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An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of August 2024! |
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Over the past month, we have hosted several engaging in-person events, including the Voice Acting Workshop at Anime Expo, the second installment of our Japanese Art lecture series, the Kirishima film screening, and our Tea Time conversation cafe. We trust that those who attended had a great time and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Looking ahead, we are pleased to announce a wide range of events related to Japanese language education. This month marks the start of registration for our Japanese language classes, available both online and in person. Additionally, members of our Japanese language team will participate in the 2024 International Conference on Japanese Language Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following this, we will host an in-person lecture for Japanese language teachers at our Los Angeles office. Also, registration for the Japanese language proficiency test will begin, with a new test site opening in Middlebury. For Japanese culture, we will be kicking off a new exhibition dedicated to Edo Art, complemented by a movie screening this weekend. Furthermore, our Tokyo Headquarters just announced JFF Theater, an on-demand service offering a selection of Japanese films for viewing at your convenience. This new platform builds on our recent online film festival that will feature new movies rotated in every few months. We are excited to roll out a variety of events for everyone and we invite you to join us in exploring Japanese language and culture in Los Angeles! |
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JAPANESE CLASS Both online and in-person classes are available. Let’s learn Japanese together! |
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ON DEMAND The Japan Foundation (JF) launched its new streaming website, JFF Theater, on August 1, 2024. JFF Theater distributes Japanese films and other works worldwide, with multilingual subtitles and all free of charge. With this website, JF endeavors to create a platform where Japanese audiovisual works can be viewed anytime, anywhere. With the catchphrase Moved, Touched & Inspired, JF strives to serve as a bridge between Japan and the world, forging connections and inspiring exchanges between the audience. Three of the most popular films (Happy Flight!, Time of EVE the Movie, and Tora-san in Goto) from a past Japanese Film Festival Online have been selected for distribution from August 1 to October 31 (It’s a Summer Film! and SUMODO～The Successors of Samurai～ are available only until September 30). |
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MOVIE SCREENING During the Edo era (1603‒1868), Japanese artists innovated many strategies to bring the natural world and its creatures to life. To animate trees, puppies, waves, and clouds they incorporated asymmetry, abstraction, stylization, and empty space—techniques that profoundly influenced modern art in the West. In Linda Hoaglund’s film Edo Avant Garde, she explores the origins of Japanese artists’ creative efflorescence by filming some of the most closely guarded Edo-era masterpieces in museum and private collections across the U.S. and Japan, unraveling how artists hundreds of years ago in one of the world’s most isolated countries captured the natural world in strikingly unique ways. |
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ART EXHIBITION At the opening reception on August 5, program director Linda Hoaglund and juror Hollis Goodall will make introductory remarks about their work on Inspired by Edo Exhibition. Edo was a remarkable period in Japanese history (1603-1868) when artists broke from tradition and experimented with asymmetry, abstraction, stylization, and empty space to depict the natural world. These artists set the stage for modern art through their innovative, open-hearted depictions. Inspired by Edo 2024 is a national art competition based on the Smithsonian’s Investigating Japan’s Edo Avant Garde curriculum which engages students in grades 1-12 in non-Western art. Participants also took inspiration from the documentary film, Edo Avant Garde by Linda Hoaglund. |
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WORKSHOP Are you a Japanese language teacher or learner in the US? Join us for an enlightening workshop that dives deep into the intricacies of Japanese language acquisition and the perception of Japanese speech among diverse speakers. This workshop is an excellent opportunity for Japanese language educators and learners to gain a deeper understanding of how Japanese is perceived by native speakers and to explore new teaching and evaluation methods. Don't miss this chance to enhance your skills and knowledge in Japanese language education. Register now and join us for an engaging and informative session! *This workshop will be held primarily in Japanese, but explanations in English will be provided if necessary. Those who are interested in learning Japanese and beginner level learners can also participate. **If you park your car at the visitor parking of our office building (5700 Wilshire Building), we will provide a parking validation. |
