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An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of February 2025! |
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Over the past month, many of you have likely witnessed the wildfires affecting our city of Los Angeles. Thanks to the relentless efforts of firefighters from across the nation and favorable weather, including heavy rain and cooler temperatures, we’re seeing the largest fires in the area finally being contained. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much, to those displaced, and to those affected in ways that aren’t immediately visible. However, we are also deeply inspired by the kindness, generosity, and resilience that emerge during times of crisis. While this disaster will undoubtedly leave its mark on Los Angeles, it also highlights the enduring strength of community. As we move into the month ahead, we’re excited to continue our outstanding art exhibitions. ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth, currently at our Miracle Mile location, will run through Saturday, March 15th. In addition, we’ll host several exciting events to complement the exhibition, including a mixed-media workshop led by artist Miki Yokoyama on February 6, a music & art performance by Kai Kurosawa and Dan Rosenboom on February 20, and a mediation with art event on February 25. At the same time, our traveling exhibition Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan remains on display at the SCI-Arc Kappe Library Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles through February 28. This exhibition offers a fascinating look at the world of Japanese architecture. On the educational front, we announced our grant programs for the 2025 -26 fiscal year so if you plan to apply for any of our programs, please review the information below. This is also the last month to register for the Hakuhodo Foundation's 16th annual Japanese language exchange program. Check out the application details below. Finally, there will be new listings on JFF On Demand Theater so make sure to check the website to see new movies. We hope you will enjoy all the activities this month brought to you by The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles! |
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ART EXHIBITION The Ryūgūjо̄ [竜宮城], or Dragon Palace, is a mythical undersea kingdom in East Asian folklore, often depicted as a magnificent, otherworldly palace beneath the ocean. In Japan, the legend of Ryūgūjо̄ appears in classical Japanese literature, including the Manyо̄shū (compiled in the late 8th century), Heiji Monogatari (compiled in the late 12th century), and Genpei Seisuiki (compiled in the late 13th century). In these stories, the palace is ruled by the dragon king Ryūjin [竜神], a powerful sea deity who controls the tides and storms. The story of Ryūgūjо̄ reflects the transience of life, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the connection between myth and reality. The myth has inspired many interpretations, with locations across Japan claiming ties to the Ryūgūjо̄. Some of these places include Kagoshima, Okinawa (Ryūkyū), Nagasaki, Miyagi, and Shiga, regions closely connected to major bodies of water. In these areas, you can also find paintings, statues, temples, shrines, and tourist attractions inspired by the Ryūgūjо̄, showing how people have woven various stories from the same legend over generations. In this exhibition, ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth by Dwight Hwang and Miki Yokoyama, two artists reimagine this myth through their practices of Gyotaku and mix media, exploring the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth beneath the waves. |
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TRAVELING EXHIBITION Location: SCI-Arc Kappe Library Gallery The exhibition features dozens of examples of buildings, civil engineering works and landscapes, etc., from all the prefectures of Japan, which are introduced through photographs, text and video images. It presents a rarely considered aspect of Japan, taking the built environment of the various of regions of a country that is geographically diverse and often struck by natural disasters, with the aim of examining how Japanese people have engaged and struggled with the natural environment and how they have carried on and created locality. |
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WORKSHOP Join us for an evening of creativity and inspiration in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Contemporary mix media artist Miki Yokoyama will guide participants through a hands-on workshop where we’ll create unique artworks by drawing with acrylic pens on dyed canvases. This workshop is part of the related events for the two-person exhibition ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth by Dwight Hwang and Miki Yokoyama, opening on January 21. Miki will share her techniques and walk you through the process, offering tips on how to bring your ideas to life. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and let your imagination flow. Together, we’ll create a shared vision of an ethereal world! |
