What's On
* If you would like to see event reports, please visit here
Japan Club of Victoria Drawing Competition
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As part of this year's Japan Festival, the Japan Club of Victoria is holding its annual drawing competition . The competition is open to
school students, with two divisions; one division for primary school entrants and one for high school entrants. Announcement of the best three entries from each division and the awarding of prizes will take place at the Japan Festival in Box Hill on Sunday 20 May 2012 at 3:00pm on the Main Stage. All entries will be displayed at the Box Hill TAFE. Entries close on Monday the 30th of April. For more information and details of submission requirements please see the information sheet from the JCV website. |
JICC Free Japanese Film Screening
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This year, we are holding a series of free Japanese film screenings at the Japan Information & Cultural Centre (JICC) of the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne.
The details of the second film to be screened are as follows: English Title: Haru’s Journey (PG) Japanese Title: 春との旅(PG) Year: 2010 Producer: Mineyuki Kii / Naoko Kobayashi Director: Masahiro Kobayashi When: Wednesday, 18 April; 5.30pm-7.45pm * No entry after 5.50pm due to security restrictions. Venue: JICC, Consulate-General of Japan, Level 8, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne Entry: Free. Bookings essential. To RSVP, email meljapan@mb.mofa.go.jp. |
Big Bento Lunch Fundraising Effort
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To commemorate the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan a fantastic fundraising project is being hosted by the JET Programme Alumni Associations of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. To maintain awareness of the continuing need for assistance and to raise much-needed funds for UNICEF's ongoing recovery work in the affected regions of the country, Big Bento Lunch encourages people to get together for a Japanese-style lunch and collect donations. To learn more about the event please visit the official event website. |
The Art of Chinese Calligraphy - Lecture and demonstration at NGV International
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The NGV International (National Gallery of Victoria) will hold a lecture and demonstration focusing on the evolution of Chinese characters and their development over thousands of years. The demonstration will also allow viewers to witness the work of some renowned calligraphers. The speaker will be Professor Zhang Guohong, Shanghai University, lecturer and author of Chinese Calligraphy. When: Sunday, February 19, 11:00 am Where: Clemenger BBDO Auditorium, NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne Cost: Free For more information please visit the NGV website. |
Arrietty Screenings at Melbourne Cinemas
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The latest production from the world renowned Studio Ghibli is Arrietty, a film based on the children's novel classic, The Borrowers. Arrietty was screened in Melbourne as part of the Japanese Film Festival but sold out, so people who missed out will be pleased to learn that the film is now showing in cinemas across Australia.
Mainstream cinemas are featuring the regular Western release with English dubbing, but the original Japanese version with English subtitles are screening at Nova Cinema in Melbourne and the Palace Nova Eastend cinema in Adelaide. For more information please visit the Cinema Nova website or the Palace Nova Eastend cinema website. |
Frankston Japanese Festival 2012
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On Saturday the 25th of February, the Frankston Susono Friendship Association will be hosting the annual Japanese Festival. This year's festival will be a special occasion since it is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Frankston and Susono, a city in Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan.
The day will feature all sorts of cultural demonstrations and workshops with entertainment suitable for all ages, such as taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations and kite making and flying. The festival is free and will run from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Come along and enjoy the many activities and help Frankston to celebrate this marvelous achievement of a 30 year friendship with Susono. When: Saturday, February 25, 11:00 - 5:00 pm Where: Kananook Creek Boulevard, between Wells and Playne Streets For more information please contact Chris Hodgins on 9784 1043, or visit the Frankston City Council website. |
Australia Supports Japan Webpage
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The Japan Foundation, Sydney has added a page to their website for the specific purpose of advertising various fundraising events Australia-wide
to raise money for the Tohoku - Pacific Ocean earthquake disaster appeal. For a run down of charity events being held near you please visit their webpage. If you are part of an organisation holding a fundraising event for the Japan - Pacific Disaster please contact the Japan Foundation, Sydney to see if your event would be suitable to be advertised on their website. The Japan Foundation, Sydney can be contacted on (02) 8239 0055. |
JICC Exhibition Schedule
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Recent prints in Japan by Kyoko Imazu and Damon Kowarsky
The JICC will be displaying an exhibition of prints by Kyoko Imazu and Damon Kowarsky until the end of April. Kyoko and Damon met in the studios of Australian Print Workshop in 2008. They have been collaborating since 2010. Their prints are made using a simple collaborative system. Damon gives Kyoko a drawing to which she adds her own interpretations. The resulting image is then etched onto copper plates and printed by hand at Trinity Grammar School Kew, where they are both artists in residence. Together they have produced works of great subtlety, variety and humour exploring themes including nature, science, art and technology. Kyoko Imazu holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Printmaking, a Diploma of Visual Arts, and a Certificate in Foundation Studies Art in Design and Communication, all from RMIT in Melbourne. She has exhibited her work throughout the Asia-Pacific region including Bus Projects, Port Jackson Press, McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, and the Tokyo National Art Centre. Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at the Victoria College of the Arts (VCA) and Glasgow School of Art, and Advanced Figure Drawing at RMIT. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Art, Honours, in Printmaking from VCA. Since graduating in 2000 he has exhibited his prints in Australia and abroad and worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator. Kowarsky has received numerous awards, grants and residencies and has also taught drawing and printmaking in Lahore and Karachi. Where: JICC, Level 8, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne When: 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm weekdays only If you are a Japanese artist or your art encompasses some form of Japanese influence, you may be able to exhibit on a short term basis at the JICC. Please contact the JICC for more details: (03) 9679 4560 You may also be interested in the Japanese Art Directory in Australia maintained by the Japan Foundation, Sydney. |