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ON DEMAND 1. YOKAI: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS OF JAPAN To the Japanese, yokai are mysterious phenomena and weird creatures that have inhabited the country’s landscape, homes, folklore and imagination for many centuries. They can be evil or benign spirits, ranging from shape-shifting animals like foxes and badgers, who adopt human form to trick, bewitch or reward humans, to the vengeful ghosts of warriors killed in battle or women wronged by their husbands. 2. NETSUKE: MASTERPIECES OF JAPANESE MINIATURE SCULPTURE Netsuke are small toggles that are attached to the end of the cords used to hang various accessories – like tobacco pouches, writing sets and medicine containers – from the kimono sash, or obi. The cord is passed underneath the obi and the netsuke hangs over the top of the sash, securing the accessory in place. Netsuke are made of a variety of materials and are often masterpieces of sculpture, often carved into animals, insects, comical human figures and even lucky gods. 3. NINGYO: THE BEAUTY AND ARTISTRY OF JAPANESE DOLLS Japan’s dolls are famous throughout the world as elegant works of art that are more for display than play. Hina dolls, in particular, wear kimono and elaborate hairstyles, and for several centuries have been central in Hina Matsuri, a traditional festival celebrating girls. Others, such as turned-wood Kokeshi, finely sculpted Saga dolls, papier mache Hariko dolls, and folded paper Chiyogami dolls have been crafted and treasured in different regions of Japan for many generations. 4. BORN FROM THE EARTH: JAPAN’S YAKISHIME CERAMICS The term “yakishime” refers to the firing of unglazed clay vessels at a high temperature so that the clay vitrifies, creating water-proof and durable stoneware ceramics. With no colorful glaze or painted designs, this ceramic type may seem simple or “primitive,” but Japan’s yakishime wares are some of the country’s most admired and valuable ceramics. 5. EXPLORING JAPAN’S MUSEUMS For lovers of Japan’s various artistic traditions, there are many different museums all over Japan. Some are public institutions, while others house the collections of private collectors. Many are works of art in their own right, built by some of the world’s foremost architects. |
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There are a variety of settings in which Japanese language for children with Japanese backgrounds (Japanese Heritage Learners) is taught and learned in the United States. These children may live in areas with little access to Japanese-language classes, much less ones with curricula tailored to their unique experiences and skillsets. To help serve their needs, JFLA has launched keishonihongo.org, an online platform for parents and teachers of Japanese heritage language learners. Keisho Nihongo pools from the knowledge of The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, and the Keisho Nihongo Special Advisory Committee, consisting of three experts in the field of Japanese heritage language education. The site includes a nationwide map of heritage language programs, in addition to a curated list of educational materials and resources for teachers and guardians. There is also a community forum and a page highlighting exemplary heritage language programs. Keisho Nihongo is available in both English and Japanese, so please visit today! |
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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 6:30PM 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. |
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2024-2025 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Events for Learners Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant Advocacy Support Letter |
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Japanese Language Education Update 127It has been a scorching summer all across the country and with the arrival of August, many students are preparing to go back to school. We wish all those starting the new school year a successful and productive beginning! With the academic year on the horizon, we are preparing to launch our survey on Japanese language education in the United States. This fall, we will reach out to gather your insights and feedback. Your participation in this survey will be invaluable in helping us enhance our support and resources for Japanese language education in the United States. This week is also start of the 2024 International Conference on Japanese Language Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and we look forward to reconnecting with all the Japanese language teachers attending this event. For those interested in publishing an article in The Japan Foundation Journal on Japanese-language Education, please visit the following link for further details. The submission deadline for Vol.21 will be on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, by 10:00AM (JST). Lastly, registration for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test will open next week, with the exam taking place on Sunday, December 1st. Please note that this year features a revised registration schedule, so please see the registration dates divided by region and level below. For more details, please visit AATJ's website! |
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5700 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
