JQ Magazine: The 18th Japanese Film Festival — More Films, More Countries
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The 18th Japanese Film Festival. Better than any other Japanese Film Festival in the Northern Hemisphere except Japan. (Courtesy of JFF)
By Eden Law (Fukushima-ken, 2010-11) for JQ magazine. Taking full and outrageous advantage of being a JETAA member, Eden returns again this year to watch and review the 18th Japanese Film Festival, now covering both Australia and New Zealand, with more films than ever. It’s so big that both himself and Rafael Villadiego (Nagasaki-ken, 2010-13) will shoulder the burden of covering this, the biggest and best method of (legally) watching Japanese films outside of Nippon.
The 18th Japanese Film Festival continues in Auckland (6-12 Nov), Sydney (13-23rd Nov) and Melbourne (27 Nov-7 Dec).
The 18th Japanese Film Festival became a pan-Oceanic film festival this year with the inclusion of New Zealand, making it the largest Japanese film festival in the world. The program includes over 60 films, some of which have barely just made it to the movie theatres in Japan, such as Samurai of the Dead, Japan’s action-packed foray into zombie lore, mixed with the historical legend of the Shinsengumi. And speaking of a connection to that famed group, the guaranteed draw card would be the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy, shown in their complete collection for the first time. The live-action adaptation of the manga and anime series about the itinerant samurai hero with a bloody past screened to sold-out venues in some cities.
However, there are other notables this year as well, such as the award-winning Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days, called the best film of 2013 by domestic Japanese film magazines. Watching a parent deal with dementia is not exactly feel-good movie material, but audiences have responded positively to its poignant and lighthearted treatment of the subject, which is based on the best-selling autobiographical manga of the same name. In a less lighthearted tone, Kiyoshi Sasabe returns with two films, one of which is Tokyo Refugees, based on the novel Tokyo Nanmin by Tetsuzo Fukuzawa, and explores the world of the homeless in Tokyo through the life of one character whose life spirals out of control.
No festival like this would be complete without anime entries, and this year sees strong entries from two different generations: from the master Osamu Tezuka (he of Astro Boy fame) comes the second Buddha film in the ongoing adaptation of his epic, 10-year work on the story of Siddharta; and from the brash new generation (with an assist from Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo), an anthology of four shorts called Short Peace, billed as “reclaiming anime for grown-ups.” Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (read JQ’s review here) is also showing, although in smaller cities, probably to avoid conflict with the Studio Ghibli mini-festival that overlaps with this event in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York — ‘Big Hero 6,’ Babymetal, Richie Kotzen, Asa Akira, Perfume
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Babymetal brings their unique brand of “kawaii metal” to Hammerstein Ballroom Nov. 4. (Courtesy of WME Entertainment)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
From Disney to heavy metal to J-pop, November is just as colorful as the leaves tumbling through the air. Add to that a cutting-edge kimono exhibition, a Shakespearean samurai epic, and the largest event in the USA dedicated to love and sex, and you’ve got an irresistibly epic rundown.
This month’s highlights include:
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 West 34th Street
$49.50
Formed in 2010, Babymetal brings a kawaii blend of traditional schoolgirl J-pop and death metal. Hot off the heels of their debut album released in the U.S. earlier this year, the band has been burning up the charts in Japan, where their live video for “Gimmie Choco!!” (lensed at the legendary Nipon Budokan in Tokyo) has racked up over 17 million views on YouTube to date. Endorsed by shredders like Marty Friedman (Megadeth) and Jeff Walker (Carcass) alike, Babymetal are prepared for a whole new audience on the eve of their Hammerstein debut.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, 237 West 42nd Street
$28-$32
With guitar styles ranging from rock, blues, jazz and fusion to pop and soul, Richie Kotzen has built a remarkably diverse 25-year career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. A veteran of numerous groups including the Winery Dogs, Kotzen’s Japan cred is extensive: He wrote the number one song “Shine” as a member of Mr. Big, which was used as the ending theme for the anime series Hellsing, has recorded an entirealbum of music from the anime series Gundam, and toured as the opening act on the Japanese leg of the Rolling Stones’ 2006 tour. The Kotzen Telecaster guitar has repeatedly been the #1 selling signature model guitar for Fender Japan. This special solo show will include selections from The Essential Richie Kotzen, the artist’s latest release, which caps a career of highlights in anticipation for his next studio album coming next year.
