The Shikishi of laughing boars was drawn by Kevin Brechner of Pasadena.

   As the annual New Year event of Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angles, the Shikishi card exhibition runs from Jan. 1 through Jan. 28 at the Doizaki Galley in the JACCC Building in Little Tokyo. Admission free.

   The Shikishi exhibition features works from all walks of life: from dignitaries on both sides of the Pacific to children, from Prime Ministers to teachers.  The only guideline imposed are the Hatsu-Warai (first laughter) theme and the use of ones' imagination.
    The Japanese Shikishi is a 12 x 10 inch card used traditionally as a canvas for paintings, poetry, and words of inspiration.  Today in Japan, a more common use for the Shikishi is as a canvas for collecting autographs and quotes from famous people.

Posted by culturalnews at 18:30 PST

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Masahiro Nitta

A Tsugaru shamisen concert will be held on Saturday, January 20 at the Sozenji Buddhist Temple in Montebello. The concert, funded by the Japan Foundation of Los Angeles. will feature leading Tsugaru shamisen artists from Japan and the U.S.

Performing from Japan will be King recording artist, Masahiro Nitta, one of the leading talents to emerge from this increasingly popular art form.  Nitta is a two-time champion of the national Tsugaru shamisen contest held annually in Japan. 

Accompanying Nitta on stage will be American Tsugaru shamisen players Kevin Kmetz and Mike Penny.  Both Kmetz and Penny recently placed second and third respectively in the same annual competition held in Japan.  This was the first time any foreigner had placed so high in the competition.

These three musicians have been gaining recognition in Japan as well as in the United States for both their traditional as well as their newly cultivated styles of playing which implement musical techniques from a variety of world music styles.

The concert will also feature Japanese taiko drumming with Reverend Tom Kurai of the Taiko Center of Los Angeles.

The Tsugaru shamisen is a 3-stringed lute played with a large plectrum from the region known as Tsugaru in Aomori prefecture.  The Tsugaru style of shamisen is very percussive and has been incorporated in almost every type of music ranging from traditional folk to hard rock.

The concert begins at 7 pm at the Sozenji Buddhist Temple, located at 3020 W. Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA  90640.  General admission tickets are $10.00. 

For reservations, call:  (626) 307-3839.   

Posted by culturalnews at 16:59 PST

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Annul New Year’s celebration Kotohajime at Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles features the first arrow shooting by its Artistic Director Hirokazu Kosaka. Music and performance in a mix of modern and tradition accompany the arrow shooting ritual. (Photo courtesy of JACCC)

     The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles announces that Kotohajime, its original annual New Year performance and celebration, will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2007 from 1 p.m. on the JACCC Plaza.  The public is cordially invited to join the festivities.

     Hatsu Warai: First Laughter is the theme of this year’s celebration and is reflected in the original performance created by artist and JACCC Artistic Director Hirokazu Kosaka.

     “The closing of an old year and the beginning of a new one are viewed as a time of reflection and festivity,” explained Kosaka.  “The performance combines the traditional and the contemporary, and incorporates a cross-cultural juxtaposition apropos to Los Angeles, the new Silk Road.”

      The Kotohajime performance features Japanese dancer Midori Makino, flamenco guitarist Santiago Prechtel, koto ensemble Awaya-kai, Okinawan dance group Majikina Honryu and the Zen archery of Ikkyu.

    Following the Kotohajime performance, Kodama Taiko will perform and demonstrate the making of traditional rice cakes for the New Year. Other activities include a traditional kagami biraki (breaking of the sake barrel) and New Year toast, drop-in crafts for the kids, and New Year fortunes.

    The day also features a rare opportunity to learn how to make traditional and contemporary kites in the Doizaki Gallery from 1:30 pm.  Using Washi paper, members of the Drachen Foundation will lead a workshop that will teach gallery-goers their style of kite making.

    The workshop coincides with the “Washi to Wings” exhibition featuring the work of 30 different contemporary artists from the Drachen Foundation and the Shikishi Exhibition, a collection of more than 200 original and creative New Year greetings inspired by the Hatsu Warai: First Laughter theme.

     This event is made possible by funds from The Japan Foundation and the Drachen Foundation.  JACCC programs are made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

    The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is located at 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 628-2725, www.jaccc.org.   

