Will Adams Festival
14 September

This annual festival is a celebration of the life of William Adams, who left England in Tudor times and, having become an experienced and important sailor and Captain, ended up in Japan becoming a Samurai (a title bestowed by the Shogun and an incredible honour for a foreigner). The event focuses on the Tudor England that Adams would have grown up in, the experiences as a sailor that he would have undergone and then the Japanese life he would have encountered on his arrival.

The festival also features many aspects of contemporary Japanese culture. Whilst there is an educational feel to the event, it is still very much a fun day out for the family, with activities for everyone of all ages. Download the day’s programme here: WillAdamsProgramme2013

The Will Adams Festival is supported and managed by Medway Council. See Whatson Medway.

This event is a part of Japan400.

Brighton Japan 2013
13 - 22 September

Starting out five years ago as a small one day impromptu event, Brighton Japan has grown into a ten day festival involving ever more of the city’s businesses, venues, and community groups in its ambitious annual celebration of Japanese culture. To cope with the expanding programme of events, this year’s Brighton Japan has moved the festival to the prestigious Old Steine Garden site, which lies in the heart of Brighton.

One of the highlights of the festival will be a performance by the international concert pianist Aisa Ijiri, who will be playing a repertoire of Japan-inspired pieces at an evening which will feature the calligraphy of her grandmother, Sumiko Takei, one of the leading calligraphy artists in Japan. A rare cherry blossom tea, especially brought over from Kyoto for the Supper Club event, will be served at the concert.

Other events include a Suntory whisky tasting event with the leading authority on world whiskies, Dave Broom, while a theatrical taiko performance, two nights of cinema, and a “Digital Playground” involving some of the most famous names in gaming will also feature. Bookending the festival will be two weekend events, one focussing on modern street fashion and the other on more traditional Japanese culture. For more details please check the website.

The Shogun’s Ship
29 September

The Embassy of Japan, the Golden Hinde and the Japan Society celebrate the 400-year ties between Tudor England and Japan in a Family Day on this famous ship moored in St Mary Overie Dock dock near Southwark Cathedral in London.

This replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde was used in the highly successful TV mini-series of James Clavell’s Shogun, which was based on the true story of the English sailor, William Adams.

All activities are free, and to make sure you can get on board it is best to book in advance. Join in the entertainment with Japanese ceremonial armour specialists Usagi Juku from Kyoto, Japanese children’s theatre, dressing-up, Japanese folktales in the ship’s hold, badge-making and origami.

The Japanese flag is hoisted up the mainmast for the start of the day at 11:00 and lowered at 17:00. For more information and to register in advance, contact the Japan Society at events@japansociety.org.uk.

This event is a part of Japan400.

On the two stages throughout the day there will be performances of spectacular taiko drumming, Japanese dance, a live Nodo Jiman karaoke contest with great prizes, Tsugaru Shamisen, ground-breaking multi-media entertainers SIRO-A from Sendai, a special guest appearance by superstar guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei, and a variety of thrilling martial arts demonstrations.

Enjoy the atmosphere of a Japanese festival with food from the numerous stalls. All the family can join in the fun in the activities area with games and dressing in kimono. For those readers who have been following the Embassy of Japan’s Manga Jiman competition, you might be interested to know that Japan Matsuri’s Manga Wall, in front of the National Gallery, will feature some live work of winning Manga Jiman artists from previous years. Come and see what they are drawing on the day.

Japan Matsuri at London's Trafalgar Square

Japan Matsuri is organized by Japan Matsuri Ltd., comprising the Japan Association in the UK, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, The Japan Society and the Nippon Club, and is supported by the Embassy of Japan.

JICC