Nov. 6-12
Nippon Club Gallery, 145 West 57th Street
Free
Kiyomi Kitagawa, a popular fashion designer and a representative of Atelier Bi-no-Sei, revives stylish and practical design dresses in harmony with modern lifestyle from traditional craftwork, a microcosm of Japanese sensibility that has been shaped by the passing of the “four seasons” since ancient times. These dresses show not only the “craftsman’s spirit” by seasoned artisans, but also her knowledge and experience as a textile garment designer. At this exhibition, 30 pieces of kimono dresses—some using fabric no longer produced—will be displayed with luxurious embroidery and a variety of techniques.
For the complete story, click here.
JQ Magazine Editor Interviewed by FCI News on X Japan at Madison Square Garden
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JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi talks X Japan outside Madison Square Garden, Oct. 11, 2014. (Courtesy of FCI NY)
JQ magazine editor/Japanese Culture Examiner Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) was recently interviewed by Alex York of Fujisankei (FCI) News for commentary on X Japan’s debut performance at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 11.
The spectacular three-hour show (see JQ‘s review of the concert here) was X Japan’s first and only American concert in four years, and the first to retain the band’s signature full stage production outside of Japan. Check out the video here or click on the image for Justin’s comments, and read his exclusive interview with X Japan’s leader Yoshiki here.
Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWptyvtYCXM#t=43
Justin’s Japan: Interview with Yoshiki of X Japan on the Band’s Madison Square Garden Debut
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“At an X Japan show, we create a show with the audience—it’s not ‘the band is performing and the audience is just watching,’ so we create the show together. We’re going to try to make Madison Square Garden like a huge club.” (Courtesy of ID PR)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
For Yoshiki Hayashi, this Saturday (Oct. 11) will go down in J-rock history, as one of the biggest bands in Asia makes their debut at Madison Square Garden. Formed over 30 years ago, X Japan first gained notoriety in the mid-’80s by ushering in the visual kei movement, a style that continues to evolve through other Japanese megastars like L’Arc~en~Ciel (who headlined the World’s Most Famous Arena themselves in 2012).
At the center of it all is X Japan’s founding member, Yoshiki. An equally talented songwriter, heavy metal drummer and classical pianist, he is both the heart and soul of X Japan, and, having lived in Los Angeles for two decades, the ideal mouthpiece for the band’s American tours, which started with a bang in 2010 at Lollapalooza and included a sold-out gig at New York’s now-defunct Roseland Ballroom.
In this exclusive, expansive interview, I spoke with Yoshiki about how the group’s original hopes to play the Garden in 2008 were dashed by personal health and management troubles, his favorite, anime, manga and X Japan songs, and his experience working with legends like Stan Lee, KISS, and the Emperor of Japan.
How did this concert for Madison Square Garden come together? I know there were plans to do this in 2008; can you talk about this history?
Our band reunited around the year 2008. We did our reunion concert in Tokyo Dome, three days or so, I think. At that time, we were also thinking of performing [shows] outside of Japan, and Madison Square Garden was one or two of [the ideas]. But for some reason they didn’t happen, so since then, that venue was always in our minds. A few years ago, we decided to try schedule Madison Square Garden. I think we were kind of confirmed last year.
It’s a long road.
Yes. Well, considering that X Japan was not doing anything—I mean, the band broke up around the end of 1997, so when we reunited we had almost 10 years of a break. We started doing a bunch of arena shows, and then we started touring the world when we went to 16 countries or so. Considering this, the [last] six or seven years have been tours [laughs].
Are there plans for X Japan to play any other concerts for the remainder of the year?
Not now. We just announced our shows in Japan, this place called Yokohama Arena, so we [performed] there Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. It’s kind of like a prelude to Madison Square Garden and a kickoff to [that] show, about 10 days before that. As of now, Madison Square Garden is the only American show, but [depending] on how it goes, we may start another world tour. We’re just talking about it right this moment.
