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

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.

December news and events

Apologies for the long delay since the last entry. Things have been busy around here. With the holidays coming up, this will probably be the only entry until mid-January.

A reception for returning JET programme and the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund participants, and another reception celebrating the birthday of Emperor Akihito, were held at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago was held on December 1st and December 11th, respectively. In spite of hostile weather on both occasions, the events were well-attended.

The Japan America Student Conference is recruiting participants for the 2008 Conference. American delegates will be selected from all fields of study and will range from 1st year college students to Ph.D. candidates. Applications are due February 8th. This is a great opportunity for students interested in Japan.


IOWA

Polly Fortune, President of the Japan America Society of Iowa, is stepping aside after a successful term. She will be replaced by Mayumi Ameku. The JASI has a new website at http://www.japaniowa.org. They will host their New Year meeting in Des Moines on January 13.


ILLINOIS

Aikido seminar with Horii Shihan
February 1 - 3, 2008
Aikido Shimboku Dojo, 9115 Trinity Drive, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156


CHICAGO - FILM

Zebraman
Takashi Miike's bizarre superhero film is playing at Facets Cinematheque.
December 28 - January 3rd.


A major Shohei Imamura retrospective is playing at Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago in January and February. If you are unfamiliar with his rowdy, emotionally complex pictures, this is an excellent chance to get acquainted, as many of these films are unavailable on video. Between January 5th and March 4th, 18 of Imamura's films will be screened.


Coming soon...Watch for announcements in January about Japanese figure skater and Olympic medalist Yuka Sato and an anime event in Chicago...

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.

Upcoming Events

Lots of great events coming up this fall. There is still time to puurchase tickets for the Chicago bunraku performance on October 8th. Don't miss out--this will be an amazing event.

FYI for readers who use Livejournal: A JMM feed is available for your friends page. User name japanmediamdwes. Check it out here.


CHICAGO EVENTS

FILM
Akira Kurosawa: Doc Films at the University of Chicago presents a Wednesday series by "The Emperor" of Japanese cinema. Ten films will be shown, starting tonight with Seven Samurai. Check the Doc Films calendar for a complete schedule.


Anime Focus 2007: Chicago International Film Festival presents three new anime features. This year's selections:
Atagoal: Cat's Magical Forest
Brave Story
The Girl Who Lept Through Time
October 6 - 14. In Japanese with English subtitles.

Two other Japanese films will screen at the festival:
Mutsugane Potshot Affair by Nobuhiro Yamashita, director of Linda Linda Linda.
Strawberry Shortcakes by Hiroshi Yazaki.


PRESENTATION

North Korea and Japan: How did we get here?
"Obtain a rare glimpse into the current state of affairs in North Korea, including a fascinating examination of everyday life there."
Wednesday, October 10, 5:00pm
Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St. Chicago

2008 JET Program Informational Meeting
Learn about opportunities for teaching and exchange in Japan through the JET program.
Tuesday, October 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Japan Information Center, Chicago


EXHIBIT

Hiroshima & Nagasaki A-Bomb Artifacts
October 15 - November 19
DePaul University Cultural Center, The Student Center, Room 105, 2250 North Sheffield Ave. Chicago


MIDWEST EVENTS

THEATER - MINNESOTA

Vengeance Can Wait
The Guthrie presents a staged reading of this edgy new comedy by playwright Yukiko Motoya.
Friday, October 19, 7:30pm
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN


FESTIVAL - MISSOURI

Greater Kansas City Japan Festival
Saturday, September 29
Carlsen Center, Kansas City, MO

Sept - Oct Events

CONCERTS

Japanese rock/psychedelic/metal band Boris is on tour with Michio Kurihara and Damon & Naomi.

09-30 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle (Adventures in Modern Music)
10-05 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
10-06 Milwaukee, WI - Mad Planet
10-07 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock

Boris is an excellent band to see live. A full list of tour dates is on the Southern Lord website.

Ensemble N_JP will play at The Renaissance Society, University of Chicago campus, with guests Ko Ishikawa (sho) and Kazuhisa Uchihashi (guitar and electronics)
Mon, Sep 17, 8:00 pm


BUNRAKU

In conjunction with the tour by Japan’s National Bunraku Theater, the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago is hosting a number of Bunraku-related events.

October 1st – 3 PM: Sounds of Japan Music workshop
October 1st – 7 PM: Bunraku Puppet workshop
October 3rd – 6:30 PM: Lecture and demonstration by the Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe and Imada Puppet Troupe.

For more information, visit the U. Chicago website.


FILM

September 16th: 1960s avant-garde classic Funeral Parade of Roses by Toshio Matsumoto screens at the >University of Wisconsin-Madison

September 14th – September 20th: Noriko’s Dinner Table, a new horror film by Sion Sono, plays at Facets Cinematheque in Chicago.


FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 22nd, 1 – 5 PM: Japan Festival in Saginaw, Michigan

Chicago Events

Two upcoming events at the Japan America Society of Chicago:

Meishi (Business Card) Exchange
Yokoyama & Associates.
Thursday, August 23 at 5 pm.
150 N. Michigan Avenue, #2800, Chicago

"Building Global Brands in Japan: Lessons Learned From Kellogg's and McDonald's"
Presentation by author Ken G Kabira, Executive Vice President, Lipman Hearne.
August 30 at 5 pm.
190 S. LaSalle Street, 40th Floor (Adams Room), Chicago

To register for either of these events, see the JAS Chicago web site.


FILM

Grave of the Fireflies will be shown at the National Museum of Mexican Art. This classic animated film deals with life during the air raids of World War II.

