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An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of November 2025! |
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With the end of Halloween comes the final week of our travelling exhibition Yokai Parade, featuring the mysterious and supernatural creatures of Japanese folklore. Don’t miss your last chance to experience these captivating monsters before the exhibition closes! Later this month, we will open our next exhibition, Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculptures, celebrating the artistry and creativity behind everyday packaging. The opening will be followed by a hands-on workshop for visitors to explore the craft firsthand. Throughout the month, we’ll also be hosting a book release, a series of lectures and demonstrations, and an online talk covering a diverse range of topics, from Japanese art and sculptures during the Asuka period to woodblock printing and even onigiri! Plus, the JFF Theater has just released a new selection of on-demand films, perfect for your next movie night. Applications are now open for our programs supporting Japanese language and culture, with deadlines on December 1. Opportunities include:
We invite you to apply for these enriching opportunities and join us for our upcoming events throughout the month to further explore and celebrate Japanese language and culture. One quick note: We've noticed that Google Maps has been incorrectly marking our location. Please make sure your search directs you to Mid-Wilshire, between Masselin and S Curson Ave. The entrance is located on Courtyard Place. You can find a map and street view of our building below for easy reference.
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TRAVELING EXHIBITION This exhibition introduces Japan’s Yokai culture that has been depicted in picture scrolls and Nishiki e (“brocade picture,” a type of Japanese multi colored woodblock print) since ancient times. Presenting the way in which the image of Yokai came to change from a subject of fear to a more charming and friendly presence along with transitions in media from picture scrolls to Nishiki e, books and toys which would gradually become familiar to the masses, the exhibition showcases the charm of Yokai culture that continues to live within people’s imagination until the present day. Curated by Yumoto Koichi Director Emeritus of the Yumoto Koichi Memorial JAPAN YOKAI MUSEUM (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum) |
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BOOK LAUNCH & TALK We are excited to celebrate the release of A Japanese Art Journey, a deeply personal memoir by renowned Japanese art historian and curator Meher McArthur, published by Tuttle Books. Through vivid storytelling, McArthur takes readers on a journey from her multicultural upbringing to her life-changing time in Japan and decades-long career curating Japanese art. From delicate paper dolls and woodblock prints to whimsical polka dot pumpkins, this memoir reveals the rich and unexpected world of Japanese art. More than a book about art, it is a story of identity, transformation, and the power of culture to illuminate one’s place in the world. At this event, author Meher McArthur will present a slide talk about her life and career as a curator of Japanese art and read excerpts from the memoir. Her talk will be followed by a Q&A session and a book signing. We’ll also be serving sake and snacks, and offering raffle prizes, including a signed book, an artwork, and something cute from Japan! Copies of the book may be purchased during the event from on-site vendor Chevalier's Books. Books purchased on site will be signed by the author. |
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IN-PERSON LECTURE SERIES he ingenuity and creativity of the people living in pre-Buddhism Japan can be seen in their surviving pottery and metalwork. From the enigmatic dogū to the dynamic haniwa, early Japanese aesthetics quickly developed alongside its civilization. Then, Buddhism entered the archipelago in the sixth century CE, bringing with it a new tradition of sculpture that would invigorate sculpture-making in Japan. This is the first session of six monthly classroom-style lectures that trace the historical development of sculpture in Japan. These lively conversations explore Japanese sculptures from various time periods and mediums through in-depth explanations about how and why they were made. Participants will also encounter obscure topics related to sculpture-making in Japan. |
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DEMONSTRATION & WORKSHOP Paul Binnie will demonstrate to the audience the techniques of traditional and contemporary woodblock printmaking, which he has been practicing for over 30 years. He lived in Japan for almost 6 years in the 1990s apprenticed to a professional printmaker and learning carving and printing techniques which have been used from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries onwards. Guests to this event are also invited to join a gallery tour of the exhibition Deep Cuts: Block Printing Across Cultures at LACMA, led by curator Erin Maynes with commentary on Japanese woodblock prints by Hollis Goodall. To participate in the tour, meet at the Urban Lights installation at 4:45PM. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the museum. The walkthrough will end at 6PM and check-in for the lecture and demonstration at JFLA will open at 6:45PM. |
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ONLINE LECTURE We are excited to team up with TABLE FOR TWO USA (TFT) once again to support their 11th annual Onigiri Action campaign, an autumn social good initiative that connects the simple act of taking a photo with helping to feed schoolchildren in need. Every photo of an onigiri (Japanese rice ball) posted to the campaign website or on social media with #OnigiriAction between October 7 and November 15, 2025, helps provide five school meals to children in need around the world. As part of this initiative, we are pleased to invite you to an online lecture by Dr. Gavin H. Whitelaw, sociocultural anthropologist and Executive Director of Harvard’s Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies. Drawing on his research and firsthand experiences in Japan, Dr. Whitelaw will discuss how the onigiri, a staple of Japanese convenience stores (konbini), reflects the country’s evolving social and cultural landscape. His talk will also examine the globalization of Japanese cuisine, as well as the challenges and tensions embodied in Japan’s most iconic fast food. Debra Samuels from TFT USA will be demonstrating making onigiri at the end of the program. |
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ART EXHIBITION Opening Reception The exhibition showcases “Package Craft,” a creative form of papercraft that transforms empty boxes into 3D figures such as heroes, animals and Buddhist statues. Each piece follows strict rules: only one box can be used per work, all materials must be used with minimal waste, and all printed text must remain readable, even if letters are separated. This innovative craft highlights the beauty and potential of everyday packaging. Visitors can enjoy not only the final pieces but also the original blueprints and animated videos featuring the crafted characters. The exhibition is rich in creativity and encourages a playful, eco-friendly approach to artmaking. Additionally, the exhibition presents Project-Katagamika, which reinterprets classical Japanese art forms, such as ukiyo-e and family crests, by deconstructing and reconstructing them into innovative visual expressions. Overall, the show celebrates sustainability, design, and creativity, inviting viewers to perceive discarded materials in a completely new light. At the opening of the exhibition, visitors can enjoy a talk and a demonstration by Kazuma Takahashi from Japan, along with Japanese treats and freshly brewed coffee. |
