All cats are magical, but the cats of Japan have secrets of their own. If they live long enough, their tails split, they stand on their hind legs, and they start to dance. Bakeneko, nekomata, kasha, nekomusume, and even the ubiquitous “lucky cat” called the maneki neko—come learn some of the secrets of Japan's magic cats from Zack Davisson, yokai scholar and author of "Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan".
Japan and Korea are neighboring countries that share many similarities and contrasts in customs and language. In this lecture, by sampling from various Korean and Japanese video clips, we will explore some unique aspects of the two cultures, especially as it connects to how people communicate with one another. This lecture is for everyone--regardless of your previous knowledge of either country's language. All are welcomed to explore the two cultures with us!
We interviewed five individuals who have learned Japanese to varying degrees at different points in their lives for a variety of reasons. This has led them to meet amazing friends, explore new career paths, and see the world from new perspectives. For the interviewees, Japanese will continue to be a part of their lives. We hope these videos will encourage you to consider learning Japanese, too!
COLORFUL: A Conversation with Eto Mori and Julie Lythcott-Haims
Click Here to Watch
In collaboration with Counterpoint Press, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles invites you to listen to internationally-acclaimed author Eto Mori discussing her bestselling book, Colorful, which is now available in English! Joined by New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims, the authors discuss not just their crafts and writing practices, but also the tragedy of depression and suicide amongst youths.
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 (www.facebook.com/JFLALC). Achieve the unity of body and spirit!
Click here to contact us with any questions or to inform us of your intention to apply to one of these programs.
Whether at work or at home, let's refresh yourself for 15 minutes on your lunchtime together with us! Meditation with Japanese Singing Bowl will be offered via JFLA Facebook LIVE!
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 (www.facebook.com/JFLALC).
Whether at work or at home, let's refresh yourself for 15 minutes on your lunchtime together with us! Bilingual Yoga will be offered via JFLA Facebook LIVE!
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).
There will be one session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JFLALC).
Fiscal Year 2021-22
Japanese Language Learners Event Grant
Deadlines: 3/1, 9/1/2021
Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant
Deadlines: 3/15, 9/15/2021
Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese Language Courses
Deadline: 4/10/2021
Japanese Language Education Project Grant
Deadline: Two months prior to the project start date
The Japan Foundation (JF) has started the project “STAGE BEYOND BORDERS—Selection of Japanese Performances,” which presents outstanding Japanese stage performances online for people throughout the world who are seeking opportunities to enjoy Japanese stage performances amid the spread of COVID-19.
Performing arts is one of the earliest forms of entertainment that through strangers and various environments stirs the imagination about ongoing stories and provides hopes and hints about the real world. The Japan Foundation’s online project “STAGE BEYOND BORDERS—Selection of Japanese Performances” is expected to encourage hope for all people who enjoy performing arts by presenting outstanding Japanese stage performances beyond borders in multiple languages. The Japan Foundation hopes to cultivate new fan bases for performing arts and also approach theater professionals in order to hold performances at overseas theaters once interactions among people are allowed to resume.
Please visit the following website for upcoming performances: https://stagebb.jpf.go.jp
Select DETAILS below to see past performances!
Thank you to all of the amazing artists who made Music Mondays possible! We offered this virtual live concert series during lunch time every Monday from April 2020 to May 2021 via JFLA Facebook LIVE. From traditional Japanese music to contemporary Jazz to J-Pop, over 80 talented performers from the U.S. and Japan contributed this program by playing their repertoire dedicated specially to you.
And thank you to all of you who viewed Music Mondays. We hope we were able to cheer you up over the past year. You can still view the performances anytime with the playlist. Please enjoy!