An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of November, 2022! |
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Last month, the Japan Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary and to commemorate this special occasion, we have launched a website titled "Weaving Ties with the World for 50 Years and Onward." Below are the links in English and Japanese as well as a booklet. It includes a half century of content curated by the Japan foundation as well as stories from individuals who have collaborated with us from all around the world. Visit the links below to read all the stories we have collected for this event.
50th Anniversary Website:
50th Anniversary Booklet:
Another big change happening with all our offices around the world is our new email system that you may have noticed if you have contacted us in the past month. Instead of the old jflalc.org email addresses, all Japan Foundation offices world-wide will now be using the new jpf.go.jp email address. Our website will stay the same.
Our railroad exhibition ended last month, but later this month, we will be organizing a new exhibition featuring photos of Japanese artists during the pandemic. We will be hosting a special preview exhibition on the night of November 29th so make sure to reserve your place for this exciting exhibition. We will also be hosting an online Shodo workshop so register early to guarantee your seat for this event.
Lastly, we will also be continuing our trio of wellness events this month with monthly themes so make sure to join us on Facebook every Wednesday at 12:30PM PT.
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ONLINE WORKSHOP
SHODO: MEDITATIVE CALLIGRAPHY TO FIND YOUR INNER SPIRIT
THUR, NOV 10, 2022 @7:00pm (PT)
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Japanese calligraphy, or Shodo, is literally translated as “The way of writing”. From a Zen point of view, it is a meditative activity to help you reach a mindful state. With guest instructor Esteban Martinez, Founder of Gohitsu Shodo Kai (悟筆書道会 – The Enlightening Brush Japanese Calligraphy Association), we will learn through Shodo not just how to write the kanji correctly, but how to focus on yourself, find calmness, and discover your inner spirit from a Zen and martial arts approach. Do not worry about making mistakes. Slow down. Let’s practice together the technicality of writing Kanji in harmony with your kiai (気合 – spiritual power)!
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JFLA EVENT
SPECIAL PREVIEW FOR EXHIBITION "DANCING EXTRAORDINAIRE"
TUE, NOV 29, 2022 @6:30pm (PT)
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Please come and celebrate with us at our special preview event for the photo exhibition titled “Dancing Extraordinaire: Japanese Entertainers under the Pandemic” at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles. Three photographers (Arisa Kasai, Shizuka Minami and Maiko Miyagawa) who created these fabulous works will join from Japan via livestream.
*Light refreshments will be served.
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JFLA EXHIBITION
Dancing Extraordinaire: Japanese Entertainers under the Pandemic
November 30 - February 25, 2023
Admission Free
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The entertainment world was dealt a big blow by the pandemic. One after another, theaters were forced to either postpone or outright cancel performances. Beginning in July 2020, freelance photographers (Arisa Kasai, Shizuka Minami and Maiko Miyagawa) took portraits of 18 groups of artists over a period of about 7 months guided by their concept of “capturing the ‘present’ during the pandemic, characterized by the way in which the subjects’ routines meshed with the demands of the moment”. The photographers captured these artists’ emotions and their performances that would have otherwise never come to light, but were forged in a state of emergency which rekindled their passions for the stage.
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THE JAPAN FOUNDATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR FY2023 |
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The Japan Foundation offers programs in Japanese language as well Arts & Culture. Please read below for information for each category.
This year, we created a new online application portal so applicants will need to submit their applications electronically through the new website.
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JAPANESE TRAINING PROGRAMS - NOW AVAILABLE! |
➤TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM
(DEADLINE: 7:00PM PST, DEC. 1ST, 2022)
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa organizes training programs on Basic Training, Japanese Language, Japanese Teaching Methods, and Online Training On A Specific Theme for Japanese-language teachers outside of Japan.
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➤JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR SPECIALISTS IN CULTURAL & ACADEMIC FIELDS
(DEADLINE: 7:00PM PST, DEC. 1ST, 2022)
This program provides specialists (Researchers, Postgraduate Students, Librarians, Museum Curators, etc.) who need a good command of Japanese language to conduct field work and research through an intensive residential training course on the Japanese language.
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ARTS & CULTURE PROGRAMS - NOW AVAILABLE!
The Japan Foundation Los Angeles office (JFLA) accepts applications for projects that take place within the 13 states west of Rocky Mountains listed below for the JFLA Grant throughout the year. This grant aims to support projects that will enhance further understanding of Japanese arts and culture.
Click below to download the online application forms and guidelines.
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➤EXHIBITIONS ABROAD SUPPORT PROGRAM
(DEADLINE: 7:00PM PST, DEC. 1ST, 2022)
This program is designed to provide financial support for museums and art institutions overseas that organize exhibitions introducing Japanese art and culture to audiences overseas. In addition, this program is designed to support overseas international exhibitions such as biennials/triennials introducing Japanese artists and their works.
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➤TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATION SUPPORT PROGRAM
(DEADLINE: 7:00PM PST, NOV. 17TH, 2022)
This program is designed to provide partial financial support for overseas publishers intending to translate and/or publish books originally written in Japanese. The program aims to foster better understanding of Japan by encouraging overseas publishers to translate and publish Japanese books. The grant covers part of the translation cost and/or publishing costs (e.g. costs for paper, typesetting, printing and binding). Applicants may apply for one of the following categories: “translation only” “publication only” or “translation and publication.”
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➤ISHIBASHI/JAPAN FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH ON JAPANESE ART
(DEADLINE: 7:00PM PST, DEC. 1ST, 2022)
This program aims to support the development of professionals specializing in the study of Japanese visual arts by providing an opportunity for curators and researchers from abroad to conduct research in Japan, and by so doing, promote the study of the field and the introduction of Japanese art overseas. This fellowship is implemented by the Japan Foundation with generous funding from the Ishibashi Foundation.
