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The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) in cooperation with the National Museum of the Philippines is pleased to announce the “TOHOKU – Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers Art Talk” featuring Kotaro Iizawa (exhibit curator) and Nao Tsuda (participating photographer) on 9 March, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Fabella Hall of the Old Legislative Building of the National Museum.
Kotaro Iizawa (1954/Miyagi Prefecture) is a photography critic. He received his PhD in Art from the University of Tsukuba in 1984. He has served as editor of a photography magazine Déjà-vu from 1990 to 1994. Major books include “Shashin bijutsukan e yokoso” (Welcome to the Photography Museum) (Kodansha, 1996), “Sengo shashinshi noto” (Notes on the History of Postwar Photography) (Iwanami Shinsho, 2008), “Shashinteki shiko”(Photographic Thinking) (Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2009) and “Afutamasu shinsaigo no shashin” (Aftermath: Photography After the Earthquake) (NTT Publishing, 2011).
Nao Tsuda (1976/ Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture) completed a BA and a pos t-graduate course in photography at Osaka University of Arts. He has traveled around the world, taking pictures of encountering landscapes, places, and people with his “device of photography,” which might be described as having undertaken the task of exploring “images transcending time and space” and “the origin of images.” He has held solo exhibitions in Japan, New York, Paris and Frankfurt in recent years and was awarded the Minister of Education Award for New Artist in Fine Arts in 2010. His publications include “Kogi” (Rowing Out)(MONDE BOOKS, 2007), “SMOKE LINE” (AKAAKA, 2008), “Coming Closer” (AKAAKA+hiromiyoshii, 2009) and “Storm Last Night” (AKAAKA, 2010).
“TOHOKU – Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers”, an exhibition composed of 123 photos representing the different aspects of life in Tohoku from its past, present and the future. It features works by nine (9) photographers and one (1) photographers’ group: Teisuke Chiba, Ichiro Kojima, Hideo Haga, Masatoshi Naito, Masaru Tatsuki, Hiroshi Oshima, Naoya Hatakeyama, Meiki Rin, Nao Tsuda and the group led by Toru Ito. The exhibition will be on view at the Gallery XVIII, 3rd Floor, Old Legislative Building of the National Museum until March 17.
The National Museum of the Philippines is located at Padre Burgos Avenue, Manila. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For inquiries, please contact the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) at 811 6155 to 58 or email@jfmo.org,ph. You can also visit www.jfm.org.ph or www.facebook.com/jfmanila.
In celebration of the 40th year of ASEAN – Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is pleased to announce the return of mime artist Iimuro Naoki for a two-night performance entitled “Time of Mime 2” on February 27 and 28, 7:30 pm at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater).
Naoki Iimuro saw his first production of Marcel Marceau in 1989 and was shocked by his performance. This was the first time he knew about the school of Marcel Marceau in Paris. In 1991, he traveled to Paris to enrol in Maricel Marceau Paris International School of Mimodrame and graduated in 1994. He also entered Conservatoire Niedermeyer d’Issy Les Moulineaux Ecole Nationale de Musique, where he graduated first on the list in 1995 and started his career as professional mime artist. In 1998, he moved to Japan and established his own mime company called Iimuro Naoki Mime Company.
In September 2009, his first solo production “Time of Mime” was performed at Komaba Agora Theater in Tokyo and since then the piece was performed in various theaters in Japan and other countries such as Vietnam, Philippines (June 2011) and Korea.
Mr. Iimuro’s performance at the CCP Little Theater will be his tribute to his idol/master the late mime legend Marcel Marceau who performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1970 and in 1989.
“Time of Mime 2” is supported by the Embassy of Japan. For inquiries, please call the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) at telephone numbers (02) 811-6155 to 58 or email@jfmo.org.ph.
(Press release: The Japan Foundation, Manila)
I’ve never been to a katsu (cutlet) shop in Japan, but according to my boyfriend who is based in Tokyo, Yabu undoubtedly serves authentic, traditionally prepared katsu.
Less than a year after its opening, Yabu has already captured the hearts of foodies like us because of its distinct Japanese ambience, honest-to-goodness katsu and fine service.
The minimalist anime/manga themed dividers were originally commissioned by the owners.