For the complete story, click here.
Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York — Studio Ghibli, New York Comic Con, X Japan, Hatsune Miku
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Catch the New York premiere of Studio Ghibli’s “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” at IFC Center Oct. 3. (GKIDS)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
The Japan-centric events of the month ahead promise to be as rich and full as autumn itself—brisk and colorful, with a dash of unpredictability.
This month’s highlights include:
Friday, October 3, 6:30 p.m.
IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas
$14
New York premiere! Legendary Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) revisits an ancient Japanese folktale in this gorgeous, hand- drawn masterwork decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl grows into an exquisite young lady (Chloë Grace Moretz). The beautiful princess enthralls all who encounter her—but ultimately she must confront her fate. The film will have a “sneak preview” screening in Japanese at IFC Center on Thursday, Oct. 16 prior to its regular run Oct. 17. Click here for additional showtimes.
Sunday, Oct. 5, 4:00 p.m.
Best Buy Theater, 1515 Broadway
$42
The 10-member Morning Musume ’14, also known as Momusu, are one of the most successful Japanese all-girl idol groups, produced by the famous rock writer-producer Tsunku. Their music style is poppy and upbeat, matched only by their elaborately choreographed dance performances. Their story began in 1997 after a TV audition and they made their major debut in 1998.The following year, their single “Love Machine” was their first to sell over one million units. Morning Musume ’14 have already performed in China, Taiwan, South Korea, France and the USA (Los Angeles), and are poised to make their New York stage debut.
Sunday, Oct. 5, 7:00 p.m.
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway
$40/$30 members, students and seniors/$22 children
Experience the thunderous rhyhms of the ancestral Japanese taiko drums and the magical sounds of the bamboo flutes, as Taikoza returns with richly authentic performances and colorful Japanese dances. The international touring taiko group, led by Swiss-born director Marco Lienhard, will present new compositions as well as traditional pieces in this unique concert featuring special guest from Japan Ichiro Jishoya, who was recently featured in the documentary film Drum Out the Drum of Happiness – Inclusion. This concert will celebrate the 150 anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Switzerland and Japan.
For the complete story, click here.
Justin’s Japan: J-Rocktober
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Visit his Examiner.com Japanese culture page here for related stories.
This October is set to be a landmark month for New York City, as it welcomes to the stage some of the most celebrated Japanese musicians performing today.
Things kick off on Oct. 5 with girl group Morning Musume ’14 at the Best Buy Theater. The forerunner to today’s mega-member pop acts like AKB48, Momusu has been spinning off hits since 1997, launching the career of songwriter-turned-record mogul Tsunku in the process.
On Oct. 11, X Japan, the country’s best-selling rock band of all time, becomes the second Japanese act to headline Madison Square Garden, following L’Arc~en~Ciel’s historic debut there two years ago. Led by the charismatic drummer (and classical pianist) Yoshiki, X Japan has sold out the 55,000 seat Tokyo Dome a record-setting 18 times.
The venerable Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, which has been on the scene since the late 1980s and has collaborated with artists as diverse as Puffy, Shiina Ringo and Shakira, plays Irving Plaza on Oct. 14. If it’s cutting edge you crave, virtual idol superstar Hatsune Miku makes her New York bow at Hammerstein Ballroom on Oct. 17-18 with a special concert featuring 3D projection technology and a live band.
Seeking something heavier? Stadium act Maximum the Hormone, which appeared at Ozzfest Japan last year alongside Black Sabbath, Slipknot and Tool, invades the Best Buy Theater Oct. 27.
WIT Life #274: Air K in U.S. Open Semis!
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
The U.S. Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slams held right here in Queens, is one of my favorite annual events. This year’s tournament is even more special due to the advancement of 24-year old Japanese player Kei Nishikori to the semifinals! In doing this he became the first Japanese man to reach the U.S. Open semis in almost a century. Tomorrow afternoon he will face Novak Djokovic in this match, and a win would give him a potential meeting with Roger Federer in the finals (the other semi features Federer vs. Marin Cilic). In less than two days apart, Nishikori played two grueling 5-set matches in both the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals. The former concluded at 2:26 a.m., tying the record for the latest finishing match at the Open!
