 |
|
|
An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of December 2025! |
|
|
As December unfolds, we are welcoming the holiday season with the debut of our new exhibition, Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture, now on view in our office. This exhibition explores the surprising creativity behind transforming everyday cardboard packaging into imaginative sculptural works. Photographs alone can’t capture the charm and detail of these pieces, we encourage you to see them in person. In connection with the exhibition, we will also be hosting a meditation event to offer a moment of calm amid the year-end bustle. In the second installment of our lecture series Conversation on Japanese Art will cover the Nara Period. Later this month, we will present a special lecture on kimono by Sueko Oshimoto of Kimono SK, who will share her expertise on the role of kimono design in the film industry. Additionally, we are bringing back our online lecture Yokai Architecture, inspired by our previous exhibition and still a favorite among participants. 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.
|
|
 |
ART EXHIBITION 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.
|
|
|
IN-PERSON LECTURE SERIES
During the eighth century in Japan, Buddhism gained favor among the imperial and aristocratic households. Many projects were undertaken that coincided with the newly introduced schools of Buddhist thought, including a monumental icon at Todaiji. Surviving images reveal the diverse materials used for sculptures in the Nara period, how they were constructed, and who was responsible for their production. This is the second 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.
|
 |
LECTURE & DEMONSTRATION
Exploring the artistry and innovation of Sueko Oshimoto, a master of Japanese costume design bridging cultures through film and fashion! The kimono, Japan’s traditional national attire, continues to embody beauty, delicacy, and deep cultural significance even in modern times. Over its long history, it has evolved while preserving its timeless elegance and artistry. In this event, we welcome Sueko Oshimoto, a Los Angeles– and Japan-based costume designer who bridges tradition and innovation through her work. Renowned for her contributions to Hollywood productions such as Shogun and international fashion magazines like VOGUE, Sueko continues to redefine how the kimono is represented in contemporary entertainment. She will share insights into the role of kimono design in the film industry, behind-the-scenes stories from actual productions, and present a live kimono costume demonstration for the audience.
|
|
|
WELLNESS
Refresh and recharge with a sound bath! The singing bowl used for this program harmoniously combines the healing qualities of both the Tibetan singing bowl and the Japanese traditional singing bowl. Choose a space near your favorite artwork in the exhibition"Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture", relax and feel your stress dissipate into thin air as the sounds of the singing bowl lead you into a meditative state. There is no admission fee, but a reservation is required. We will provide a chair and small cushion for you to sit on, but you are welcome to bring your own cushion or yoga mat.
|
|
|
NEW DATE - ONLINE LECTURE
Architect Naoyuki Kunikiyo, a senior designer at Sou Fujimoto Architects who led the overall masterplan design of the EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, will deliver this lecture on architecture that transcends human presence through the lens of yokai—the supernatural monsters that have long been intertwined with everyday life in Japan. In his graduate research, Kunikiyo not only explored the architectural spaces where yokai might dwell, but also designed the yokai themselves. Since yokai are believed to emerge from places of mystery, they remain inseparable from architectural space. While many have been passed down in stories since before the Edo period, Kunikiyo imagines that they still persist in our contemporary cities. Walking through Tokyo, he reinterpreted their names, forms, and legends, envisioning new architectures where they might continue to exist.
|
|
|
TEACHER PROGRAM The application period for the J-LEAP Lead Teacher (LT) program beginning in July/August 2026 is due today, December 1st! The Laurasian Institution is currently accepting Lead Teacher/Host Site applications. This month, we would like to welcome Koharu Shibuya at Harding Senior High School in Sant Paul, MN and Riho Wakabayashi at Lockport Township High School in Lockport, IL. Click the links above to read their stories!
|
|
|
ON DEMAND Here’s a ranking of this month’s most-watched titles! Check out the top-ranked films and more standout picks. Be sure to add them to your weekend watchlist. Top 3 Films by views 1. “BENTO HARASSMENT” (2019) 2. “Restaurant From The Sky” (2019) 3. “No Longer Heroine” (2015) (Statistical period: Nov. 1-19, 2025) |
|
|
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles invites students in grades 1–12, both across Los Angeles County and nationwide, to take part in My LA Pictogram, a unique design initiative inspired by Japan’s rich tradition of pictogram design projects, from the iconic symbols of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to the emojis used every day. Students are encouraged to capture what makes Los Angeles special, whether through their own experiences or memories from a visit, by creating a simple, powerful symbol that tells a story at a glance. Selected designs will be refined by top graphic designers at the Nippon Design Center in Japan and showcased in a special exhibition at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, opening in February 2026. By participating in My LA Pictogram, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the power of design in communication but also have the thrilling opportunity to see their ideas come to life on a professional stage. Families, schools, and communities are invited to join in celebrating the creativity, imagination, and diversity of Los Angeles through this inspiring and exciting program. |
 |
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.
|
|
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
|
|
 |
|
|
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
|
|
 |
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. |
 |
|
|
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. |
|
Japanese Language Education Update 143
We were excited to take part in last month’s ACTFL conference in New Orleans, where we had the opportunity to meet Japanese language teachers from across the country. Our sincere thanks go to AATJ for organizing the general session, to all the teachers who delivered such thoughtful and inspiring presentations, and to everyone who visited our booth. As December arrives, featuring the final chapter in the trio of U.S. holiday months, we reach the one-third mark in the current academic year. We hope this season offers you a well-earned chance to pause, reset, and gather momentum for the new year ahead. A reminder that applications for our training programs are due today, December 1st; if you plan to apply, please be sure to submit your materials through the portal before the deadline. We’re also hard at work on a special program designed specifically for non-native teachers of Japanese in the US. Details will be coming soon, so stay tuned if you’re interested in professional development opportunities in Japan this summer. 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! |
|
5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
