Tag Archive for: Japanese Culture

IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party 2024 | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

The IJA Council would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the annual IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party on 28th November at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake in Dublin. Your presence truly made the evening special, and we hope you enjoyed celebrating the culmination of this year’s hard work.

.

.

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, warmly welcomed event guests and initiated the festivities with a traditional Japanese Kanpai toast.

.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and IJA Patron, for honouring us with his presence and delivering a heartfelt farewell message as he concludes his service in Ireland and prepares to return to Japan.

.

Our sincere thanks also go to the IJA event team and our exceptional hosts at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake for their warm hospitality and for ensuring the event was a resounding success.

.

Here’s to creating more wonderful memories together in the future!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Photos: Eddie Hughes & Miyu Ishikawa

.

.

Ikebana Autumn Workshops with Tomoko Sempo Yanagi | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

We had a wonderful time at the Ikebana Autumn Workshops in October, diving into the beautiful world of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging and learning from the esteemed Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo Ikebana UK & Ireland Group.

.


.
We would like to thank Tomoko san for her expertise, passion, and guidance throughout the workshops, and all the participants who joined us in celebrating and exploring Japanese culture during this seasonal event. It was a weekend filled with inspiration, education, and new connections.
.
A special thanks to Pauline and the team at the Warrenmount Education Centre in Dublin for the warm welcome and for providing a comfortable space for us all to learn and create.
.

About Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
Tomoko Sempo Yanagi is a president of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group and holds professor status with the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Experienced in Ikebana since childhood. Her first public Ikebana demonstration was in California in 1989. After she moved to the UK in 1998, she exhibited her Ikebana works and conducted workshops at various places and occasions including The Embassy of Japan, Hammersmith and Fulham Flower Show, Google European HQ (Dublin), Cisco Poland, Flower Council of Holland, and a range of secondary schools in London. She was awarded a bronze medal at the Royal Horticultural Society, London Flower Show in 2001. Educated and lived in Japan, the US and the UK, she is also a mother of Irish/Japanese boys.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Photos: Archive of Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
.
.
.
.
.

IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

The IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan was held on Saturday, 21st September and was hosted by ElectroRoute, an IJA corporate member, in Dublin city center.

.

.

The event provided a special opportunity for book club members and Japanese poetry enthusiasts to meet Nell Regan in person and learn about the book ‘百人一首 – 100 Poems by 100 Poets’, as well as her work translating it into English with James Hadley. Nell’s presentation was captivating, allowing us to delve into the richness of Japanese literature and appreciate her remarkable talent for poetry.

.

.

We extend our gratitude to Ambassador Maruyama for joining the event and reading some of the original poems from the book in Japanese.

.

.

Attendees also had the chance to engage in a traditional Japanese card game and savor delicious, freshly baked Japanese treats provided by Gopan Bakery.

Special thanks to Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice Chairperson, for coordinating this event, and to our wonderful hosts at ElectroRoute for their excellent hospitality throughout the event.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

 

 