Screening organized by the radio show Nihon No Rajio ("Japanese Radio"), airing in Spanish on Fridays from 6 -7 pm on WRTE 90.5 FM Radio Arte Chicago.
September 9th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
1852 West 19th Street, Chicago
Nihon No Rajio website (Spanish language)


FESTIVAL

The Japan America Service Committee presents the 37th Annual Fuji Festival and Silent Auction. The festival includes buffet refreshments, entertainment, and dancing, as well as a raffle with a grand prize of $10,000.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard
For more information:
http://www.jasc-chicago.org/ff07.html


DANCE

More info about the Fujima Ryu dance mentioned last week:
"On August 25, 2007, Saturday, at 5 p.m., Fujima Ryu of Chicago is proud to present what will hopefully become the first of many performances and lecture series. The presentation highlights Fujima Shunojo, the founder and head of Fujima Ryu of Chicago."

"The lecture will provide an essential base of knowledge; a “How to watch Nihon Buyou“ so that the audience can appreciate the dance without understanding Japanese. Explanations of both dances, as well as contrast between male dance and onnagata, a female dance performed by a male, as well as Nihon Buyou’s origin from Kabuki, and how it differs from Kabuki."


A Fujima Ryu dancer performs Nihon Buyo at the Ginza Festival on Sunday

Chicago Events - July

CONCERT

Yoko Noge and the Jazz-Me Blues Band
A Chicago-based jazz/blues artist, Yoko Noge will perform her last Monday-night set before the HotHouse sadly closes its doors in mid-July.
July 7th - 8:30 pm, 21 & older, 31 E Balbo Ave.


BOOK EVENTS

The Sushi Economy - Presentation & Signing
Author Sasha Issenberg will give a presentation on his new book that chronicles globalization and “the far-flung global network of fanatics, chefs, tuna ranchers and pirates that make up the culinary phenomenon that revolves around sushi.”
Wednesday, July 18, 6:00 – 8:30 pm. $20 for Japan America Society members, $30 non-members. Sushi, appetizers, and drinks included. Visit link above for reservations & more info.

Hello Kitty: The Global Brand with Nine Lives - Presentation & Signing
Ken Bolson, a business reporter with the New York Times, explores the phenomenal success of Japan’s most famous cartoon cat. “There will also be a discussion of the Japanese concept of "kawaii" and how Kitty became the emblem of the cute movement starting in the 1970s. In short, there will be something for businessmen, Japanophiles and those just curious about the mysterious Hello Kitty.”
Friday August 3, 6:00 – 8:30 pm. $15 Japan America Society members / $20 non-members. Visit link above for reservations & more info.


DANCE

Butoh Sorbet
Butoh is a unique and challenging form of modern dance from Japan. This event will feature solo performances by Vangeline, Ginger Krebs, and Nicole LeGette.
Friday, July 13th, 9PM, $10 donation. The Spareroom, 4100 W. Grand Avenue.


FILM - At Facets Cinematheque

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

DVD roundup

An overview of recent American DVD releases of Japanese films

Criterion has released a number of classic Japanese movies in recent months, the most famous of these probably being Sansho the Bailiff (1954), one of the last films made by Kenji Mizoguchi, who many critics consider Japan’s greatest director. This exquisite period drama recounts the tragic tale of Anju and Zushio, siblings who are separated from their parents and sold as laborers.


Sansho the Bailiff

Following the success of Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima, Criterion released a pair of classic films from director Kon Ichikawa that examine the horrors of the Pacific war. Fires on the Plain (1959) follows Japanese soldiers in the Phillipines towards the end of the war, as they wander aimlessly over a disorienting landscape. As the soldiers receive conflicting orders and their situation deteriorates, they become ravaged by hunger, madness, and disease. Fires is unlike any war film I’ve seen in its flat, unsentimental approach to the harrowing subject matter. Also available: The Burmese Harp (1956).


The Burmese Harp

Vengeance Is Mine (1979): One of Japan’s most perceptive directors, Shohei Imamura was driven to understand the human capacity for greed, lust, and violence. Based on a true story of a fugitive on a two-month journey of murder, theft, and deception, Vengeance Is Mine is an unflinching character study and a darkly comic portrait of a sociopath’s tangled relationships with his victims, his family, and society.

Linda Linda Linda (2005) is a deadpan comedy about four high school girls learning a rock song for a school festival. Director Nobuhiro Yamashita crafted a sincere, refreshing film that avoids the many clichés of the genre. NYAFF listing


Linda Linda Linda

Dora-Heita (2000): The story for this period drama was written by Akira Kurosawa and his “Club of the Four Knights” in 1969, but was not filmed until thirty years later by surviving knight Kon Ichikawa. Actor Koji Yakusho (Shall We Dansu) plays the titular “Alley Cat” who runs into comic trouble when he is assigned to clean up a lawless town.

Blind Woman’s Curse (1971): This strange and entertaining film by Teruo Ishii mixes a female yakuza revenge tale with phantasmagoric horror and oddball humor. Actress Meiko Kaji (of Lady Snowblood, an oft-cited influence on Kill Bill) plays a tattooed yakuza boss targeted by rival gangs and haunted by a sinister black cat. Great fun for cult film fans.


Blind Woman's Curse

Cutie Honey (2004): Campy action parody based on a popular comic.

A box set of five late films by Yasujiro Ozu, one of Japan’s greatest directors, is available. If you’re unfamiliar with Ozu, Early Summer (1951) is a great place to start.

Coming soon: Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara

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!