The venue can be found at http://www.classrooms.uci.edu/gac/HIB100.html

This speech contest will be hold with help of Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and the American Association of Teachers of Japanese.

All participating contestants are top three winners of a sub-national / regional / state / multi-school Japanese language speech contests held in the U.S. between April 1, 2012 and April 15, 2013.

As the grand prize, the winner will be awarded with Japan trip in this summer to participate in the Overseas Students’ Japanese Speech Contest in Kawasaki, Japan.

Admission free. Space is limited. RSVP required at auroraspeechcontest@gmail.com  or (323) 882-6545.    

A Japanese American women group will honor veteran Japanese classical dance master Hanayagi Rokumine of Los Angeles.

A program “An Afternoon with Hanayagi Rokumine” presented by the Nikkei Women Legacy Association will be held on Sunday, June 9, in the new Senator Daniel K. Inouye Center for Democracy, Tateuchi Forum Theater in Little Tokyo from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, followed by an informal dessert reception from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye Center for Democracy is at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 

Tickets for the program with limited seating are being accepted on a first reserved first-paid basis. Tickets are $20.

The Nikkei Women Legacy Association was formed by a group of former Nisei Week queens who wish to “give back to the community” two years ago, after presenting Diane Estelle Vicari’s film “Conspiracy of Kindness: The Story of Chiune Sugihara,” the Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust, at the Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Forum Theater.  

As its second year event, the Nikkei Women Legacy Association wishes to honor and pay this special tribute to Hanayagi Rokumine for her years of community service and for preserving the Japanese cultural arts through over fifty years of teaching classical Japanese odori.  

She is now retiring and the Japanese American community thanks her for her many years of dedication of preserving the cultural art of classical Japanese dance, Nihon-buyo, or “odori.”  

Through her years of teaching, she has made a difference in the lives of so many young dancers to learn and appreciate the art of Japanese classical dance.  

She has been an inspiration with her perseverance and dedication, over-coming the many challenges that so many of the Issei, Nisei and Nikkei women struggled while raising a family during the difficult war years, as well as being a woman who never lost sight of her goal of becoming a teacher to pass on her love of Japanese dance to the younger generations.   

In the special program for Hanayagi Rokumine, the NWLA presents a special guest dancer:  Hanayagi Wakashizuna to perform a classical kabuki Japanese dance “Shoujou”.  

She is the great-granddaughter of late Michio Ito, famous choreographer and modern dancer from New York, Paris and Tokyo.  She is also granddaughter of Wakana Hanayagi.  

Also two former Nisei Week Queens Lauren Kinkade Wong and Erika Olsen will be singing Misora Hibari songs.  The shamisen selection will be played by Madame Matsutoyo Sato, noted Shamisen teacher.  

The highlight of the program will be a 20-minute taped video interview of Hanayagi Rokumine.  

An informal dessert reception will immediately follow the program at the George and Sakaye Aratani Central Hall in the Japanese American National Museum.  

In 2012, the Nikkei Women Legacy Association honored Mario Reyes, Photo Editor of Rafu Shimpo for 25 years.  

For further information about “An Afternoon with Hanayagi Rokunime” program, contact June Aochi Berk at (818) 400-3273 or email:  nwlaorg@gmail.com

Sponsors for the program include:  The Japan America Society, The Music Center, the U.S.-Japan Council, and Irene Hirano-Inouye.

We have several events coming up and I want to be sure you are all aware of them.  We’ve had three successful workshops leading up to Matsuri on June1st and there are three more to go – four if you count the workshop with Riley Lee on June 2nd.  Here’s a rundown of all the events:

Saturday, May 25 is a busy day for all of us – in the morning from 10 am to 12 noon there is a choice of workshops:  Taiko Drumming with Arnold Shimizu at Sonoma County Taiko Dojo. 

Come experience the excitement and spirit of Japan. Reserve your space today at Brush with Japan Taiko Workshop

Not interested in drumming?  How about a morning learning the art of paper folding – Join Origami Master, Henry Kaku, at this hands-on workshop you will learn how to make the Crane, known throughout the world as the Peace Crane, which means prosperity and good fortune in Japan.  

Also you will learn how to make various flowers and animals. This workshop will be held at Seishin Studio in Santa Rosa from 10 am to 12 noon.

Reserve your space at Brush with Japan Origami Workshop

Grab a quick lunch and head to Seishin Studio for an afternoon Workshop on Traditional Japanese Music Appreciation. 

Join us for the afternoon as we explore the rewarding, diverse world of Japanese Traditional music.

In this workshop you’ll learn about Japan’s rich legacy of solo and ensemble music, from the meditative sounds of the Shakuhachi to the exciting virtuoso vocal and instrumental music called Sankyoku, featuring Shamisen and Koto. Using live performances of music from the late 17th century to the 20th century as examples, Elliot Kallen and his partner Naoko will introduce you to the exquisite poetry behind the songs as well as explaining the history of their instruments and their notation. This workshop is from 1 pm to 3 pm. 