Japanese Film Festival 2024

/in /by
The Japanese Film Festival Ireland returns for its 15th edition this April, with a line-up of films that will bring the best of Japanese cinemas to towns and cities across Ireland.
Ireland’s only truly national film festival will showcase 19 films this year, from the latest anime hits to exciting indie discoveries. The festival will run from April 9 – 27, with screenings in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, Wexford and – for the first time – Bray.
.
.
‘Having started with just 4 films in 3 cities in 2008, this event is now in its 15th edition with 19 films in 9 locations around Ireland. Its continued success is thanks to the dedication of all the organisers, but above all to the enthusiasm of Irish audiences. I am delighted to see so much interest in Japanese cinema in Ireland, and hope that everyone will enjoy this year’s exciting selection of films from Japan.’ – Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland
.
.
This year’s line-up will bring Irish audiences everything from acclaimed dramas to crowd-pleasing anime hits. This year’s programme includes the Irish premieres of exceptional new dramas such as Egoist, Great Absence, Ichiko, Remembering Every Night and Shadow of Fire. Those searching for more light-hearted fare should seek out time-loop office satire Mondays: See You ‘This’ Week! and the playful horror-comedy Love Will Tear Us Apart. Anime fans won’t want to miss the first Irish screenings of new titles Lonely Castle in the Mirror and Komada: A Whisky Family. Audiences will also be able to enjoy a special insight into Japanese culture and traditions with films such as Tsugaru Lacquer Girl and Yudo: The Way of the Bath.
.
.
The festival is proud to pay tribute to the late, great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto with a special double bill in Dublin of his beautiful final concert film Opus and Hirokazu Koreeda’s award-winning Monster (which features Sakamoto’s final film score) in Dublin. Opus will also play in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford during the festival. Audiences in Dublin and Galway will also be able to catch this year’s classic screening – Shinji Somai’s coming-of-age drama Typhoon Club, which has been widely celebrated as one of the greatest Japanese films of the 1980s.
.
.
.
‘We’re always excited to bring the latest Japanese films to audiences across Ireland, and this year’s JFF 24 has added significance as it marks the 15th edition of the festival and our collaboration with the Embassy of Japan. We look forward to welcoming festival audiences – whether you’re a JFF regular or have never been before – to this year’s screenings. We’ve made sure to ensure this year’s line-up of films has something for everybody, including everything from the latest festival favourites to future cult classics.’ – Maeve Cooke, director of access>CINEMA
.

Experience Japan 2024 | Join the celebrations of Hanami Festival!

/in /by
Experience Japan festival will be returning to the wonderful Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday, 28th April 12 – 4 PM.
Hanami Festival is a free, family-friendly day out where you can enjoy and celebrate Japanese – Irish culture!
.
Join us in the beautiful grounds of Farmleigh House to witness performances, demonstrations, seminars, and traditions both old and in the making! All events are free and everybody is welcome!
.
This year’s programme is packed with amazing events for everyone! 
  • Get ready to be dazzled by a mixture of Irish and Japanese music and dance performances.
  • A mixture of Japanese food vendors, from sweets to savoury. Of course, expect some classic options as well!
  • Demonstrations from a mixture of styles which originated in Japan, and are practised here in Ireland!
  • Enjoy a Treasure Hunt aimed at children or a more challenging Scavenger Hunt for adults!
  • Take a tour of traditional Japanese crafts which have found a home in Ireland.
  • Our tradition of reading verse under the cherry blossom continues this year.
  • A dedicated area in the Pleasure Gardens for practising your Japanese language skills, and meeting new friends!
  • An opportunity to see our many cosplayers all in one place! Taking place on the Martial Arts stage.

Please note that as a community festival, organisers cannot guarantee all activities and persons will be available on the day.

.
.
.
HOW TO GET THERE?

The Hanami Festival 2024 is located in Farmleigh House, at the back of Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Please visit Experience Japan website for more details!

***

Follow Experience Japan for more updates and news!
.
.

Sublime Aesthetics or the Cultural & Mythical Inversion Power of Negativity | Japan Seminar Series

/in /by
We invite you to join Professor Hideki Kuwajima, Hiroshima University, as he seeks to uncover a certain possibility for a comparative aesthetic fusion between Irish and Japanese cultures, moving from Edmund Burke’s Ireland to Lafcadio Hearn’s Izumo in Hidden Japan at the upcoming seminar ‘Sublime Aesthetics or the Cultural & Mythical Inversion Power of Negativity’ organised by our friends at UCD Centre for Japanese Studies.
.
.
.
Date: Wednesday, 27th March 2024
Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
Venue: UCD Newman Building, Room D101, Stillorgan Road, Belfield, Dublin
.
.
Hideki Kuwajima
Born in Gumma, Japan, in 1970. Received his BA, MA and PhD from the Osaka University. Professor of Aesthetics, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences / School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University. A Director/Executive Committee Member of Japan-Ireland Society, Japanese Society for Aesthetics, and Japanese Society for British Philosophy, as well as a Founding Committee Member of the Hiroshima-Ireland Friendship Association etc.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

IJA launches Japanese Book Club | Join today!

