An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of September, 2023! |
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This month, we are taking the show on the road as we bring our samurai workshop and movie screening to the largest state in the country - Alaska. We will be making two stops in the cities of Fairbanks and Anchorage so come on out and learn the ways of the sword with "Burai." You may be wondering why Alaska and as you may know, we are in charge of Arts & Culture events for the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains and from time to time we travel to other states within the area we represent. Our events have taken us to many states in the western half of the country while our New York office manages the states east of the Rocky Mountains.
Not to leave out those in LA, but we will also be organizing a teatime and movie screening event at our office this month. Our Japanese language courses start this month as well and most of the seats have been taken. If you missed your chance this term, check back in a few months when we will have registration information for Winter Term. We are still streaming our Japanese Arts & Culture series "Doors to Japan" so make sure to check out new videos every Wednesday. Finally, we will be starting a new exhibition later this month featuring 12 artists from the Katayama Studio collection. They are one of the earliest art studios in Japan dedicated to supporting self-expression and art activities for individuals with disabilities so make sure to check out this event.
We leave behind tropic storms and earthquakes in August and move into milder temperatures in September and we hope you will take this opportunity to support us in our efforts!
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SPECIAL EVENT IN ALASKA
WORKSHOP & SCREENING - SAMURAI ACTION
Free To Attend RSVP Required
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Friday, September 15, 2023
Workshop: 4:00 - 5:00PM
Movie: 5:20 - 7:00PM
University of Alaska Anchorage
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Workshop: 4:00 - 5:00PM
Movie: 5:20 - 7:00PM
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We're taking one of our most popular events to Alaska with stops in Fairbanks and Anchorage!
Locals and students from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and Anchorage will have the chance to take part in the kinds of sword fight performances only seen in samurai movies! The Japanese acting group, “Burai,” will teach participants sword handling, sword fighting, and how to speak like a samurai.
After this action-packed 60-minute workshop, enjoy the comedy movie "Samurai Cat" (2014) about a samurai who used to be a feared swordsman, saving an adorable white cat. Join us and unleash your inner samurai!
*Workshop participants will be provided with a paper “sword”, and instruction will be given in English. This is an event for the entire family to enjoy! (Under 18 years old should be accompanied by an adult.)
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CONVERSATION & MOVIE
TEA TIME & MOVIE SCREENING "OKKO'S INN"
Saturday, September 9th 1:00 ~ 4:30PM
Free To Attend RSVP Required
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Our popular Japanese conversation event "Tea Time" is coming back to the Japan Foundation! Let's get together and enjoy talking with native Japanese speakers. All levels and all ages are welcome! Japanese language experience is not necessary - this event is open to everyone. We are excited to meet all of you!
About the Film:
After losing her parents in a car accident, Okko goes to live in the countryside with her grandmother, who runs a traditional Japanese inn built on top of an ancient spring said to have healing waters. While she goes about her chores and prepares to become the inn’s next caretaker, Okko discovers there are spirits who live there that only she can see – not scary ones, but welcoming ghosts who keep her company, play games and help her navigate her new environment.
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JAPANESE CLASS STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 6 |
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ART EXHIBITION
EXPRESSIONS OF LIFE:
THE WORLD OF SELF-TAUGHT ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES
September 26th to December 16th 2023
Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00PM–6:00PM
Closed: Sundays and Holidays (10/7, 10/9, 11/10, 11/11, 11/23, 11/24)
Venue: JFLA
-Admission Free
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In commemorating the 40th anniversary of its operation, the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles proudly presents the art exhibition titled Expression of Life: The World of Self-Taught Artists with Disabilities. This exhibition features over 35 vibrant artworks from Katayama Studio's collection. It is one of the earliest art studios in Japan dedicated to supporting self-expression and art activities for individuals with disabilities. The studio has been doing so for two decades.
Featuring 12 artists' work, ranging from calligraphy to oil painting, we hope these free-flowing and lively art pieces will convey diverse perspectives on creativity and life.