Posted by culturalnews at 23:03 PST

Updated: 12/22/06 23:06 PST

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LOS ANGELES.-The Japanese American National Museum will hold its annual Oshogatsu (New Year's) program with live performances and arts and crafts for children of all ages on Sunday, January 7, 2007, from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

"Oshogatsu: New Year's Day Family Festival" will be highlighted by a series of performances outdoors (weather permitting) that begins with the Kodama Taiko group presenting their mochitsuki program to commemorate the New Year at 11:15 a.m. The group pounds the steamed sweet rice while playing taiko. They will also perform again at 4:00 p.m.

Eth-Noh-Tec, a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary theater company that combines spoken word and precision choreography, will present various folktales and stories of ancient Asian mythologies at both 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. The subject matter is suitable for kids of all ages.

At 3:00 p.m., a family concert will be performed by Samba at Saticoy, an after school volunteer children's ensemble. The group, directed by Lee Corbin, is based at the Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood and highlights spirited rhythms from Brazil.

From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., several arts and crafts activities will be available to all visitors. The creation of bird pins, a craft practiced by Japanese American confined in domestic concentration camps during World War II, will be taught using a variety of materials. Also, participants can learn how to make a daruma puppet. A daruma is a good luck charm in Japan often used when someone has a wish. The wisher will draw one eye for the daruma and if the wish comes true, fill in the other eye.

Museum staff and volunteers will also teach origami to visitors. Ori means to fold and kami is the Japanese word for paper. A variety of objects made out of folded paper will be available to anyone who wishes to learn. Finally, the traveling exhibition, Ansel Adams in Manzanar, is installed at the Japanese American National Museum until February 18, 2007. Visitors can have a Polaroid taken with friends and family to create a special mural for the New Year.

Oshogatsu (the New Year) is the most important occasion in Japanese culture. Much preparation is done beforehand, including a thorough cleaning of homes, the paying of debts and the completion of tasks or projects. The New Year marks a number of firsts for each individual and their families, including first meals, often eating food related to good health, and first visits to their temples. Individuals also make resolutions for the coming year. Traditionally, the National Museum has marked the New Year with arts and crafts and performances on the first Sunday of the year following New Year's Day.

This program is sponsored, in part, by the James Irvine Foundation and the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. For more information, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414 or go to www.janm.org.

Posted by culturalnews at 22:59 PST

Updated: 12/22/06 23:02 PST

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A very colorful New Year’s Day (Oshogatsu) celebration in Little Tokyo will be sponsored by Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California. (Photo courtesy of JCCSC)

    A very colorful New Year’s Day (Oshogatsu) celebration is coming to Little Tokyo very soon. Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California has sponsored the 2007 New Year’s Day event on Monday, Jan. 1, 2007 in Little Tokyo, in conjunction with the similar festival events also held at the Hotel New Otani and Japanese Village Plaza.

    Dubbed as “Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo,” the New Year’s Day events will take place at Weller Court Shopping Center at the corner of Second and San Pedro Streets in Little Tokyo. Admission free.

The celebration starts at 10:50 a.m. with the powerful beating of taiko drums by Hikari Taiko Group, followed by lion dance, Japanese calligraphy demonstration by Mme. Hiroko Ikuta, koto performance by Mme. Yoko Awaya, and mochi-give away by Nisei Week Queen and her courts and L.A. Kimono Club on the Weller Court stage.

Also planned for presentation are the Samurai Action Show which is very popular to children and the demonstrations of martial arts such as Swordsmanship, Kendo and Shorinji Kempo.

Cheerful Awa dance will be performed by Awa Aika Ren and traditional folk songs and dance will be showed by Matsutoyo Kai. Well Court stage programs will end at 3 p.m. Japanese sweets will be given to 200 children as first come first serve basis.

Tables will be set up to teach children and adults the Japanese arts of paper-folding, kite-making and other cultural handicrafts. Mochitsuki – pounding of sweet rice will take place during the stage hours.

    The day’s event will conclude with the opportunity drawing of many prizes including a grand prize roundtrip economy class ticket to Japan.

   The New Year’s Day event in Little Tokyo will give Japanese children and Americans an excellent opportunity to experience the old-time New Year’s day traditions. For more information, call Japanese Chamber of Commerce at (213) 626-3067 or check www.jccsc.org.

    On New Year’s eve, the special gourmet Kaiseki dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Thousand Cranes Restaurant in the New Otani Hotel, Little Tokyo. Long Life Noodles will be served from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the hotel’s Azalea Restaurant.