One would expect Nishikori’s huge total match time to have taken a toll on his fitness, but his energy level still seems to be high, as is his confidence. When recently interviewed by the Japanese press, his comment was along the lines of him saying he’s unbeatable at this point, and I hope his words prove to be true. I wrote here about his showing in previous U.S. Opens, but his chances look the best this year. Ganbare Air K!
Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York — J-COLLABO Fall Fest, Craft Beer, The Joy of Sake, Akiko Yano
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Osaka-based Geisha Kikuno comes to J-LABO Brooklyn for two performances with multimedia director Kenji Williams Sept. 7. (Courtesy of J-COLLABO)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
As the summer winds fade into fall colors, the weeks ahead are shaping up with these exciting events, ready to be enjoyed after Labor Day.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 1:00 p.m.
J-COLLABO Fall Festival feat. Geisha Kikuno
J-LABO Brooklyn, 300 Seventh Street
Suggested donation: $20
The history of the geisha spans over 300 years. Their beauty and grace is legendary as is their exceptional skill in music, dance and entertainment. In spite of a near worldwide fascination, the number of geisha is decreasing year by year. Geisha Kikuno is a unique Geisha from Osaka. She is dedicated to finding new approaches to promote this unique history to the next generation, and will come to New York for two performances to demonstrate this ancient art form in collaboration with multimedia director Kenji Williams.
Friday, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Kampai! The World of Japanese Beer
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$28, $23 Japan Society members/seniors
Pull up a stool to Japan Society’s annual beer lecture and tasting, featuring unique and rare brews from Japan’s emerging craft beer industry. Mark Meli, professor at Kansai University and author of Craft Beer in Japan: The Essential Guide, delves into the culture, history and innovative brews coming out of Japan’s beer scene during the lecture. At the tasting reception, enjoy the opportunity to sample many unique and hard-to-come-by brews. Must be at least 21 years old.
Sept. 12-Oct. 10
Japan — An Island Nation: 1870-1890
Resobox Gallery, 41-26 27th Street, Long Island City
Free
An exhibition of entrepreneurial class culture from the Burns Archive. Japan — An Island Nation showcase the best of Japanese photographs that were made to show the perceived exotic nature of Japan to the West. Photographers, under government supervision, documented the artisans, shopkeepers and workers that made up the bulk of the Japanese middle and working class entrepreneurial society. It was critical for Japanese “public relations” of the era to put a face on Japan’s people and products, and through international fairs and expositions the world was introduced to Japan. A free opening reception will be held Friday, Sept. 12 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
For the complete story, click here.
Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91)
Claire Dawn-Marie Gittens (Iwate, 2008-2103) will present “Voice-Training: Making your Words Sing,” a two-hour workshop, at the 2014 Japan Writers Conference. The conference is a free event open to all English-language writers. This year, it will be held on Oct. 25-26 in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. For complete details, visit http://www.japanwritersconference.org. Meanwhile, here’s the official description of Claire’s workshop:
Filled-in plot holes. 3D characters. Realistic settings… But something’s missing. That je-ne-sais-quoi that has puzzled aspiring and accomplished writers alike. Voice. In this workshop, we will examine different voices, define voice in our own words, and hear the thoughts of the experts. Then we will attempt to make our own voices sing.
Before defining voice, we will listen to a few extracts from different types of voices in different genres. We will discuss the feelings and thoughts these voices evoke. Then, with these voices in mind, we will attempt to define voice. After listening to definitions
from our colleagues, we will hear the thoughts of authors of books on writing craft. Finally, we will do a few short writing segments, aiming to embody different voices using the same character, plot, and setting.
Claire Dawn was such an avid reader as a child that she literally would not put down her book. Her piece ‘Ichinichi on the Yamanote’ can be found in TOMO: Friendship through Fiction. Her work has also appeared in magazines, anthologies, and newspapers, including Japan Times Shukan ST. Born in Barbados, her heart also belongs to Ichinohe, Iwate.
Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York – ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ ‘Naruto,’ ‘Angry Video Game Nerd’ premieres
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Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods premieres in select New York City theaters Aug. 5. (FUNimation)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
In the dog days of summer, it’s best to escape the heat in a place that’s cozy and cool. For those into Japanese cultural events, this month offers a diverse selection of film premieres and live music—all in the comfort of indoor air conditioning.
Aug. 5, 9 and 11
Village East Cinema, 181-189 Second Avenue
$14
Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight the first new Dragon Ball Z feature film in seventeen years! After the defeat of Majin Buu, a new power awakens and threatens humanity. Beerus, an ancient and powerful God of Destruction, searches for Goku after hearing rumors of the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to their home planet, the Z-fighters must find a way to stop him before it’s too late. An original work from Dragon Ball series creator Akira Toriyama, Battle of Gods is an exciting new adventure for DBZ fans everywhere. Presented in English. Additional screenings will be held on Aug. 5 at AMC Empire 25 and Regal Union Square Stadium 14. Click here for tickets.
Friday, Aug. 8, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway
$20
NYC premiere! Based on the hit web series of the same name, the newly released adventure-comedy, Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, follows a disgruntled gamer who must overcome his fear of the worst video game of all time in order to save his fans. Hilarity ensues as a simple road trip becomes an extravagant pursuit of the unexpected. Starring James Rolfe. Written and Directed by James Rolfe and Kevin Finn. A Q&A follows the screening with James Rolfe and Special Guests.
James Rolfe and Kevin Finn’s debut feature film, Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, follows a disgruntled gamer (Rolfe) who must overcome his fear of the worst video game of all time in order to save his fans. Desperate to disprove a video game urban legend, hilarity ensues as a simple road trip becomes an extravagant pursuit of the unexpected – and the unexpected ultimately proves that what’s in front of you, isn’t always what it appears to be. Blending elements of comedy, science fiction, and horror, Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, is an existential journey which, in the end, discovers truth can be found in the most unlikely of places – and one’s greatest weakness is not the hate one has for a game, but the devotion one has in the face of adversity.
Friday, Aug. 8, 6:00 p.m.
Peace Concert “Global Harmony” with Shinji Harada
West Park Presbyterian Church, 165 West 86th Street
$15 suggested donation
Shinji Harada is one of Japan’s most famous recording artists. He has released more than 70 singles in Japan, three of which once hit the top 20 Oricon chart simultaneously. Born in Hiroshima, Shinji was recently recognized by his home town as a Hiroshima Peace Culture Ambassador.
Shinji became a musical sensation in Japan when he released his debut single Teens’ Blues in 1977 when he was just 18 years old. He released two more singles, Candy in November and Shadow Boxer in December the same year. All three singles ranked in the Top 20 Oricon chart simultaneously, which had never happened before in Japanese music history. Through his music Shinji actively works to spread his brief in “Yamato,” the spirit of sharing kindness and loving one another. He will be joined by percussionist Mataro Misawa and bassist Wornell Jones.
Misawa is a member of Masaharu Fukuyama’s band which recently completed the “Human” tour attended by about half a million people in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. ‘Human”, the album, topped the Oricon rock album chart at #1 after it’s release this spring. Mataro has also performed with many other leading Japanese musicians and groups including Southern All Stars and Masashi Sada. Jones, who is based in Tokyo, has performed with Sly and the Family Stone, Koko Taylor, as well as Chage and Aska, Hiromi Go and many other well-known Jazz and popular musicians in the US and Japan.
This is a rare chance to see some of Japan’s most famous musicians perform in NY! (Your donation will support the annual NY Hiroshima-Nagasaki peace memorial gathering.) For more information, call 646-797-7982 or email: tknakagaki[at]gmail.com.
For the complete story, click here.
