Fall 2008 Focus on Japan

east asia for teachers

Newsletter of the Five College Center for East Asian Studies

Fall  2008

 


FOCUS ON JAPAN

Conferences, Workshops, Lectures, and Discussions
Performances, Films, Exhibitions, and the Arts * Education & Travel
Resources * Announcements * Tips for Teachers

Home Page * General/East Asia
Calendar * Focus on China and Korea


 

  

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND DISCUSSION GROUPS

UMASS AMHERST
The Five College Japan Lecture Series at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers 4 lectures this fall.

For information on lecture titles and locations, contact: Bruce Baird. Tel 413-577-4992; Email baird@asianlan.umass.edu.

YALE U, NEW HAVEN, CT
Social Pathologies and Psycho-ethnographies of Japan is held at Yale University Fri, Nov 14 − Sat, Nov 15. This 2-day conference addresses various types of mental illness and suffering in Japan. The registration deadline is Fri, Nov 7. Contact: Anne Letterman. Email anne.letterman@yale.edu. For a complete program, visit http://research.yale.edu/eastasianstudies/events.php.

HARVARD U, CAMBRIDGE, MA
The kick-off seminar for the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Program on U.S.-Japan Relations at Harvard University, is Tue, Sep 23, 12:30-2pm. Joseph S. Nye, Jr. (Harvard U) presents The Powers to Lead in the CGIS South Bldg, 1730 Cambridge St. Contact: Lianna Kushi. Tel 617-495-1890; Email lkushi@wcfia.harvard.edu.

PRIMARY SOURCE, MA
Primary Source presents Japan and the World after the Meji, a seminar series for teachers of grades 6−12. The program highlights Japan’s interactions with the U.S. and the wider world from the time of Commodore Perry forward. Sessions meet 9am-3pm at Showa Boston on Fri, Nov 7; Wed, Nov 19; Wed, Dec 10; Thu, Feb 5; and Tue, Mar 3. To learn more, contact: Abby Detweiler. Tel 617-923-9933 x 20; Email abby@primarysource.org; Web www.primarysource.org.

ANIME SOCIETY OF VT, COLCHESTER
The Green Mountain Anime Convention is held at the Hampton Inn Conference Center Thu, Oct 23 − Sun, Oct 26. The program offers a variety of panels and workshops, as well as an auction, art show, karaoke, anime music videos, and dance. For more information visit http://bakuretsucon.org/.

JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY, ME
The Japan-America Society of Maine is holding its Annual Meeting (with Obento) on Sat, Sep 13, during a Casco Bay Cruise. For further information about this and other JASM activities, visit www.maine-japan.org.

WESLEYAN U, MIDDLETOWN, CT
The Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University presents a number of lectures this fall in the Seminar Rm, 343 Washington Ter.

Thu, Sep 25, 4:30pm: Democratizing Undemocratic Civil Society in Japan, by Mary Alice Haddad (Wesleyan University)

Thu, Oct 2, 8pm: 34th Annual Mansfield Freeman Lecture: Forgetting Japan's Postwar, by Harry Harootunian (New York University). A reception follows.

Thu, Nov 20, 4:30pm: Flying Geese: How Asia Helps Shape Japan, by Walter Hatch (Colby College)

To learn more, contact: Shirley Lawrence. Tel 860-685-2330; Email slawrence@wesleyan.edu.

PERFORMANCES, FILMS, EXHIBITIONS, AND THE ARTS

MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE, S. HADLEY, MA
Nobue Yamashita (Tea Ceremony Instructor) conducts Japanese tea ceremony at Mount Holyoke College every Tuesday evening during each semester. This fall she offers, especially for the Five College community, 2 tea ceremonies on Oct 14 and Dec 2, 7:30-8:30pm, in “Washinan,” the first floor of the Eliot House. To attend one of these tea ceremonies, contact: Nobue Yamashita. Tel 413-536-4364; Email nyamashi@mtholyoke.edu.

BUFFALO SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL, NY
The Asian Studies Program at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, in cooperation with the Buffalo Seminary High School, presents Theatre of Yugen at the high school, 205 Bidwell Parkway on Fri, Oct 3, 8pm. The program includes a performance by a 6-person company of a Japanese kyogen play, Shuron, and a newly created piece, Llanto. For more information, contact: Tom Burkman, Asian Studies Program, University at Buffalo. Tel 716-645-3474, x2; Email Burkman@buffalo.edu; Web www.asianstudies.buffalo.edu.

BURLINGTON TAIKO GROUP, VT
The Burlington Taiko Group and its Sensei Stuart Paton conduct school performances and residencies. Taiko performances are arranged in a 45-75 minute format to accommodate school schedules. The Group also offers introductory taiko workshops. For more information on performances, workshops, or events, contact: Burlington Taiko Group. Email booking@burlingtontaiko.org; Tel 802-658-0658; Web www.burlingtontaiko.org.

JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY, VT
The Japan-America Society of Vermont is planning a Tsukimi to be held in mid September. Tsukimi is a Japanese traditional festival honoring the first autumnal full moon. Visit its website at www.jasv.org for updated information on this annual moon viewing party, or call 802-655-4197; Email info@jasv.org.

