4 Dec 2015

Aid For Japan Cultural Evenings Report

by | posted in: Events, Fundraising, News |

Last month saw Aid For Japan founder Akemi Solloway present talks and demonstrations celebrating Japanese culture.

Over two days, Akemi offered up her knowledge to attendees at venues supplied by WeWork. Japanese snacks were also sold at the event. All proceeds went to supporting Aid For Japan.

At the first event, which took place at WeWork in Spitalfields, Akemi gave a talk on how to wear a kimono. She also talked about Japanese etiquette and table manners.

Angela Shaffer, who is part of the Aid For Japan team, described the event: “The venue chosen was very modern and close to Liverpool Street Station and the event was fun!”.
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The second event featured Akemi demonstrating (with the aid of an audience volunteer) how to wear a yukata. This was followed by a performance of the Japanese tea ceremony in which Akemi gave a compelling talk about zen philosophy and Shinto belief.

Both events helped to introduce people to aspects of Japanese culture that they may have previously not been aware of. At the same time, the events provided a fun evening which also helped to raise funds for our charity!

Learn more about Akemi Solloway’s work via her web site: www.akemisolloway.com
20 Nov 2015

Aid For Japan November Events

by | posted in: Events, Fundraising |

We have two events coming up this month with a strong focus on Japanese Culture.

On 24th November we have a Japanese Cultural Evening. Japanese cultural lecturer Akemi Solloway will show how you can wear Kimono. You will also learn Japanese etiquette and business manners.

The event takes place at WeWork Spitalfields on Tuesday 24th November 2015 between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Entry is £10.

On the 25th November, there will be a Japanese Tea Ceremony: Akemi Solloway will show and explain the Japanese Tea Ceremony using the 15th Century style. You will also learn about Zen philosophy and Shinto belief through the tea ceremony.

The event takes place at WeWork Devonshire Square on Wednesday 25th November 2015 between 2:00pm and 3:30pm. Entry is £10.

Learn more about Akemi Solloway’s work via her web site: www.akemisolloway.com

All proceeds go to Aid For Japan.

15 Nov 2015

Aid For Japan at Doki Doki

by | posted in: Events, Fundraising |
Earlier this month, Angela Shaffer attended the Doki Doki event on behalf of Aid For Japan and reported back on her experiences…

The Doki Doki Festival is an annual Japanese culture event that takes place in Manchester. For this year’s event, Aid For Japan were the event organisers charity of choice.

“Doki Doki” is a Japanese phrase referring to the sound of the heart beating. Amongst young women it has come to mean a heightened state of excitement, especially concerning the “butterflies” in a girl’s stomach when she is near a boy she has a crush on.

Aid For Japan had a stand at this Doki Doki Festival and I manned this stand from 10am – 6pm. To one side of our stand we put a large banner to advertise our charity. On the table we had an earthquake collection box, some badges, leaflets and flyers advertising Akemi’s study school (including Skype Japanese lessons).

Akemi gave an Aid For Japan charity talk. She was also part of a panel of five guests answering the questions of anyone interested in visiting or living in Japan. Then, later on in the day, she gave a final talk about ‘The History of Japan.’

Some of the highlights of the event were: the maid cafe where young Japanese girls dressed up as maids serving Japanese food (e.g. sushi) and dancing in a very cute way on the stage. There was a demonstration of a tea ceremony, a fashion show and a demonstration of how to dress in a traditional kimono. The lady supposed to give this talk was unable to come so at the last minute one of the organisers stepped in and her demonstration was really excellent.

There was also a raffle, a Japanese blues singer, taiko drumming, demonstration of martial arts, dancers on stage and a young man playing the shamisen.

The purpose of Akemi and myself having a stand at this festival was to make new people aware of our charity and to do some fundraising. We both worked hard but the day was fun.

As a thank you from the Doki Doki organisers, they presented an after work, free entry evening party (organised by the Manchester University Japanimation Society) held at The Pub opposite the Sugden Sports Centre. A few of us played pool, drank and had a good time!

I look forward to work with Akemi at The Doki Doki festival in Manchester next year!
Angela Shaffer

http://dokidokifestival.com

6 Nov 2015

Kimono & Culture Evening

by | posted in: Events, Fundraising |
Aid For Japan staged a special Kimono & Culture Evening on 30th October in Richmond…

The successful event not only offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the kimono, but also treated to sushi and sake against a background of traditional Japanese music.

Kimono is a key part of Japanese culture and communication. For this event, Akemi Solloway was on hand to explain the differences in formality and season of the kimono styled and dressed by Elizabeth Hitchins.

The broad variety of kimono styles and uses was illustrated by an introduction to the likes of the houmongi, which is formal visiting wear and furisode – worn by younger unmarried women and featuring the iconic longer swinging sleeves.

Yukata are worn mostly during the summer months at festivals and remain the most commonly work kimono in modern Japan. Yukata are fun, bright and easy to take care of. One of the lucky attendees also won a brand new yukata (kindly donated by Uniqlo) in our charity raffle.

Men’s kimono were also featured, including the formal hakama, which is worn throughout a man’s life on different formal occasions. The patterns change, but the format stays roughly the same.

Traditional Japanese music also featured on the night with performances on the shakuhachi (Japanese flute) courtesy of Justin Senryu.

The event also saw a thoughtful presentation by two of our youngest volunteers, who this summer went to Japan for Aid For Japan’s annual summer course.

Meanwhile, Yuma Sushi, who are based in Richmond themselves, provided fresh, handmade sushi for everyone attending.

The Kimono & Culture Evening helped stimulate interest in Japanese culture, but also served to raise awareness for Aid For Japan with all proceeds from the evening going to the charity.

Photography by Pat Lyttle (http://jstreetstyle.blogspot.co.uk/)

Thanks to UniQlo, Yuma Sushi, Justin Senryu and our volunteers. Thanks also to Pat Lyttle for his photography on the night. Special thanks also to all the attendees who helped support Aid For Japan!

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