Hiroba Newsletter September 2009 Edition

Hiroba Newsletter

CONSULATE-GENERAL OF JAPAN
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

　*Hiroba is the Japanese word meaning an open space or public square

September 2009 Edition

Website of the Consulate-General of Japan, Perth WA : http://www.perth.au.emb-japan.go.jp/

Yabusame (horseback archery)

archers on horseback at the Yabusame ceremony in Kamakura

©Japan National Tourism Organization

On 16^th September every year, the yabusame ceremony is held at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). In Yabusame, or horseback archery, archers shoot at a series of three targets set up at 80 metre intervals over a 250 metre-long course while riding on horseback. If the horsemen hit their target, spectators give them a huge round of applause. Traditional samurai hunting costumes worn by the horsemen date back to the Kamakura era (early 12th century).

In fact, yabusame was first performed by Imperial guards in the 7th century, and was popular among samurai warriors from the end of the Heian era (794-1192) until the Kamakura era.

Yabusame is a Shinto ritual which is performed annually to bring peace, good harvests and to dispel evil spirits.

This event is also held at the above-mentioned Shrine on the third Sunday of April every year.

Upcoming Events

Japanese Film Festival

Attention Japanese film fanatics! This year's Japanese Film Festival, organised by the Consulate-General of Japan, the State Library of Western Australia and the Japan Foundation, will be held over five nights in early October. The films cover a range of genres including animation, comedy and family drama. From the 1984 literary classic The Makioka Sisters, to the 2008 heart-warming family tale Still Walking, this year’s mix of classic and contemporary is sure to appeal to a vast audience. Also, watch out for the 2006 smash hit Hula Girls, which was the 2007 Japanese Academy Award Winner in four categories! All films are in Japanese with English subtitles. Details of the festival are as follows:

Japanese Film Festival 2009

Venue: State Library Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge (entry via Francis Street)

Dates: 8-15 October 2009

Screening Time: 7:00pm (doors open 30 minutes prior to screening)

Admission: Free (limit of 2 tickets per person per film are available from 29 September from The State Library Shop, Ground Floor, 25 Francis Street, Perth)

Film Details:

Thursday 8 October, 7:00pm The Makioka Sisters (140 mins, 1984, Literature/Drama, Rated G)

Friday 9 October, 7:00pm All About Our House (112 mins, 2001, Family/Comedy, Rated PG)

Tuesday 13 October, 7:00pm Summer Days with Coo (138 mins, 2007, Animation, Rated M)

Wednesday 14 October, 7:00pm Still Walking (114 mins, 2008, Drama, Rated G)

Thursday 15 October, 7:00pm Hula Girls (108 mins, 2006, Comedy/Drama, Rated M)

Summer Days with Coo

Bonsai Show

The Bonsai Society of WA will be holding it's annual bonsai show in Fremantle over a weekend in October. Display, demonstrations and sales of many bonsai trees will take place. (Bonsai literally means "potted tree" in Japanese). Please see details of the spring show as follows:

Bonsai Spring Show 2009

Venue: Fremantle Town Hall

Dates: Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October, 2009

Time: 9am - 4pm

This show is open to the public for a small admission price.

Coloured Pencil Artist Draws on Japanese Inspiration

New Zealand-born West Australian artist, Ms Julie Podstolski, has been drawing pictures of contemporary Japan since she first travelled to Japan in 2003. Since then, she has travelled to Japan many times to take photographs, which become the source of inspiration for her artwork.

The subject matter of her art focuses on both geisha and the neon lights of big cities. Her pictures feature maiko and geisha dressed in traditional Japanese-style kimono juxtaposed against the urban backdrop of 21st century Kyoto. Her pictures of illumination show the neon lights of signboards and lanterns lit-up in the streets of modern-day Japan.

Ms Julie Podstolski will be exhibiting two pieces of her artwork at the 3rd Annual Exhibition of the Japan Colored Pencil Society in Kyoto, November 2010. She will also be answering questions on her artwork at the Exhibition. The Founder of the Society has included information about Julie and her artwork in the Society's website, which can be viewed at: http://members-galleries.blogspot.com/

Until 2003, Julie painted pictures of landscapes in oils, focusing on landscapes in New Zealand and the port town of Fremantle, Western Australia. After first experimenting with coloured pencils in 1994, Julie decided to switch from oil painting to drawing with coloured pencils and stopped painting altogether from 2003 onwards. As a result, Julie is able to produce highly detailed drawings of geisha and scenes of illumination in Japan, which at first glance look just like a photograph!

