Lesley Downer » News and Tour Dates http://www.lesleydowner.com A Passion for Japan Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:06:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Courtesan and the Samurai – lecture dates tour 2011 update http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/06/01/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2011-update/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/06/01/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2011-update/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:50:30 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=552

Forthcoming lectures:

Sunday July 17th

Festival of Living History, Kelmarsh, Northants.
11.40 – 12.40

‘WHAT WOMEN WORE – AND WHY’
Panel with Hallie Rubenhold and Laura Wilson – and re-enactors in costume!

http://www.thehwa.co.uk/content/festivals
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/festival-of-history-2011/

Watch this space!

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/06/01/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2011-update/feed/ 0 The Courtesan and the Samurai – lecture dates 2011 update http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/03/10/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011-update/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/03/10/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011-update/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:04:52 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=521

Forthcoming lectures:

Monday April 11th
6.15pm

Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan,
Yurakucho Denki North Building 20F
Yurakucho 1-7-1, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0006, Japan

tel +81-3-3211-3161

Illustrated talk: The Yoshiwara and the world of Japanese courtesans

Watch this space!

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/03/10/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011-update/feed/ 0 The Courtesan and the Samurai – lecture dates 2011 http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/02/04/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/02/04/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011/#comments Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:47:14 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=514

Words by the Water Literature FestivalForthcoming lectures:

Tuesday March 8th
WORDS BY THE WATER, Keswick, Cumbria

Japanese Culture
Many people are fascinated with the ancient traditions of Japanese culture: geishas, courtesans, Samurai. These two writers, travellers and experts on this mysterious country, tell of their research and travel.

with John Man

5.15pm, Studio, £7.50

tel. 01803 86 73 73

Visit the Words by the Water Literature Festival website

or download the brochure in PDF format

Watch this space!

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2011/02/04/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-2011/feed/ 0 The Courtesan and the Samurai – lecture dates tour 2010 update http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/06/18/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2010-update/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/06/18/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2010-update/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:36:22 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=432

Forthcoming lectures:

Saturday June 26th
3.00 – 5.00 pm

Ipswich Literary Tea,
Ipswich Arts Festival,
Arlington Brasserie,
Ipswich,
Suffolk

Box Office 01473 433100
£8 (£6 concessions)

Law and disorder: Making an impression throughout history.

Discussion over tea and cakes with Giles Kristian, author of Sons of Thunder, and Paul Sussman, author of The Hidden Oasis.

***

Hertfordshire Lit Fest

Hertfordshire Lit Fest - Click thumbnail!

Tuesday June 29th
7.45 pm

Chichester Festivities

History panel: Law and disorder: How to make an impression throughout history.

With Giles Kristian, author of Sons of Thunder, and Manda Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy

Details to follow

***

Wednesday July 14th

Blackburn Library

History panel with Giles Kristian and Manda Scott, as above.

Details to follow

Watch this space!

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/06/18/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-dates-tour-2010-update/feed/ 0 The Last Concubine – Thai edition http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/13/the-last-concubine-thai-edition/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/13/the-last-concubine-thai-edition/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 11:01:51 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=423

The Last Concubine just came out in Thai. This is the beautiful cover. Big in Thailand!

The Last Concunbine - Thai Edition

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/13/the-last-concubine-thai-edition/feed/ 0 Forthcoming lectures: May – July 2010 http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/03/forthcoming-lectures-may-july-2010/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/03/forthcoming-lectures-may-july-2010/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 10:15:38 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=411

Friday May 14th
11 am

Lincoln Book Festival, Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln

Festival Box Office tel 01522 873 894
£4 (£2 concessions)

History panel: Law and disorder: How to make an impression throughout history.

With Giles Kristian, author of Sons of Thunder, and Manda Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy

***

Tuesday May 18th
7.00 pm (tickets on sale at the door from 6.30 pm)

Royal Overseas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
tel 0207 408 0214 ext 324 or email culture@rosl.org.uk

Illustrated talk: The Yoshiwara and the world of Japanese courtesans

Call for details

***

Saturday June 26th
3.00 pm

Ipswich Arts Festival

Details to follow

***

Hertfordshire Lit Fest

Hertfordshire Lit Fest - Click thumbnail!

Tuesday June 29th
7.45 pm

Chichester Festivities

History panel: Law and disorder: How to make an impression throughout history.

With Giles Kristian, author of Sons of Thunder, and Manda Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy

Details to follow

***

Wednesday July 14th

Blackburn Library

History panel with Giles Kristian and Manda Scott, as above.

Details to follow

Watch this space!

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/05/03/forthcoming-lectures-may-july-2010/feed/ 1 The Courtesan and the Samurai – lecture and tour dates http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/04/23/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-and-tour-dates/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/04/23/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-and-tour-dates/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:41:46 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=395

Spoke on Fighting for the shogun: the story of a ship, some samurai, nine French officers and the battle for Hokkaido – at the Japan Society, at a very convivial Japanese pub called The Crane and the Tortoise (suitably auspicious name) on Gray’s Inn Road. My talk was followed by sushi and sake and a good time had by all.