    On New Year’s Day, the New Otani Hotel will serve Osechi-Breakfast at Azalea from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free Toso Sake will be provided at Azalea from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

    At the Garden Level of the hotel, Osechi Buffet will be served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. New Year’s Day Food and Refreshment Corner will be set up at Azalea from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For reservation, call New Otani Hotel at (213) 629-1200.

    Various cultural demonstrations also will take place at the banquet floor of the New Otani Hotel from 12 –3 p.m. Open to public. Most of the events are free. Fee will occur in designated programs. Cultural exhibitions will include Origami paper craft, pottery, fabric, crafts and toys. Events will feature Children’s Karura-tori tournament, calligraphy demonstration by Rev. Kanshu Ikuta and Mme. Hiroko Ikuta and Rakugi comic storytelling by LA Yose Club. Kimono dressing service will be provided by Mme. Fumi Akutagawa. At lobby lounge of the hotel, tea ceremony will be served by Mme. Sosetsu Nishimura of Edo-Senke Fuhaku-kai. The New Otani Hotel is located at 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, www.newotani.com.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Buddhist services

  Koyasan Buddhist Temple (342 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012): Year end service at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31 and New Year’s Day prayer at 10 a.m.

  Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple (505 East Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013): Year end service at 6 p.m. and New Year’s Day prayer at 10 a.m.

  Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012): Year end service at 6 p.m. and New Year’s Day prayer at 10 a.m.

  Zenshuji Soto Mission (123 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 9012): Year end service at 4 p.m. and New Year’s Day prayer at 10 a.m.

  Nichiren Buddhist Temple (2801 East Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033): Year end service at 5 p.m. and New Year’s Day prayer at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

  Jodoshu North America Buddhist Mission (442 East Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013): Year end service at 3 p.m. and New Year’s Day prayer at 10 a.m.

Posted by culturalnews at 16:12 PST

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Stone appreciation: An ancient Asian art form of meditation (Courtesy of California Aiseki Kai)

By Larry Ragle

     “A room full of rocks might seem an unlikely place to find artistic inspiration or inner enlightenment.   If those rocks are viewing stones, however, the viewer will find all that and a great deal more.” Lisa Blackburn, Huntington Botanical Gardens and Library 

     Viewing stones are dense stones found in rivers, along the ocean shore or desert. While there are tens of thousands stones within ones visual scope at any moment, perhaps one stone has been eroded by natural circumstances, water or wind and sand, resulting in the shape of a miniature scene.

    These shapes may be suggestive of a landscape (suiseki) such as mountains, islands, waterfalls, coastal rocks or shelters or object (keisho seki) such as humans, animals, huts, boats or patterns (monyo seki) such as sun, moon, stars, rain, lightning, grass, bamboo and garden stones (newa ishi). 

    The collector may find that hidden masterpiece based, in part, on ones life experiences, familiarity of the shapes and styles of viewing stones, persistence and their mood at the moment.

    Experienced collectors believe that finding one such masterpiece during a year of searching is an achievement, since an ideal stone is a rarity. None-the-less, several masterpiece stones have been found by novice collectors on their first hunt. Two such stones are in the National Collection in Washington, DC.

     The Chinese, in their travels to Korea and Japan, are credited with introducing the art of stone appreciation while the Japanese modified and refined the art into its present standards. Penjing, an all inclusive term, applies to Chinese viewing stones and miniature trees, while suiseki (sui-water, seki-stone) describes the traditional Japanese art form of landscape stones. Although penjing and suiseki have a common origin, they have evolved into quite different forms and styles. The Korean term for viewing stones is soosuk (water stone).

     California Aiseki Kai, focusing on the Japanese tradition, will present its 17th Annual Viewing Stone Show of 150 or more outstanding examples, representing years of collecting by club members, for the most part in California, at The Huntington Botanical Gardens and Library in San Marino, Dec. 27 through Jan. 2, closed Jan 1, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day, in Friends’ Hall. Informative slide shows and docent tours. Go to www.aisekikai.com for further details.

    Larry Ragle is the founder of California Aiseki Kai.

Posted by culturalnews at 16:03 PST

Updated: 12/12/06 16:12 PST

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A scene from Ryusei performed in Matera, Italy in Sept. 2005. (Courtesy of Mme. Hisami Wakayagi)

     The Hanano-Kai, Japanese dance group led by Mme. Hisami Wakayagi, celebrates the end of the year with a celebratory performance of traditional Japanese dance featuring its teachers and students on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Doizaki Gallery, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Little Tokyo. Admission free. 

