JAPAN! was a whole day celebrating the creativity of Japan with an all-day anime movie marathon, and workshops exploring manga and Japanese sweet making.
Anime Screenings by Filmbank Media
Members of the public joined us for a whole day of anime movie screenings that brought fantasy, nostalgia and adventure to the town!
We selected an amazing line-up of some of the most magical and exciting anime films from different genres and across the years, so there was someone for everyone to enjoy. Visitors were able to watch all the movies, or drop in and out of the screening room in County Mall.
Create Your Own Manga Character with Chie Kutsuwada
Visitors had 2 opportunities during the day to learn how to draw a basic manga style face and explore the possibilities of creating their own manga character. Professional manga creator Chie Kutsuwada hosted these casual drop-in workshops, which were suitable for complete beginners as well as those seasoned in drawing manga. By the end of the session, each visitor walked away proudly holding their own manga art piece.
Wagashi Sweet-making Workshop with Noriko Jazayeri
Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets/desserts mainly made of rice, adzuki or white beans and sugar. All wagashi an-an serves are handmade. Ingredients are locally sourced and organic as much as possible. Most wagashi are gluten free and plant based.
For the Japanese, wagashi is a culture itself. Japanese people have always respected nature, worshipped the gods and celebrated the seasons. Wagashi is often prepared as an offering to the gods at every event. Some are imitations of nature, some are made from what is in season at the time, to show respect and to rejoice in what we have become.
During the workshop Noriko Jazayeri shared the tools and ingredients for making Wagashi and demonstrated making Nerikiri, which is served in the tea ceremony.
Images: Space Boy by Chie Kutsuwada / Wagashi
This exhibition took place in Unit 79/80 County Mall on 10 May 2025.
Part of Creative Playground, a Creative People & Places programme funded by Arts Council England.
