Anime and Manga are the two things that come to mind when you think of Japan. It would nice to know how it all started!

Manga are comic books originated from Japan. Anime is a Japanese styled animation. Both have fascinated the millions in the world.                                 

Manga became popular in the 20th century and is now considered a huge part of Japanese culture. Then in the 1940s, Osamu Tezuka, a manga artist decided to turn is amazing story of a robot boy with an atomic heart into an animation. ‘Astro Boy’ became a hit in not only Japan but also America. It is still well known by many today. The creations of Jungle Emperor and Hi No Tori (Bird of Fire) followed. Hi No Tori was considered Tezuka’s ‘lifework.’ Anime captivated audiences in many countries.

 As years went past the animations developed even further and there were many genres of anime.

Anime is unique and broad that is much loved and continues to become popular.

Popular Anime Animations (New and Old):

Hi No Tori

Inuyasha

Sailor Moon

Naturo

Fairy Tail

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The Middle Ages also known as the Medieval period were the storybook times. When knight in shining armors duty was to save damsels in distress. It was a time of great political and social change that began after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. It was during this time when some of the countries in Europe were formed. It was a feudal society with peasants, craftsmen and farmers are the bottom followed by knights and abbots then dukes, barons and the archbishop. The king was the second highest on the social structure under the pope. Knights followed the code of chivalry and were fully dressed in armor. Everyone was a christian and Medieval Europe was referred to as Christendom. In the Middle Ages there were many significant events that occurred including the Black Death which killed a third of the population. Paintings, sculptures and buildings were ways in which art was seen as in that time.

This is the Head of an Old Testament King. Carved for the Abbey Church of Saint-Dennis it is located outside Paris. It represents the change between the abstract and factual characteristics of the Romanesque period and the realism of later twelfth century. It was intentional that it was not an accurate representation. The artist has chosen to incorporate elements based on their observations of nature.  The figure at full length would be at the height of a viewer’s head and it wou8ld stare down at viewers. It was brightly painted and the eyes had inset glass and metal. The head of the statue was removed from the site late eighteenth century. This was before the church was vandalised during the French Revolution.

1140 c.a

This piece is about the Betrayal of Christ. Made from gilt copper this fragment was attached to a panel with others witch would have made a French altar.  These gothic style figures show Christ is being kissed by Judas and being identified for an arrest. One of Christ’s followers, to the left, is cutting off the ear of the high preist’s servant. She is doing this with the content of Christ as shown with his extended hand.

1240-150AD

Eucharistic dove were created by shining enamels and glass eyes. It was using for storing common wafers and were displayed above the altar to symbolise the presence of the Holy Spirit at the Mass. Under a hinged lid on the bird’s back it was storage for wafers.

Early 13th century

This is the Shrine of Saint Amandus. It once contains valuable relics. This shrine is for the 7^th century, Saint Amandus who served as a missionary and Bishop of what is now the western regions of Belgium. He established a monastery. Later, this is where monks authorised the production of this reliquary. The focus of the shrine was the silver columns and gilded apostles. It was visited by pilgrims who came in thanks for answered prayers and healing. It was large and popular.

Early 13th century

This casket was carved in Paris, France. It was created between 1325-50 AD of the medieval period. The casket is made from ivory. The carvings are scenes of romantic and courtly literature representing love and heroism of the time period. Carved in the casket are knights jousting and ladies watching from their balcony. There are also scenes from the famous stories: Aristotle, and Phyllis, Tristan and Iseult, and tales of the acts of courage of Gawain, Galahad, and Lancelot. It was also a courtship gift

1325-50AD

On the 5th of June the world celebrates World Environment Day. But does the world even really know about World Environment Day? The UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) in my opinion needs better ways to spread the message. This day encourages people to take action and become aware of the environment and the problems  it is facing. This year UNEP is working to help small islands that are being negatively affected by climate change, waste management, pollution and unsustainable consumption. It is meant to be a ‘people’s day’ but not a lot of people even know about it. If World Environment Day is so important then why didn’t I know about until yesterday it isn’t even a Google doodle. Some people go on the internet and Google every single day. Google doodles can make people aware of this event. They can also try make it more appealing to young viewers by making it a bit more entertaining yet informing.  If UNEP has a Google doodle it could help spread the message and people living on small islands may be saved.