     Programs of the part one are: Sakura Kamuro, Tenaraiko, Gekizaru, Shiokumi, Tomoyakko, Mitsumen Komori, Kuramajishi, Haruno Shirabe, Suehirogari, and Kishino Yanagi.

   Prorams of the part two are: Sakura Sakura, Shinkanoko, Karigane, Kanjo, Ayameyukata, Ryusei, Toutojishi, Yuuzuki, Oharame, and Sukeroku.

   Japanese classical dance master Mme. Wakayagi of South Pasadena has been teaching in Southern California for near 30 years. As highlight of her recent achievements, Mme. Wakayagi held two days performance on March 2005 at 850-seat Aratani/Japan America Theatre as 25th anniversary.

    Mme. Wakayagi’s achievements are not limited in the U.S. or Japan.

Her dance group has become a regular member of a cultural delegation sent by Association of Daily Japanese Life and Culture in Tokyo. Her group was sent to Romania in 2004, Matera, Italy in September 2005, and Sydney, Australia in September 2006.  

Posted by culturalnews at 18:16 PST

Updated: 12/12/06 18:18 PST

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Friday, Nov. 17 – Sunday, Nov. 20

Friday, 7:30 – 10:00 PM  Geisha Gala Party: An Evening of Imperial Culture at Le Meridien Hotel, Garden Room, 465 South La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90048. Y&J Productions, 818-531-7662.

Saturday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM  Japan Expo at Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall-K. General Admission, $12. Japan Expo, 213-617-0868, www.japanexpo.org.

Saturday, 12:30 – 7:00 PM  Harmonic Concert, a joint performance by developmentally challenged individuals from Japan and America, at Heritage Forum, 201 East Broadway Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805. Admission Free. Kintetsu International Express (USA), 310-525-1670 ext. 279 Katie Conlon.

Saturday, 7:30 PM Choral Arts South Bay Concert at Torrance Community Church of the Nazarene, 700 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503. Shige Higashi, publisher of Cultural News, will sing various Japanese songs and Western Classic music. Admission Free.

Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM  Japan Expo at Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall-K. General Admission, $12. Japan Expo, 213-617-0868, www.japanexpo.org.

Sunday, 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM   Koi Auction at the Japanese Garden at California State University Long Beach. Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $4, Friends of the Japanese Garden Members $3, CSULB students free, Children 12 and under free. Auction begins at 12 noon. www.csulb.edu/~jgarden.

Friday – Thursday   World Premiere of Film: Hannari – Geisha Modern at Laemmle Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310- 274-6869
Fri, Nov. 17　     5:00pm      7:25pm        9:50pm
Sat, Nov. 18　   12:10pm     2:35pm        5:00pm    7:25pm    9:50pm
Sun, Nov. 19    12:10pm      2:35pm       5:00pm    7:25pm    9:50pm
Mon, Nov. 20　  5:00pm       7:25pm       9:50pm
Tue, Nov. 21　   5:00pm       7:25pm       9:50pm
Wed, Nov. 22　  5:00pm       7:25pm       9:50pm
Thur, Nov. 23 　 12:10pm     2:35pm       5:00pm    7:25pm    9:50pm

Posted by culturalnews at 15:44 PST

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Cultural News    October 2006

Descanso’s Japanese Garden (Courtesy of Descanso Gardens)

Rich autumn colors, traditional dance and music, a dazzling display of chrysanthemums and koi swimming in tranquil waters will set the mood for Descanso Gardens’ elegant Japanese Garden Festival Nov. 4 and 5 at La Cañada Flintridge near Los Angeles .

The weekend will be filled with music and art paying homage to the graceful, indelible mark Japanese-American culture has made to this area and, in particular, to Descanso Gardens.

Each day visitors will marvel at the beauty and variety of the traditional autumn flower, the chrysanthemum, during an exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Van de Kamp Hall.  Extraordinary flowers will be displayed and sold by the Descanso Chrysanthemum Society.

Also on both days, traditional tea services will be demonstrated by students and instructor from the Urasenki Tradition of Tea. The fee is $2 per person and first-come, first-served registration will begin at 9 a.m. each morning at the Minka in the Japanese Garden.  Indoor tea times will be at 10, 10:40 and 11:20 a.m. and at noon at the Minka. 

Unless rain falls, outdoor tea times will be at 10, 10:40 and 11:20 a.m.

