Upcoming Events - April 2008

My Colt Is My Passport
Lots of interesting and unusual events coming up in Chicago and beyond!

SAKE

Sake Tasting and Seminar
Join us for this unique opportunity to taste and learn about some of Japan’s most exquisite sake! Six top breweries will be represented, and sake expert John Gauntner will give a brief presentation on the fundamentals of enjoying sake. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Japan Information Center
$35 before March 28. $45 after March 28.
Register at the JAS Chicago website

KOHDO

Kohdo: Traditional Japanese Incense Ceremony

A growing number of people are using aroma therapy to seek relief from stress. This modern-day trend is starting to attract renewed attention to the traditional Japanese art of “Kohdo” – Incense Ceremony. Gyosetsu Maruyama, Master in the Oie School of Kohdo, and Nobue Irako, who has 10 years of experience in Kohdo, will make a special visit from Japan to give us a demonstration of this refined art. You will have an opportunity to experience the aroma of some very rare and highly valuable incense, and learn about the world of the Japanese Incense Ceremony.

Thursday, April 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Japan Information Center, Chicago
Free Admission

FILM

No Borders, No Limits: 1960s Nikkatsu Action Cinema

The Gene Siskel Film Center, in collaboration with The Japan America Society of Chicago, presents No Borders, No Limits: 1960s Nikkatsu Action Cinema. The series will feature these films: A Colt is My Passport, The Warped Ones, Glass Johnny: Looks Like a Beast, Red Handkerchief, Velvet Hustler, Gangster VIP, and Roughneck.
April 5 - May 23
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., Chicago, IL
Tickets: $9/general admission, $7/students, $5/Film Center members

ART

The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito

Shinjo Ito (1906-1989), founder of the Shinnyo-en stream of Buddhism, was one of Japan's most versatile Buddhist sculptors and an accomplished artist in fields as diverse as calligraphy and photography. This exhibit reveals Shinjo's unique capacity to meld spirituality and artistry, as well as realism and interpretation.
April 8th – May 1st
Chicago Illuminating Company
19 East 21st Street (South Loop), Chicago

THEATER

”Hana’s Suitcase”

Chicago Children’s Theatre presents this play based on the book by Karen Levine
April 11 – May 11, 2008
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Storefront Theater

OMAHA – FILM

Akira Kurosawa series at Film Streams

Twelve films from throughout Kurosawa’s career will be screened.
March 28 – May 8
1340 Webster St., Omaha, NE

KANSAS – FESTIVAL

Central Kansas Japanese Festival 2008
Enjoy various forms of Japanese culture. All are welcome to attend!
Saturday, April 12
Kansas State University Student Union, Manhattan, KS

March Events - Chicago & Indiana

If you live in Minnesota or are visiting soon, be sure to check out the Arts of Japan – John C. Weber Collection exhibit on now at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (mentioned in the previous entry). I visited recently and can safely say that this is a world-class event. It’s extremely rare to see a collection like this anywhere.


FILM

Anime 101 – Free Anime Screening Series
Every Thursday in March at 6:30 pm.
March 13: Howl’s Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki
March 20: Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow - from the popular TV series
March 27: Tekkonkinkreet
All films are in Japanese with English subtitles. Please note that Tekkonkinkreet is rated R in the United States and may not be suitable for young children.

At Facets Cinematheque:
Young Yakuza
This documentary follows a young man interning with the Kumagai clan in Tokyo.
March 14 – 20


EVENTS

22nd Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest
Japanese language students take note! Students of all ages may want to apply for next year’s contest. The grand prize is a round trip airline ticket to Japan! Come and cheer on the contestants and practice your listening skills.
Japan Information Center
Saturday, March 29th, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Rikkyuki
Join us for the annual memorial tea gathering to honor Sen No Rikkyu
Japan Information Center
Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 PM

“Toyota's Transformation from Importer to a Leading Manufacturer in North America”
Dennis Cuneo of Toyota Boshoku America
March 17 at 11:30 AM

”The Asian Financial Center: Is it too late for Tokyo?”
Mr. Mitch Fulscher, Chairman, Futures Industry Association of Japan
March 20 at 11:30 AM

2008 US Shogi Championship in Chicago
March 28 – 30
Holiday Inn Express Chicago, Arlington Heights


INDIANA

Hello Kitty: The Global Brand with Nine Lives
Lecture and book signing by New York Times reporter Ken Belson.
March 27 at 6:30 PM
Deboest Lecture Hall, Indianapolis Museum of Art

Minnesota Events

FINE ARTS



Arts of Japan: 900 Years of Seductive Beauty
Feb 24 - May 25 at Minneapolis Institute of Art
John C Weber Collection, one of the finest private collections of Japanese art in the US
www.artsmia.org
This should be an excellent exhibit!


