By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    September 27, 2023
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    September 27, 2023
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    September 27, 2023
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    September 27, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    September 27, 2023
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    September 27, 2023
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    September 27, 2023
    vPalestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    Palestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    September 26, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    September 18, 2023
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    September 14, 2023
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    September 12, 2023
    India welcomes Egypt's BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    India welcomes Egypt’s BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    September 11, 2023
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma Hassan
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma
    September 6, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: From Tokyo to Cairo: Japanese characters on a visit
Share
Notification
Latest News
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Culture > From Tokyo to Cairo: Japanese characters on a visit
Culture

From Tokyo to Cairo: Japanese characters on a visit

Daily News Egypt
Last updated: 2014/09/29 at 3:44 PM
By Daily News Egypt 5 Min Read
Share
The exhibition examines characters like these as a radical aspect of a Japanese subculture related to anime and manga (Photo from Egyptian Streets)
SHARE
The exhibition examines characters like these as a radical aspect of a Japanese subculture related to anime and manga (Photo from Egyptian Streets)
The exhibition examines characters like these as a radical aspect of a Japanese subculture related to anime and manga
(Photo from Egyptian Streets)

By Tine Lavent, Egyptian streets

Batan! Hiso hiso… Tatatata… GAAA-N!* These sound effects might sound familiar if you have gone through Japanese manga comics before. Monchhichi, Pikachu and Tamagotchi have become part of an international collective memory. With the travelling exhibition “JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters”, the Japan Foundation examines characters like these as a radical aspect of a Japanese subculture related to anime and manga.

As seen in the showcase of a toy store on 26th of July Street, one metre-tall Hello Kitties accompanying fluffy sheep toys decorate the window panes ahead of Eid. Whether you like it or not, Japanese characters pop up regularly in our daily landscape. Where do these characters come from? What is their relation to Japanese society? What does the future hold for them? “JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters” tries to answer these questions with a chronological walk-through alongside the characters themselves.

Many characters have grown up with as a result of their popularity across the world.

The flown-in exhibition is divided into three sections. The first describes the “Honeymoon Between Characters and Japanese People”. Characters that emerged in several eras (50’s-60’s; 70’s; 80’s; 90’s; 2000’s) are showcased, deeply linked to Japan’s post-war history. The second section shows an example of someone who can’t live without the characters, as it features a reproduction of a high school girl’s room. “The Future of Characters”, the third section, looks into the latest characters that have emerged.

Many characters have grown up with as a result of their popularity across the world (Photo from Egyptian streets)
Many characters have grown up with as a result of their popularity across the world
(Photo from Egyptian streets)

Throughout time, the popularity of these characters has only increased. Stuffed figures, stationery, fashion accessories, daily necessities, advertisements and more: they are everywhere. A 2004 survey of 1,210 people in Japan found that 79% of the respondents (age 3-69, men and women) owned some type of character goods, and a full 90.2% admitted to having characters they liked.

One of the possible reasons behind this popularity is given by Aihara Hiroyuki, president of the Character Research Institute.

“Being with a character calms a person’s nerves,” explains Hiroyuki.

“In the past, this ‘calming’ effect would normally have been realised through one’s relationships with family and friends. But in contemporary society, emotional bonds between people have weakened and maintaining them has grown difficult. As a result, people have established stronger ties with characters. In effect, characters have forged a powerful bond with the Japanese psyche as a replacement for family and friends.”

As seen in the showcase of a toy store on 26th of July Street, one metre-tall Hello Kitties accompanying fluffy sheep toys decorate the window panes ahead of Eid (Photo from Egyptian Streets)
As seen in the showcase of a toy store on 26th of July Street, one metre-tall Hello Kitties accompanying fluffy sheep toys decorate the window panes ahead of Eid
(Photo from Egyptian Streets)

What struck me the most as an outsider is that the starting point of “Kingdom of Characters” focuses on the strong bond between Japanese people in general and these characters, described as “our friends, the heroes we long to be, and our lovers”. It leaves me wonder whether this really is a subculture gone wild or if it just appeals aesthetically to, for instance, a wide audience of young adults. All in all, the exhibition offers a fun insight in the world of manga and anime, and its emanations.

JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters – from 17 September to 9 October

Gezira Art Center, 1 Elsheikh Elmarsafy Street, Zamalek, Cairo

10 am–2 pm, 5 pm–9 pm (all weekdays except Fridays and official holidays)
Free admission

 

You Might Also Like

National Cancer Institute, Novartis Egypt host run to raise awareness on World Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Day

Nakhla Gift Shop at Grand Egyptian Museum listed as one of world’s best by Financial Times

Mexico celebrates its independence and 65 years of friendship with Egypt

I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry

Prime Minister inspects Grand Egyptian Museum

TAGGED: animation, art, Culture, Daily News Egypt, DNE, exhibition, Japan
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Al-Beltagy and Hegazy on trial for torture and sexual assault
Next Article Azbakeya riots detainees sentenced to 15 years
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?