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Jolteon (Detail), 2022 | Taiichiro Yoshida | Photo by Taku Saiki |
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LOCAL PARTNER EXHIBITION
POKÉMON X KOGEI |
Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft
Now on View until January 7, 2024
Hours Mon-Fri 11:00AM–7:00PM, Sat–Sun 11:00AM–8:00PM
-Admission Free
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Playful images of Pikachu, Rowlet, Litten and Popplio stencil-dyed onto silk cloth, a Charizard integrated into a large ceramic jar and a dazzling Jolteon sculpted from individual pieces of gold-and silver-plated copper hammered into the shape of lightning bolts. This exhibition brings together two of Japan’s most celebrated contributions to world culture – beloved characters from one of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises and craft that has evolved and been refined over centuries.
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WEEKLY ONLINE STREAMING
DOORS TO ARTS OF JAPAN
Introductory Message by Meher McArthur
New Video Every Wednesday @12:30 PT
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The portal site “Doors to Arts of Japan”, hosted by the Japan Foundation, compiles many videos with concise explanations regarding various forms of Japanese art and culture such as painting, ceramics, dolls, sushi and manga. L.A.-based Asian art historian Meher McArthur will introduce the videos one by one, adding insightful commentary from her own professional perspective.
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There are a variety of settings in which Japanese language for children with Japanese backgrounds (Japanese Heritage Learners) is taught and learned in the United States. These children may live in areas with little access to Japanese-language classes, much less ones with curricula tailored to their unique experiences and skillsets.
To help serve their needs, JFLA has launched keishonihongo.org, an online platform for parents and teachers of Japanese heritage language learners.
Keisho Nihongo pools from the knowledge of The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, and the Keisho Nihongo Special Advisory Committee, consisting of three experts in the field of Japanese heritage language education. The site includes a nationwide map of heritage language programs, in addition to a curated list of educational materials and resources for teachers and guardians. There is also a community forum and a page highlighting exemplary heritage language programs.
Keisho Nihongo is available in both English and Japanese, so please visit today!
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General Invitation to Join JF USA Digital Library |
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Our digital library system in coordination with our New York and Toronto office is still going strong and we recently added more volume to popular books so there is less of a wait time. We have also been incrementally adding new books as well so make sure to signup for an account below and also let your friends know about this free service.
Starting in 2023, we will be sending out updates once a week on Wednesdays by 6:30PM pacific time. If you register and do not receive a welcome email from us within a Wednesday of registering, please contact us so we can help you out. We hope you will enjoy this service from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles!
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2023-2024 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! |
Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Events for Learners
Japanese Language Learners Event Grant
(Examples: Speech Contest, Quiz Contest, Japan-themed Festival for Learners, etc.)
Deadlines: September 1, 2023
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Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for Teachers
Japanese-Language Education Project Grant
(Examples: Conferences/Seminars/Workshops for Teachers, Teaching Material Development, Research Projects, etc.)
Deadline: 2 months before the project start date
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Grants for Individual Japanese Language Programs
Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant
Deadlines: September 15, 2023
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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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Japanese Language Education Update 117 |
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We have a few changes here in our Japanese language team beginning with the departure of Advocacy Coordinator Ian Ostoya, who left at the beginning of August. The rest of the team are all working together to fulfill our grants as well as organize our advocacy projects until we can welcome a new team member.
The last of our grants ends this month so make sure you turn in your paperwork if you are interested in applying. We also reorganized our give away goods including posters so if you haven't ordered any from us in the past year, you can do so at the following link. Posters do not count towards your limit so if you are interested in just receiving posters, you can do that as well.
And last, but not least, our Headquarters has updated the links to some of our many online resources so make sure you check them out below:
Marugoto Site・まるごとサイト
Marugoto Site is a website offering supplementary materials for the Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture textbook series.
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Minna no Kyouzai Site・みんなの教材サイト
Minna no Kyozai is a free, members-only website to help Japanese-language teachers around the world create teaching materials for their students.
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Minna no Can-do Site・みんなのCan-doサイト
Minna no Can-do Site is a website where users can search for CEFR Can-dos and JF Can-do as well as create their own Can-do statements.
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JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education・JF日本語教育スタンダード
Focusing on what learners “Can-do” in Japanese, the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education has been developed in order to be practically useful in different educational contexts around the world.
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The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles |
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