In addition to the tea demonstrations, the Full Moon Tea House will offer a la carte service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  In addition, a sit-down, Full Moon Tea Service will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. for $16.50 per person.  Reservations for the sit-down tea service should be made in advance by calling (818) 790-3663.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, experts will focus the “Spotlight on Mums” at Magnolia Lawn, with tips and ideas on how to select, care for and grow these beautiful plants. And a special origami workshop, offered by members of the OSULA’s Japanese Language and Culture Program, will be presented from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Main Lawn.

The musical contrast between the power and grace of Japan will fill the Under the Oaks Theater during the weekend.

Stirring taiko drummers of Kishin Diako will perform at from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and will invite the audience to try a hand at drummimg and take photos from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday, costumed members of Madam Fujima Kansuma’s renowned Japanese dance troupe will take to the stage from 2 to 2:30 p.m. for a narrated performance of traditional dance. On both days non-traditional tea and cookies will be available at the Japanese Garden Teahouse.

Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the #2 and #210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $2 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger.  Fees for classes and programs include Gardens admission. For information call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.                                                   

Posted by culturalnews at 22:47 PST

Updated: 11/01/06 22:50 PST

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After taking a year off in 2005, the Japanese Film Festival will be returning to Los Angeles this year. The Chanoma Film Festival 2006 will be showing 11 heart-warming Japanese films at West Hollywood’s Laemle’s Sunset 5 from Oct. 20 – 26.

The Chanoma Film Festival started in 2003-2004 with the goal of delivering better understanding of modern Japanese culture through realistic depiction of Japanese families.

Venue: Los Angeles - Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90046, (323) 848-3500.

What the Snow Brings (2005, 112min) US Premiere Director: Kichitaro Negishi. Cast: Yusuke Iseya, Koichi Sato, Kyoko Koizumi, Kazue Fukiishi, Tsutomu Yamazaki.  Swept 4 categories at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival (2005) including the Grand Prix.

When you've lost everything, is there a place you can go back to?

Manabu Yazaki, who had big dreams of success in Tokyo, loses his high-class lifestyle as well as his family and returns home to the Hokkaido heartland in midwinter.

There his elder brother Takeo manages a stable for "Banei horserace", a sleigh-pulling race unique to Hokkaido. Their long overdue reunion exposes the gap between them even more. Takeo does not let his brother meet their aging mother who is living in a nursing home.

However, while he watches Manabu interact with the sometimes quirky stable workers and the horses as they face the challenges of racing day in and day out, Takeo decides to have his brother meet their mother. Gradually the two men develop an understanding between them.

Miracle Banana

Screening Schedule

Friday, Oct. 20   12:00 p.m. School Wars: HERO (118min), 2:40 p.m. Stone Age (109min), 5:00 p.m. SHARA (100min), 7:20 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 9:30 p.m. River of First Love (113min).

Saturday, Oct. 21  12:00 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 2:20 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 4:20 p.m. HINOKIO (111min), 7:00 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min), 9:20 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min).

Sunday, Oct. 22  12:00 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min), 2:30 p.m. School Wars: HERO (118min), 5:00 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 7:10 p.m. River of First Love (113min), 9:40 p.m. SHARA (100min).

Monday, Oct. 23  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.1 (88min), 2:00 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 4:00 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 7:00 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min), 9:40 p.m. Stone Age (109min).

Tuesday, Oct. 24  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.2 (88min), 2:00 p.m. HINOKIO (111min), 4:30 p.m. SHARA (100min), 7:00 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min), 9:30 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min).

Wednesday, Oct. 25  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.3 (90min), 2:10 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 4:20 p.m. Stone Age (100min), 7:00 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 9:00 p.m. River of First Love (113min).

Thursday, Oct. 26  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.1 (88min), 2:00 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min), 4:40 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 7:00 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min), 9:20 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min).

Advance Tickets: $20.00 (Each ticket allows Admission for 4 people and a free special program guide. Programs will be handed at the theatre). Day of screening: General admission $10.00, Student $8.50, Children (12 and under) and Seniors (62 and over) $7.00, Matinee $7.00. Group discount: $3 per person for a group of more than eight people including at least one adult. For tickets, call (310) 676-7192.        www.chanomafilmfestival.org.