/in /by
We are delighted to announce the launch of the IJA Japanese Book Club! Our purpose is to create a vibrant community of book lovers who share a passion for Japanese literature, culture, philosophy, business, history, and more.
.
We are dedicated to exploring a diverse range of books each month, engaging in thoughtful discussions, expanding our knowledge, and fostering friendships among members. What’s more, we won’t limit ourselves to just Japanese authors; we’ll also delve into the works of Irish authors with connections to Japan.
.
.
With our official launch scheduled for September, we have conducted two trial runs with a small group of participants during the summer break. It was truly fascinating to see how different perspectives and insights emerge, even when reading the same book. We believe that sharing our reading experiences with others can deepen our understanding and appreciation of literature.
.
Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this exciting literary journey with us? Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting to explore the world of books, our book club welcomes everyone. Together, we’ll embark on a fascinating exploration of Japanese literature and beyond.
.
HOW TO REGISTER
Please let us know if you are interested in joining our book club and send us an email to: info@ija.ie. We look forward to having you as a fellow book enthusiast and a valued member of our growing community. Open to the IJA members only.
.
More details about the first club meeting and book of the month:
.
.

Summer Ikebana Workshop | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

To celebrate summer and all the beautiful seasonal flowers, the IJA Council organised a beautiful, seasonal Summer Ikebana Workshop for our members. The workshop was presented by the IJA member and Ikebana instructor Mrs. Tomoko Ozaki on 26th August.

 

Workshop participants had a unique opportunity to learn about Ikebana traditions and principles, make their own Ikebana arrangement and change the way how they think about floral displays. We would like to thank everyone who attended this event and hope it was a great experience and learning opportunity for everyone.

A wonderful surprise for our workshop participants was the visit by H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland.

 

 

We would like to thank Eva Reavley, IJA Council, for all her work and support to make this event such a success, and our event hosts – Oomi Travel – for welcoming us at their cosy and beautiful office, and looking after us during this event, and Gopan Bakery for very tasty Japanese baked treats.

 

Join Japanese Summer Fest celebrations this summer!

/in /by

Mark your calendars and gather your friends and family for a day filled with Japanese cultural delights at the Japanese Summer Fest. Whether you’re a Japan enthusiast, a food lover, or simply curious about other cultures, this festival promises an unforgettable experience.

Experience the vibrant summer traditions and rich cultural heritage of Japan right here in Ireland!

Date: Saturday, 1st July 2023
Time: 12 – 4 PM
Venue: Cherrytree Pub, Walkinstown Cross, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, D12 EY19
Admission: FREE / Please note that there may be a charge for some activities.

 

 

Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich traditions and cultural delights of Japan with a plethora of exciting activities!

Mouthwatering Japanese Cuisine
Savor the delicious flavors of Japan with a selection of authentic Japanese dishes. We have carefully curated a menu featuring a few tantalizing Japanese delicacies that will transport your taste buds to Japan. Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in the flavors of Japan!

Bon Odori (盆踊り) – Traditional Japanese Dance
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as we celebrate Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance performed during the summer festival season. Join the spirited circle dance with fellow festival-goers. Let the rhythm of the music guide your steps and experience the joy of this cultural tradition.

Origami and Calligraphy Workshop
Discover the beauty of Japanese art forms through our origami and calligraphy workshop. Learn the art of folding intricate origami designs and master the graceful strokes of calligraphy. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the process.

Tanabata – Make Your Wishes Come True
Participate in the enchanting Tanabata celebration, where you can write your wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. Feel the magic in the air as the festival brings together people’s hopes and dreams, creating a tapestry of aspirations.

Sushi Demonstration
Ever wondered how to create perfect sushi rolls? Attend our sushi demonstration and watch as our skilled sushi chefs unveil the artistry behind this beloved Japanese culinary delight. Learn the techniques, appreciate the precision, and gain insights into the world of sushi-making.