Reserve your space at Brush with Japan Traditional Japanese Music Appreciation Workshop

All these events are leading up to Sonoma County Matsuri! 2013.

Start off Matsuri Weekend on Friday, May 31st at 7 PM – with The Empty Bell Concert featuring Grand Master of the Shakuhachi Riley Lee in performance with Elliot Kallen, Naoko and the Voices of TenTen Taiko. 

This special evening will delight you with traditional and contemporary Japanese Music (plus a few, non-traditional surprises!). 

This concert will be held at the Church of One Tree in Juilliard Park – 492 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa.  Don’t miss out – order your tickets at The Empty Bell Concert w/Riley Lee & Elliot Kallen

Then on Saturday, June 1st join us in Juilliard Park as we once again present Sonoma County Matsuri! 

This free event runs from 11 am to 5 pm. There will be continuous live entertainment on the main stage, food, vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and crafts, tea ceremony ($5 per person) and much, much more. 

After all that fun and sun, join us on Sunday. June 2, at Seishin Studio from 1 to 3 pm for an afternoon workshop – The Art of Breathing – led by Riley Lee. 

Breathing is something we take very much for granted – it just happens and we don’t give it a second thought but learning the proper way to breath and how to control your breath will give you tools to relieve stress and promote well being in your everyday life. 

For tickets, go to The Art of Breathing w/Riley Lee

Finally, to end the weekend, join us at The Glaser Center 547 Mendocino Avenue from 7 to 9 PM for a very special presentation, Noh in Santa Rosa.  Featuring Noh Master Manjiro Tatsumi, with Masayuki Fujii, Theatre of Yugen, and David Crandall. 

This is a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the world of Noh Theater. There will be a brief lecture/demonstration on Noh and Kyogen at the beginning so that those in attendance can appreciate the evenings performances.

Tickets are available at Noh in Santa Rosa

http://www.sonomamatsuri.com

For more information, contact Cara Kellen at cskallen@gmail.com

Annual "Rhythmic Relations" concert by TAIKOPROJECT

Crowd-pleasing taiko songs and Arabic-Japanese musical fusion will be featured in TAIKOPROJECT’s all-new Rhythmic Relations 2013, to be held Saturday, June 29, at 8 pm at the famed Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

Joining in the first half of the concert are drumming groups Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, Loma Pacific Taiko, and Tanuki Taiko, in an exuberant program that features more than sixty taiko drummers.

In the second half of the concert, guest artist Middle Eastern master drummer Amir Sofi joins TAIKOPROJECT for new collaborative works blending taiko with the Arabic tabla and tambourine. 

Since its founding in 2000, TAIKOPROJECT has been dazzling audiences with its unique contemporary blend of taiko with storytelling, music, and choreography. Winner of the top award at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest, the group has also performed around the world in such places as Hong Kong, Dubai, the U.K., and Mexico.

TAIKOPROJECT has been featured in everything from commercials to television shows to awards shows, performing alongside such musical superstars as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Legend and Justin Bieber.  

They were recently featured in rock band 30 Seconds to Mars’ viral music video, “Up in the Air,” and also recently received major grant awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Japan Foundation.

Now in its 6thyear, Rhythmic Relations 2013, TAIKOPROJECT’s annual taiko extravaganza, comes with an innovative new twist with their first international guest artist, Amir Sofi.

Sofi and TAIKOPROJECT’s Managing Director, Bryan Yamami, met three years ago while performing together with pop legend Stevie Wonder at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee. 

They kept in touch over the years, looking for an opportunity to collaborate, and that has finally arrived with this year’s Rhythmic Relations concert.

Amir Sofi

“It’s certain to be an unforgettable evening of taiko mixed with the unique sound of the Arabic tabla—taking taiko to its artistic limits and beyond,” says Yamami.

Tickets prices start at $20 – $25, $15 for full-time students with ID and $12 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at  www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673.

For groups of 8 or more, please call 323 769-2147.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90058, just off the Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios.

On-site stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows.  Free non-stacked parking is serviced by a free shuttle to the Ford available at the University City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the “kiss and ride” area.

More information about Rhythmic Relations 2013 is available at www.taikoproject.com or by calling (213)268-4011.

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” (circa 1830, 1831) by Katsushika Hokusai. Color woodblock print. Image: 10 1/4 x 15 in. Gift of the Frederick R. Weisman Company. (Collection of LACMA)

Japanese Prints: Hokusai at LACMA

April 13, 2013–July 28, 2013

Pavilion for Japanese Art

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The museum’s collection includes excellent prints by the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849). Among the museum’s holdings are two of this artist’s most iconic works, popularly known as Red Fuji and The Great Wave. A recent gift from Max Palevsky added to the museum’s collection a complete set of the eight prints from Hokusai’s A Tour of Waterfalls in the Provinces.

