Hey, how many Londoners do we have on this forum? I was wondering if anyone wanted to meet up, for Japanese learning + socialble aspects. More specifically, I'm talking about these two events:

ITO Calligraphy Class
http://itojapanese.com/calligraphy.html
I go to this Calligraphy class every Saturday (class is 4-5pm). Basically you turn up, pick a kanji (or compound or short phrase), and then draw it with ink/brush (all materials are supplied), then you can take it home next time you come to class. Usually 2-8 people turn up, also the teacher only speaks in Japanese, and is happy to correct you as well as teach new grammar/vocab, so you get an hour of Japanese learning + conversation practise + calligraphy + socialising all for £3.

Japanese Cultural Exchange Party
http://www.midievents.com/
This event is every Thursday, again only £3 and gets about 100 people along weekly. The crowd is a mix of 日本人 and 英吉利人, so if you want to practise your Japanese with natives or meet other language learners in an informal environment (with alcohol!), this is the place to go.

It would be wonderful to have a RtK presence at these events! The callgraphy has been quite empty the past 2 months (only 2-3 regulars) which is such a shame as it's a wonderful resource. Also I'm fed up trying to drag my non-Japanese learning friends to the pub meet lol.

Anyway interested in coming, let me know.

Sadly London's just a bit too far from Cambridge, really...

Bit too far from Leeds too, otherwise I'd be there!

IceCream Wrote:but, omg. Have you seen this link on the thursday event?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/haveyo...anba.shtml
do these people go there?! I am so, so, so ashamed to come from the same country as these people. w..why would anyone do that!?!? ;p

LOL! I've seen them before!!

A few months back there was this Japanese festival near Liverpool Street (http://japanmatsuri.com). It had loads of stages, and on one of them was a Para-Para dance demontration, lead by some famous Japanese dancer. Those 2 people (+ 2 friends dressed the same) were her backing dancers.

I did find it a little bit weird, but later we ran into them again. Basically they carry around this tiny boombox, and they just place it down randomly and start dancing around. It was hilarious and the crowed was loving it! Basically they're having a laugh and taking the p#ss a little bit, definitely a healthy dose of irony in there. The makeup thing is strange, but just typical teenage silliness, no different to being a goth or emo

I live in Richmond so I'm sure I could come to these events, if I ever get time. I'm not really into calligraphy but I do want to practice my Japanese as I don't get much chance. I went to the Japan matsuri a few months ago and enjoyed it, though there was some weird stuff there.

<---- Wolverhampton

karategirl09 Wrote:I live in Richmond so I'm sure I could come to these events, if I ever get time. I'm not really into calligraphy but I do want to practice my Japanese as I don't get much chance. I went to the Japan matsuri a few months ago and enjoyed it, though there was some weird stuff there.

Well I'll be at Calligraphy tomorrow. To be honest I don't 100% go every week as i'm often busy, but it really good speaking practise (and motivation for me to study more!).

The calligraphy part is *really* relaxing (though a lot harder than you imagine). It's perfect if you've finished (or even just part way through) 'Remembering the Kanji'.

Gah makes me wish I lived in London even more. I'd love to take part in that calligraphy class!

Perhaps next time I'm there on holiday (my sister lives in London) I'll make some time to come to the class.

I'll be in london in january/feb, so i'll swing by.

Hack the planet!!! Oh sorry, it's just something I have to say whenever I see phrases that end in "unite!"

It reminds me of this (rather un-PC) joke:



Anyway Calligraphy class was good yesterday, even though the Xmas has meant I've forgetten how to 1) use a brush/ink and 2) how to speak.

But really good to hear people are interested

The calligraphy looks interesting - I took a beginners level 書道 class in Japan, and although I was shite I did enjoy it! Would definitely like to give it another go. I'm in Oxford but might make a trip to London next month..

Hi I missed the beginning of this thread..
I was looking for a calligraphy course in London
and I am definitely interested in coming to the Saturday classes
Probably not this sat the 6th because I am working but more likely on the 13th or 20th March! Maybe as well on the 25th at the slug and lettuce.
Great stuff. see you there!

hey guess you couldn't make it, as you weren't in class today. Actually it's usually 3 of us regulars, it's getting rarer to have new people now so wish some more people would come.

PM me if you're really coming on the 20th and I'll come along; otherwise I wont bother (i usually try and go roughly once every 2 weeks)