Festival will celebrate all aspects of Japanese life and culture

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 21:44

THE reflected rays from the Land of the Rising Sun will become even brighter in Scotland over the next few months. Japan-UK 150, the celebration of the anniversary of the ties between the two nations, includes a series of events that guide visitors through everything from the Japanese management of pension funds to how best to dress as the anime character of your dreams.

Cosplay (short for "costume play") Scotland is an organisation for those who enjoy dressing up as their favourite characters from anime – animated films – comic books and video games. Those who prefer to leave their Marine Boy costumes at home could take part in Edinburgh University Japan Day, which takes place at Pleasance Student Union on 25 October and will include lectures on kimonos, customs and seasonal festivals.

The Lamb Gallery, at the University of Dundee, last week opened an exhibition of the photographs of Kiyonori Kanasaka, who followed in the footsteps of Isabella Bird, the Victorian traveller who visited Japan in the 1870s. The Perth Museum and Art Gallery is hosting A Glimpse of the Floating World, an exhibition of Japanese art of the 19th century.

Soichiro Sasago, first secretary at the Japanese embassy in London, will deliver a lecture on Japan's pension fund management on 10 November at Glasgow University, which, given the current economic climate is sure to be well attended.

For those wishing to participate rather than simply look or listen, the National Gallery of Scotland is holding a weekend of workshops focusing on Japanese crafts such as fan-making, kimono design and calligraphy on 7-8 February, 2009.