Virtual Dinner in Tokyo’s A.R.T Gallery

Australian artist SHAN is hosting a virtual dinner party in Tokyo’s A.R.T Gallery, with the aim of exploring possibilities for Japan’s future in light of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami. Twenty Japanese guests will sit down to a three-course dinner prepared by Maggie Beer as we look on through a live internet feed. Though we won’t be able to taste the food at the party, we can join in on the conversation; a live Twitter feed will allow participants to ask the guests questions. The guests will range from Governor Ishihara, the Governor of Tokyo to Ms. Rio, a night club dancer. You can view the full Guest List at the link below.

The live event will take place on Sunday July 17th at 6pm AET, at shan.net.au

Image from shan.net.au

Other ways you can help the disaster relief effort in Japan

Songs for Japan

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Movie-oke

Japan has long been known as the home of Karaoke, the most popular form of entertainment for young Japanese, but move over Karaoke as there is a brand new party craze for 2011 called Movie-oke.

Recently launched in the video game, Yoostar 2: In the Movies, the game allows you to insert yourself into famous movies scenes courtesy of sensor technology. It allows you to “act” opposite or in place of, your favourite actors. The game includes scenes from more than 50 films including classics like The Godfather and Apollo 13 to The Blues Brothers and The Karate Kid. It is available now for Kinect for Xbox 360 and Playstation Eye for PS3.

Image from The Karate Kid Part II (Columbia Picture Corporation)

Amusement in Japan

Uniqlo

Uniqlo is a new style Japanese clothing company that makes good causal clothing available for all to wear. Uniqlo clothing is simple, really affordable and offers high end quality. Uniqlo is Japan’s leading clothing retail chain in terms of both sales and profit. They have also spread their wings overseas and operate throughout Asia, the UK, France, and US. Good news for Australia is Uniqlo is looking to set up shop in Australia and are reportedly set to open in 2012.

Here is a look at some of Uniqlo's Summer Dry Polo shirts in Japan

from Uniqlo website http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/

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Japan Australia on Google+

Japan Australia is now on Google+

If you enjoy Japan Australia Blog, please check out our Google+ page at Japan Australia Google+

Thank you in advance

Japan Australia Japan Shop Now Up and Running

Japan Shop

Japan Australia Japan Shop is Now Up and Running

Visit the Japan Shop Navigation Tab at the top or click here to view 

some of my favourite products

Thank you

Hope you enjoy!!

Japan Australia

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea or Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) as it is known in Japan is a Japanese animated fantasy film released in 2008, written and directed by Japan’s master animator Hayao Miyazaki. The animated adventure centers on a goldfish princess named Ponyo who befriends a 5 year old human boy, Sosuke and wants to become a human girl. It is set against hand-drawn watercolour backdrops of sea and sky, and is a poetic adventure for all ages.

I love this movie for its cute characters, fantastic animation, great music soundtrack and warm heart-felt story.

The film has won numerous awards both in Japan and Internationally.

This is the Japanese Cinema Poster for the Movie

Tanabata Star Festival

Tanabata (七夕), which is also known as the “Star Festival” takes place every year on the 7th day of the 7th month. Originating from Chinese legend it celebrates the meeting of the two stars Altair and Vega. According to the legend, the Milky Way, a river of stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.

The celebration is held at night and colourful Tanabata festivals are held across Japan in early July and August. One of the biggest and most famous is the Tanabata Festivals of Hiratsuka near Tokyo in July and Sendai in August.

A popular Tanabata custom in Japan is to write wishes on a small piece of paper and hang them on a specially decorated bamboo tree in hope that the wish will come true. The bamboo tree is usually set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day.

 

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