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WORKSHOP A single empty box can transform into a 3D hero or animal! Package Craft is a type of paper craft that utilizes the design of an empty box to create imaginative artworks. There are four rules for making a piece: The art exhibition Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture opens on November 22, offering a playful exploration of the creative potential of a single box. In conjunction with the show, a workshop will be held using empty boxes from popular American snacks, Sour Patch and Swedish Fish*. It may seem simple, but it is surprisingly challenging. Bring your family or friends and give it a try! |
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TEACHER PROGRAM The application period for the J-LEAP Lead Teacher (LT) program beginning in July/August 2026 is now open! The Laurasian Institution is currently accepting Lead Teacher/Host Site applications. Interested in learning more? Hear directly from current Lead Teachers (LTs) and Assistant Teachers (ATs) about their experiences with this immersive teacher dispatch program and get your questions answered. Please share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested! In the coming months, we will showcase the experiences of two new J-LEAP participants starting with Aki Kinjo at Aina Haina Elementary School in Honolulu, HI, and Asuka Kato at Stevenson School in Monterey, CA. Click the links above to read their stories! |
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ON DEMAND Starting October 31, Japanese films featuring actors who have appeared at past Tokyo International Film Festival events will be available to stream for free on JFF Theater. The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival is now underway! Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy them!
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GRANTS The Japan Foundation invites individuals and organizations that are planning international exchange projects and activities to participate in programs of the Japan Foundation. Please read the Program Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026) outline the full array of the Japan Foundation's applicable programs.
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TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR JAPANESE-LANGUAGE TEACHERS The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa organizes training programs on Basic Training, Japanese Language, and Comprehensive Japanese Teaching Methods Program for Japanese-language teachers outside of Japan. Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), December 1st, 2025 Japanese Language Program for Specialists 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. Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), December 1st, 2025 Exhibitions Abroad Support Program 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. Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), December 1st, 2025 Support Program for Translation and Publication This program is designed to provide partial financial support for overseas publishers intending to translate and publish works originally written in Japanese. The program aims to foster better understanding of Japanese culture by encouraging overseas publishers to translate and publish Japanese works. The grant covers part of the translation and publishing costs (e.g., costs for paper, typesetting, platemaking, printing, and binding) Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), December 1st, 2025 Ishibashi Foundation/Japan Foundation Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art 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. Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), December 1st, 2025
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My Keisho Nihongo, Your Keisho Nihongo Interview Series Being a Keisho Nihongo/Japanese-as-a-Heritage-Language (JHL) learner, as opposed to a Japanese-as-a-Foreign Language (JFL) learner, can carry with it a set of unique challenges when there is a lack of local access to specialized education and community. Bicultural identity, especially in countries rich in diversity like the U.S., can factor into these learners' language acquisition and can be difficult for them to navigate. In this interview series, we talk with Keisho Nihongo learners about the personal challenges they faced and what helped them overcome those challenges. We hope that the advice, perspectives, and unique stories offered in these interviews will help and motivate other Keisho Nihongo learners throughout the U.S. Yuuka Itoh: https://youtu.be/L-Qr5rjoXzw
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General Invitation to Join JF USA Digital Library We recently renewed and added many new books in coordination with our New York and Toronto offices for our patrons in the US and Canada. There have also been an uptick in the number of applicants as well, which shows that this is a very popular service. We have also updated the application survey and the confirmation emails are still going out once a week on Wednesdays by 6:00PM 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. |
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2025-2026 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for Teachers Advocacy Support Letter Click Here to contact us and select Anything Related to Japanese Education. |
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Japanese Language Education Update 142
Last month, we successfully hosted our Leadership Workshop in Los Angeles in collaboration with AATJ. Despite travel delays, teachers from across the country gathered to exchange ideas, network, and collaborate on strategies to strengthen the future of Japanese-language education. Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce our 2026 fiscal year training programs in Japan, open to both researchers seeking to enhance their language proficiency and teachers looking for renewed inspiration to bring back to their classrooms. Applications are now open through our Online Portal, be sure to apply by December 1 or share the opportunity with colleagues who may be interested. Later this month, our Japanese-language education team will travel to New Orleans from November 21–23, just before Thanksgiving, to meet with educators from across the country. Visit our booth #1326 to learn more about our programs, connect with our team, and pick up some fun giveaways! For educators in Keisho Nihongo Programs, we’re excited to launch our support initiatives this month! We’re offering three opportunities: Book Donations, Event Support, and Project Grants.
To learn more and apply, Click Here! |
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5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