To view Julie's drawings and for more information, including Julie's biography, a list of her group and solo exhibitions and the many art awards she has received to date, please visit her website: www.juliepodstolski.com

*You can also see one of Julie's pieces on maiko, entitled “Going In (Where I May Not Follow)” at Perth Royal Show's Bankwest Open Art Award exhibition.

Left: "Out and About on a Gion Afternoon" (Two maiko in Gion, Kyoto) ©Julie Podstolski 2009

Right: "Illuminating Dusk" (Lantern in Pontocho, Kyoto) ©Julie Podstolski 2006

Important Notices

Please Note:

2010 JET Programme Applications

The application period for the 2010 round of the JET Programme opens in October 2009 . From October, application packages will be available here at our Consulate-General, or they can be downloaded from the Embassy of Japan in Canberra website, with the application period closing on 1 December, 2009. Successful applicants for the 2010 Programme depart for Japan in April and August 2010.

Further details of the Programme can be obtained from the Embassy of Japan in Australia (Canberra) website, below:

http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/JET.htm

Message from the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) of the Government of Western Australia

Nominations are now open for the Western Australian Multicultural Community Service Awards 2009, which recognise Western Australians who have made significant contributions to advancing multiculturalism. This program has three nomination categories, as follows:

Individual
Organisation
Business Migrant of the Year

Nomination Forms and Guidelines can be downloaded from the OMI website at www.omi.wa.gov.au

For further information, please contact the OMI on (08) 9217 1600.

Consulate-General News　

Free Demonstration for Second Semester Ikebana

On Wednesday 26^th August 2009, a free ikebana demonstration was held from 10:30- 11:30am in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Consulate-General of Japan at Perth.

The demonstration was conducted by ikebana instructor Mrs Akiko Chester and assistant Mrs Michelle Keen before an audience of about 40 people. The instructors demonstrated how to make approximately 10 different flower arrangements while explaining the techniques used and then finally displaying the ikebana around the room.

The second semester ikebana course, conducted by the Australia-Japan Society of WA, in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan, commenced on 2nd September 2009 and runs for 15 weeks until December.

Mrs Akiko Chester (left) and Mrs Michelle Keen (right) explaining ikebana details to students

School Visit to Kent Street Senior High School

On Friday 28^th August 2009, Information and Culture Section staff members of the Consulate-General of Japan visited fourteen year 10 Japanese language students at Kent St Senior High School.

A presentation was given to the students on the career options which are accessible to those who study the Japanese language. The students also learnt about the rewarding experiences to be had on the JET Programme, one of the many career options available to those who study Japanese or have an interest in Japan.

School Visit to the Australian Islamic School

Another school visit on Friday 11^th September 2009 took place, this time to the Australian Islamic School.

Information and Culture Section staff members of the Consulate-General of Japan visited twenty year 10 students who had been studying a unit on Japan as part of their Society & Environment class. The students were taught the art of Japanese calligraphy (shodo) and how to write Japanese characters (kanji). They also learnt about various Japanese customs such a s bowing to greet people, using chopsticks, gift-giving, removing shoes in the entrance of one's house and so on.

　Information and Culture Section staff member demonstrating the art of Japanese calligraphy

Japan Brief

NB - Japan Brief is an original production of the Foreign Press Center, Japan ,and does not represent the views of the Government of Japan or that of any other body

JAXA Successfully Launches H-2B Rocket Carrying HTV

DPJ President Hatoyama Announces Target of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25% from 1990 Level

G20 Finance Ministers Agree to Keep Stimulus Policies in Place

Office Information

Please note the Consulate-General will be closed on the following days:

Monday September 28: Queen's birthday　

Monday October 12: Sports Day (Japanese national holiday)

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday
General Enquiries:	9:00am - 1:00pm
	2:00pm - 5:00pm
Visa Enquiries:	9:00am - 12:30pm
	2:00pm - 4:00pm

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