's speeches as great material for English studies. His speech was interesting for us as avid promotors of Japanese culture and education:
"It is wonderful to be back in Japan. Some of you may be aware that when I was a young boy, my mother brought me to Kamakura, where I looked up at that centuries-old symbol of peace and tranquility -- the great bronze Amida Buddha. And as a child, I was more focused on the matcha ice cream. And I want to thank Prime Minister Hatoyama for sharing some of those memories with more ice cream last night at dinner. Thank you very much. But I have never forgotten the warmth and the hospitality that the Japanese people showed a young American far from home."
By the way, I love matcha (green tea) ice cream, too!". Expect to see Obama's matcha ice cream be selling soon in Japan then!!
This Wednesday, 18th November 2009, The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in association with The Japan Society will present a seminar titled: Changing World Views: International Challenges for the UK and Japan. This is the final talk in the 2009 seminar series, Changing World Views: International Challenges for the UK and Japan. This seminar on the 18th November takes its title from a recently-published book that examines Japan’s role in ‘a more complicated world’. Speakers include Dr Jean-Pierre Lehmann, Dr Masaru Tamamoto and William Horsley (Chairman of the Association of European Journalists in the UK).
Throughout November 2009: Peach Boy! The Oxfordshire Theatre Company is touring a brand new play based on the traditional Japanese folk story Momotaro/Peach Boy to rural communities across England. "Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro" is written by Richard Hurford and integrates Japanese art forms and artists into the company and the production will fuse puppetry, live performance, movement and design, all inspired by the Far East.
The show is co-produced with Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, who will contribute to its artistic development and Japanese and British artists will develop their skills alongside each other and create new ways of working to influence the final production.
To summarise the story: "An old washerwoman goes down to the riverbank to scrub clothes, she sees a giant peach bobbing towards her! When she takes the peach home and cuts it open out pops a baby boy with superhuman powers. So starts the incredible story of Momotaro - the Peach Boy, and his struggle to find his place in a world that no longer believes in heroes. Accompanied by Dog, Pheasant and Monkey (and his mother's miraculous dumplings) they must go on a quest to save the village from dastardly demons and marvellous monsters." For more information call the Oxfordshire Theatre Company on 01865 249444 or email 
info@oxfordshiretheatrecompany.co.uk
The final Japanese event happening in London this week is a production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London titled: Limen, Agon, Sphinx. This is a new world premiere by The Royal Ballet's Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor. With set designs by Japanese visual artist Tatsuo Miyajima and a score by Notes of Light composer Kaija Saariaho, McGregor's latest creation will be at the cutting edge of contemporary culture. For lovers of the ballet, this will be a real treat.
