For the JSNW to continue, we need you to vote in a new committee. Your Support is essential. Please come, see how the Society is performing and have your say.
Saturday 29th June @ 2:00 to 4:30 pm
at Tim Parry Community Centre search for: Cromdale Way Pre-School, Cromdale Way, Warrington WA5 3NY
Please check your member emails for details. If you have not received an email (or are not a member but wish to join the society) please contact events@jsnw.org.uk.
This year we have a TalkAbout A Japanese Flag and its Story.
Presented by Andrew Clare – Free to Members.
“JSNW member, Andrew Clare, will talk about his quest to return a Japanese war flag to the family of a soldier who died during WWII. With the assistance of photos, he will discuss how he came by the flag as a 19-year-old Royal Marine, how years later he managed to identify the soldier and trace the living relatives.”
Take the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions. Control the direction of the Society, and Elect the new Committee.
The Society needs your support at this important meeting.
You will be updated on the Society’s finances, membership, and activities.
It is also your opportunity to question, praise, encourage (or lambaste!) those who organise events or carry out the ‘backroom’ activities that keep the society afloat.
We need more members to join the committee so do step forward, and please put your name forward at the AGM.
AGM AGENDA
Welcome & Introduction
Approval of Minutes and Matters Arising
Reports of Officers
Audited Accounts for the Year
Nominations to the Committee
Election of Committee Members
Any Other Business.
Followed by Coffee, Tea, and the Presentation by Andrew Clare.
Join us at our next Taiko Drumming Workshop: Saturday 23rd March @ 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Learn the basics of Taiko in this workshop led by Jared Hardwick ofTengu School of Taiko.
His passion for Taiko led Jared to start the school with an aim to provide access to this exciting Japanese performing art to adults and children alike.
Since starting in 2007, Jared has gained substantial experience both in performing, and in teaching and leading classes in workshops, both in schools and with adults. During his training, he has trained with Yoshikazu Fuji of world-renowned Japanese Taiko group ‘Kodo‘.
The cost is £16 for JSNW members, and £22 for non-members.
Please apply and send payment (contact events@jsnw.org.uk) by Monday 18th March.
Places are restricted to a maximum of 20.Please come along and enjoy yourselves. Put the date in your diaries now!
Tea and Coffee provided; – £4.00 (£5.00 for non-Members) for attendees at the Mansion House.
Email us at events@jsnw.org.uk to book a place or if you have any questions.
JSNW member, Andrew Clare, will talk about his quest to return a Japanese war flag to the family of a soldier who died during WWII. With the assistance of photos, he will discuss how he came by the flag as a 19-year-old Royal Marine, how years later he managed to identify the soldier and trace the living relatives.
In Collaboration with JET Alumni Association and supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Andrew Clare is an acclaimed British translator and lawyer. After graduating in Japanese studies from the University of Sheffield he obtained a master’s degree in political science from Kobe University in Japan. Andrew has developed a successful career as a lawyer working in legal and financial companies in the UK and Japan.
As a translator, he has translated Yukio Mishima’s novel The Frolic of the Beasts (Penguin Modern Classics, 2019), several short stories and other novels such as Pro Bono (2012) by Seicho Matsumoto and the Noma Prize-winning Toward Dusk and Other Stories (2011) by Junnosuke Yoshiyuki. Andrew is also an expert practitioner of Japanese archery and participated in the Kyudo World Championships in Tokyo in 2018.
Zoom details: Join us online on February 10th, 2023 at 13:45 (BST).
Zoom Login Link <<< CTRL + click here The event is free if you join remotely online by ZOOM.
Please join us in welcoming the arrival of the new year on Saturday 27th January @ 6:00 to 8:30 pm
The price is £22 per member; £25 for non-Members.
Lee Jenkinson will sing Japanese Enka songs for us. We are also having a Japanese Quiz.
An excellent sushi and hot buffet are provided. (The menu is below.)
Let us know if you want vegetarian sushi.
Please send your payment by Mon 22nd January. Payment details can be found in your email from JSNW, or if you are a non-member, please contact us at: events@jsnw.org.uk
So please come along and enjoy yourselves!
Put the date in your diaries now! In hope and anticipation of a happy and prosperous New Year.
Venue: Tim Parry Community Centre
search for Cromdale Way Pre-School, Cromdale Way, Warrington WA5 3NY
If you are travelling by car, then it can be reached from the M62 via junction 8 or junction 7 (to avoid Warrington Centre), see maps below.
It has a car park for up to 15 cars and a secondary car park for another 15 – 20 cars.
The nearest railway station is “Warrington West” 2 miles away.
If you are unsure how to get there, or have any questions, please get in touchat events@jsnw.org.uk .
