About 6th Form Japan Day 2022
Lectures and Talks | Workshops | Programme | Booking Information
Keynote Speech
The keynote speech will be delivered by Ryan Keeble, News Producer at Fujisankei Communications International Ltd and current chairman of the JET Alumni Assocation in the UK (JETAA UK). He will be speaking about how his interest in Japan has shaped his life and career choices.
About Ryan
After spending his childhood in North London and rural Gloucestershire, Ryan took a gap year after 6th form to work and travel before studying "English with study in North America" at University of Exeter. During this time, he spent his second year at a small liberal arts college in upstate New York where he was able to study film, American literature and Japanese history amongst other subjects. In 2010, he moved to Kagawa Prefecture in southern Japan to teach English with the JET Programme. For three years, he taught English at primary, secondary and adult level, whilst also studying Japanese and travelling widely. Since returning to the UK, Ryan has been working at the London News Bureau of Fuji TV, first as a news producer and now in a more technical position, which includes filming, editing, coordinating shoots and the occasional stint at reporting. He is also the current chairman of JETAA UK, an organization which connects alumni from the JET programme through social and networking events.
About Fujisankei Communications International Ltd
Lecture
This year's lecture will be delivered by Professor Haruo Noma from Ritsumeikan University on the topic of virtual reality. He will explain ways in which 'human interface' or 'virtual reality' technology can be used in everyday life and discuss what the 'reality' of 'virtual reality' actually means by showing different examples.
About Professor Haruo Noma
Professor Noma works at the Department of Information Science and Engineering at Ritsumeikan University. After completing his Doctoral study in Mechanical Engineering at University of Tsukuba, he worked as a Senior Researcher at ATR for various research and projects before joining Ritsumeikan University. He is an expert in Virtual Reality and Human Interface and has published over 50 research papers in his career.
Student Panel
We will be joined by students currently studying Japanese at university in the UK, or who have recently graudated. The students will give an insight into what it's like to study Japanese by sharing information about their courses, student life, time spent on their year abroad in Japan and future plans. Attendees will also have the chance to put any questions, large or small, to the student panel!
Workshops
Calligraphy with Yukiko Ayres
Anyone who has studied Japanese will know something of its complex writing system. But there’s a great difference between computer-generated kana and kanji and the calligraphic art form. These days, few people regularly use a brush when they write, but there is no doubt that it adds an extra dimension to the characters. Take your writing to the next level, under the expert guidance of London-based calligrapher Yukiko Ayres.
More information: http://yukikoayres.com & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmTxq_DWQ4W0fzWxDAPxqw
8 Basic Strokes: https://youtu.be/oRLRDu43mDQ
Manga with Chie Kutsuwada and Inko Ai Takita
UK-based Japanese manga artists, Chie and Inko will share with you their secrets behind creating a successful manga character. In this workshop, they will show you how simple tweaks in line and shading can result in very different outcomes. Whether you are a beginner manga-ka, or have more experience, this is your opportunity to ask questions and learn from an expert! Chie graudated from the Royal College of Art in London, and is the creator of King of a Miniature Garden and illustrator of As You Like It, an adaption of one of Shakespeare's famous comedy. Inko studied at Central Saint Martin’s college of Art & Design after graduating from Kyoto University of Art & Design. Her latest works include Learn Clip Studio Paint and a manga adaptation of the world’s first novel Tale Of Genji.
More information: http://chitangarden.wix.com/chiekutsuwada & https://dokoteiinko.wixsite.com/inkoredible
Shogi with Andrew McGettigan
Shogi is Japan's unique take on chess, which has recently been popularised by the anime March Comes in like a Lion. In shogi, pieces captured from your opponent become yours and can be placed back on the board. This means you never run out of pieces (or your opponent doesn't!), making for a more dynamic game than the chess we know. In this workshop, Andrew from the English Shogi Players group will teach you how to play mini-shogi - the best way to pick up the game quickly. There will also be shogi sets for those who already know the rules and want a chance to play a full game.
More information: https://lishogi.org/team/english-shogi-players
For those who want to learn in advance of the workshop: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL587865CAE59EB84A
Origami, Ancient and Modern Paperfolding with Tung Ken Lam
Join origami artist and author Tung Ken Lam to create amazing origami sculptures that you can take home. In this workshop, you will not only learn about the history and culture of paper and paper-folding in Japan and around the world, you’ll find out how origami can improve your mathematical knowledge and thinking too! Tung Ken’s modular creations, including the WXYZ and Jitterbug, are known around the world as fine examples of original and economical folding. He has taught and presented his origami work in Japan, the USA and across Europe.
More Information: https://www.foldworks.net/home/about/
Design a Seasonal Postcard with Aya Burbanks
Sending seasonal greeting cards to relatives and friends is a part of traditional Japanese culture that still continues today; the practice of sending cards hits its peak during the New Year season when it's common to send and receive nenjago (New Year Postcards). In this workshop, Aya Burbanks will show you how to make your own greeting card, using brushes and ink to create a seasonal design and kanji to go with it. Aya is a London-based artist from Sakurajima in Kyushu Japan. She enjoys all kinds of painting with specialities in Sumi-e ink painting and Japanese calligraphy.
More Information: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/instructor/aya-burbanks/
Find your Voice! with Chisato Ofune, Japan Foundation London
Have you ever stopped to think about the potential of your voice? It can convey so much about how we feel, the situation we’re in, and our surroundings. However, we often don't have time to think about this when using a foreign language. In this workshop, together we'll create a unique ‘Gundoku’ (group performance or reading), using a Japanese poem to try out ways of using our voices to express meaning. Chisato is Chief Language Advisor at the Japan Foundation, London. She enjoys creating workshops that go beyond purely language learning.
More Information: https://jpf.org.uk/
Virtual Reality Workshop with Professor Noma, Ritsumeikan University
Professor Haruo Noma and his team from Japan will lead a workshop on virtual reality devices which can be used to produce aromas. VR is mainstream nowadays and it has come a long way since it was first developed, however the user's experience is normally limited to visual and auditory senses only. Now reasearchers are investigating how to deliver other sensory experiences through VR, such as scent and taste. In this workshop, participants will make a VR device called an "aroma shooter" to generate an aroma experience without any computers or electronic components.