In addition to these color woodblock prints, the current exhibition also features pages from woodblock printed books as well as preparatory drawings. Loans from the Barbara Bowman Collection include several surimono—commissioned prints made for specific occasions that typically employ special techniques or materials.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 857-6000. www.lacma.org  Closed Wednesday.

Dyeing art class by Setsuko Hayashi (Courtesy of Pacific Asia Museum)

The following classes are cancelled as of May 15, 2013.

Acclaimed textile artist Setsuko Hayashi is back by popular demand at Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena in June.

Over three consecutive Sundays, students will create projects using three distinctive dyeing techniques: Japanese shibori, Indonesian batik and stenciling.

Classes will be held on Sundays, 3 pm to 5:30 pm: June 9, 16 and 23.

Taught in Japanese and English.

Each class is $35 for members, $45 for non-members, or sign up for all three for $90 for members, $120 non-members. Fee includes all materials. Students under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration required.

To register, visit the Pacific Asia Museum front desk or call (626) 449-2742 ext 31.

【AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT】

Applications are now being accepted for the AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT (CG).

The grant will be awarded to a citizen of the USA who resides in California and has a unique dream, in any field of endeavor, which is related to Japanese culture and which it would never be possible to realize without traveling to Japan between fall 2013 and summer 2014.

There is no age limit and no GPA/Scholastic achievement requirement.

The award will go to an individual with a creative dream or challenge that, if fulfilled, would contribute to global goodwill and intercultural appreciation.

The winner will receive a $3000 scholarship and roundtrip air tickets up to $1,500 from the USA to Japan (economy class).

The recipient can travel anytime (for any duration) between fall 2013 and summer 2014.

By awarding this grant, the Aurora Foundation hopes to help the winner enhance the pursuit of her or his truest, most heartfelt dream by providing the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience.

All applicants must be citizens of the USA. Selection criteria will include the commitment of the applicants to their dream projects, necessity of Aurora’s support, and positive future potential.

After the Japan trip, the grant awardee will be required to submit a report to the AuroraFoundation about the experience in Japan and progress of the project.

AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must be a citizen of USA residing in California.

• Must have a unique and voluntary dream or challenge which requires travel toJapan between fall 20123 and summer 2014.

• Must be available for an interview in person or by phone.

• Must be able to attend the award ceremony to be held in Los Angeles in Fall 2013.

(Date TBD). (Travel expenses and accommodations will be covered by JLSF as needed.)

AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Completed application form

• Current resume/biography

• Materials supporting the applicant’s project or concept, if applicable (such as photographs,video, visual aids, etc.)

• Photograph of the applicant (optional)

• Two letters of reference

• A typed letter no longer than 3 pages on 8″ x 11″ (double spaced, font size12pt) that describes the potential scholarship recipient and the project.

The letter should include the applicant’s background, goals, current activities, and a detailed description of the proposed activity in Japan and a proposed budget(excluding airfare between the USA and Japan)

DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION

All applications for the Aurora Challenge Grant must be submitted by May 1, 2013
to

AURORA Challenge Grant Application

3127 Nichols Canyon Road

Los Angeles CA 90046

One winner will be from California and selection will be announced by June 27, 2013.

Entries, including photographs, will not be critiqued or returned. From the time of submission, all entries are the property of the JLSF.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Applications will be judged by the Aurora Foundation selection committee and the JLSF BOARD of Directors, according to following criteria:

• Firm commitment to his/her dream project and to some facet of Japanese culture.

• Necessity of Aurora Foundation’s support.

• Experience and background pertinent to the applicant’s dream project.

• Future potential to enhance global goodwill and intercultural appreciation of mankind.

**************************************************************
Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation
dba: Aurora Foundation

3127 Nichols canyon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323-882-6545
aurorafoundation@usa.net

**************************************************************

Utagawa Kunisada and Utagawa Hiroshige: "Eastern Genji: The Garden in Snow" (Azuma Genji yuki no niwa).1854. Published by Moriya Jihei. Woodblock print, ink and color on paper. Paulette and Jack Lantz Collection.

The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in Hanford opens its new exhibition, Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints from May 5 through July 27, 2013.

The opening lecture will be given by Dr. Andreas Marks, curator of the Clark Center, on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 pm. Seats are limited. For reservation, call the Clark Center at (559) 582-4915.

Dr. Marks is also the editor of the accompanied book of the exhibition.

In the late 1820s, the writer Ryutei Tanehiko (1783 – 1842), the print designer and book illustrator Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865) and the publisher Tsuruya Kiemon worked together to publish the inaugural chapter of the serial novel A Rustic Genji by a Fraudulent Murasaki (Nise Murasaki inaka Genji).