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MUSIC & ART Why not music inspired by art while surrounded by art? In this new series, "In the Tune of Art," we select music that matches the theme and artwork of the current exhibition and invite you to enjoy the melody in that environment. Musicians will also give special perform improvised performances inspired by the art. For the second session, we will be presenting an innovative 15-string electric bass to accompany the exhibition "ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth". LA-based musician Kai Kurosawa will play his invention, which he taps with both hands and creates a wide range of sounds. In addition, he will collaborate with trumpet player Dan Rosenboom, who specializes in improvising effects through trumpet sounds. Immerse yourself in the amazing sounds as it blends and spreads into the fantastical world of the deep sea! |
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WELLNESS Refresh and recharge with a sound bath! The singing bowl used for this program harmoniously combines the healing qualities of both the Tibetan singing bowl and the Japanese traditional singing bowl. Choose a space near your favorite artwork in the photo exhibition "ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth", relax and feel your stress dissipate into thin air as the sounds of the singing bowl lead you into a meditative state. There is no admission fee, but a reservation is required. We will provide a chair and small cushion for you to sit on, but you are welcome to bring your own cushion or yoga mat. * Doors will close at the start of the session and those who arrive late may not be permitted to enter while the session in underway. |
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Japanese junior high school students interact with students of the same age in various countries in Japanese.Through this exchange, Japanese and overseas students deepen a mutual understanding by learning about the diversity of life and culture in each country.This is a program that aims to foster "individuals who can work together with people of different cultures to address social issues” by providing opportunities to realize coexistence with different cultures. |
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ON DEMAND There are seven new titles that were released on February 1st and six are available to view in the U.S. including I am what I am, The God of Ramen, Bread of Happiness, Project Dreams - How to Build Mazinger Z's Hangar, School Meals Time Graduation, Jungle Emperor Leo aka Kimba the White Lion. These films will be available until May 1st (Japan Time) so make sure to check out these films! |
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BOOK TREE 2025 JFBookTree is back! Win an exciting prize by sharing your thoughts on books/films & referring your friends How to participate NEW: Friend Referral Bonus Eligible dates: Borrow between Monday, January 20, 2025 - Saturday, March 29, 2025 ET Join us in warming up the season with books & movies, sharing the excitement with fellow library lovers & Japan enthusiasts! |
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New Video Interview Series: My Keisho Nihongo, Your Keisho Nihongo Being a Keisho Nihongo/Japanese-as-a-Heritage-Language (JHL) learner, as opposed to a Japanese-as-a-Foreign Language (JFL) learner, can carry with it a set of unique challenges when there is a lack of local access to specialized education and community. Bicultural identity, especially in countries rich in diversity like the U.S., can factor into these learners' language acquisition and can be difficult for them to navigate. In this interview series, we talk with Keisho Nihongo learners about the personal challenges they faced and what helped them overcome those challenges. We hope that the advice, perspectives, and unique stories offered in these interviews will help and motivate other Keisho Nihongo learners throughout the U.S. William Kimmel: https://youtu.be/cQ-hhFGQUrk Luke Palermo: https://youtu.be/Y3EopxyplYs |
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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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2025-2026 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Events for Learners Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for Teachers Grants for Individual Japanese Language Programs Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant Advocacy Support Letter |
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Japanese Language Education Update 133We’re excited to introduce Jared McClellan as the newest addition to our Japanese language team this month! Jared will be focused on completing the national survey we launched at the start of the 2024/25 school year, with the goal of wrapping it up by April 2025. After that, he will shift gears to support our grants team, helping organize both the Teaching Materials Purchase Grant and the Learner's Event Grant. Speaking of the JF Survey, we’ve made good progress—having received responses from just over a third of the 1800 contacts we’re reaching out to in the U.S. Over the next two months, we’re aiming to collect as many responses as possible. If you receive an email from us, please take a moment to reply. Your feedback is crucial to accurately assessing the landscape of Japanese language education in the U.S. We truly appreciate your help in gathering as many responses as possible. If you have any questions, Click Here to contact us and make sure to select Japanese Language Education Survey. Thanks again for your support! |
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5700 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036-
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