Sushi Buffet
Roasted sweet potato and fig salad (V)
Sushi platter a) Boiled prawn nigiri b) Torched salmon roll with Teriyaki sauce c) Breaded prawn rolls d) Salmon nigiri Let me know if you want vegetarian sushi ordering.
Fried chicken in Teriyaki sauce
Tofu gyoza dumpling (V)
Breaded chicken & onion on skewer
Vegetarian pine nuts Okonomiyaki (V)
Vegetarian Yakisoba noodle (V)
Ozoni (Sticky rice Omochi and vegetables in miso soup)
Green tea crepe with Azuki beans
*Sushi Craft will contribute Sake to Kampai. Sake shot glasses are provided.
Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Sunday, 19th November 2023
“Japanese Embroidery Techniques and How They Came to the West” a talk by Sandra MacFarlane with a demonstration of the 1600 year old embroidery techniques handed down by word of mouth only until the early 20th Century.
Date: Sunday 19th November 2023 Time: 1:45 – 3:30
£3.00 for members £5.00 for non-members, includes tea or coffee and biscuits
Join us for a captivating afternoon as we delve into the rich tapestry of Japanese embroidery techniques and their voyage to the western shores. Through a lively and insightful talk by renowned embroidery artist Sandra MacFarlane, we will explore the meticulous artistry and profound cultural significance embodied in every stitch of Japanese embroidery.
Discover how the finesse and elegance of traditional Japanese embroidery have influenced and blended with Western textile arts, forming a beautiful fusion that celebrates the best of both worlds. From the vibrant threads of Nuido to the subtle elegance of Sashiko, traverse the thread trails that connect the East and West.
This is not merely a talk, but an experience—a chance to appreciate the delicate dance of needle and thread, and to understand how the art of embroidery transcends borders, binding cultures in a fabric of shared creativity.
The Old Café, The Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Calderstones Rd, Liverpool L18 3JD
Yu Miri and her translator Morgan Giles will be at Blackwell’s Bookshop, Manchester, on 17th October from 6:45 p.m. for the launch of THE END OF AUGUST – a ground-breaking, multi-generational novel about a Korean family living under Japanese occupation.
“The End of August” by Yu Miri is a profound multi-generational novel set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea. This epic narrative primarily delves into the themes of oppression both on individual and national scales. The book is often perceived as a commanding yet lengthy exploration of these themes, drawing parallels with the works of renowned authors like Tolstoy and certain aspects of “The Brothers Karamazov”.
Doors open at 6:30
Tickets are £3.00 or free when pre-ordering a copy of the book. THE END OF AUGUST will also be available to purchase on the night and Yu Miri and Morgan Giles will both be signing copies after the talk.
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:
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.”
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!
Welcome to the TATTON PARK Matsuri; Celebrate with your hosts, JSNW and JET AA UK. 11 am to 4 pm on Sat 29th July.
*Entry to the Matsuri is free. Standard parking fees and entry fee to the Tatton Gardens Apply.
Tatton Park Japanese „Village Shrine“. Venue: – Tatton Park (Japanese Gardens), Knutsford WA16 6SG.
Activities include Koto Performances, Japanese Enka Singing, Tea Ceremony, Japanese Food and Drink, Japanese Martial Arts, Iaidō, Calligraphy, Kimono Dressing, Arts and Crafts, … … and Taiko Drumming by Tengu Taiko.
Art & craft stations for Kamishibai, tanzaku, calligraphy, origami, etc. Sushi by SushiCraft and Curry Buns by “Maki’s Curry Buns.”
This event is also supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
POETRY IN MOTION: Kabuki Dance and the Onnagata. This has been cancelled due to a Train Strike on Sat 26th August. Venue: Unit 2, Chancery House, 98 Paradise Street, Liverpool, L1 3HJ.
For information please email: events@jsnw.org.uk.
Fuji Musume (The Wisteria Maiden, 藤娘) is one of the most popular dances for onnagata in the Kabuki repertoire. It features the spirit of the wisteria plant transformed into a beautiful maiden. Her dance describes various aspects of a young woman’s love affair.
A Kabuki presentation by Paul Griffith. Paul will give a presentation about Kabuki dance and the onnagata female role specialist. His talk will include DVD clips and copious illustrations of actor prints from his own and other collections.
Paul Griffith was formerly an associate professor at Saitama University (Education Faculty). He read for a D.Phil., degree at Oxford University in the field of Japanese theatre history. He has been a translator and narrator for the Earphone Guide Co. Ltd. at the Kabukiza and the Tokyo National Theatre. He is also a translator and narrator for many Kabuki DVDs, and has written subtitles for Cinema Kabuki.
Previously, he worked in the Japanese department of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and continues to work as a volunteer for the British Museum’s online database of Kabuki actor prints.
This event is supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
