![\"Neko](\"https:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Website_large_neko3.jpg\")
<\/a>Neko Samurai \uff5eSamurai \u2665 Cat\uff5e<\/em> makes its international premiere as part of Japan Society’s annual JAPAN CUTS film festival July 19 with a live appearance by star Kazuki\u00a0Kitamura. (\u00a9 2014 NEKO SAMURAI PRODUCTION COMMITTEE)<\/p><\/div>\n By<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0JQ\u00a0magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0editor\u00a0Justin Tedaldi<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(CIR\u00a0Kobe-shi<\/a>, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for related stories.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n After you\u2019ve seen the outdoor fireworks, enjoy some summer events in the cool indoors, whether it\u2019s witnessing the return of one of the world\u2019s most distinguished kabuki companies returning to New York after seven years, catching one of 20 films in Japan Society\u2019s annual festival, or waiting for the bass to drop at a live performance from a legendary DJ.<\/p>\n July 7-12<\/strong><\/p>\n Heisei Nakamura-za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Rose Theater<\/strong><\/a>, 10 Columbus Circle<\/strong><\/p>\n $45-$190<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014a 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<\/em> (The Ghost Tale of the Wet Nurse Tree<\/em>), about the murder of an artist by a handsome samurai who desires the artist\u2019s 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.<\/em><\/p>\n July 10-20<\/strong><\/p>\n JAPAN CUTS 2014<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Japan Society<\/strong><\/a>, 333 East 47th Street<\/strong><\/p>\n $10-$20<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/a>, 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<\/a> and filmmakers during exclusive post-screening Q&As and raucous parties in Japan Society’s theater and atrium!<\/p>\n Friday, July 11, 5:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n New York Mets Japanese Heritage Night 2014<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Citi Field<\/strong><\/a>, 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue<\/strong><\/p>\n Special seating $35-$72<\/strong><\/p>\n For the fifth annual Japanese Heritage Night<\/a> 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\u2019s own Soh Daiko<\/a>, 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<\/a>. 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!<\/p>\n