Shigehisa Kuriyama to present on evoking happiness at annual BRML on Feb. 24

The Institute for Japanese Studies, with support from the Japanese Graduate Studies Association, will present its annual Brad Richardson Memorial Lecture, featuring Shigehisa Kuriyama, Harvard University, on Friday, February 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 001 Jennings Hall. Prof. Kuriyama will present "Happiness in Ordinary Places: Lessons from Edo Japan."

Abstract: How can one evoke a happy ordinary place? Sad places, sublime places, places that promise adventure, mystery, or romance—all these are relatively easy to portray. But how can one communicate the promise of ordinary happiness? What sorts of pictured places inspire viewers to think: “There is nothing special there, but life there seems happy”? Certain prints in 19th century Japan are quite effective in inspiring this thought. As we probe the secret of their effectiveness, we discover something startling—that the key elements in their evocation of happiness are mostly things that wouldn’t readily occur to us today. And so these prints prompt us, ultimately, to reflect anew not only on the imagination of everyday life in late Edo Japan but also on our own horizons of happiness.

JASCO accepting applications for 2023 Japanese Language Speech Contest through Feb. 17

Since 1999, the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio has hosted the annual Ohio Japanese Speech Contest to promote Japanese language learning in the state of Ohio. The contest showcases achievement in Japanese language learning and presents ideas and experiences that promote JASCO’s mission: to enrich lives by bringing Ohio’s Japanese and American communities together.

The 2023 Ohio Japanese Speech Contest will be a single open category. Two top speeches will be recognized with the competition awards. In addition, special awards may also be given in such categories as College, High School, and Best Pronunciation.

Participants of the finals will perform from memory an original speech of their own creation in front of a panel of judges and audience. Following the speech, the panel of judges will ask questions related to the speech. The Q&A portion is conducted in Japanese as well.

The application deadline is February 17.

Film screening of From Here to China to be held Feb. 22

The Center for Latin American Studies, East Asian Studies Center, and Ohio State University Libraries will present a screening of De acá a la China / From here to China (2019), by Argentine director Federico Marcello, on Wednesday, February 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 180 Hagerty Hall. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with film experts representing Latin America and East Asia.

Synopsis: In 1986, Facundo's father had a neighborhood market in Buenos Aires. Although it was small, all the neighbors went to buy their groceries there because it had it all. However, in the early 1990s, with the arrival of Chinese supermarkets, the store was unable to compete and had to close. Thirty years later, Facundo travels to the other side of the world with the only purpose of taking revenge by opening the first Argentine Supermarket in China.

DANCE@30FPS to present Japan & China Dance Film Exchange on Feb. 8

DANCE@30FPS (frames per second) will present an international film exchange in collaboration with Naoto Iina, Tokyo Zokei University, from Japan and China Dancers Association’s program, the Chinese Dance Film Exhibition, on Wednesday, February 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wexner Center for the Arts' Film and Video Theatre.

This event is free and open to the public.

Experience cultures from around the world at Taste of OSU

Taste of OSU is an Ohio State signature event that brings together more than 30 student organizations to provide a night of international food, cultural performances and exhibits. This year, Taste of OSU will take place on Friday, February 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom at the Ohio Union. Admission is free, and attendees can purchase (cash and BuckID only) $1 tickets to sample the array of international dishes prepared by the student organizations. Advance tickets will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, February 14 in Enarson Classroom Building and the information desk in the Ohio Union.