The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Newsletter
January, 2019: Breeze Issue #135

Greetings!

Happy new year everyone! In the ancient zodiac, the year of the Boar comes at the very end of the 12-year cycle and signifies 'an end of a phase'. Contrary to the general image of boars that blindly runs straight ahead, it is the year we are supposed to look back on our past for reflections and get ready for the new ensuing cycle. For the past 12 years, JFLA has witnessed an ever-growing interest toward Japan and its culture in LA as well as many other parts of the country. We have also faced a lot of challenges in terms of finance, politics, and above all else, the advancement of online communication. Granted that we have taken great advantage of online publicity (this e-newsletter for one!), it is now very difficult for a single piece of information to 'remain' in someone's mind for an extended period of time. That is why we have been focusing on collective stories lately, instead of 'pieces' of information to get across, because after all it is the stories that are relatable to your family and friends, not just information. I also personally think it is the good stories that will stop hatred and antagonism, and instead foster friendship and compassion. I still do not understand why people often fall for bad fake stories as if they have no other fun thing to do. That is precisely the reason we have to produce even 'more' good stories about humanity to spread around.

May your 2019 be as thoughtful, fruitful, and wonderful as ours!

Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
Hideki Hara, Director
 

Photograph Exhibit: Novus Plants
January 10 - February 2, 2019 
Celebrate New Year With Pre-Opening Event on January 9
7:00-7:30PM Live Ikebana Performance By Satsuki Palter
(Ohara School of Ikebana Los Angeles Chapter)
7:30PM- Move Screening: Yoko the Cherry Blossom

As we celebrate the beginning of the new year, JFLA will host an exhibition featuring photographs from a selection of works by Hiroki Ohara, artist and fifth-generation Headmaster of the Ohara School of Ikebana.

FREE JAPANESE CINEMA SCREENING
Yoko the Cherry Blossom (115mins, 2015)
Directed by Gen Takahashi
Wednesday, January 9 @7:30PM
Free Admission, No RSVP Required

The inspiring true story of a rural Japanese high school teacher's lifelong quest to create the very first artificially pollinated hybrid cherry blossom, to fulfill a promise he made to his beloved students before they were sent off to the battlefields to fight in World War II.

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Kanji & Calligraphy Workshop
Saturday, January 12 @10AM
This Event Is FULL

This workshop is suitable for all Kanji starters!  You will learn various types of Kanji formations, the ways they are read, and the concept of radicals.  You will also learn how to write Kanji with Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) with correct posture, the right way to bring an ink brush, and the right stroke orders.  At the end of the workshop, let's write your favorite Kanji with calligraphy on washi paper!  The registration will close when it becomes full.

Meditation With Japanese Singing Bowl
Wednesday, January 16 & 30
12:30PM & 1:00PM (20 Min Sessions)
Free Admission

Mid-week fatigue is a familiar foe to many of us.  Why not maximize your relaxation and join us for a Sound Bath at Lunchtime!
The singing bowl used for this program harmoniously combines the healing qualities of the Tibetan singing bowl and its Japanese traditional singing bowl. Relax and feel your stress dissipate into thin air as the sounds of the singing bowl lead you into a meditative state.
There is no charge and no reservation required. All are welcome to come, sit, listen, and refresh!

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JFLA Lecture Series 57
Secret Gardens of Kyoto From Cutting Back
Lecturer: Ms. Leslie Buck
Tuesday, January 22 @7PM
Free Admission, RSVP Required

Author, Leslie Buck will show photos from her New York Time's reviewed garden memoir, Cutting Back-My Apprenticeship In The Gardens Of Kyoto about working in one of the most historic landscaping companies of Kyoto for three seasons.

Free Japanese Cinema Screening
Mirai (98 mins, 2018) 
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda
Wednesday, January 23 @7PM
Free Admission, No RSVP Required

*Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject to capacity. Please arrive early for best seating.

An official selection at Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and the epic capstone of director Mamoru Hosoda's career, Mirai is a sumptuous, magical, and emotionally soaring adventure about the ties that bring families together and make us who we are.

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国際交流基金 関西国際センター
日本語教育専門員募集と任期付日本語教育専門員募集
提出期限: 2019年1月31日(木曜日)必着 

国際交流基金(ジャパンファウンデーション)は、文化芸術交流、海外での日本語教育支援、日本研究・知的交流等の分野でさまざまな活動を行っております。
当基金の附属機関である関西国際センターで実施する日本語研修プログラムにおける日本語指導や教材、テストの開発業務等、当基金が行う日本語教育に関する諸業務を担う、日本語教育専門員と 任期付日本語教育専門員の募集の募集を行います。

JF Nihongo Winter 2019
January 19 - March 21 
REGISTER NOW!

Study Japanese this winter! Our JF Nihongo 2019 Winter Term will start on January 19! There will be three beginner-level Japanese-language courses to choose from. In each class, students will learn concepts and communication skills that are essential to having a well-rounded understanding of everyday Japanese!

Register before January 11 to qualify for the early bird discount!

2019-2021 J-LEAP: Now Accepting Applications for Lead Teachers 
Deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2019

Are you interested in inviting a Japanese Assistant Teacher (AT) to your K-12 classroom for up to two consecutive school years? Do you want to give your students an opportunity to learn and hear Japanese from a native speaker or an additional native speakers for some variation? If so, make sure you apply for J-LEAP, which was started in 2011 with the help of the Laurasian Institute (TLI). 

We will also be posting articles written by current J-LEAP participants starting with this issue. This month, we would like to welcome Ryo Nakayama who is currently at Harding High School in Saint Paul, MN.

2018-19 JAPANESE LANGUAGE GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

We still have one grant program remaining for the Fiscal Year 2018-19 to support Japanese-Language Education in the United States.

The  Japanese-Language Education Project Grant (Deadline: 2 months prior to project start date).

Japanese Language Education Update 62: 
What's in store for Japanese Language Education this year?

Happy New Year! We left 2018 having done quite a lot! What's around the corner for the next few months in the field? Here's a sneak preview! 

-We will be finishing conducting our survey for Japanese language education in the first quarter this year. Be sure to do your part to help Japanese language education by taking our survey!  

-Love Japanese language? Love ANY language? Language Advocacy Day, held by the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), connects you with policymakers to advocate for languages, and will be on Feb. 14-15 in Washington D.C. See what it's about here: https://languagepolicy.org/lad/2019-2/.

-The annual California Language Teacher's Conference (CLTA) will be held in San Jose from Feb. 28 - March 3. Come see some of the latest developments in language education in California!   

-The Association for Asian Studies (AAS) conference will be held in conjunction with the spring conference of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) in Denver, Colorado on March 21 to 24. Our friends from the JFNY will be exhibiting at booth 713. Be sure to visit them!  

And much, much more! Be sure to continue checking our Breeze newsletters for exciting new resources for Japanese language education!