KaiWA language exchange

会WA for July 09: Thu 2nd, 16th, 30th

The fortnightly Japanese-English conversation exchange 会WA (kaiWA) is back for 09.

The event is hosted and organised by the JET Program Alumni Association of WA, and is a great chance to practise your English or Japanese, or to learn more about going to teach English in Japan on the JET program.

JETAAWA asks for a gold coin donation for participation (and, as JETAAWA is non-profit, that money all goes back into your body in food form during the evening).

会WA is held at 43 Below (formerly known as the Bar on Barracks) on the corner of Hay and Barrack Sts in Perth city every second Thursday – in July 2009, that’s the 2nd, 26th and 30th, and thereafter the 13th and 27th of August.

It starts from 5:30 pm and will run until everyone gets sick of each other (usually about 8:30/9), so don’t worry if you can’t be there spot on the start time.

World Cup Qualifiers: Australia v Japan

The Australia-Japan Society of WA has organised to watch the Australia-Japan world cup qualifier live (kickoff 6:20pm) this Wednesday, 17 June, at the Herdsman Tavern (33 Herdsman Parade, Wembley).

RSVPs are not required but get there early for good seating! The last version of this event was heavily attended. Non-members are more than welcome!

Sumo Sunday

On Sunday 24 May from 2-5pm, the Herdsman Lake Tavern Sports Bar is playing host to a live telecast of the final day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

This free-entry event is organised by the Australia-Japan Society but as seats are not allocated, it’s first in, best dressed.
Under-18s must be with a parent or guardian.

The info flyer is available here.

Nikko: Japan - The Tokugawa Clan

From 15-24 May 2009, artist Zachary Freshwater is holding an exhibition of Japan-inspired paintings, illustration and photography at the Moores Building (46 Henry St, Fremantle). Opening hours are 10-5 daily.

Four years ago a discovery was made in an antique shop of a black and gold lacquered box containing albumen photographs of Nikko, Japan, dating back to 1878.

These photographs led Zachary to an adventure as he found out that Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, is where the last of the Shoguns are buried – the famous Tokugawa clan, rulers of Japan for over 200 years.

These photographs were a source of inspiration for Zachary as they led him to revive them by introducing his art, and incorporating his traditional Japanese sumi-e paintings, different types of Japanese cloth, live sketches and fine art from his journal during his visit to Nikko.

These elements have been combined to bring 50 pieces individually on display for you to experience this wonderful journey.

Flyer here.

More info: call 0427 441 861

Japanese Movies - 16 April 2009 - One Missed Call

On Thursday 16 April 2009 (early Friday morning) from 12:00 am, SBS is screening the high school J-horror flick 着信アリ – One Missed Call).

During an evening get-together with friends, Murasaki Yoko’s cell phone suddenly rings in an unusual tone. Not recognizing the tone, Yoko doesn’t pick up soon enough and the call goes into “voice mail” (chakushin). When she sees that the call/message was from her own phone number and dated two days into the future both she and her friend Nakamura Yumi listen intently to the message. What they hear is the voice of Yoko in casual chit-chat, followed by a horrendous scream, and then dead silence.

Of course the two girls attempt to laugh this off and even share the story with their friends, but when Yumi receives a phone call on the very moment…

Mari Sakata: dreams and fairy tales

Mari Sakata is a Hong Kong-born pianist who grew up in Japan and Singapore. In 2002 she graduated with a distinction in postgrad performance diploma from the Royal Academy of Music. Since then, she has played at festivals and other events worldwide.

From 7:30pm on Thursday 26 March 2009, Mari will be performing “dreams and fairy tales”, a selection of music for piano influenced by fairy tales and indigenous folk music from around the world. The venue is the Callaway Auditorium at the UWA School of Music. Entry is free.

For more info, contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth on (08) 9480 1800 or info@jpnwa.com. The official flyer is here.

Ikebana Semester 1 2009

The Australia-Japan Society of WA runs ikebana (flower arranging) classes in association with the Consulate-General of Japan over two semesters each year. First semester for 2009 starts Wednesday 18 March and lasts for 15 lessons over 15 weeks, until 15 July. Details below:

Why not learn ikebana?

