Book Review: Photography In Japan 1853 – 1912

A delight to the eye and a treasure trove of information!

Photography in Japan 1853-1912 , originally published in 2006, provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of early photography in Japan often little known outside academic circles or those with a specific interest in the period when Japan was undergoing rapid modernisation.

Though most people are generally unaware of the larger scope of the world of early photography in Japan and the early photographs of both non-Japanese and Japanese photographers, some with little more than a passing interest may be aware of the photographs of Felice Beato, which have recently had a fair amount of publicity, some of which are included in this book. The book follows the beginnings of photography in Japan from its introduction by foreigners through its

Book Review: The Art Of The Japanese Sword: The Craft Of Swordmaking And Its Appreciation

Like people and snowflakes, no two Japanese swords are the same!

Written by Yoshindo Yoshihara (a third generation swordsmith) with Leon and Hiroko Kapp, The Art of the Japanese Sword is a beautiful large format book (effectively printed on glossy black paper with white text) that focuses on the production and understanding of the symbolic steel weapon once used by samurai and now admired by art collectors all round the world as an object of perfection, although many people use them to practice traditional Japanese martial arts like Iaido (the art of drawing the sword).

Hyper Japan 2014 In Pictures

The UK’s biggest celebration of Japanese culture!

Every year since it first began back in 2010, the annual London event Hyper Japan keeps getting better and better, not to mention bigger and bigger, and this year’s extravaganza held on 25 – 27 July at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre was no exception.

The fantastic line-up catered to all tastes in Japanese pop-culture from traditional dancers and musicians like the very popular Hyper Japan regulars Hibiki Ichikawa and Akari Mochizuki, who this time around were accompanied by guitarist Hide Takemoto, to contemporary

Yamaha Motor Presents “Master of Torque” — An Original Short Anime Series

A fully subtitled 4-part series with a global audience in mind!

Yamaha Motor has released the fourth and final episode of its original short anime series, “Master of Torque.” This project represents a new endeavor by Yamaha to communicate the motorcycling lifestyle through a story set in a semi-fictional Tokyo, Japan. All four episodes can be viewed on the official YouTube channel and the anime’s special

MCM Comic Con Comes To Belfast

 Special guests includes voice artist D.C. Douglas one (Resident Evil 5 and Tekken 6)!

When: 7 – 8 June 2014

Where: Kings Hall Pavilions, Belfast, Ireland

Calling all sci-fi fans, gamers, comic collectors, movie buffs and anime enthusiasts! MCM Comic Con comes to Belfast for the very first time on 7-8 June, and we’ve got a show jam-packed with geeky goodness in store for you. Here’s a round-up of just some of the special guests and attractions that you’ll find at the inaugural MCM Belfast Comic Con:

MCM Birmingham Comic Con & Memotabilia – NEC – 22-23 MARCH 2014

Birmingham Comic Con to host UK’s first showing of ‘Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day’

Anime and manga fans rejoice! Bandai Namco Games will be giving visitors to this weekend’s MCM Birmingham Comic Con the first UK showing of the unique anime and videogame package, Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day, as well as a hands-on with epic manga-based fighter JoJo’s

Anime Review: Ayatsuri Sakon aka Puppet Master Sakon

Based on the manga series Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon written by Masaru Miyazaki!

If you love a good murder mystery anime, definitely check out Ayatsuri Sakon otherwise known as “Puppet Master Sakon.” Despite its airing in 1999, this anime continues to be one of my favorites even today.

Ayatsuri Sakon follows a young man named Sakon Tachibana. Sakon hails from a family famous for Bunraku, which is a traditional form of Japanese puppet theatre. Despite being the grandson of the great Bunraku master, Tachibana Zaemon, Sakon manages to remain a

Namco Bandai Games UK Announce Biggest Eever Line-Up For MCM London Comic Con

Date: 25^th-27^th October 2013

Venue: London Excel Royal Victoria Dock

Critically acclaimed Dark Souls II, Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Z, Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst and Tales of Symphonia: Chronicles to lead the charge at this year’s MCM London Comic con at

DVD Review: Vampire Princess Miyu The Complete Collection 6-Discs

Shape-shifting monsters and vampires roam the Earth to unleash their darkness upon the human race!