THEATER

VENGENCE CAN WAIT
by Yukiko Motoya, translation by Kyoko Yoshida and Andy Bragen
Part of Mu Performing Arts series of
readings of plays by Asian-American artists.
Directed by Rick Shiomi
Saturday Feb 16, 7pm
Tickets: Suggested donation of $5 at the door.
Mu Studio
2700 NE Winter Street, Suite 4, Minneapolis


TAIKO

Developing new and/or experimental work reflecting the unique vision of Mu Daiko artists is at the Heart of Taiko Lab. Be a part of the process as these brand new pieces receive their first performances!
May 9 & 10 at 8:00 PM
Mixed Blood Theater
1501 S Fourth St, Minneapolis
Reservations: 612.338.6131 or www.mixedblood.com

January News & Events

ART

Major exhibition of Japanese prints and pottery, including an installation by printmaker Ayomi Yoshida, a printmaking project for kids, and informal gallery talks.
NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
January 15 - March 7.
Reception on January 24, 4:40 - 7:30 pm.


MUSIC

Noisy rock favorites Boredoms have scheduled a U.S. tour for March, including a few Midwest dates. Don't miss this legendary band!

March 25 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
March 26 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium


FILM

Honey and Clover: Adaptation of a popular manga, this film was rescheduled from an earlier date.
February 15 - 21 at Facets Cinematheque, Chicago


SPORTS

The Chicago Cubs recently acquired Japanese star hitter and right-fielder Kosuke Fukudome for a four-year, $48 million contract. The 30-year-old, who has been a batting champ twice in Japan, will be the first Japanese player for the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals signed relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta, who previously played for Chiba Lotte, to a two-year contract.

2nd International Manga Award - Call for Entries

The Executive Committee of Japan’s Second International Manga Award is accepting entries from today, December 21st. Guidelines for application and entry forms are available on the following website:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/culture/manga/index.html

“Manga” refers to Japanese-style comic books. Over the past decade, the popularity and marketability of manga has exploded worldwide. The Award was established this year to recognize manga artists who have contributed to the promotion of manga overseas. The Executive Committee convened on November 26th and announced the second competition.

The top entry will be awarded the Golden Prize and three other distinguished works will receive Silver Prizes. The Japan Foundation will sponsor a ten-day trip to Japan for the winners, including the award ceremony. Winners will also have the opportunity to meet with Japanese manga artists and visit publication companies during their trip.

Regional Events

CHICAGO

TAO Wadaiko Group Performing at Chicago Human Rhythm Project
From Nov. 23–25 Japanese drumming group, TAO will perform at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. TAO specializes in the art of wadaiko, a traditional form of Japanese drumming rich in rhythm and movement. Don't miss this exhilarating performance!
November 23 - 25, 2007
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E Randolph Drive (Millennium Park)
Chicago, IL 60601

FILM

Honey and Clover – This quirky romantic comedy revolves around the lives of five art school students. Adopted from the popular manga. U.S. premiere.
November 30 – December 6 at Facets Cinematheque.


MINNEAPOLIS

Ken Moylan – New Work: Japan Series
Remarkable paintings and mixed media pieces incorporating classical Japanese themes and images.
October 27 - December 1
Thomas Barry Fine Arts
530 N 3rd Street #B-10
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.338.3656
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11-5


MILWAUKEE

Messenger of Friendship: The Adventures of Kasumi Tsukuba Doll

Kasumi Tsukuba is a torei ningyo – a doll of gratitude – sent to the United States from Japan in 1927 as a goodwill gesture. After 80 years of rotating between display and storage she returned to Tokyo’s Yoshitoku doll factory, where she was created, to undergo restoration. She has now been fully rejuvenated and returned to Milwaukee after a tour of Ibaraki, Japan, her "home" prefecture.
November 3, 2007-June 30, 2008
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 West Wells Street, Milwaukee


IOWA – LECTURE

On Saturday, November 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. noted Japanese professor of architectural engineering, Dr. Sadamasa Komaki, will present a lecture on the buildings of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Hosted by the Japan America Society of Iowa.
November 10th, 1:00-3:00 (Saturday)
Living History Farms
2600 111th St.
Urbandale, Iowa, 50322
Contact John Wetherell at 515-280-7480 for more information.