There are many endangered animals. The animal that I truly adore is the red panda. Aren’t they cute?

Scientific name: Ailurus Fulgens

The red panda is a bit larger than the average cat and is related to the black and white giant pandas. These adorable animals have thick reddish-brown hair and a similar characteristics to a bear and raccoon. They’re tails provide them with balance and warmth for when it gets cold. They weigh approximately 5 – 9 kg. The red panda is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Central China in rain forests and mountains. They live in cool areas. Because they are usually in trees red pandas are acrobatic animals and are very skillful. They are very playful and energetic especially at a young age. A red panda can live up to 15 years.

The red panda eats the shoots and leaves of the bamboo (unlike their relative that eats every part of it), fruits like berries, acorns and bird eggs.

They are usually by oneself except when mating. The males will fight for the females. The gestation period is approximately 112 days to 158 days. They give birth to usually 1 to 4 young and are with their mother for around 3 months. The father spends little or no time with his offspring or cub. They become mature at around months.

Red pandas are endangered because of deforestation, farming and poaching. They are captured for there fur(for hats) and body parts(as trophies). There are less than 10 000 red pandas in the world. There are many conservations set up to help the lovely creatures. Funds are in place that allow people to donate to the red panda or even adopt one.  They are closely watching for poaching activity. Consequences for the buying or selling of these precious animals can be a $1 000 fine or up to 10 years in jail.

These adorable animals are in danger of becoming extinct! I’m am very sure that everyone will miss these cute faces. 🙂

‘No one loves gorillas more’

As said on her tomb stone. It was true that no one loves gorillas more. She went to extremes to protect her beloved friends.

Dian Fossey was one of many that made the world aware of the endangered gorillas. She was a zoologist and studied gorillas for 18 years.  Dian was born in 1932 on the 16^th of January. She was dedicated to protecting gorillas.  Even though poaching was illegal, it was not strongly enforced. It was a problem that could have led to the extinction of gorillas. Dian had a strong bond with the gorillas she met. She made war with poachers in Rwanda. A poacher is someone that illegally kills and captures wild animals. The objective of a poacher is to sell the body parts of the animals for money. It is a major cause of particular animal life to be endangered. Because of poachers many species could seize to exist.She attempted to stop the kidnapping of many gorillas and would often clear traps and find food for them. Dian founded Digit Fund (now known as The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) in 1978 which is named after one of her favourite gorillas, Digit. Digit was brutally murdered by poachers. The fund financed the first ranger patrols to stop poachers from trespassing and capturing. There were many international donations for gorillas. These donations were used to provide better protection and equipment for gorilla conservations. Dian Fossey was found murdered on December 26^th, 1985. She was buried amongst her gorilla friends in Karisoke. Dian was murdered by Protais Zigiranyirazo who was a former governor of Rwanda. Dian discovered he was the head of a poaching and smuggling ring of endangered species and was going to turn them in. After the death of Dian, the number of donations became very high. Today there are many gorilla conversations set up to save gorillas.

It is wondered, why were gorillas so important to Dian Fossey? Dian has always had an interest in animals. during her trip to Africa she saw the troubles gorillas were facing and was sorry. Because she had so many close encounters and relationships with them they became extremely important to her. She knew they were not frightening but animals full of affection and curiosity. So, why should WE care about gorillas? And what can WE do about it. These are some of the few questions that people ask. Gorillas have similar characteristics to humans. We are both from the same genus. Also, gorillas are highly intelligent and just a reminder if one animal becomes extinct it will affect all the other animals in the ecosystem and create a chain reaction. To help these gentle giants we can donate to funds that help save gorillas and fight against poaching. 

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