Sunday, May 13, 2007

American to discuss his Japanese anime

Kyoto Seika University is hosting a lecture by Michael Arias, an American who directed a Japanese animated movie, from 2:40 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. May 17.

Arias made his directorial debut in 2006 with "Tekkon Kinkreet," a feature based on Taiyo Matsumoto's cult "manga." Arias will discuss the making of the film, including such topics as how he met the original creator, his collaboration with talented Japanese animators and his attempts to combine three-dimensional graphics and hand-drawn animation.

The lecture will be in Japanese.

Admission is free. No reservations are required. Four hundred people will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue will not open at 2:30 p.m.

The venue is Room 201 in the Reimei-kan building on the university's campus near Kyoto Seika Dai Mae Station on the Kurama Line of the Eizan Electric Railway.

For details, call the organizer at (075) 702-5343.

Osaka Ikebana chapter hosts festival workshop

Ikebana International's Osaka chapter will host an ikebana workshop for non-Japanese students May 27 at Matsushita IMP Hall in Chuo Ward, Osaka.

The workshop is part of the Osaka chapter's annual festival, which is kicking off at 11 a.m.

Ikebana International is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to promoting Japanese flower arrangement, and the Osaka branch will celebrate its 16th annual festival under the theme "Friendship through Flowers."

The workshop, given three times at 11:50 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 2:10 p.m., is being offered to non-Japanese students attending universities in the Kansai Region.

The festival will also feature such attractions as a tea ceremony, a performance of Japanese court dance by the all-female troupe Harasho-kai and an ikebana exhibition with works by renowned practitioners and international guests, including the wives of the Kansai-based consul generals from 13 countries.

Participation is free. Applications must be made by May 18.

For applications and details, call or fax the organizer at (0797) 32-9233.

Classes this summer on how to wear 'yukata'

Osaka International House Foundation is holding a class for foreign women on how to wear "yukata" summer kimono at International House, Osaka, in Tennoji Ward.

The three-session class is available in two schedules; one on May 20, May 27 and June 10, and the other on June 17, July 1, and July 8. Each Sunday session will meet from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants will learn how to tie an "obi" sash and the basics of wearing yukata, a casual kimono often worn for summer festivals.

The fee is 1,500 yen for the entire course. Ten people will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those wishing to apply must call the organizer, or send their name, nationality and telephone number via fax to (06) 6773-8420 or e-mail to info-staff@ih-osaka.or.jp

For applications and details, call the organizer at (06) 6773-8989.

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