The original story was written and illustrated by Toshiki Hirano and Narumi Kakinouchi for Tokyopop manga in the US, and it stands as the first of Tokyopop’s mangas to be released as an anime. Viewers will notice that the first disc doesn’t have any opening or closing credits to give the impression of a longer featurette, but after this disc, they decided to use the episodic style which many are now familiar with. For viewers this first disc will be seen as a piece of anime

Art Exhibition: Seijiro Niwa “The Way Of Mending Holes” ICN Gallery London

Artist Talk  “Frame and picture story”: May 4 14:00 – 15:30

ICN gallery proudly presents “the way of mending holes” by artist Seijiro Niwa from May 2 – 25 2013.  

NIwa has been consistently producing photos and 3D works under the theme of picture boundary and human eyesight’s end. The exhibition will feature his latest 2D and 3D works. 

Oblivion Island: Haruka And The Magic Mirror DVD Competition Now Closed! And The Winner Is…

Competition is now closed and a winner has been chosen.

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win a copy of Oblivion Island: Haruka And The Magic Mirror DVD. Sadly, there can only be one winner.

And the winner is…

Art Exhibition Review: Works On Nature & Dance/Movement By Hiroko Imada

Expressive moods in colour!

Riverside Studios Gallery London – 16 March – 7 April 2013

On Monday, 18 March Diverse Japan attended a private viewing of the exhibition Works on Nature & Dance/Movement by Japanese artist Hiroko Imada, which is being held at the Riverside Studios Gallery in London from 16 March until 7 April (see foot of post for opening times). The exhibition is registered with

Embrace The Dark With The Release Of Darkstalkers Resurrection

The two-for-one priced combo breathes new life into each game!

Capcom is thrilled to confirm that Darkstalkers Resurrection is now available to download in North America on PlayStation Network (PSN) for $14.99. On March 13^th, the game will be released in Europe on PSN (€14.99 / £11.99) and across all territories on Xbox LIVE Arcade for

Exhibition: The Great East Japan Earthquake Press Photo Exhibition London

“Photography is the art of visually carving out a primary moment and making it eternal!” His Excellency Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the UK

March 2013 marks the second anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated eastern Japan. To celebrate the nation’s courage and international support the Asahi Shimbun, widely regarded as one of Japan’s most respected daily newspapers, and Mitsubishi Corporation have come together to host the Great East Japan Earthquake Press photo Exhibition which

Art Exhibition: Works On Nature & Dance/Movement By Hiroko Imada

Press release

Date: 10am – 10pm, Sat 16 March – Sun 7 April 2013

Venue: The Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, London, W6 9RL

Japanese artist Hiroko Imada is a graduate of the Slade, and has been living and working in London for over 20 years. She is a member of Palace Wharf Studios, and has drawn much artistic stimulation from its prime riverside location.

Two Years After: Remembering The Devastation And Celebrating Hope

The Great East Japan Earthquake Press Photo Exhibition Comes to London in March!

Presented by The Asahi Shimbun and Mitsubishi Corporation

The Asahi Shimbun and Mitsubishi Corporation will co-host The Great East Japan Earthquake Press Photo Exhibition in London from Tuesday 5 until Sunday 17 March. The exhibition was held in three Asian cities during 2012: Bangkok, Jakarta and Seoul. Now, the 2013 exhibition marks the second anniversary of the

NEO Magazine Issue107 Profiles Gravure Idol/Actress Saaya Irie – OUT NOW!

Double cover issue – Plus the Best Of 2012 as voted for by YOU!!

NEO magazine profiles sexy idol and actress Saaya [Irie] highlighting some of her best bits. PLUS the votes are in! Find out the hottest names in anime, manga and 11 other categories in Asian entertainment as voted for by YOU, the British public. Oh yes, the winners of the NEO Awards 2012, sponsored by MCM Comic Con, are here and

Voting Now Open For The NEO Awards 2012!

The nominations are in!

After an intense year packed with the biggest franchises, the hottest new releases and some of the most exciting live shows to ever hit the United Kingdom, NEO Magazine puts the power in the hands of its reader to choose the

WIN Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 4 OVA Collection Blu-ray/DVD Combi – NOW CLOSED!

Competition has now ended!

Amazing secrets and startling facts are exposed for the first time in the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection, a new assortment of stories set in never-before-seen corners of the FMA universe.

You thought all the tales were told. The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection offers proof: You were wrong.

Win a copy to discover the truth for yourself… Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 4 OVA Collection (Manga Entertainment) is available to buy from Monday 19th November at Amazon.co.uk.