Awa-Hop is a dance performance show double-featuring the twin street dance unit from Japan, Hilty & Bosch and the Awaodori Entertainment Troupe, TAKARABUNE. Hilty & Bosch's phenomeral dance performances have astonished not only Japanese dancers but also dancers around the world. On YouTube, their videos have had over 35 million views, further increasing their popularity internationally. TAKARABUNE pushes the limits of Awaodori, a 400 year-old traditional art form. TAKARABUNE’s signature dance style is so aggressive and vigorous that it has been characterized as ‘dance beyond awaodori’.
When Takuma Kamine first encountered the images of Buddhist guardian deities as a child, he was filled with awe and fear. As a working artist now, Kamine has crystallized those initial emotions into figures which borrow elements from Japanese animation and comics. The exhibition will feature a selection of Kamine’s sculptures including representations of the Five Great Wisdom Kings (J: Godai Myo-o) and of his drawings which include the Five and add three more to round out the Eight Great Wisdom Kings (J: Hachidai Myo-o) grouping.
Are you an anime or Japanese drama fan? Have you ever wanted to try speaking the Japanese lines from actual scenes from the movies? What techniques have professional Japanese voice actors used to bring out the rich emotion and personality in their on-screen characters?
Professionals will give you the chance to challenge yourself in the world of voice-acting using scenes from popular anime and drama and recording tools. They will also tell you about the actual process of voice-acting and provide a comparative look between Japanese and American industries. Be a voice-actor in Japanese!
*This workshop is targeted for Japanese language learners.
Our popular Tea Time event is coming back again! 70-100 people get together and you will enjoy Japanese snacks and tea while you chat with native Japanese speakers. All levels welcome! Japanese language experience is not necessary-this event is open to everyone, ages 18 and up.
Isle of Dogs
(101mins, 2018)
Directed by Wes Anderson
*Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject to capacity. Please arrive early for best seating.
In this stop-motion-animated film from writer/director Wes Anderson, Isle of Dogs tells the story of ATARI KOBAYASHI, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies to Trash Island in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots.
MIRAI
(98mins, 2018)
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda
*Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject to capacity. Please arrive early for best seating.
2019 Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Film, 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.
The Buddhist practice of Shabutsu, transcribing Buddha is a means of spreading the Buddha Way among people through transcribing. It is also a way of praying for the fulfillment of one’s greatest wish. This workshop instructed by Rev. Shumyo Kojima from Zenshuji Soto Mission, Los Angeles doesn't require previous experience. All materials for Shabutsu includes the Myo-o drawings by artist Takuma Kamine from the current exhibition "Myo-o in the Shell".
Liz And The Blue Bird
(90mins, 2018)
Directed by Naoko Yamada
*Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject to capacity. Please arrive early for best seating.
Students and best friends Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki prepare to play a complex musical duet, "Liz and the Blue Bird," for oboe and flute. Though they play beautifully together and have been friends since childhood, Mizore and Nozomi find that with graduation looming and the duet proving difficult, their friendship begins to buckle under the pressure.
In this lecture, the members of Takarabune will share their life stories, their original inspiration behind becoming the first professional Awa-Odori dancers, how they maintain the delicate balance of keeping the tradition while breaking out of it, and most importantly, how they envision changing the world as ‘Dancing Mavericks.’ Toward the end of the lecture, the audience will be taught by the troupe how to move like mavericks and have crazy fun!
Japanese Language Learners Event Grant
Deadlines: 3/1/2019, 9/1/2019
Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant
Deadlines: 3/15/2019, 9/15/2019
Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese Language Courses
Deadline: 4/10/2019
Japanese Language Education Project Grant
Deadline: Two months prior to the project start date
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States of America (USA).
With over 108,000 students learning Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin,
Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and American Sign Language in 351 schools. Together with
the Consulate General of Japan, in Chicago, we are looking to expand our Japanese Language Program.
