Hori Hiroshi Puppet Company
The Tale of Genji - Lecture Demonstration

Through performance, film and lecture demonstration, Master Puppeteer, Hori Hiroshi creates a world of visual fantasy combining the beauty of traditional Japan with his own unique form of stylized expression. This internationally acclaimed artist painstakingly handcrafts each of his life-size puppets using luxurious silks and antique ornaments.
Hori brings to life the splendor of Lady Murasaki's epic romance, "The Tale of Genji," written 1000 years ago in performances of "Akashi" and "Aoi no Ue" from Murasaki's beloved novel and "Hagoromo" based on the classic Noh drama.
"Ukifune," a film (directed by Masahiro Shinoda) featuring the Hori's puppets and a lecture demonstration which depicts the involved process of the creation of doll making and manipulation technique completes the program.

Los Angeles, CA: March 16, 2003 @ 2 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)
@ The George and Sakaye Aratani Japan America Theatre
244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
General Admission $16, JACCC Members $12, Groups (10 or more) $14, Students $12 day of show
Charge-by-Phone: 213-680-3700

Casper, WY: March 22, 2003 @ 7:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan, Denver and ARTCORE
@ Natrona County High School Auditorium
930 South Elm
Casper, WY 82601
Free admission
Information: 307-265-1564

JAPANESE FILMS at AFI:
Los Angeles International Film Festival Nov. 6-16 2003

Location: ArcLight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Boulevard at Ivar
Tickets info: 1.866.AFIFEST or visit www.AFI.com

DOLLS - Directed by Takeshi Kitano (U.S. Premiere)

A kaleidoscope of color and searing images, Takeshi Kitano's DOLLS offers a multi-layered, often transcendent, take on modern love. For those more familiar with Kitano's earlier, more tactile films, such as BROTHER, FIREWORKS (HANA-BI), and SONATINE, DOLLS will be an eye-opening pleasure, perhaps even a revelation.

On his wedding day, Matsumoto learns that Sawako, a long lost love, is nearly brain dead following a suicide attempt. He promptly leaves the wedding and his fiancee, vowing to care for Sawako until she recovers-a promise that, like many vows, is a lot easier to make than to fulfill. Soon, other characters with their own related stories - a modern day Oedipus, a nostalgic gangster - are introduced, resulting in a mosaic of stories about the challenges and madness of love.

Friday, November 7, at 9:45 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, at 1:00 p.m.

THE BLESSING BELL - Directed by Sabu (L.A. Premiere)

Writer/director Sabu has been fashioning a collection of films (DANGAN RUNNER, POSTMAN BLUES, DRIVE) that unite sound and vision in his own inimitable way. THE BLESSING BELL is a hypnotic tale of Igarashi (Susumu Terajima), a man who loses his job at the local factory and heads out on the road to see life. As day passes into night, Igarashi is mistaken for a murderer, charges into a burning building, is hit by a car, sees a ghost, wins a lottery and much more. Each of these events could stand by itself as a memorable day, but they tumble one into another under the watchful eye of our mostly passive protagonist. The narrative has a strong cumulative impact that may surprise those new to Sabu's work.

Friday, November 14, at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, at 3:45 p.m.

Madame Sadayakko - The Geisha Who Bewitched the West by Lesley Downer

March 12, 2003 @ 6:30 p.m.
Presented by the Japan America Society
@ The Japan Foundation Los Angeles Office and Language Center
333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90071

March 13, 2003 @ 6:30 p.m.
Presented by the Japan America Society
@ UC Irvine School of Humanities
243 Humanities Building
Irvine, CA 92697

RSVP: 213-627-6217, ext. 202 (Japan America Society)
$5 General Admission

Postwar Japanese Anime/ Manga

April 1 - June 1
Doizaki Gallery
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
244 South San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

www.jaccc.org or (213) 628-2725

Gallery Hours
12noon ~ 5pm, Tuesday ~ Friday
11am ~ 4pm, Saturday & Sunday
Monday and Holidays - closed

Admission is FREE

In the early 1960s American television was flooded with Japanese pop manga and animation. Characters like Astro Boy and GIGANTOR captured the imagination of American audiences and dramatically affected graphic design and visual arts in the United States. The influences of this early anime/manga is clearly visible in today's animation and comic art, and the popularity of contemporary Japanese anime series like Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon and Sailor Moon continues to soar. The exhibit pays tribute to and contextualize these early anime/ manga works featuring photos, magazines, pictures, classic merchandise and videos. The seminal works of Astro Boy, Kimba, 8 Man and GIGANTOR will be explored in depth. Producer Fred Ladd, responsible for the introduction of Japanese anime/manga into the United States, co-curates the exhibit.