Events & Programmes Archive

  For many years, Japanese literature has been respected by enthusiastic readers globally, providing joy and invoking a curiosity about a world they have never stepped into. This passion has recently extended to many newly released contemporary novels, with proof evident in the “Convenience Store Woman” becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Arguably, it is the heyday of contemporary Japanese authors of high calibre. However, the efforts, influence, as well as the responsibility of literary translators should not be overlooked. Foreign readers are in effect reading the text and seeing the world that is recreated by them. Quite simply translators are authors by proxy. What approach does a good translator take when reading the original text in order to convey the original ideas into another language? Inviting three experienced translators of Japanese literature, Prof. Stephen Dodd, Polly Barton and Ginny Tapley Takemori, this talk aims to reveal the daily practices of translation behind the scenes and to discuss how these professionals overcome not only the difference in language but also in culture, in order to make the work as true to the original as possible while ensuring it is entertaining for an English audience. Prof Stephen Dodd (Moderator) Stephen Dodd is Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature at SOAS, University of London. He has written widely on modern Japanese literature. He is author of Writing Home: Representations of the Native Place in Modern Japanese Literature (Harvard University Asia Center, 2004), and The Youth of Things: Life and Death in the Age of Kajii Motojirō (Hawai’i University Press, 2014.). His translation of Mishima Yukio’s Life for Sale (Inochi urimasu, 1968) was published through Penguin in 2019, and he is now translating Mishima’s sci-fi novel, Beautiful Star (Utsukushii hoshi, 1962). Polly Barton Polly Barton is a translator of Japanese literature and non-fiction, based in the UK. Recent translations include Spring Garden by Tomoka Shibasaki (Pushkin Press) and Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda (Tilted Axis/Soft Skull Press). Her translation of Kikuko Tsumura's There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job is upcoming from Bloomsbury. After being awarded the 2019 Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize, she is currently working on a non-fiction book entitled Fifty Sounds. Ginny Tapley Takemori Ginny Tapley Takemori is a Japan-based literary translator who has translated over a dozen Japanese authors, from Meiji greats Izumi Kyoka and Koda Rohan to contemporary bestsellers Ryu Murakami, Miyabe Miyuki, Akiyuki Nosaka, and Kyoko Nakajima. Her translation of Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman was selected Book of the Year by Foyles book shop and numerous publications including The New Yorker. Her translation of Murata’s Earthlings will be published this autumn, while Things Remembered and Things Forgotten, by Kyoko Nakajima, co-translated with Ian MacDonald, is forthcoming in Spring 2021. Please note that this online event will be hosted on Zoom.

Telework Ninja – it’s the new term invented in response to the Covid 19 pandemic in Japan. The ‘ninja’ terminology is used here to, rather sarcastically, refer to those who have vanished from the working scene as the work from home system was introduced, but keep up the pretence of carrying out their job. This negative use of the term ‘ninja’ would likely not have been appreciated by those whose profession traditionally focused on the principle of keeping out of sight. So, what were the true ninja’s secretive endeavours, roles and duties? What philosophy and mindset did they embrace in working as a ninja? Based on his new research, leading expert in the field of ninja, Prof Yuji Yamada from Mie University in Japan, will explain the historical work done by real ninja while examining if any of their spirit and skills can be transferred to us in the modern age. About Prof. Yuji Yamada Prof. Yuji Yamada is a specialist in medieval Japanese cultural history and serves on the Faculty of Humanities, Law and Economics at Mie University, Japan. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Tsukuba University. His research focuses on the history of ‘vengeful spirits’, strange phenomena, Ise shrine, and ninja studies. His most recent publications include The Spirit of Ninja (2019). Please note that this session will be hosted on Zoom.

Telework Ninja – it’s the new term invented in response to the Covid 19 pandemic in Japan. The ‘ninja’ terminology is used here to, rather sarcastically, refer to those who have vanished from the working scene as the work from home system was introduced, but keep up the pretence of carrying out their job. This negative use of the term ‘ninja’ would likely not have been appreciated by those whose profession traditionally focused on the principle of keeping out of sight. So, what were the true ninja’s secretive endeavours, roles and duties? What philosophy and mindset did they embrace in working as a ninja? Based on his new research, leading expert in the field of ninja, Prof Yuji Yamada from Mie University in Japan, will explain the historical work done by real ninja while examining if any of their spirit and skills can be transferred to us in the modern age. About Prof. Yuji Yamada Prof. Yuji Yamada is a specialist in medieval Japanese cultural history and serves on the Faculty of Humanities, Law and Economics at Mie University, Japan. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Tsukuba University. His research focuses on the history of ‘vengeful spirits’, strange phenomena, Ise shrine, and ninja studies. His most recent publications include The Spirit of Ninja (2019). Please note that this session will be hosted on Zoom. 