JICC Exhibition Schedule
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"My Garden" by Ema Shin The JICC will be displaying an exhibition of contemporary woodblock prints entitled "My Garden" by Ema Shin until the end of March. Ema Shin is a Japanese contemporary artist who uses a combination of traditional Japanese techniques and materials with a unique approach. She graduated from Tama Art University in Tokyo and then completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Aichi Prefectural University of Art. In 2005 she established an art practice in her home prefecture of Niigata and exhibited in Tokyo, Nagoya and Niigata as well as numerous overseas exhibitions. She has also participated in artist-in-residency projects and teaching programs in Japan, Mexico, Spain and Kenya. In 2009 Ms Shin was awarded the prestigious Pola Art Foundation international scholarship to research Australia's unique flora and fauna and since that time she has established a studio practice in Melbourne that combines her experiences in both Japan and Australia to make new and innovative art work. The JICC will be displaying several woodblock prints from the exhibition "My Garden" until the end of March. Where: JICC, Level 8, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne When: 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm weekdays only If you are a Japanese artist or your art encompasses some form of Japanese influence, you may be able to exhibit on a short term basis at the JICC. Please contact the JICC for more details: (03) 9679 4560 You may also be interested in the Japanese Art Directory in Australia maintained by the Japan Foundation, Sydney. |
JSC Manga Library
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The Japanese Studies Centre Manga Library is open to the general public, and houses a collection of over 7,000 manga. The library stocks a
collection of books in Japanese and English as well as a small collection of bilingual manga. The library is located at Monash University's
Clayton campus, in the Japanese Studies Centre (building 54; near the bus loop) and is open on Mondays to Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors
are welcome to read manga in the library, or borrow books upon joining as a library member. The library also runs a weekly language exchange
circle, a manga translation workshop and other cultural events.
For more information please visit their website. |
New Japanese Magazines Available at the City Library
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The Melbourne City Library has expanded its collection of Japanese materials including a great range of popular Japanese magazines! Kateigaho,
Orange Page, Shonen Jump, Men's Non-no, Kera, Ribon and Sweet are just some of the titles that can now be
borrowed.
The City Library plans to add new Japanese language books as well as DVDs and CD's to its collection from March 2011. The library's decision to provide more Japanese materials gives you a great opportunity to stay in touch with Japanese media and culture directly without leaving Melbourne! |
Adelaide's Himeji Garden
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Adelaide and the Japanese city of Himeji have been sister cities since 1982. The Himeji Garden on South Terrace, Adelaide celebrates that relationship by demonstrating the beauty of a Japanese garden. The garden is divided into two different styles; Senzui, a style which uses water to create the impression of vast landscapes, and Kare Senzui, which uses sand and rocks to evoke the presence of water. Entry is free for this magnificent garden and with spring in the air what better time to go and enjoy its serenity and beauty. |
New (and FREE!) Japanese Language Learning Website from the Japan Foundation
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The Japan Foundation has recently opened to the public its free Japanese
language study website at www.erin.ne.jp. The website includes interactive lessons, videos, images, games and more!
A fantastic resource for teachers, parents and students of all ages, through this website you'll be able to say "I can speak Japanese!" |
Japan in Melbourne website
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Japan In Melbourne is a portal site which connects Japan with Melbourne! What is “Japan In Melbourne”? “Japan In Melbourne”is the first portal site in Melbourne which introduces various kinds of Japanese culture. News related to Japan, restaurants, shops, business activity, product information are introduced using articles and videos. Who is “Japan In Melbourne” for? Australians who like Japan, who have been to Japan, who want to visit Japan and who are interested in Japanese food, Japanese language, and Japanese culture...it's for everyone! Website located at www.japaninmelbourne.com.au. |
"Japanese in Anime & Manga" Website Grand Opening!
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Many Japanese learners say that they begin to study the language because they were interested in Japanese cartoons and comics. However, given the sheer
range of genres, the variety of different characters and the fact that there are lots of expressions you won't find in most textbooks and dictionaries,
it's sometimes difficult to understand the kind of Japanese found in anime and manga. This new website was designed especially for such Japanese
learners!
A flyer explaining the website is available both in English and Japanese. The link to this new website is http://anime-manga.jp. |
The Australia Japan Society of Victoria
Konshin-kai - Young Professional's Network
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Have you returned to Australia having spent time living in Japan and want to meet others who share a similar experience? Do you have a general interest in Japan and/or would like to meet others who do? Are you a Japanese person living or working in Melbourne who wants to meet locals with an interest in Japan and vice versa? If you answered YES to any of these, then Konshin-kai is for you! For details regarding the time and venue, please go to the AJS Victoria website. |
The Australia Japan Society of Victoria
Shaberou-kai - Conversation Night
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Shaberou-kai aims to foster friendships between people in a relaxed, informal environment, and to facilitate cultural exchange. Conversation nights cater to
speakers of both English and Japanese of all levels, offering the opportunity to socialise informally in a mixed language environment while expanding
Japanese/English skills. Date: Usually 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month *Please refer to AJSV website for specific dates and times. Venue: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Cost: Free for AJSV members, $3.00 for others For more information please go to the AJS Victoria website. |