Local Events of interest in Japan

This page has information for events taking place in and around Japan that we think will be of interest to our members.

What's on Japan November 2024

Exhibition: The Oak Collection of Rare Books in the Library: The Dawn of Picture Books through the Art of Printing

The Oak Collection consists of rare books, English and American children's literature books, and old picture books owned by the Aoyama Gakuin Women's Junior College Library. The exhibition traces the flow of picture books from the first half of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, focusing on the art of printing.

During this period, printing technology evolved rapidly along with social changes brought about by industrial development, bringing revolutionary changes to children's books. It was also a period that laid the foundation for the picture books we know today. How did the changes in printing techniques affect the expression of picture books? Please take this opportunity to savor the beauty of printing in those days and enjoy the charm of the picture books that were created in this way.

Dates: October 22 (Tuesday) - November 13 (Wednesday), 2024 

Closed on Sundays and November 4 (Monday, substitute holiday)

Hours: 10:00-18:00

Venue: Gender Research Center Gallery / Aoyama Campus, Scoonmaker Memorial Hall (former Women's Junior College Library), 1F

Organized by Aoyama Gakuin University Scoonmaker Memorial Center for Gender Studies

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Exhibition: Leo Leoni and His Circle of Friends

Leo Leoni was active in various fields, including painting, design, and picture books, in 20th-century Italy and the United States. This exhibition introduces Leoni's life, work, and the artists who influenced him. In 1996, the Itabashi Art Museum, with the cooperation of Mr. Leoni himself, held the first Leo Leoni exhibition in Japan. After Mr. Leoni passed away, the museum continued to communicate with his family, which led to the introduction of many of his works for the first time at the “Nobody Knows Leo Leoni” exhibition held in 2020. In addition, he later donated approximately 70 works to the museum.

This exhibition, the museum's third Leo Leoni exhibition, will examine the full range of Leoni's activities, as revealed through the accumulation of past exchanges and years of research, from the larger context of 20th-century cultural history.

Dates: Saturday, November 9, 2024 - Monday, January 13, 2025 (national holiday)

Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (admission until 4:30 p.m.) 

Closed: Mondays, December 29 - January 3 (The museum will be open on Monday, January 13 (national holiday)

Venue: The Itabashi Art Museum 5-34-27 Akatsuka, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 175-0092 JAPAN

Leo Leoni and His Circle of Friends Exhibition Related Events:

*Special Lecture: “Born as Leo Leoni's Grandchild”

Saturday, November 9, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Lecturer: Annie Leoni (Leo Leoni's granddaughter)

Capacity: 60 people (advance registration required)

Registration opens: Friday, October 18, 9:00 a.m

Application Form: https://www.shinsei.elg-front.jp/tokyo2/uketsuke/form.do?id=1726118395588

*Special Lecture: “Leo Leoni: Roots and Branches - Focusing on Leoni Picture Books

Sunday, November 10, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Lecturer: Leonard Marcus (Children's book historian and curator)

Capacity: 60 people (advance registration required)

Registration opens: Friday, October 18, 9:00 a.m.

Application Form:  https://www.shinsei.elg-front.jp/tokyo2/uketsuke/form.do?id=1726118498313


Thanks to Naomi Kojima for letting us know about these exhibitions.

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Children's Book Fair - November 13-20 - Sayama, Saitama

Keiyaki Kitchen are teaming up with Read Leaf Books and holding their annual Children's Book Fair featuring a large collection of Western picture books!

You can find the venue here

Additionally, Read Leaf Books, based in Shinagawa, specializes in Western picture books and also sells books online.

Please note information on both these websites is in Japanese.


Thanks to Alec McAulay for letting us know about this event.

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Documentary Screening and Q&A with filmmaker Dvorit Shargal

The Tree of Life International Community Center, Kamagome, Tokyo, is hosting filmmaker Dvorit Shargal, who will be showing her documentary entitled ‘Where is Elle Kari and what happened to Noriko-san?’ The documentary traces two children from a 1950's Swedish photo book series, 'Children of the World', to find out what happened to them.

Watch the trailer here

There are 3 showings, each featuring a different language of subtitles [doors open 18:30]:

    November 17 (Sun) 19:00 (Hebrew subtitles)

November 20 (Wed) 19:00 (English subtitles)

November 23 (Sat) 19:00 (Japanese subtitles)

Location:

Tree of Life International Community Center - A few steps from JR Komagome station (Yamanote line), east exit (map). 

Ticket Price:

1,000 yen for adults; 500 yen for minors (children sitting on laps are free)

Registration:

If you would like to attend, please complete the Google Form

 

Thanks to Melissa Uchiyama for letting us know about this event. 

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If you know about an event taking place in Japan you think our members would be interested in let us know the details;

Write to japan@scbwi.org