Author: admin

Movie Screening – 14th October, 2023

admin
Kamikaze Girls

Join us at the Tim Parry Community Centre, Warrington, WA5 3NY on 14th October, 2pm – 3pm, and watch this movie with us

Tea, coffee and cakes are available for a small charge of £2.

“Kamikaze Girls” (originally titled “Shimotsuma Monogatari” in Japan) is a 2004 Japanese film based on the novel of the same name by Novala Takemoto. The film was directed by Tetsuya Nakashima.

The story revolves around two unlikely friends:

  1. Momoko Ryugasaki – A girl who is obsessed with the Rococo period and desires to live her life as a frilly-dressed ‘Lolita’. She wears elaborate and ornate clothing that’s reminiscent of European styles from the 18th century. Despite her delicate appearance, she has a tough and independent character. Her life revolves around her passion for the brand “Baby, The Stars Shine Bright.”
  2. Ichiko Shirayuri – A rough-and-tough Yanki (a type of Japanese delinquent) who is part of an all-girls biker gang. She is the complete opposite of Momoko in every sense, with her punk look and brash personality.

The story unfolds as their paths cross, and despite their stark differences, they form an unlikely bond. The film delves into themes of friendship, individualism, and the desire to find one’s place in the world. It’s a unique combination of comedy, drama, and a little bit of action.

The original Japanese title for “Kamikaze Girls” is “下妻物語”, which is read as “Shimotsuma Monogatari”. Here’s the breakdown:

  • 下妻 (Shimotsuma) refers to Shimotsuma City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
  • 物語 (Monogatari) means “story” or “tale”.

So, “下妻物語” (Shimotsuma Monogatari) can be translated as “The Shimotsuma Story” or simply “Shimotsuma Tale”. The title was changed for Western audiences with the image of Kamikaze used to reflect the collision of the two girls different lives perhaps.

“Kamikaze Girls” was well-received for its quirky characters, vibrant visuals, and the way it showcased various subcultures within Japan. Watch the trailer – here!

Let us know you are coming

Traditions: Bōnen-kai and Shinnen-kai

admin

By Angela Davies

All over Japan company employees, club members, societies and many other groups celebrate a Bōnen-kai (忘年会) or a “forget the year party/get together”. These start about the middle of December, and a bit like Christmas parties in the West, it’s a time to “eat drink and be merry”. Drinking as much as you can (飲み放題- nomihōdai) is a feature of these get togethers. They are held in restaurants or more commonly an Izakaya (居酒屋) which is like a pub, but with really nice food. Both places have the facilities for
Kara-oke as well, which is a big feature of Bōnen-kai. Bōnen-kai are also an opportunity for old friends, who haven’t seen each other for a while, to get together.

Bōnen-kai celebrations
December 2022 Conversation Evening group at Etsu, Liverpool
Photo courtesy & copyright of Angela Davies
Read More

A Piano Recital by Mariko Ishiyama

admin

Saturday 10th December @ 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Welcome to our next event, “A Piano Recital” with Mariko Ishiyama (piano), Midori Tramaseur (violin), and Natsumi McDonald (euphonium).

The programme will include among other pieces:

Mozart          – Violin Sonata F dur KV 376,

H. Bellstedt    – Napoli,

Michio Miyagi – Haru no Umi (Spring Sea), (… originally performed on koto and shakuhachi);

Japanese Shoka, (children’s songs put to music).

Instruments: Violin, Baritone horn and Piano.

Midori is a violinist in the BBC philharmonic orchestra and Natsumi is a euphonium player. Both are Japanese and both graduated from RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music).

Mariko Ishiyama
Midori Tramaseur
Natsumi McDonald

Kuunatic at The Talleyrand, Manchester

admin

By Tim Evans

The three-piece band Kuunatic played Manchester as part of their European tour on a warm and
pleasant night in the suburb of Levenshulme.

Kuunatic were formed in Tokyo in 2016, their name being taken from “Kuu” (the Finnish word for moon). The concept behind the music they produce is that it emanates from the fantasy planet “Kuurandia”, giving them the freedom to play around with sound, vocalisation and influences exactly as they like. I would describe them as tribal and shamanistic, with elements of second-album Slits or the Doors plus traditional Japanese elements thrown in. But their influences could come from anywhere.

Kuunatic performing in Manchester May 2022
Photo courtesy of © Tim Evans

The Talleyrand is a small venue on the A6 about three miles from Manchester city centre and is
named after an 18th century French diplomat remarkable for surviving successive French
regimes (royalist, revolutionary, Napoleonic and restoration) with what some might say was
extraordinary cynicism.

Kuunatic took to the stage at 9pm wearing blue face paint and long white robes that were
decorated with symbols representing each band member. Their music was easy and mesmeric to
listen to, bassist Shoko swaying gently to the music as their performance grew accompanied by Yuko’s
languorous yet beautifully synchronised drumming and Fumie’s hypnotic keyboards.

All three shared vocals / chanting. You could easily be listening to a ritual or ceremony, in fact Japanese audiences have described them as resembling shrine maidens. Kuunatic have stated they hear traditional music and chanting everywhere at summer festivals in Japan and this influence has been imprinted upon them as a familiar sound. Unlike some conventional gigs where attention can sometimes wander they
were lovely, hypnotic and restful from start to finish. Kuunatic finished playing just before 10pm, and following their set they chatted to audience members and signed merchandise that was available. I bought and had signed a CDr of their live 2018 performance at the Lexington bar in London.

It really is nice to hear a band whose sound is so far removed from the rest of the music scene. From what I have seen of the rest of their European tour they have been very well received by large audiences on the continent, so hopefully it won’t be too long before they are back again. Given their name they are very easy to find on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube if you want to hear their music for yourself.

This Article by Tim Evans is one of many originally published in Issue 69 of the JSNW Newsletter, issued quarterly to society members. See here for more details on becoming a member.