Japenese culture comes to Kendal (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Japenese culture comes to Kendal
3:40pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in News
Japenese culture comes to Kendal
FANS of Japanese culture have been converging on Kendal to sample the finest in Far Eastern food, film, and art.
The Brewery Arts Centre’s Bunkasai is a nine-day feast of Japanese popular culture, the centerpiece of which is an exhibition of the work of legendary manga artist Takao Saito, in the Sugar Store Gallery. Saito’s work was accompanied to Kendal, from Japan, by a top-ranking manager from his production company, Mikio Shibata, who will give a keynote lecture exploring current trends, and the future of, Japanese manga, tonight.
Brewery chief executive Richard Foster said it was a privilege to welcome such a high-ranking member of Saito-sensei’s publishing company. He added: “Saito’s work is in big demand across the world. Saito was keen to show his work in the UK for the first time because of the long-standing relationship between the two countries, and because the Bunkasai is so welcoming to young people, who are the future of manga.”
During his visit to the West, Shibata-san is also taking part in talks with a major Hollywood studio about bringing Saito’s most famous work, Golgo 13, to the big screen. Meanwhile, food lovers have been enjoying tasty Japanese street food in the Warehouse Café, transformed into a noodle bar serving authentic ramen noodle broth and okonomiyaki pancakes.
Warehouse head chef Liz Elliot explained: “Before the festival we were taught how to make them by a trained chef and expert in Japanese food, so they are made to a very authentic recipe using traditional ingredients. The noodles, in particular, have been very popular.”
Young manga artist Kayo Nakamura has been running workshops in schools, and carrying out research for a new manga graphic novel, which will be set in the Lake District, and moviegoers have been experiencing an eclectic Japanese film programme.
