From Japanese American Cultural & Community Center / April 2025 Newsletter
MISE 店 at the Toshizo Watanabe Exhibition Center
MISE 店 is now open with regular hours: Tuesday to Friday by appointment at mise@jaccc.org and Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Yamakami: Form & Texture | A Ceramics Pop-Up
April 4-6, 2025
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Jonathan Yamakami’s ceramics blend philosophy, cultural heritage, and creativity. As a third-generation Japanese-Brazilian artist, his work merges tradition with contemporary art.
Experience his unique pieces in person at MISE 店, with Jonathan on-site from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, 4/5, and Sunday, 4/6.
Experimental Electronic Sounds of Japan
Friday, April 4, 2025
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
TWCCC/Japanese Garden
Join us for an exclusive listening party featuring Japanese ambient, sound collage, and experimental music from artists like Meitei, Chihei Hatakeyama, and more. Enjoy Japanese whiskey, beer, and food in a private award-winning Japanese garden.
This 21+ event is part of an ongoing collaboration between JACCC and In Sheep’s Clothing.
Hanamatsuri (花祭り) Flower Arrangement Exhibition
April 5-6, 2025
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
George J. Doizaki Gallery
Join us on Saturday, April 5, at 11:00 am for a sacred ceremony honoring Buddha’s birth, featuring sutra chanting, prayers, and blessings from Little Tokyo priests. Experience the hanamido shrine, participate in the kambutsu ritual, and explore a stunning ikebana exhibition with rare bamboo baskets. Free and open to all, only this weekend.
Sound Bath at the Garden of the Clear Stream
April 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
James Irvine Japanese Garden
Rejuvenate in our award-winning Japanese Garden with a soothing group sound bath led by Iris Esmeralda. Let calming tones relax your mind and body, then unwind with traditional Japanese refreshments and small bites. Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with yourself in one of Los Angeles's most historic gardens.
Hiro’s Bokashi Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 2025
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Zenshuji Soto Mission
Learn the Okinawan tradition of Bokashi composting, an anaerobic process that uses a special additive to ferment kitchen waste, including meat and dairy, into healthy soil and nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
Participation supports Sustainable Little Tokyo's ongoing effort to combat food waste in Los Angeles.
On the Veranda: The Way of Brush (Shodo)
Saturday, April 19, 2025
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Kosaka Center for Art & Crafts
Discover the meditative art of shodo (Japanese calligraphy) in this beginner-friendly adult workshop. Learn brush techniques, explore creative meditation, and experience mushin (無心, “no mind”). Your ticket includes essential materials: brush, washi paper, ink, and more. No experience is needed—just bring an open mind and a spirit for creativity.
SLT Earth Day x Delicious Little Tokyo
Sunday, April 19, 2025
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Japanese American National Museum Pavilion
Join us for Sustainable Little Tokyo’s Earth Day Celebration in collaboration with Delicious Little Tokyo!
Stay tuned for more information about free activities, performances, and more at the Delicious Little Earth Day Plaza.
X-Change through Conversation: Pico Iyer & Paul Holdengräber
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
TWCCC/Japanese Garden
Experience a profound dialogue as Paul Holdengräber and acclaimed author Pico Iyer explore resilience, impermanence, and mindfulness through Aflame: Learning from Silence. The evening begins at 7:00 pm sharp with a ceremonial cleansing by Hirokazu Kosaka, setting the stage for an illuminating conversation. Don’t miss this inspiring event! Reception and book signing to follow.
Creative Cultivation Salon
Thursday, April 24, 2025
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
James Irvine Japanese Garden
Since 1999, dublab has championed public access to sound, art, and culture. We invite you to a special evening celebrating our legacy of 26 years of nonprofit broadcasting. This event is one of our cornerstone annual fundraisers. Purchase a ticket to support and enjoy live performances, DJ sets, thought-provoking conversations, immersive video art, and culinary experiences you won’t want to miss.
Sashiko Basics: Introduction Workshop for Beginners
Sunday, April 27, 2025
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Kosaka Center for Art & Crafts
Join JACCC for a hands-on Sashiko workshop with Sanae Suzuki. Learn the history, techniques, and calming art of Japanese embroidery, including the "Unshin" stitch and the "hitomezashi" pattern. Unleash your creativity, one stitch at a time!
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration
Saturday, May 3, 2025
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Isamu Noguchi Plaza
Little ones will immerse themselves in Japanese and Japanese American traditions through free hands-on crafts, storytelling, games, and lively performances. Join us for a day of culture, community, and unforgettable family memories.