WIT Life #272: Japan Cuts
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
This weekend wrapped up Japan Society’s annual film festival Japan Cuts, and all of the films that I caught out of the 28 presented this year were wonderful. I particularly enjoyed the opening film on the first Friday of the festival, The Snow White Murder Case (白ゆき姫殺人事件). This movie made its U.S. premiere, and told the story of the murder of a beautiful young office worker. The prime suspect is her plain co-worker who has disappeared following the murder, and in the online world the case is made for her guilt before the official investigation takes place. As interviews are carried out with others at the company and the truth is gradually revealed, viewers come to realize how culpable we are in automatically convicting suspects based on hearsay and popular opinion. This film skillfully highlights just how pernicious social media can be in stringing people up before they have the opportunity to defend themselves. Although this sounds like a dark story, it also has comic moments that serve to lighten the mood.
Two kid-centered films that I liked more than I expected were Maruyama, the Middle Schooler (中学生円山) and Hello! Junichi (ハロー！純一), both of which use dance and humor to great effect. The former focuses on a 14-year old in the height of puberty who uses his active imagination to Read More
JET Talks Film Screening – “Kokoyakyu High School Baseball” Documentary and Q&A Panel
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JETAA DC is proud to present the launch of JET Talks– a speaker series modeled after TED Talks that will feature dynamic and interesting individuals to inspire innovative ideas and conversation on Japan within the DC community.
Upcoming Events: Kokoyakyu Documentary and Q&A – Tuesday, July 22
Play Ball! On July 22, please join JETAADC at the Japan Information and Culture Center (1150 18th St NW #100, Washington, DC 20036) as it presents its first “JET Talk” of the 2014-2015 season: a screening of the award winning documentary Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball, followed by a discussion with two of the film’s producers.
Kokoyakyu is the first English-language film to examine high school baseball in Japan, in particular, the annual summer high school baseball tournament. The film follows one team as it seeks to play in the prestigious tournament, and along the way demonstrates why high school baseball has become a national rite of passage for many of Japan’s youth.
Following the film, Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03), JET Talks Co-Chair and creator of the Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, will lead a discussion with Kokoyakyu’s Producers Alex Shear and Takayo Nagasawa as they discuss the making of the film and the differences between the U.S. and Japan when it comes to the “National Pastime.”
Click here to register for Kokoyakyu.
Light refreshments will be served. Identification will be required to consume alcoholic beverages. Admission is free, but you must preregister.
If you have an interesting and dynamic speaker you’d like to hear speak on anything related to Japan, email us at jet.talks@jetaadc.org.
JQ Magazine: J-POP Summit Festival Returns to San Francisco with Music, Fashion, Film
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The annual J-POP Summit Festival returns to San Francisco July 19-20, featuring special performances from May’n and Tokyo Girls’ Style. (Dave Golden)
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By Sam Frank (Wakayama-ken, 2004-06) for JQ magazine. Sam is the webmaster at the Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco.
Japan is a country that likes to borrow from another culture and make it their own. Punk rock, Spaghetti Westerns, and baseball are just a few things Japan has adopted over the years, and in 2009, the J-POP Summit Festival in San Francisco added a bona fide community event to that list. Similar to Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands, the J-POP Summit Festival is an annual street fair held in the City by the Bay that celebrates Japanese popular culture. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, film, art, fashion, gaming, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival has become a prominent platform to showcase the latest trends and creative innovations from Japan.
“POP is our tradition” is the theme this year’s J-POP Summit Festival, which will be held in San Francisco’s historic Japantown district the weekend of July 19-20. Last year’s event welcomed more than 80,000 attendees, making it one of the largest Japanese festivals in the United States. While Japan is participating in America’s summer festival tradition, it has found a way to distinguish itself from the pack. Bringing together food, fashion, entertainment, and film promises to give the people of San Francisco a lasting impression of Japanese culture.
“Each year we strive to present a compelling mix of the hottest entertainment trends happening in Japan right now, and the J-POP Summit has become a wonderful and unique composite of pop and rock music, edgy kawaii-inspired fashion, modern graphic art, and film and anime content,” says Seiji Horibuchi, president/CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. and chairman of the J-POP Summit Festival. “This year’s event promises to be another important milestone for the evolution of J-pop culture and its fan base in the U.S.”
Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York — Kabuki at Lincoln Center, JAPAN CUTS, NY Mets, DJ Krush
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Neko Samurai ～Samurai ♥ Cat～ makes its international premiere as part of Japan Society’s annual JAPAN CUTS film festival July 19 with a live appearance by star Kazuki Kitamura. (© 2014 NEKO SAMURAI PRODUCTION COMMITTEE)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
After you’ve seen the outdoor fireworks, enjoy some summer events in the cool indoors, whether it’s witnessing the return of one of the world’s most distinguished kabuki companies returning to New York after seven years, catching one of 20 films in Japan Society’s annual festival, or waiting for the bass to drop at a live performance from a legendary DJ.
July 7-12
Rose Theater, 10 Columbus Circle
$45-$190
The Heisei Nakamura-za company, which made its North American debut in a critically acclaimed and sold-out run during Lincoln Center Festival 2004, was founded by the illustrious Kanzaburo XVIII, the late patriarch of the Nakamura family—a veritable kabuki dynasty in Japan with an unbroken line of actors and innovators reaching back to the 17th century. For its Lincoln Center Festival engagement, the company has revived a rarely performed 19th-century ghost story, Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki (The Ghost Tale of the Wet Nurse Tree), about the murder of an artist by a handsome samurai who desires the artist’s wife. Running the emotional gamut from drama to uproarious slapstick comedy, and culminating in a thrilling fight-to-the-death beneath a waterfall, this is kabuki theater at its most engaging. Performed in Japanese with English synopsis via a headset.
July 10-20
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$10-$20
North America’s biggest festival of new Japanese film returns for its eighth year, serving up a thrilling cross section of Japan’s diverse film cultures to New York audiences! Screening 27 features across 10 days, including co-presentations with the 13th New York Asian Film Festival, JAPAN CUTS premieres the best of recent action epics, genre oddities, touching dramas, warped comedies and cutting-edge arthouse cinema made in and around Japan. Plus, meet special guest stars and filmmakers during exclusive post-screening Q&As and raucous parties in Japan Society’s theater and atrium!
Friday, July 11, 5:30 p.m.
New York Mets Japanese Heritage Night 2014
Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue
Special seating $35-$72
For the fifth annual Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field, the Mets take on the Miami Marlins for this special event. The pre-show kicks off at Mets Plaza outside with an explosive taiko set from New York’s own Soh Daiko, followed by the Mets Spirit Awards inside the stadium given to honored members of the New York Japanese and Japanese American community. Prior to the first pitch at 7:00 p.m., the Japanese Men’s Choir will perform our national anthem. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket bought will go to Japanese community charities through the Japanese American Association of New York. Be sure to look for fun Japanese activities and games throughout the evening at the special tables on the main concourse behind the giant video screen. Price of ticket includes a free T-shirt!
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WIT Life #271: New York Japan Cinefest at Asia Society
Events, Film, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #271: New York Japan Cinefest at Asia Society
WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Last week I went to the 3rd annual New York Japan CineFest held at Asia Society. It featured six short films ranging in length from 4-30 minutes, many of which had already received awards at other film festivals. I attended with fellow JET alums, so it was fun to dissect the films together and relate them to our respective Japan adventures. The event opened with The Misadventures of Incredible Dr. Wonderfoot, and directors Grier Dill and Brett Glass were on hand to offer an introduction.
In addition, two of the movie’s stars, Tsukasa Kondo and Tadashi Mitsui, also shared their experiences of making the film. The former is actually one of the creators and stars of the web series Second Avenue, which follows two 20-something Japanese roommates in Brooklyn, an aspiring actress and a Japanese gay law student (played by Kondo). The first season of six episodes (mostly in Japanese with subtitles) are really entertaining, especially for viewers who understand Kansai-ben
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It was fun to watch the quirky podiatrist Dr. Wonderfoot, but my personal favorite out of all the flicks (and audience award recipient) was one of the concluding films, Little Kyota Neon Hood (I also liked the final film Lil Tokyo Reporter that was based on the true story of L.A. Japanese-American community leader Sei Fujii). This film takes place in Tohoku and features 10-year old Kyota who is suffering from Read More
