My apologies for the lack of news lately! It’s been all hard work at the AJS, very productive, but very busy!

See below for some upcoming events and information on recent happenings.

New Committee Members

I am pleased to announce that the AJS in Canberra has several new committee members recently elected at the Annual General Meeting.

• Ms Elaine Ward has been elected Secretary
• Mr Clayton Balmain will be a committee member as well as our new Webmaster
• Mr Stuart Forsyth – committee member; and
• Ms Joan Gotthard – Committee Member.

I look forward to working with our new committee members on what our projects throughout the year.

O-Shaberikai - 26 September

From 5:30pm at Babar Café and Bar, Allara St Civic
The event is very casual and a chance to meet and catch up with friends, speak in Japanese, English or both in a relaxed setting.

• Location: Babar Café and Bar, Allara St Civic (outside the old Electric Shadows).
• Date:   29 August 5:30.

For further information, please contact Alex on 0438 601 114

In addition, although the AJS provided some food at the first O-Shaberikai, any food and drinks purchased on subsequent evenings is to be paid upfront. I apologise if there was any confusion on this matter.

Once again, I won’t be able to go due to work commitments, but I hope you are all enjoying the social gathering!

AJS Softball Day

Set aside the 30th of September (Sunday) for the AJS Softball.

• Willows Oval, ANU
• 10am-3pm

Come along for a bit of fun, some food and a hit of softball in the Spring sunshine.

Business Opportunity – Shizuka Ryokan in Hepburn Springs, Victoria FOR SALE

The rare offering for sale of Australia’s only fully authentic Japanese “ryokan” inn has recently focused attention on a truly remarkable and unique property and business.

Featuring authentic, traditional Japanese architecture, design and style, “Shizuka Ryokan” country spa retreat is a comfortable 80 minutes drive from Melbourne. Nestled in bushland in Hepburn Springs near Daylesford - the very heart of central Victoria’s famed “Spa Country” – the property offers an idyllic lifestyle in one of Australia’s favourite tourism hotspots and “tree-change” destinations.

Established in 1998, Shizuka Ryokan was originally created on the foundations of an innovative concept that was faithfully and skillfully implemented. The business has grown in popularity over the years and continues to offer a depth of authenticity, hospitality and ambience that remains unrivalled. Indeed, it is claimed to be the only fully authentic Japanese “ryokan” retreat to exist anywhere in the world outside of Japan itself.

See the attached documents for more information.

AJS Good Will Golf Day – 17 September

The AJS Good Will Golf Tournament was highly successful again this year thanks to the effort of Eriko Prior and all of her helpers within the AJS and at Federal Golf Club.

In the end, there were 95 participants, despite the cold and windy weather.

Congratulations to all of the winners particularly:

• Men’s Division - Mr. Frank Lehman 38 pts
• Ladies’ Division - Ms. Margaret Luff 37 pts
• Non-Handi Cap Division  - Mr. T. Mori
• AJS Members Division - Ms. Chieko Kawamata

I have even been inspired to take some lessons and hopefully compete in next year’s competition.

Canberra-Nara Candle Festival – Saturday 20 October

This year’s festival will be held from 3pm to 9pm in Lennox Gardens, behind the Hyatt Hotel.

The AJS will be involved yet again serving Yakisoba and selling some yummy Japanese treats.

Black robe, white mist – Art of the Japanese Buddhist nun Rengetsu

8 September 2007 – 27 January 2008
National Gallery of Australia

Black robe white mist: art of the Japanese Buddhist nun Rengetsu displays ceramics, scroll paintings and poem sheets created by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875) and her close collaborators. Rengetsu, whose name evocatively translates as Lotus Moon, was a Japanese Buddhist nun. Her life was one of great suffering and unusual creativity largely borne out of necessity. One of the few successful female artists of her time, Rengetsu was most famous for her poetry and distinctive calligraphy, and also produced delicate scroll paintings and rustic ceramics.

Yoroshiku

Alex.

Alexandra Carcary
President
Australia-Japan Society (ACT) Inc.
ph:  61-2-6240 7261
fax: 61-2- 6123 6285
Mobile: 0438 601 114
alex.carcary@dest.gov.au

 

 

 

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