For sixty years after the inaugural chapter, almost 1,300 original designs were created, of which many were very popular at their time of release. This new genre in Japanese woodblock prints was called Genjie or “Genji Pictures” because the serial novel A rustic Genji was inspired by 1000-year old novel The Tale of Genji.

The story of A Rustic Genji, set in fifteenth-century Japan, is in many respects drawn from the classic novel. It retells the amorous adventures of Mitsuuji – the counterpart to Genji’s Prince Genji – and is delivered in contemporary dialogue combined with kabuki theatrics.

By 1838, and concurrent with the release of new Rustic Genji chapters, woodblock-print publishers and artists set out to exploit its success through the creation of individual-sheet prints that depicted the principal characters and the most exciting scenes.

Under Kunisada’s lead, the theme enjoyed enormous popularity and the craze that gave birth to these publications peaked in the 1850s and continued into the 1860s. Over eighty publishers had Genji designs on offer, and they engaged an increasing number of artists.

The exhibition was organized by Dr. Bruce A. Coats, Professor of Art History and Humanities, Scripps College, Claremont, Calif., where the exhibition was on view in winter 2012. Other venues are: DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.), Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach, Fla.).

The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture is located at 15770 Tenth Ave, Hanford, CA 93230. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1 – 5 pm. Closed on national holidays and during the month of August.

Admissions are $5 for adults, $3 for students. Children 12 and under free.

Weekly docent tours are held Saturdays at 1 pm and guided group tours can be arranged by calling the Clark Center in advance at (559) 582-4915.  www.ccjac.org

Maruyama Okyo's "Cranes" screen is debuted in US at LACMA's "Maruyama okyo: Birds and Flowers" exhibition. (Cultural News Photo)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Installation: Maruyama Ōkyo | Birds and Flowers

On View: January 19 — July 2013

Location: Pavilion for Japanese Art, East Wing

This installation of paintings from LACMA’s permanent collection focuses on the artist Maruyama Ōkyo and his followers. Ōkyo (1733-1795) changed the course of Japanese art by introducing a new mode of expression.

Rather than adhering to Japanese painters’ traditional use of existing pictorial works and sketches, Ōkyo relied on first-hand observation to capture his animal subjects.

By observing birds and animals in their natural habitats, and as they interacted with one another, he brought to his paintings more naturalistic renderings as well as a heightened sense of each animal’s individual nature.

Ōkyo had a number of followers and influenced future generations of Japanese painters whose direct observation of nature enabled them to capture the essence of the creatures they depicted.

In addition to works by Ōkyo and his immediate followers, the hanging scrolls and folding screens on display include works created prior to Ōkyo’s influence as well as much later paintings created through the nineteenth and into the first quarter of the twentieth century.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. (323) 857-600. lacma.org

Closed Wednesday. General admissions are $15 for adults. Free general admission after 3 pm for Los Angeles County residents from Monday – Friday, and on the second Tuesday of each month.

Related article: LACMA to debut national – treasure – class Okyo screens in US, Jan. 19

Takashi Tomo-oka, “Lotus 3″ 2011, Digital photograph printed on washi and mounted on scroll, Courtesy of Ippodo Gallery. © Takashi Tomo-oka

Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

www.pacificasiamuseum.org

Takashi Tomo-Oka

April 19 through July 28, 2013
Focus Gallery

Takashi Tomo-oka features six scroll-mounted photographic works that combine the classical and contemporary. As a young artist, Tomo-oka became interested in nihonga (neo-traditional Japanese painting) but was drawn to photography, adopting the digital camera as his medium rather than a brush.

Tomo-oka eliminates all extraneous visual information other than the subject itself—vegetal forms such as maples and dahlias.

The resulting images display a sensibility similar to that of the Rimpa school’s nature studies in the 18th century, but replacing their gold leaf with stark white backgrounds.

Each work is the result of careful study of the plant forms, including structure and color as well as their ephemerality.

These spare compositions are digitally printed on washi paper and mounted in scroll format, further blurring the divide between his painterly sensibilities and digital methods.

Related Programs:

Art and Coffee
May 10, 3 p.m.
Curatorial staff introduce and lead discussion of selected items in this exhibition in this series of informal Friday afternoon get-togethers. Coffee provided by Starbucks.

Fusion Fridays
June 21, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Experience the dramatic haka warrior dance and more by Le Polynesia, catch the summer spirit with traditional Japanese festival dances, try an activity inspired by special exhibition Takashi Tomo-oka, enjoy delicious treats from food trucks, plus music, dancing and drinks!

Curator’s Tour
July 13, 2 p.m.
Enjoy a closer look at the unique works in this exhibition as curatorial staff lead a special tour.