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2023-23 J-LEAP LEAD TEACHER APPLICATION HAS BEGUN!
PART 1 DEADLINE: DEC. 1ST 2022
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Interested in a grant opportunity which brings an assistant teacher from Japan to help strengthen and enhance your K-12 Japanese language program? J-LEAP (Japanese-Language Education Assistant Program), co-administered by Laurasian Institution and Japan Foundation, is currently in its eleventh year and is now accepting applications from host schools for the 2023 cycle!
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MINI-GRANT SUPPORTED EXHIBITION
Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of this Town
November 11 - March 12, 2023
Phoenix Art Museum
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Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of this Town at Phoenix Art Museum is the first U.S. solo exhibition in more than five years to exclusively showcase the imaginative and visually complex works of contemporary Japanese artist Mr. A self-described member of the otaku subculture—characterized by obsessive interests in anime, manga, and reclusion into virtual fantasy worlds—Mr. creates feverish, graffiti-inspired paintings and cartoon-like sculptures, installations, and video works that combine high and low culture to examine themes of desire, fantasy, and trauma within Japanese society and among a global audience obsessed with social media.
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IRODORI JAPANESE ONLINE COURSE - FREE |
IRODORI is a Japanese language learning website with two levels: Starter (A1) course and Elementary 2 (A2) (with Japanese and English explanations)!
You can learn the Japanese language you need for daily life in Japan using videos as well as plenty of illustrations and audios. The course also has contents about Japanese life and culture that you can see and feel through 360-degree photos.
The course is full of practice contents, so you can train on areas where you want to practice more or gain more confidence.
It is mainly geared towards people who want to live and work in Japan, as well as people interested in Japanese for daily life.
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VIRTUAL KARATE EXERCISE AT LUNCHTIME
Wednesday, November 2nd & 23rd
12:30PM PT (15 Minute Session)
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Whether at work or at home, let's refresh yourself for 15 minutes on your lunchtime together with us! Karate Exercise will be offered via JFLA Facebook LIVE!
World class instructors from Kyokushin Karate of Los Angeles will give you a set of beginner’s level exercises from their basic movement with their English instruction.
There will be one 15-minute session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Achieve the unity of body and spirit!
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VIRTUAL BILINGUAL YOGA AT LUNCHTIME
Wednesday, November 9th & 30th
12:30PM PT (15 Minute Session)
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Bilingual Yoga will be offered this month via JFLA Facebook LIVE! This month's theme is "Bust your stress."
No need to change clothes or use a yoga mat; you will be seated in a chair at home and receive an instruction from our instructor in bilingual (English and Japanese). Easy and relaxed!
There will be one session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Refresh and recharge yourself with us at home!
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VIRTUAL MEDITATION WITH JAPANESE SINGING BOWL
Wednesday, November 16th
12:30PM PT (15 Min Session)
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Meditation with Japanese Singing Bowl will be offered this month via JFLA Facebook LIVE! The catchphrase for this month is "Otsukaresama (Good work today)!"
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 will be one session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Stretch and refresh yourself with us at home!
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ONLINE JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSE
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Every term we host a fun event for class takers called “Chit-Chat Club”, where they get to practice Japanese phrases with Japanese natives. In this term, we had the first ever “in-person” Chit-Chat Club and we had a blast! See a short clip from here.
Our Winter 2023 registration is scheduled to start mid-November. Details will be announced soon.
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2022-2023 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! |
Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for TEACHERS
(Examples: Conferences/Seminars/Workshops for Teachers, Teaching Material Development, Research Projects, etc.)
Deadline: 2 months before the project start date
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Advocacy Support Letter
If your Japanese language program is in danger of being cut due to COVID-19, we will send a support letter to stakeholders (Superintendent, Principal, Dean, etc.).
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General Invitation to Join JF USA Digital Library |
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We started our digital library back in April in coordination with our New York and Toronto offices. There have been an overwhelming amount of interest in Libby and we appreciate everyone who have signed up to use this free service. If you know anyone who is interested in a digital library that specializes in Japanese language and culture related books, please forward them this newsletter and they can find more information at the link below. Applicants need to be 14 years or older and confirmation emails will be sent out at the end of the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays with directions on how you can login to the system and start checking out digital books on your phone or computer. Please make sure to check your spam box, especially for Gmail users and you do not need to register multiple times. If you do not receive a welcome email from us within a few days of registering, please make sure to contact us. If you have any questions, please reply to this email. We hope you will enjoy this new service from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles!
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Japanese Language Education Update 107 |
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We hope that all teachers are having a smooth start to the school year and with November comes the the holiday season is around the corner starting with Thanksgiving, followed with Christmas, and ending with the New Year! To support Japanese language teachers, we have developed some Advocacy goods that many teachers have been requesting and we will be happy to send them out to you. Make sure to visit our advocacy page for more information. Ian Ostoya will be in charge of advocacy going forward so please contact him through the form on our website so he can support your needs.
As mentioned in the last issue of our monthly newsletter, we are currently accepting applications for our teacher training program in Japan as well as online so make sure you apply if you are interested in professional development next summer. Our J-LEAP program is also open for host teachers to invite an assistant teacher into their classrooms for two years starting in the 2023/24 school year.
Finally, we will be attending the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo from November 18 - 20 in Boston, MA. If you are planning to attend make sure to register for the conference and find us at the AATJ booth. We look forward to seeing Japanese language teacher in person again! |
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The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles |
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