Tengu: The Shamanic and Esoteric origins of the Japanese Martial Arts by Roald Knutsen

Book Launch

6 December 2011 from 6.00pm

The Japan Foundation, London
10-12 Russell Square
London, WC1B 5EH

This fully illustrated volume is the first in-depth study in English to examine the warrior and shamanic characteristics and significance oftengu in the martial art culture (bugei) of Muromachi Japan. Prompting Roald Knutsen’s life-long study of tengu – part-human, part-animal creatures – was the realisation that they were interacting with the deadly serious bugei masters teaching the arts of war. Here were beings who did not conform to the comic, goblin-like creatures of common folklore and were not the creations of the Buddhist priests intent on demonising that which they did not understand and could not control.

Roald Knutsen has practised traditional Kenjutsu, Kendo, Iai-jutsu, and So-jutsu under a succession of famous Japanese masters, having menkyo-kaiden (senior master’s licence), in one of the oldest transmissions of Iai-jutsu, and the rank of 7^th dan Renshi in Kendo. He has researched and written extensively about the Japanese warrior traditions and aspects of Japanese history. Clive Sinclaire will act as discussant at this event – he is a very active kendo practitioner who runs a dojo in Kent, with over thirty years involvement with the To-ken society, an organisation dedicated to the study of Japanese swords, fittings and armour.

This event is free to attend but booking is essential. To reserve a place, please email your name and the title of the event you would like to attend to event@jpf.org.uk

 

Yose: An Evening of Japanese Vaudeville

Thursday 10 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm

Nippon Club
2nd floor, Samuel House
6 St. Albans Street
London
SW1Y 4SQ

Booking Essential
Free for Japan Society members
Non members: £5

The Japan Society is delighted to welcome three outstanding exponents of Japanese vaudeville tradition for an evening of popular culture.
The evening will include:

Music by Shunputei Shomatsu and Yumiko on drums and shamisen
Paper cutting by Hayashiya Imamaru
Rakugo performed by Sanshotei Charaku

In Hayashiya Imamaru’s hands, a pair of scissors can produce detailed cut-out images with extraordinary speed and dexterity. He travels the world, impressing people with his kamikiri prowess, including in his show audience requests.

A master of the rakugo comic narrative,Sanshotei Charaku has nearly 50 years’ experience and a repertory of over 100 tales. He describes the story telling process as a developing relationship between audience and narrator, in which the choice of content emerges from their meeting.

To reserve your place, please call the Japan Society office on 020 7828 6330 or email events@japansociety.org.uk or submit the online booking form

Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan in the fiscal 2011:

Yoga

Yoga (2009)

October 20, 2011

Yoon Jae-yeon

Hyo-jung visits a mysterious yoga institute run by an ex-actress where her radically changed friend recommended for her to go. At the intensive training course the young yoga master, Nani, explains to Hyo-jung and four other girls that only one person can master the course and successfully discover the secret of immortal beauty.