Events by year: 2024

New Horizons for Japanese Traditional Crafts

Japanese traditional crafts have a rich history and utilise a wide variety of beautiful materials and techniques. But many Japanese people still perceive traditional crafts as a mere expression of the “classical” culture featured in social studies textbooks, overlooking their contemporary richness and diversity. In this talk, Dr Hideki Yoshimoto will share his perceptions of the current situation for traditional crafts in Tohoku. He will then present his Craft x Tech initiative which explores new horizons for traditional crafts by integrating them with contemporary design and technology, along with unique artworks produced through collaborations between Tohoku’s master craftsmen, artists and designers.

West meets East through the World of Noh

Akira Matsui, Kitazawa Hideta and Richard Emmert have been at the forefront of bringing noh theatre to the world through innovation and experimentation. The three Masters will join Jason James in conversation to hear about how tradition meets modernity, and West meets East, in the work of these singular figures in the noh world. At the end of this discussion Kitazawa Hideta will undertake a book signing of his newly published book Noh and Kyogen Masks: Tradition and Modernity in the Art of Kitazawa Hideta.

Social determinants of youth mental health in Tokyo & London

While Japan leads the world in terms of physical health outcomes, its mental health systems are often seen as ‘behind the curve’ compared to other economically-developed countries. This is especially true for mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. In this event, we welcomed a panel of speakers with extensive experience working in mental health policy and practice in Japan to present on contemporary issues and intervention strategies relating to young people’s mental health.

Artist Talk: Yuki Kihara in conversation with Gabriela Salgado

‘‘Who am I, what am I, and what are you?’ are questions that will never haunt or torment Kihara. Rather, they provide her with the material for her artwork. The possible answers to these questions are always limited and draw boundaries that Kihara will continue to cross in the expression of her existence.’ – Jim Vivieaere

In this event moderated by Gabriela Salgado, Kihara will discuss her recent works including the ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta): A Song about Sāmoa 2019 – 2023’ series previously presented at the Pātaka Museum; Aichi Triennale; Gwangju Biennale and the National Museum of Scotland to name a few.

Keiichi Kurosawa and Early Music in Japan

Keiichi Kurosawa (1903-82) studied in the 1920s at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was always destined to take over his father’s typewriter company in Tokyo, but he was also a talented musician. During the time he spent in the UK there was a resurgence in interest in early music, led by figures such as Arnold Dolmetsch, who founded the International Dolmetsch Early Music Festival at Haslemere in 1925. Kurosawa became particularly interested in madrigals because of their essentially amateur music-making ethos, and founded the Tokyo Madrigal Club in 1929. Jason James will discuss Kurosawa’s time at Cambridge, and how he and his musical associates played a key role in introducing (Western) ‘early music’ to Japan in the mid-20th century.

[Online] Maya Erin Masuda in conversation with Johnny Golding

To mark the opening of ‘Sleep, Lick, Leak, Deep….’ by Maya Erin Masuda at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, we are delighted to have an online artist talk, ‘Maya Erin Masuda in conversation with Johnny Golding’. In this event, Maya Erin Masuda and Professor Johnny Golding will discuss Masuda’s artistic motivation while exploring her recent projects, in which Masuda takes an intimate look at contemporary ecological traumas and biopolitics seen in particular chemical infrastructures or nuclear catastrophes.

This is an online webinar. Advanced booking is essential.

Exploring Japan: A Diplomatic Journey with Ambassador Paul Madden

We were delighted to welcome Paul Madden CMG FRGS, former Ambassador to Japan, to discuss his favourite experiences in Japan with Stephen Barber, a trustee of The Japan Society and Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. In his popular book 三九 Sankyu Japan: Twittering thanks to Japan, Paul Madden documents his travels across Japan during his time as British Ambassador, and the relationship he developed with his 30,000 Japanese twitter followers as he posted about his favourite Japanese things. After sharing his reflections and highlights, Paul was joined by Stephen who has also lived and travelled extensively in Japan for a discussion and Q&A with the audience.

グレゴリー・ドーラン氏による大和一番レクチャー2023

2023年6月6日、ジュリア・ロングボトム駐日英国大使公邸にて、「大和一番レクチャー」を実施し、登壇者としてサー・グレゴリー・ドーラン氏を招いた。本セミナーシリーズは、在日英国大使館と共催イベントであり、同年、第5回目の実施となった 。

Private View:
Sleep, Lick, Leak, Deep….
by Maya Erin Masuda

This event provided the first opportunity to explore Masuda’s installation works at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation.

In her body of work, Masuda takes an intimate look at contemporary ecological traumas and biopolitics seen in particular chemical infrastructures or nuclear catastrophes. In this exhibition, Masuda provides a poetic, ontological breath which fosters a sense of interspecies belonging and points to the non-autonomous essence of all living agents.

Taiwan and China: Implications for the World

Recently, Taipei condemned China as “shameless” after Beijing thanked the world for its concern about a powerful earthquake in Taiwan. The Taiwanese government also rebuffed an offer of help extended by Beijing. China continues to claim Taiwan as its territory. To Taipei, Beijing’s communist government has never ruled the island and has no say in how it chooses its leaders. In the medium to long term, the world had better be prepared to respond to attempts to alter the situation by various means, including economic sanctions, political manoeuvres, diplomatic pressure and even military confrontation. How should the alliance between the US and Asian countries, along with European nations, support Taiwan, their fellow democracy?

‘Closing and Opening’ through Weaving by Aiko Tezuka

Aiko Tezuka is a Berlin-based artist whose works often examine and visualise the time, identity and history of the people who wove yarns by untangling ready-made or self-designed textiles and creating new textile structures. In this talk, Tezuka will share with guests the ‘bravery’ she needed to continue producing works outside Japan, following her artistic journey, which she started in Japan before moving to the UK and Germany. She will also guide us through some of her key works, including ‘Closing and Opening (A Study of Bravery) – Tangled (2024)’, which has played an essential role in propelling her onto the international art scene.

Rakugo & Kōdan:
The Art of Japanese Solo Storytelling

Join rakugo master Tatekawa Shinoharu and kōdan master Kanda Yōko for a unique event that showcases the fascinating world of Japanese storytelling. With roots in early modern times and enjoying increasing popularity in contemporary Japan, both rakugo and kōdan feature a single storyteller creating a kaleidoscopic world of emotions through words and body language. After a brief introduction to rakugo by Prof Laura Moretti (University of Cambridge) and to kōdan by Prof Motoi Katsumata (Meisei University), both delivered in English, the two performers will gift us with short snippets of their art.