Japanese Cultural Events in the New Year
Happy New Year! To kick off 2020, we’ve spotted a few Japanese cultural events taking place around the island from January to February…
Japanese Black Ink Painting Workshop with Karen Colbert (Co. Waterford)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020
From the Visual Arts Ireland website:
“Sumi-e: Japanese Black Ink Painting Workshop for Beginners: Learn brushstrokes and techniques for painting grasses, flowers, trees, mountains and landscapes. Sumi-e is a unique art form using only black ink, handmade paper and a special brush. It is a calming and relaxing activity. No materials required: fee includes use of materials and refreshments. Please bring your own lunch. More information, see here
Tutor: Karen Colbert, MFA, VAI Member"
TICKETS: €75 // See website for more details.
DATES & TIMES: Sunday 5 January 2020
Takasago & Between the Stones (Wexford)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Hosted by Hosted by Ireland Japan Association and National Opera House
“We are delighted to invite you to a rare and unique programme of classical and contemporary noh ‘Takasago & Between the Stones’ to celebrate Japan Season of Culture in the year of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Noh is a highly aesthetic classical Japanese theatre style featuring dance, music and poetry. Acclaimed artists Teruhisa and Kinue Oshima, and Akira Matsui, collaborate with Jannette Cheong and Richard Emmert once again in celebration of the 2020 Japan Season of Culture.” More information, see here
SCHEDULE: Afternoon demonstration talk: Hideta Kitazawa 4.30pm // Evening Performance: Takasago & Between the Stones 7:30pm
VENUE: The National Opera House, High Street, Wexford
TICKETS: €12 - 25 // See website to book
DATES & TIMES: Sunday, 2nd February 2020, 7.30 p.m.
AGE RANGE: All ages welcome, with programmes for various ages
culture trivia (via culturetrip)
“Every year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bonsho (temple bells) an even 108 times, an event known as joya no kane. This number represents the number of human desires, which according to the Buddhist faith lead to pain and suffering. Joya no kane is a ritual meant to drive away these negative emotions from the past year.”
The Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens Re-Opens
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 - NOVEMBER 2020
“The Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than simply a treat for the eye. They also provide comfort to the soul, achieving exactly the objective that was set out when the gardens were created between 1906 and 1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the ‘Life of Man’.” … (more information here).
TICKETS, DATES & TIMES: see website (the Gardens re-open on February 10 for the season through November 2020)
AGE RANGE: All Ages
Japanese Woodblock Printing with Kate MacDonagh (Dublin)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
“In this intensive full-day course, participants will be introduced to the fascinating art and craft of Japanese Woodblock Printing. Participants will learn about the culture of Japanese prints and the method of woodblock printing prominent in Japan for centuries and surviving today through a celebrated group of international scholars and practitioners, including Kate MacDonagh”. View more info here
PRICE: €43.55 – €54.23
DATES & TIMES: Sunday, 23 February 2020 / 10:00 – 16:00 GMT
Japan Ireland Social Group Weekly Meet Ups
Weekly on WEDNESDAYS at 7PM through 2020
The Japan Ireland Association meets at 7pm every Wednesday night at Yamamori Tengu at the back of North City on Ormond Quay Lower. From the Japan Ireland Facebook page: “Founded on 25th Nov 2006, Our aim is to create a friendly and sociable way for Japanese people in Ireland and those in Ireland with an interest in Japanese to meet, talk and hopefully build some lasting friendships.”
