A SLICE of Japanese culture arrived in Beeston at the weekend for an event to help people affected by the last month's earthquake and tsunami.
Manga artists created original portraits while delicate origami creatures were created and Japanese magician Dr Katzu Shinozava amazed onlookers at Oban House, on Chilwell Road.
Outside, visitors tasted Japanese food, such as freshly-made sushi and green tea marshmallows and members of Nottingham's kendo club demonstrated the Japanese martial art.
It was all in aid of Gambare Nippon, meaning Go Japan, organised by Hitomikai, the Anglo Japanese Society in the East Midlands.
The event collected money for the Japanese Red Cross which is helping earthquake and tsunami victims.
Secretary of Hitomikai, Kiyoko Naish, from Wollaton, said: "In two hours we have had about 300 people come and discover Japanese culture.
"My friend's cousin died in the tsunami, and nearly everybody here is somehow connected to someone who died.
"This event is not about how bad it was but more like, this is Japan and we are really trying our best to do what we can."
Mrs Naish, 51, said that they hoped to raise about �7,000 from the event – which also had a kimono dress-up room and calligraphy artists.
Reigning British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari attended and has pledged to donate any winnings from the Championship race at Brands Hatch on April 22 to the Go Japan cause.
He said: "I've come along to help the charity event and I have had a great time and eaten a lot."
Stephen Yosypiw, 21, of the University of Nottingham's Japanese Society, was helping to run stalls selling handmade Japanese cards, jewellery and bric-a-brac.
He said: "It's great that lots of local people have come along and shown their sympathy for the situation in Japan."
Martin Walton, 38, from Chilwell was there with his family.
He used to work in Japan for company Tsubaki.
"It's not just about money, it's about showing support, and it's great to see the number of people who have come," he said.
The earthquake which hit north-eastern Japan on March 11, and the powerful tsunami that followed, are now known to have killed more than 13,000 people.
More than 125,000 buildings and homes were destroyed and almost 15,000 people are still missing.
Philip and Junko Wood came to the event from Staffordshire.
They lived in Sendai – the city most seriously affected by the tsunami – for four years.
Mr Wood said: "Even now, our former neighbours say that they don't have gas or water.
"People out there are still finding daily life a struggle, so we need to help in whatever way we can."
Rob Wix, of Eishin Juku Kendo, a martial arts club based in Wollaton, was demonstrating kendo, a martial art performed with sticks, in the gardens of Oban House.
He said: "The thing about kendo is that it is about looking after people, which is quite appropriate for this event.
"It's important we all come together to help the people affected."
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