Posted by culturalnews at 18:01 PDT

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Fish (Part) Batik on Tai silk. One yard x one and half yards. (Photo by Miko)

Mandala Batik on Hemp. One yard x one and half yards. (Photo by Miko)

Peacock and Elephant Batik on Hemp. One yard x one and half yards. (Photo by Miko)

Veteran textile designer Setsuko Hayashi of Los Angeles will present a Hayashi Textile Design Class Exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Zenshuji Temple, 123 South Hewitt Street in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This event is open to the public and admission is free. Temple parking is available.

Hayashi teaches the class every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maryknoll Japanese Catholic Center on South Hewitt Street in Little Tokyo. In the October exhibition, 15 of her designs and 13 works of her students will be displayed. These will also be available for sale.

Born in Ichikawa city in Chiba prefecture, Hayashi graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design in Tokyo in 1953 and had been taught textile design and dyeing at Otsuka Textile Design School in Shinjuku, Tokyo since 1958. She traveled around the world to learn the traditional skills of textile design and dyeing.

In 1973, Hayashi moved to the U.S., settling in Cypress, California. She taught and created designs for textile design companies until 1993 when she moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, to create batik designs for affluent clients.

After four-and-a-half years in Jakarta, Hayashi returned to Los Angeles to continue teaching and design works for the local community. She occasionally teaches at Woodbury University in Burbank and Star Academy High School in Culver City.

Through her extensive research and work experience around the world, Hayashi has learned a technique which consists of traditional Japanese design and dyeing yuzen and Indonesian batik.

Hayashi explains that Japan’s yuzen uses a paste-resist method for dyeing textiles, and batik uses wax instead of paste. The other processes of the two traditional dyeing techniques are very similar.

For more information about Hayashi’s class and the exhibition on Oct. 28 and 29, call (213) 880-7725.

Posted by culturalnews at 17:53 PDT

Updated: 10/18/06 18:01 PDT

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The New Otani Hotel in Little Tokyo presents the Cultural Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 7. On the night of the full moon, the hotel provides the Moon Viewing Festival tea ceremony and the 1200-year-old Gagaku music by Kinnara Gagaku Kai of Los Angeles at Japanese Garden from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Garden admission is free.

Program: Gagaku Kangen – Gagaku orchestral music

Hyojo Mode　A mode associated with Autumn

Etenraku ( transcending-heaven-music):  The most familiar of all Gagaku pieces, this melody has become the basis for many Japanese folksongs and popular songs.  It has come to be used in recent times as processional music in weddings.

Bairo:  One of eight pieces of Rinyu music brought to Japan by Fat Triet  and Bodhisena in 736 AD.  Rinyu  was a kingdom in Southeast Asia centered around the city Hue in present-day Vietnam.  It is believed that it originally was a military piece.

Intermission

Introduction to Gagaku:  Introduction and demonstration of instruments.

Sojo Mode  A mode associated with Spring

Shukoshi  (wine-barbarian -person):  This piece is categorized as Ancient Music, that is music written before the T’ang Dynasty  in China, i.e., before 618 AD.  The piece was widely played in the T’ang Dynasty court as banquet music.

Konju (barbarian-drinking-wine):  Another of the eight Rinyu compositions brought from Southeast Asia.  The music and dance is said to depict a barbarian getting drunk on wine and dancing.

The New Otani Hotel and Garden is located at 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 253-9232.

Posted by culturalnews at 01:41 PDT

Updated: 10/18/06 17:58 PDT

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Celebrating 15 Years of Taiko

October 14, 2006   7:30pm

Occidental College, Thorne Hall

1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Photo: Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi

(Los Angeles, CA, October 14, 2006) – On October 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. taiko lovers, as well as world music enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to hear two of California’s most renowned taiko groups, Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi, as they celebrate 15 years of playing taiko at Taiko Festival XI.

The concert, which is to be held at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College campus, will treat the audience to an evening of diverse taiko performances featuring invited guest performers Jodaiko, Makoto Taiko and Yoki Daiko,  two world premieres, and Thunder, one of the largest drums in North America.

Master Etsuo Hongo, Artistic Director of the groups, says, “This concert will fuse the traditional rhythms and feelings of Japanese taiko with the contemporary styles of North American drumming. The groups’ training and intense focus has been on capturing the Japanese feeling and sound and transcending to a high-level of performance art.” 

