Your Name (Kimi no Na wa / 君の名は) is honestly one of the best Japanese movies I’ve seen – ever. It is engaging, funny, clever, interesting and brilliantly animated – just about everything you could want from a film. It’s no wonder writer and director Makoto Shinkai (新海 誠) has been dubbed the new Miyazaki … Continue reading
Based on a popular manga comic, Japanese director Naoko Yamada’s (K-On) affecting drama about the tempestuous relationship between a boy who hears and a girl who doesn’t; this is a beautiful Japanese animation which has themes around living as a deaf person at its core. When Shoko, a young deaf student, transfers to a new elementary … Continue reading
Thank you to everyone who entered my competition for a chance to win a copy of The Moe Manifesto by Patrick W. Galbraith (see the review and competition post here). The winner has been selected by a random draw, and will be contacted shortly. I’m delighted to announce that the winner is… ☆★☆ Denny Sinnoh ☆★☆ I hope you enjoy … Continue reading
Reading The Moe Manifesto by Patrick W. Galbraith (published by Tuttle, 2014) was a bit like diving into Alice’s rabbit hole for me. I took a trip into the complete unknown, and to be honest I’m still a little befuddled. Don’t get me wrong – this is a fantastic book for those already super keen on … Continue reading
This year’s Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is called ‘It Only Happens in the Movies?’ and it explores the theme of ‘encounters’. The films in the programme “include titles in which characters experience seemingly unusual meetings, plunge into unexpected circumstances and new environments, as well as collide with different generations, ideals and ideas – asking … Continue reading
21st December was a very nasty, rainy day, but I had made a plan to spend the day in Salisbury for my birthday. I intended to take photos and sightsee, but it just wasn’t the weather for it. In the end, wet and cold, we gave in and started wandering back to the station. Then, … Continue reading
I’ve said it before (in April 2012) and I’ll say it again – the new Studio Ghibli film From Up On Poppy Hill (Kokuriko-zaka Kara / コクリコ坂から) is absolutely wonderful! I’ve walked home singing “Ue o Muite Aruko” (上を向いて歩こう) to myself feeling relaxed and warm and fuzzy inside, after watching From Up On Poppy Hill for the second time … Continue reading
It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with け (ke) and we looked at Kesennuma (気仙沼). This week we are looking at things beginning with く (ku). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week: shiotadesu suggested Korilakkuma (コリラックマ / Rilakkuma’s little female friend), Kodomo no hi (子供の日 … Continue reading
Now in its fourth year, Brighton Japan is returning for 2012! Brighton Japan is the UK’s largest annual celebration of Japanese culture, with events taking place in Brighton’s most prestigious venues over eight days at the end of June. Brighton Japan is the brainchild of Brighton’s premier Japanese restaurant, Moshi Moshi and is supported by Asahi. … Continue reading
Although I am really interested in Japanese culture, and I can’t deny my love for Studio Ghibli, I’m not actually that much of an anime/manga geek. When I was a student I did go through a bit of a computer games, comics and sci-fi phase but even that seems to have passed now. However, I … Continue reading
Haikugirl's Japan 