How have you been managing your life under the lockdown? Would you like to learn how to express and share a slice of your life in a manga panel? Follow as author and manga artist Shango gives you tips on drawing yonkoma manga online! Yonkoma manga is a Japanese comic strip format which utilises four panels generally of equal size to tell a brief story or illustrate a scene – often with humorous undertones. Originating in early 20th century Japan, the format has proliferated in many other Asian countries, and indeed the West, since. This workshop is open to all abilities and you do not have to have any prior knowledge of manga drawing, or yonkoma manga. Whether you just want to spend an hour creatively and ease any stresses, or are an aspiring illustrator, the pace will be right for everyone. Following the workshop, participants are welcome to share their creations with us at Japan Foundation, as well as with Shango, by tagging our social media accounts or using the hashtag #YonkomaChallenge. Author/Artist Shangomola Edunjobi began his comics career in 2014 when his One Page Comic ‘Scarlet’ took first prize in the London Graphic Novel Network A3 comic competition 2014. Since then he has won a series of awards and also contributed to the 2019 Citi MANGA exhibition at the British Museum as its Curator of tone. He will start the session by introducing his work, explaining his methods and motivations, such as the passion for creating ethnic diversity in comics. Then, he will take the participants through a step by step tutorial, teaching you structure, technique, and style so that you can add your individual story to the project.

During this unprecedented situation we all find oursleves in, we believe it important to share the beauty of Japanese cinema through free streaming services. The below links will take you to two film sharing initiatives that the Japan Foundation has been involved in. We hope you enjoy the complimentary access these films while they are available! 'Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections' A great opportunity to watch three fantastic pieces of cinema produced by the Japan Foundation Asia Centre and Tokyo International Film Festival. A journey through space and time! Available online until June 30, 2020 Moosic Lab X Japanese Film Festival Thanks to Moosic Lab, our film festival in Asia has set up a free streaming service where you can watch both feature and short Japanese indie films. No subscription needed! Expires early June 2020

Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the ongoing public health concerns, we have sadly been forced to cancel this event. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this last resort causes. We hope to see you at our future events, once public event regulations have returned to normal.

Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the ongoing public health concerns, we have sadly been forced to cancel this free event. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this last resort causes. We hope to see you at our future events, once public event regulations have returned to normal. In the meantime, however, the screenings of A Banana? At This Time of Night are still scheduled to play at a selection of our regional partner cinemas – for more information on this, please click the link below. A Banana? At This Time of Night

Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the ongoing public health concerns, we have sadly been forced to cancel this event. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this last resort causes. We hope to see you at our future events, once public event regulations have returned to normal. at the internationally renowned world of Manga, originally a form of Japanese comics, and how to take your ideas for characters and stories and turn them into your very own illustrations.

The upcoming seminar “Using Drama as a Method of Education”, based on the seminar that took place in April 2019 titled “Participatory Approaches and Drama for Learning”, aims to further explore the possibility of the drama method for Japanese Language Education. With Professor Michiharu Miyazaki (Hirosaki University, Society for Acquisition-Oriented Learning Board Member) as keynote speaker, this seminar introduced the knowledge gained from the latest practical education research and provided participants with the opportunity to share their teaching practices and learning experiences through actual participation in dramatic activities.   Speaker: Professor Michiharu Miyazaki Professor Miyazaki worked for 30 years as a teacher at the Toho Gakuen Elementary School and began work at Hirosaki University in April 2018. His specialities are drama education, education methods and teacher education. In 1995, he met Dr. Watanabe Jun at an invitation programme of the global education advocate Dr. David Selby. Professor Miyazaki has been an active member in the Society for Acquisition Oriented Learning since its foundation in 2006, taking a central role in the development of learning activities and has co-published many works on practical studies with Dr. Watanabe. He also writes scripts for children’s plays and is involved in staging them. Selected publications: Watanabe Jun, Society for Acquisition Oriented Learning. (2018) “Introduction to Participatory Activities” (Gakuji-shuppan); Watanabe Jun et al. (2019) “Methods of Education and Skill Theory” (Kobundo)   This seminar will take place entirely online, enabling participation from teachers all over the world.   Please note that this seminar will take place entirely in Japanese.   To find out more and to apply to attend, please go to the BATJ website by clicking this link.   Cost: £10 (BATJ members), £20 (non-BATJ members)

Unfortunately, due travel restrictions surrounding Coronavirus, several speakers and commentators have become unable to attend this event. The organisers have therefore taken the difficult decision to cancel this event. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Iwasaki Takahiro is one of Japan’s most respected contemporary artists. Using everyday materials, Iwasaki is known for creating series of works that convey a fine sense of handiwork and technique of figurative representation. Exploring the relationship among art, space and nature, his iconic series, Out of Disorder (2006) is a sculptural installation of beautiful architectural miniatures made out of readily available materials such as towels, toothbrushes and rolls of duct tape. This series cemented his standing in the international contemporary art scene. His extraordinary skill of transforming ordinary materials into mesmerizing works is admirable and always challenges the perception of viewers. His works have been taken up by many international exhibitions including Yokohama Triennale (2011) and the 2013 Asian Art Biennale in Taiwan. More recently he was also the representative artist for the Japan Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale. Celebrating the Japan Foundation’s exhibition, The Superlative Artistry of Japan at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery (until 19 April 2020) where Iwasaki’s work is exhibited, Iwasaki will explain his work to date and the creation process of his sometimes painstakingly elaborate works, discussing the meaning of tangibility in contemporary art as well as why the labour intensive creative process is still important to him.   London: Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2020, from 6:45pm Venue: Royal Society of Arts (RSA), Durham House Street — off The Strand, London, WC2N 6HG   Salford: Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020, from 6:00pm Venue: Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Peel Park The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU

The Finals Day of The Fifteenth Japanese Speech Contest for University Students will take place in London on Saturday, 29th February 2020. We will be releasing more details soon, so watch this space!