Japanese Events in London: 9th - 15th November 2009
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This Tuesday, 10th November 2009, 6.30pm, the President of Tondaya, Mrs. Tanaka Mineko returns this year to present a talk on kimono throughout the ages and will conclude the evening by performing a lovely fan dance. The event will be taking place at the Lodge Room No.11, The Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. The cost is £10 for members of The Japan Society £15 for non-members.
The talk will be in Japanese with English translation and will be accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation. Of interest, it is worth noting that the earliest performances of the Japanese fan dance were recorded during the reign of Emperor Jimmu. Originally, Japanese fan dancing was a symbol of social status. The fans were hand-painted and mostly displayed by aristocrats, on formal occasions. The use of hinoki, Japanese cypress, was in accordance to a person's rank. Please follow this link for more information on The Japan Room.
This Friday, 13th November 2009, a talk will be hosted at SJ Berwin LLP, 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1 (nearest tube: Cannon Street) titled: "The UK’s Response to Climate Change: challenges and opportunities for business." This talk will be of interest to senior management and CEO’s of all companies which will have to deal with the evolving low carbon regulatory regimes or who are thinking about operating or investing in the UK’s or Japan's cleantech/renewables sector. The seminar will look closely at the current practicalities and regulatory framework in the UK, in particular focusing on:
The new challenges resulting from the UK government’s response to climate change (e.g. regulatory challenges arising from the Carbon Reduction Commitment);
The growth/investment opportunities, resulting from climate change, and the related regulatory regimes. The opportunities are both regulatory (e.g. UK government direct and indirect support for the renewable energy and cleantech sectors) and commercial (e.g. opportunities to lever off the vibrant venture capital and private equity community based in London, which is increasingly focused on renewable energy and cleantech sectors).
This lecture is in association with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK and is hosted by SJ Berwin. This series of lectures is kindly supported by Japan Airlines.
Also on Friday, at Lewisham Arthouse, 140 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6PD from 1.00pm to 4.00pm is a free workshop to learn about the unique painting patterns of traditional Japanese Tobe pottery. This is a great opportunity to work with visiting Tobe artists who will lead you through the class with the assistance of interpreters. You will discover the history of Tobe pottery and learn about the colours, patterns and designs that combine to create the beautiful pieces.
You will also be able to paint your own design, before watching a demonstration of glazing and having your masterpiece fired. The finished works will then be exhibited at 3 Bedfordbury Gallery on Sunday, 22nd November. You will be invited to attend a special showcase afternoon and demonstration, along with your family and friends.
Tobe Pottery is in Ehime Prefecture in Japan and was established in the late 18th century. In the 1950s, the leaders of Japanese Folk Craft movement, Yanagi Souetsu, Bernard Leach and Hamada Shoji, came to Tobe. Their visit gave a great influence to Tobe and consequently helped Tobe craftsman re-establish quality of their pottery making after the 2nd world war. Bernard Leach painted on a stoneware shelf panel used in a climbing kiln of Baizan, which has been kept at Tobe Research Institute ever since. Leach’s stoneware panel will also be exhibited among other artworks.
Places on the course are strictly limited so to avoid disappointment please make a booking by contacting 
info@tabiarts.com. Your booking will be confirmed by email.