Some of the first Japanese people to settle in Britain and raise families here after Japan opened up to the rest of the world in the 1860s were acrobats, jugglers and magicians. This talk will focus particularly on Tamamoto Chiyokichi, a rope walker, who left Japan at the age of 10. After touring the world, including fighting on the British side in the Zulu war, he settled in Britain, married a British woman with whom he performed in music halls and circuses, and was apparently a founder member of the Variety Artistes Federation. Photo credit: Robert Sayers. About Pernille Rudlin Pernille Rudlin lived in Japan as a child, but spent her summer holidays with her father helping out on his touring theatre shows on south Devon beaches. She now runs her own business focused on cross cultural communications for Japanese companies and their partners but in her spare time has been researching the Japanese performers who came to Britain and settled. Her research can be seen on www.ninjin.co.uk. She is also a trustee of the Japan Society and non executive director of Japan House London. For access information please check https://www.thewaterratsvenue.london or call The Water Rats on 020 7833 3312. A booking fee will be added to your ticket price when you check out. This helps us to manage the running costs of our events and administer the box office.