This is an art that has been practised for centuries and has spread widely across the globe. You too can acquire the skills of ikebana through a series of simple steps in the course of lessons conducted by a qualified Japanese teacher.

Learn how to use flowers and foliage (even fruit and vegetables!) to create wonderful floral sensations for all to enjoy.

There will also be a demonstration class at the Consulate-General on Wednesday 4 March from 10:30am – for details, email info@jpnwa.com

Ikebana Classes Semester 1 2009

Where: Consulate-General of Japan, 21st Floor, Forrest Centre, 221 St Georges Tce
Map: View map
When: Every Wednesday for 15 weeks from 18 March – 15 July (inc 3 holidays in between)
Times: Beginners 10:30-12:00; Intermediate/Advanced 12:30-14:00
Cost: $210 beginners – that’s $14 per class, including tuition, flowers, and tools; $230 advanced
Transport: 10 min walk from Perth station, or catch the blue CAT and get off at stop 1.
Enquiries: Emmanuel on 9384 8048

KaiWA language exchange

Next 会WA: Thu 29 January 2009

The fortnightly Japanese-English conversation exchange 会WA (kaiWA) is back for 09.

The event is hosted and organised by the JET Program Alumni Association of WA, and is a great chance to practise your English or Japanese, or to learn more about going to teach English in Japan on the JET program.

For those who need a refresher, see our article on the inaugural event.

JETAAWA asks for a gold coin donation for participation (and, as JETAAWA is non-profit, that money all goes back into your body in food form during the evening).

会WA is held at 43 Below (formerly known as the Bar on Barracks) on the corner of Hay and Barrack Sts in Perth city every second Thursday – the next edition is 29 January 2009, and thereafter 12 Feb, 26 Feb etc etc.

It starts from 5:30 pm and will run until everyone gets sick of each other (usually about 8:30/9), so don’t worry if you can’t be there spot on the start time.

Dark Water & Evangelion

SBS has been kind enough to give us several hours of Japanese TV tonight (Monday 12 Jan 2009). From 11:25pm, it’s the horrific Dark Water (仄暗い水の底から)).

From the director of The Ring movies, Hideo Nakata, this film follows a single mother who moves into an apartment building that is haunted by a girl’s ghost. Yoshimi Matsubara is going through a messy divorce over the custody of her five-year-old daughter Ikuko and her husband insists that she is mentally unstable. Yoshimi is determined to start a new life with her daughter and moves to a new apartment.

But this dark and musty apartment building holds unimagined horrors. Water drips from the ceiling, and as the volume increases, Yoshimi investigates by going to the apartment above. While it is empty, when the door is ajar she glimpses a little girl in a yellow plastic raincoat. It turns out that this child died two years previously. The little girl re-appears, with devastating consequences.

Dark Water is subtitled in English. Here’s some interesting info from Wikipedia:

A U.S. remake of the film, directed by Walter Salles and starring Jennifer Connelly, was released on July 8, 2005.
A possible Indian remake of the film has been announced, starring Kareena Kapoor.

From 1am, more Evangelion.

Japanese movie: Antenna

Tonight (Fri Jan 9 2009) on SBS, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s Antenna is screening from 10:55 pm. It’s based on a novel by Randy Taguchi.

Yuichiro, a postgraduate student of philosophy, had a little sister called Marie who disappeared 15 years ago. His uncle killed himself after Marie’s disappearance, and his father also died some years later.

News of a kidnapped girl found after nine years stirs up the remaining members of Yuichiro’s family. When he returns to his family home to support his mother and brother, he discovers how his mother has coped with the loss of her daughter. Yuichiro, on the other hand, resorts to inflicting physical pain on himself. When he meets Naomi, a dominatrix, he continues his study on sadomasochistic experience as a means of coping with personal pain.

This film was screened at the 2003 Venice Film Festival and Ryo Kase received Best Actor at the Japanese Professional Movie Awards.

Not one to show the kids, but sounds like it might be worth a look! Subtitled in English.