Japanese women are far from ‘submissive geishas’. Women in Japanese history encompass shaman queens, empresses, the court lady who wrote the world’s first novel, women warriors, courtesans who presided over Japan’s salon culture, flappers and militant feminists. Lesley Downer will tell the stories of some of these powerful Japanese women, putting paid once and for all to the egregious stereotype of the ‘submissive geisha’.
- Members free
- Non-members £10
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In The Shortest History of Japan, Lesley Downer brings an expert storyteller’s eye to the sweep of Japanese history. Here are the emperors and warlords, the samurai and women warriors, the merchants and geisha who shaped this extraordinary modern society. From the devastation of Hiroshima to today’s economic and cultural powerhouse, this is an indispensable, riveting history of the land of the rising sun.
Details to follow …
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The UK’s Links with Japan, Today and in History
Back in 1588 Sir Thomas Cavendish introduced a couple of Japanese youths at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Since then Japan British relations have been largely cordial and fruitful. I shall look at some entertaining and illuminating episodes in the history of Japan British relations and reflect on current challenges and opportunities.