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202-238-6949

For Immediate Release January 4, 2007

“Girl Power! Girls’ Comics from Japan”

At the JICC, Embassy of Japan

Washington, DC

From January 29^th until March 16th the Embassy of Japan and the Japan America Society of Washington, Inc. will present “Girl Power! Girls’ comics from Japan”, an exhibition of artwork from various Japanese girls’ comics, at the gallery in the Japan Information and Culture Center. The exhibit features works by twenty three celebrated shojo manga (girls’ comics) artists, over 200 pieces in total, from World War II to the present day. “Girl Power!” is an international touring exhibition that has been featured throughout the United States, South America and Canada.

Shojo manga is a special genre within the vast array of Japanese comic books. It provides a narrative for the lives of Japanese girls and women as they navigate the complex societal roles, changes, and expectations they face. The evolution of women’s’ role in Japan is documented through manga.

Curator Dr. Masami Toku, Associate Professor of Art and Art History at California State University, Chico, (http://www.csuchico.edu/~mtoku/vc) is touring with “Girl Power!”, and providing opening talks at the exhibition sites. On Tuesday, January 30^th, Dr. Toku will present an overview of the works featured as well as insight into their creators. She also will delve into the forces that developed shojo manga and the impact it has had on popular culture in Japan and throughout the world. The lecture will start at 6:30 p.m. in the JICC auditorium.

“Girl Power! Girls’ comics from Japan” has been made possible by the support of the Japan Foundation.

The JICC gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CLOSED February 19.

Press inquiries should be directed to Val Penascino at 202-238-6906 or vpenascino@embjapan.org