A delegation of 35 students and professors from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited A Cat Tree House — Tan Yamanouchi’s residence and atelier in Kita-Kamakura — for a Studio Visit, the practice of visiting an artist’s working studio in person.

The visit came together through an email from one of the professors.

We divided the group into smaller parties of seven to eight and conducted four English-language tours in total.

The students were genuine and wonderful company. It was a truly delightful experience.

Many of the students were deeply versed in Japanese manga and animation — a number had even learned Japanese through watching anime — making the visit a tangible reminder of the immense potential of Japanese pop culture worldwide.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is one of the world’s leading institutions, ranked among the top 20 globally in multiple academic disciplines.

We extend our gratitude for this rewarding exchange and, at Tan Yamanouchi & AWGL, remain committed to advancing international cultural dialogue.