Wall of wooden sake cups
Condiments: Katsu sauce, spicy salt, mirin dressing, sesame dressing
Sesame seeds. Follow these steps for an easy, fast and flavorful dipping sauce:
Grind
Pour
Mix
Kurobuta Pork Set - the most highly prized pork in Japan (120 g / Php 575)
Chicken and Seafood Katsu Set (Php 475)
Set meal (teishoku): choice of katsu, unlimited Japanese rice, unlimited cabbage salad, miso soup, fruit platter
(Katsu shops in Japan also serve unlimited rice, veggie salad and misoshiru minus the fruit platter)
Verdict:
- Misoshiru was salty, savory
- Katsu was crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Cooked to perfection!
- Japanese rice was a bit overcooked
So, if you wanna try katsu served the traditional way, visit Yabu at the Atrium of SM Megamall. They will open two more branches this year.
By the way, don’t forget to check out their restroom - not the usual interior. =)
My boyfriend who just arrived from Tokyo for a short vacay here in Manila, treated me to a buffet lunch at Yanagi, a cosmopolitan Japanese restaurant elegantly located at the Mezzanine floor of the prestigious Midas Hotel and Casino in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
The restaurant, which opened last February, has a classy interior complete with modern chairs and tables.
It is well-lit but still has a nice intimate feel.
The ambience exudes a relaxed and cozy welcome. No wonder it has instantly become a favorite Japanese food hot spot of some prominent individuals and foodies!
As soon as we got comfy, the waiter served us water, miso soup and a small plate of assorted tempura (fish, shrimp & vegetables). Then we proceeded to the buffet table where there was an assortment of maki, sushi, salad and fruits. A big bowl of hot sukiyaki was also included.
Tempura. My all-time fave!
Maguro Sushi. It was my first time to eat sushi and I liked it!
Sukiyaki. I loved the tenderness of the beef and the sweetness of the soup.
Assorted Fruits
Unlimited Coffee
Compliments to Chef Kimito Katagiri – the food was authentic and delish! My only request is that it would be better if their food stayed warm a bit longer. =)
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
Good news, MUJI lovers!
The MUJI Midyear Sale will run from June 29 to July 31. Get great discounts up to 75% OFF on selected items for one whole month.
Muji stores are located at Bonifacio High Street, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3 and SM Mall of Asia.
March 11, 2012 marks the first anniversary of three historic catastrophes that hit Japan, particularly the Tohoku region – a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, a massive tsunami and a meltdown of nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
15,850 people died…
6,011 were wounded…
3,287 still missing…
Towns were washed out to sea…
Homes, buildings, infrastructures were severely damaged…
But the Japanese people didn’t lose hope. In fact, they faced the tragedy head on, and showed the world the true meaning of love, courage and discipline.
(Photo: allanbevere.com)
(Photo: koloist.com)
And because of the unwavering help, heartfelt support and sincere prayers from people all over the world, they are rising again…
Japan is rising again.
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
It was a dream come true for billionaire developer Minoru Mori when his plans of turning the “flat urban sprawl” of Tokyo into an “ultra-high rise city” has materialized through Roppongi Hills, the most sleek and modern “city within a city” located in the heart of the Japanese capital.
Opened in April 2003, the 27-acre Roppongi Hills is comprised of eight major parts: The Metro Hat/Hollywood Plaza, Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills Arena/TV Asahi Building/Mori Garden, Toho Virgin Cinemas, West Walk/Hillside, Keyakizaka Doori, Roppongi Hills Residences and Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
Some of the attractions here include the Tokyo City View, which gives a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city; The giant spider called “Maman”, which is considered as one of the symbols of Roppongi Hills; Sky Aquarium where hundreds of sea creatures can be seen; Mori Art Museum with its magnificent art displays; Roppongi Hills Academy, a library exclusive for its members; Mori Garden where you can find an authentic Japanese garden; and Roppongi Hills Arena, also called the city plaza where events are being held. There are also more than 200 restaurants, shops and boutiques in the area.
Roppongi Hills is also said to be the center of IT industry in Japan because of companies like Rakuten, Livedoor and Yahoo! Japan that lease here.
Nine years after it was built, Roppongi Hills still draws large number of local and foreign tourists. In fact, more than 300,000 visitors come here every day.
How to Get There:
Roppongi Hills is 0-minute walk from Exit 1C of Roppongi Station (Hibiya Line) and 4-minute walk from Exit 3 of Roppongi Station (Oedo Line).
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
(Photos published in the October 2008 issue of Philippine Digest, Japan)