Suikawari – Watermelon Splitting Game
Cool down with a fun and refreshing game of Suikawari, a traditional Japanese activity where participants are blindfolded and attempt to split a watermelon with a stick. Unleash your inner competitor and see if you can strike the sweet spot!

Japanese Language Theatre – Ordinary People 普通の人々
Be captivated by the magic of Japanese language theatre as talented performers take the stage to showcase traditional and contemporary plays. Let the expressive gestures and melodious tones transport you to the world of Japanese drama and storytelling. Please book a ticket here!

 

For more information and event programme:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/japanese-summer-fest-in-cherrytree-pub-tickets-649911963177

Japanese Calligraphy Workshop 2023 | Photo Gallery

/in /by
On 22nd April, the IJA organised Japanese Calligraphy Workshop together with artist, educator and writer Azumi Uchitani. Participants were invited to learn the ancient wisdom and value of Japanese symbols, unplug from every day’s hustles and bustles, and experience a ritual with a brush and ink on paper.
.
During the workshop everyone had a chance to learn basic principles and techniques of calligraphy, including different brush strokes, practice body movements and mindful meditation, as well as practice calligraphy and create their own calligraphy art.
Huge thanks to our inspiring teacher Azumi san for bringing everyone on a mindful journey to discover this very unique and wonderful part of Japanese culture, and sharing her knowledge, skills and passion! Calligraphy workshop was followed by a tea & coffee break, and wonderful musical performance on violin by Kevin O’Neill.
.
Our event was hosted by ElectroRoute, IJA Patron member, and we would like to thank our hosts for welcoming us and looking after everyone on the day.
.
(Click on the images to enlarge!)

Tag Archive for: Japanese Culture

IJA Japanese Language Courses 2025

/in /by

Are you ready to elevate your Japanese communication skills to the next level? Join one of the two IJA Japanese Language Courses starting in January 2025, and take the next step towards mastering Japanese for personal and professional use.

.

.
.

BASIC / FOUNDATION JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSE

.
Starting: Tuesday, 14th January 2025 (4 weeks)
Time: 6.30 – 8 PM (90min classes)
Venue: Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
Join Online: Remote attendance will be available for 2nd and 3rd classes via Zoom for those who can’t attend in person.
.
Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with no or very little Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who is thinking of visiting Japan as a tourist or on business.
* Anyone who has been to Japan in the past and would like to know more about the country.
* Anyone who would like a little “taste” of Japanese before studying in college or doing Japanese language studies.
.
Cost: €100 – IJA Members | €160 Non-Members
* Spaces are limited and early booking is advised. Advised age group: 18+
* All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
* The course will only take place if a minimum of 5 participants sign up.
.

BEGINNER/ IMPROVER JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSE

.
Starting: Thursday, 16th January 2025 (4 weeks)
Time: 6.30 – 8 PM (90min classes)
Venue: Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
Join Online: Remote attendance will be available for 2nd and 3rd classes via Zoom for those who can’t attend in person.
.
Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with some Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who studied the Leaving Certificate Japanese or studied for JLPT N5 level in the past, and would like to maintain some of the knowledge.
* Anyone who has lived in Japan in the past and would like to refresh some language skills.
* Anyone who would like to communicate with Japanese colleagues or friends in Japanese.
.
Cost: €100 – IJA Members | €160 Non-Members
* Spaces are limited and early booking is advised. Advised age group: 18+
* All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
* The course will only take place if a minimum of 5 participants sign up.
.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity and sign up for the course today!
.
.
READY TO PARTICIPATE?
.
1. Contact us to reserve your spot now!
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 6th January 2025 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008. Please note that cancellations should be made by Monday, 6th January 2025. After this date refunds will not be available.
.
2. Fill out the Questionnaire!
Please fill out this questionnaire and our Japanese Language Teacher will use the information provided to establish which of the both courses is more suitable for your current language level in order for you to gain the most from the classes:
.
.
This course is organized in cooperation with IJA Corporate Member – Dillon Eustace.

.

.

.