Chicago Events

Pictures from the Boris concert, Sept. 30

THEATER

One more bunraku related event to report: A bunraku lecture and demonstration on Monday, will be held October 8, 2:00 - 4:00pm at McCormic Auditorium, Norris University Center, Northwestern University. This event is free and open to the public.


ART

Gallery Talk:
Satoru Aoyama: Ancient Pixels
Friday, October 19, 5:30pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue Galleries
78 E. Washington Street
Free

The artist will discuss his machine embroidered art, which will be on display at the Cultural Center October 13 - December 30.

Minnesota Events

Two MSP events I missed earlier today:

Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits: Culture and Creation in Manga and Anime
Annual 3-day workshop at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design
September 28-30

The Genius of Shibata Zeshin: An exhibition of Japanese masterworks
Oct 13 - Jan 6
Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Twin Cities Events: June

CONCERT

Melt-Banana plays at 7th St. Entry
Sunday, June 24, 8 pm. $10.
Local Japanese punk favorites Birthday Suits open.
The tour includes stops in Des Moines (6/26) Lawrence (6/27) and Omaha (6/28) after opening for Tool this weekend in St. Louis and Ft. Wayne. Say what you will about this band--they do not neglect the Midwest.


ART

Shojo Manga! Girl Power!
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Ave. S. Tel. 612-874-3700 Mapquest link
through June 29.
This is a fascinating exhibit of more than 200 illustrations from Japanese comics for girls. Admission is free, but you might want to call ahead to make sure the building is open. If you can't make it, the link above contains a nice gallery of images.

Ukiyo-e - from the permanent collection
Minneapolis Institute of Arts - ongoing


GROUP

Minneapolis Japanese Language and Culture Meetup Group
This is a new group that we know nothing about, so we can't exactly endorse it, but it may be worth checking out. First meeting was held June 19th.

Chicago Events: June – July

CONCERTS

Tokyo's noisy, abrasive rock outfit Melt-Banana plays at the Abbey Pub Thursday, June 21, at 9 pm. Ages 18+. Tickets $10 - $12.
Melt-Banana website

From the Chicago Tribune: "Tatsu Aoki's galvanic Miyumi Project, which combines jazz and Japanese taiko drumming, performs 9 p.m. Saturday at the Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd.; $10-$20; 312-791-9050."
Tatsu Aoki website


EVENTS

Japan Festival
June 23 – 24 (Saturday 11am – 6:30pm; Sunday 11am – 5pm)
Forest View Educational Center
2121 S. Goebbert Rd. Mapquest link
Arlington Heights, Illinois
$3 donation
http://www.japanfest-chicago.org/
Presented by the Mid-America Japanese Club and District 214 Community Education

JAS Chicago 77th Annual Dinner
Thursday, June 28th, 6-9:30 pm, Arlington Heights
Reservations


FILM

Paprika, a feature-length animated film by Satoshi Kon, is playing at several area theaters. This surreal science-fiction adventure has been greeted with enthusiastic reviews.
Chicago Tribune review

MIDNIGHT SUN (Taiyo no Uta) - Presented by the Japan Information Center and Cinema/Chicago as part of the FREE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCREENINGS by Cinema/Chicago.
Wednesday, July 25 7:30 pm
Claudia Cassidy Theatre77 E. Randolph StreetFREE ADMISSION

At Facets Cinematheque
July 06 – 12: The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
July 13 – 19: Hula Girls


ART

At the Art Institute of Chicago - Free admission Thursday and Friday evenings through August 31.

Kamisaka Sekka – The World of Things. 20th century woodblock prints.

through July 1

Kota Ezawa – On the Scene
through September 3

Japonisme : The Impact of Japanese Prints in 19th-Century Europe
through October 1

Upcoming:
Poetry of Friendship: Surimono and the Cultural Salons of Japan
July 7 – September 16


Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art
Takashi Murakami's 116-foot-wide, 24-foot-high wallpaper installation of thousands of Japanese anime-style bright green eyes. Through Dec. 30

If you know of anything else coming up in the Chicago Area, please let us know!