For 15 years, Venice Koshin Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the rich sounds of the taiko drums. In high demand, they have performed for the premier of Microsoft’s XBOX 360, LA Marathon, Nickelodeon, Viper Room for Hunter S. Thompson, and the Auto Dealers Association.  Koshin means "bright spirit" and aptly describes the vigor and enthusiasm the group exhibits both on and off stage. Koshin Taiko, the only taiko group in the U.S. that exclusively plays the okedo-daiko (drums tightened by ropes), incorporates powerful sounds and distinctive movements with concentration, discipline, and harmony. Virginia Minami, who played the Taiko lead in a Mitsubishi commercial, is Associate Director of the group. She states, "We want our local audiences to appreciate this cultural treasure – its diversity, history, and spirituality.”

Under the guidance of Master Etsuo Hongo, Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi has been invited to perform at some of the largest taiko gatherings in the United States, including the International Taiko Festival and the North American Taiko Conference. The group, whose drums are made from oak wine barrels, has also performed at the U.S. Sumo Open, Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park, and local community events. Okida-Gumi, which includes children as young as nine, seeks to raise the level of intensity and enjoyment of taiko for themselves, as well as the audience, by striving for a high level of group unity.

With its roots in the folk tradition of Japan, the taiko drum has served many purposes: priests played it to chase evil spirits and insects from the rice fields while the samurai used its powerful beat to bolster their courage and to instill fear in the enemy. Villagers would play the taiko to pray for rain, enliven festivals, and give thanks for bountiful harvests. 

Taiko playing in North America began 35 years ago, growing steadily in popularity thanks to TV commercials, as well as prominent films such as Rising Sun, Hero, Charlie’s Angels, Memoirs of a Geisha, and currently has over 250 groups in the United States and Canada. 

This concert will bring the taiko experience to a wider audience and showcase the innovation of taiko drumming in the Southern California community.

For all who wish to attend the concert, tickets are $25. To reserve tickets, go to http://taikofestival.koshintaiko.org or call (818) 995-1335.

Posted by culturalnews at 23:58 PDT

Updated: 10/18/06 18:00 PDT

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UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, CA 90095

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM,   Cost: Free

Tel: 310-443-7000  www.hammer.ucla.edu

The legendary Japanese comic artist and manga-ka discusses the art form with Tomine, a comic artist and graphic novelist.

Posted by culturalnews at 10:57 PDT

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Saturday, July 15

5:30 PM,  Aikido: Pasadena Aikido

6:00 PM, Judo: Pasadena Kodokan

5:00-7:00 PM, Book Signing: Stan Sakai, author of the “Usagi Yojinbo” comic book series.

Sunday, July 16

4:45 PM, Tea Ceremony in the Temple garden Tea House

5:30 PM,  Kendo, Pasadena Kendo Dojo

6:00 PM, Iaido: Pasadena Kendo

5:00-7:00 PM, Book Signing: Naomi Hirahara, author of “Snakeskin Shamisen” “Sumer of the Big Bachi” and newly released “Gasa-Gasa Girl” and “Silent Scars of Healing Hands: Oral Histories of Japanese American Doctors in WWII Detention Camps”

Pasadena Buddhist Temple is located at 1993 Glen Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. www.pcji.org.

Posted by culturalnews at 10:14 PDT

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The Holywood Japanese Cultural Institute is hosting a documentary screening of the film, “Finding Home” by Art Nomura, on Saturday, July 29 with reception at 7 p.m., the film starts at 8 p.m. and discussion with the filmmaker at 9 p.m.

Nomura traveled around Japan interviewing Japanese American who had chosen to live there for the long term. He found over 50 of them, and his frank documentary focuses on six Americans of Japanese descent who have chosen to live in the country of their ancestors.

The Hollywood Japanese Cultural Institute is located at 3929 Middlebury Street in Los Angeles. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, go to www.geocities.com/hollywoodjci. More information on Art Nomura and the film, go to www.artnomura.com.

Posted by culturalnews at 10:12 PDT

Updated: 07/15/06 10:16 PDT

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 Yokkaichi English Fellows Program Observes 20th Anniversary 

The Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City Association will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Yokkaichi English Fellows (YEF) program on Monday, July 24, with a dinner and reunion of those who worked as fellows in Japan. The dinner will be held at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach beginning with a social time at 5:30 p.m.

Yoko Kimura, director of the YEF program in Japan who is employed by the Yokkaichi Board of Education, will attend the special event. The program will include a video presentation made by a current YEF.

The Yokkaichi English Fellows program provides an opportunity for Long Beach teachers or California State University, Long Beach graduates to serve for