Please click on thumbnails below to scroll through the gallery:

Lesley addressing Japan Society Kuniko Tamai Lesley signing books Lesley meeting readers Lesley signing books and meeting readers

Forthcoming lectures in 2010:

Wednesday May 18th
7.00 pm

Royal Overseas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
tel 0207 408 0214

Illustrated talk: The Yoshiwara and the world of Japanese courtesans

Call for details

***

Saturday June 26th
3.00 pm

Ipswich Arts Festival

Details to follow

***

Hertfordshire Lit Fest

Hertfordshire Lit Fest - Click thumbnail!

Tuesday June 29th
7.45 pm

Chichester Festivities

History panel: Law and disorder: How to make an impression throughout history.

With Giles Kristian, author of Sons of Thunder, and Manda Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy

Details to follow

***

Wednesday July 14th

Blackburn Library

History panel with Giles Kristian and Manda Scott, as above.

Details to follow

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/04/23/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-lecture-and-tour-dates/feed/ 0 The Courtesan and the Samurai – launch and tour dates http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/26/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-launch-and-tour-dates/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/26/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-launch-and-tour-dates/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:40:06 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=377

Launched The Courtesan and the Samurai on March 25th and now hoping for a keen wind to fill her sails! The launch took place at Daunts bookshop on Marylebone High Street, in London, and there was a good-sized gathering of friends, colleagues, my publisher and my agent, as well as Colin the master swordsman, who came down from Durham. I made a speech, Colin gave a demonstration, and we all retired to an Italian restaurant for dinner.

Please click on thumbnails below to scroll through the gallery:

The window display at Daunts Lesley with Kuniko Tamae Colin the Swordsman I gave a speech My brother, sister-in-law, sister, sister's boyfriend and my two nephews were there Friends turned out in force Colin's sword demonstration Old friends Me with Colin ...and we all went out to dinner afterwards

The Courtesan and the Samurai – Tour dates 2010

Wednesday April 21st
6.30 pm

Japan Society
Crane and Tortoise (room to rear of main bar), 39 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8PR
tel 0207 828 6330

Illustrated talk: Fighting for the shogun: the story of a ship, some samurai, nine French officers and the battle for Hokkaido.

£7.50 including a light Japanese buffet following the lecture

see: The Japan Society website

***

Wednesday May 18th

Royal Overseas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
tel 0207 408 0214

Illustrated talk: The Yoshiwara and the world of Japanese courtesans

Details to follow

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/26/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-launch-and-tour-dates/feed/ 0 The Courtesan and the Samurai – Tour dates 2010 http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/17/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-tour-dates-2010/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/17/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-tour-dates-2010/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:54:51 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=373

Wednesday April 21st
6.30 pm

Japan Society
Crane and Tortoise (room to rear of main bar), 39 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8PR
tel 0207 828 6330

Illustrated talk: Fighting for the shogun: the story of a ship, some samurai, nine French officers and the battle for Hokkaido.

£7.50 including a light Japanese buffet following the lecture

see: The Japan Society website

***

Wednesday May 18th

Royal Overseas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
tel 0207 408 0214

Illustrated talk: The Yoshiwara and the world of Japanese courtesans

Details to follow

]]> http://www.lesleydowner.com/2010/03/17/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai-tour-dates-2010/feed/ 1 Coming soon – The Courtesan and the Samurai http://www.lesleydowner.com/2009/09/14/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai/ http://www.lesleydowner.com/2009/09/14/the-courtesan-and-the-samurai/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:26:02 +0000 Lesley http://www.lesleydowner.com/?p=305

Japan, 1868: the last shogun has been defeated, the age of the emperors is about to begin – and in Japan’s frozen north a diehard band of loyalists plans a desperate last stand.

Hana is just seventeen when her husband goes to war, leaving her alone and very vulnerable. When enemy soldiers attack her house she flees for her life across the shattered city of Tokyo and takes refuge in the Yoshiwara, its famous pleasure quarter. There she is sold into a brothel and forced to train as a courtesan.

Yozo, a traveller, adventurer and brilliant swordsman, returns to Japan after six years in the Victorian West to discover that the world he left behind him has been destroyed. Travelling north to join his rebel comrades, he is captured during their final battle. Escaping, he makes his way south to the only place where a man is beyond the reach of the law – the Yoshiwara. There in the Nightless City where three thousand courtesans mingle with geishas and jesters, the battered fugitive meets the beautiful courtesan. But each has a secret so terrible that once revealed it will threaten not only their union – but their very lives…

Pre-order ‘The Courtesan and the Samurai’ on Amazon.co.uk

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