Paper (Kami) and Paper (Kami):  Fukui Echizen Paper Exhibition June 24 – July 29 Gorge J. Doizaki Gallery Japanese American Cultural & Community Center 244 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 www.jaccc.org Opening Reception: Sunday, June 24, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Echizen in Fukui Prefecture is known for its 1,500 year history of washi papermaking. Twenty artisans from the region will present their handmade paper installations, both functional and decorative, including an exquisite paper teahouse. Supported in part by Hiromi Paper, Inc. and Fukui Washi Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai.
Read more »

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2018 August 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun) Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles https://www.jffla.org/screenings The Last Garage and Bake Sales for the JFFLA June 23, Saturday, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Chanoma House: 305 Indiana Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 Phone: (310) 819-7736 Everything must go: Accessories, Bags, Clothes, Furniture, Books, DVDs and more. Our famous yummy baked goods will be there again. Food Truck “CreativEats” will also come on the site. You can taste a mini-Alexander Technique session (for a donation base). All profit goes to the expenditure to run the film festival.
Read more »

24th Nikkei Games “Games for the Generation” Track and Field Invitational August 4, 2018, Check-in time from 8:00 am to 8:45 am Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach 17071 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, 92647 Applications for the Aug. 24 Nikkei Games are now on-line at www.nikkeigames.org This Invitational Track and Field meet is open to individuals and/or families in Japanese and/or Japanese American sponsored programs from the age of one year old to over 80. This fun family day event concludes around 1:00 pm, bring grandparents, bento, drinks, and shade. School rules do not permit food or drinks...
Read more »

Nihonmachi: The Place to Be, the Grateful Crane Ensemble’s musical journey about Japantown as told through the eyes of three generations of a local manju (sweets)-making family, will be returning to Los Angeles on Saturday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at the Aratani Theatre in the heart of Little Tokyo. Proceeds from this one-show only performance will benefit Grateful Crane’s 2018 Goodwill Tour to Tohoku, Japan, and the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association or Koban. Presented by the Grateful Crane Ensemble and the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association, Nihonmachi: The Place to Be tells the fictional story of Alan...
Read more »

Los Angeles-based TAIKOPROJECT returns to the Ford Theatres in Hollywood with its thrilling, heart-pounding and joyous blend of percussion and choreography, joined by youth performing group Kitsune Taiko and special guest Blue13 Dance Company. The show opens with new and favorite taiko songs, followed by an exhilarating, fun and inspiring mix of percussion and contemporary Indian dance. Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m.  The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. In addition to a variety of food and beverages available on site, patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink (wine and beer are...
Read more »

Scottsdale, AZ – Ancient Sounds of Peace and K2 Enterprise present “Ken Koshio TAIKO EXTRAVAGANZA 2018 – The Tree of Life” at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 East 2ndz Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, on Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Taiko Extravaganza 2018 is the 4th annual show of Ken Koshio and his groups in Arizona. Tickets: $30 – $50 https://www.kenkoshio.com/show
Read more »

The Venice Japanese Community Center will present its annual Natsu Matsuri, or summer festival, on Sat., June 23, 12 pm – 9 pm, and Sun., June 24, 11 am – 8 pm. As an annual schedule, Miss Western Los Angeles, VJCC/WLA JACL Nisei Week Candidate will be announced during the Natsu Matsuri Fest. www.vjcc.com  
Read more »

Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute Matsuri Saturday, June 23, 12 noon to 8:00 pm Sunday, June 24, 12 noon to 6:00 pm Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute 1964 West 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247 www.jci-gardena.org
Read more »

The 60th Zenshuji Obon Carnival – July 7 & 8, 2018, 11:00AM – 8:00PM Obon Service, July 7, 8 at 1:30PM Zenshuji Soto Mission 123 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 624-8658    www.zenshuji.org Zenshuji Obon Carnival is coming soon. This is the temple’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Programs will include: Bon Odori, Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement Farmer’s Market, Produce/Flowers, Food & Drinks, White Elephant, Raffle & Prizes Children’s Games, Taiko Drumming, Folk Dance & Music, Shorinji Kempo Metro Gold Line: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Check www.zenshuji.org for updated parking information in Little Tokyo Zenshuji Schedule June...
Read more »

The Art Club of San Diego The 16th annual exhibition of Japanese art, which is free to the public, will be held on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24, in Room 101, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. The exhibition will feature sumi-e paintings, nihonga, byobu, ceramics, and Sogetsu School of Ikebana floral arrangements. For more information, contact: Joseph Crosss  sumijoe@gmail.com  (619)584-7727 For information about the Balboa Park, the general public can...
Read more »

Living Treasures of Okinawa Taro Higa’s Humanism and the Okinawan Gajumaru Tree Sunday, July1, 2018 2:00PM – 5:00PM Program by Testuro Shimojima Emceed by Tamlyn Tomita Ken Nakaoka Community Center 1670 W 162nd Street, Garden, CA 90247 Donation: $10 + A life of decorated US Army Nisei veteran from Hawaii Taro Higa (1916-1985) will be featured at an Okinawan culture program on Sunday, July 1, 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Ken Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247. Suggested donation is $10 per person. For information, call Tamiko Uyehara at (213) 680-2499. After serving in 100th...
Read more »

Mirage: Kimono Silk as Pigment by Sumi Foley June 8 – July 29 En Gallery at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105 http://www.japanesegardenpasadena.com/ Inspired by her grandmother, Japanese artist Sumi Foley has been cutting up pieces of antique kimono fabric and lovingly piecing them together into textile mosaics that speak of a reconstructed connection to her homeland and its traditions and to nature. Sumi was born in Osaka, Japan. Sumi combines traditional Japanese aesthetics and her own unique vision and technique to create her art pieces for more than 30 years. www.sumifabricart.com  
Read more »