ART COMPLEX MUSEUM, DUXBURY, MA
The Art Complex Museum, 189 Alden St, features an exhibition of contemporary haiga, Japanese paintings that accompany haiku. Calligraphy used to write haiku is the third component of the visual image. This exhibition of painting, poetry, and calligraphy is on view through Sun, Nov 9, in the Phoenix Gallery. Contact: Laura Doherty. Tel 781-934-6634 x12; Email laura@artcomplex.org.

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN, PROVIDENCE, RI
Rhode Island School of Design, 224 Benefit Street, offers changing exhibitions of Japanese prints and Asian textiles that
rotate periodically in 2 sixth-floor galleries. Information about specific exhibits are posted on the Museum Web-site at www.risd.edu/museum.cfm. For more information call 401 454-6500.

JAPAN SOCIETY FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT
The Japan Society of Fairfield County is holding the following events

To learn more, visit www.home.earthlink.net/~jsfc/.

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM, SALEM, MA
Stage Idols, Japanese Kabuki Theater is at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), East India Sq, through Sun, Jan 25. The exhibition offers a rotating selection of over 40 19th-century woodblock prints, as well as kabuki-related objects. Contact: PEM. Tel 978-745-9500; Web http://pem.org. 

RISD, PROVIDENCE, RI
Broken Plaid and Other Works by Mika Tajima is on view at the Rhode Island School of Design, 224 Benefit St, through Sun, Oct 12. This installation begins with a Minimalist grid form and becomes a video wall paper. Contact: RISD. Tel 401-454-6500; Web www.risd.edu/museum.

ODAIKO NEW ENGLAND, MA
Odaiko New England presents lecture-demonstrations to grades K−12 (typically 45-50 minutes). Educators in Massachusetts interested in having Odaiko New England come to their school can contact: Young Audiences. Tel 617-629-9262, x27; Web www.yamass.org.
Introductory taiko workshops are offered this fall. To learn more, contact: Mark H. Rooney. Tel 857-225-2095 Email class@onetaiko.org.
The group performs on Sat, Sep 20, at the West Boylston Bicentennial Arts Festival. Contact: Odaiko New England. 781-316-1948; Email info@onetaiko.org; Web www.onetaiko.org.

YALE U, NEW HAVEN, CT
The Council on East Asian Studies, 34 Hillhouse Ave, presents Ozu Yasujiro Retrospective. This series showcases films on the following Thursdays, at 8pm, unless otherwise noted.

All films are screened in new 35mm prints. For more details, contact: Anne Letterman. Tel 203-432-3428; Email anne.letterman@yale.edu; Web http://research.yale.edu/eastasianstudies.

ASIAN CULTURAL CENTER, BRATTLEBORO, VT
The Asian Cultural Center of Vermont presents the Vermont Samurai Kaiju Film Festival on Fri, Sep 12 − Sun, Sep 14, in Manchester. This festival includes film showings, arts activities, and demonstrations.
Fabric Collage (Kiri) Paintings is on view at the Asian Cultural Center of Vermont through Wed, Dec 31.
            To learn more, contact: Adam Silver. Tel 802-257-7898, x1; Email acc.vt@verizon.net; Web www.asianculturalcentervt.org.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Kamishibai, Japanese Storytelling & Take-home Activity is a program held at the Boston Children’s Museum on the 2nd Saturday of the month as noted below:
Oct 11:  Umai-mono yama – the Mountain of Goodies
Nov 8: The Three Magic Charms – Taberareta Yamanba
Dec 13: Hats for the Jizos – Kasa Jizo
Contact: Akemi Chayama at Japan Program: Email Chayama@BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
            The School Group Visit Program offers “A Day in the Life of a Japanese Child.” This one-hour program is on Tuesdays at 10am. For reservations, call 617-426-6500 x405; Email groupvisits@BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
            More information about “The Japanese House,” a real house from Kyoto, and Japanese cultural activities and events, is at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

JAPAN SOCIETY, NYC
New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters is on view at the Japan Society, 333 East 47th St, Sat, Oct 4 − Sun, Jan 11.  This exhibition features 23 artists who use Japanese bamboo as a sculptural medium. Group tours can be arranged by calling 212-715-1224.
            The Japan Society also presents 3 performances of true. This collaboration between lighting designer Takayuki Fujimoto, performer Takao Kawaguchi, and choreographer/dancer/video artist Tsuyoshi Shirai is performed at 7:30pm on Thu, Nov 13; Fri, Nov 14, and Sat, Nov 15.
            Also at the Japan Society is Tzadik Music Label Series IV: Tribute to Teiji Ito. This performance by Guy Klucevsek & Steve Gorn is Fri, Dec 12, 7:30pm.
            Contact: Japan Society, NYC. Tel 212-832-1155; Web www.japansociety.org.

JAS-NH/PORTSMOUTH PEACE TREATY FORUM
The Japan-America Society of New Hampshire and the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum present these programs.
The Portsmouth Peace Treaty “Flags Over Portsmouth,” still photos from the NHK (Japan) Television docudrama on the Treaty, is on display at the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave.
            The “Peace of Portsmouth” Community Theater Workshop is a 6-week workshop, ending with a public performance. This might be of interest to teachers of world history looking for ways to incorporate “World War Zero” and turn of the century international relations in their classrooms. The workshop is held on Tuesdays, Sep 16 − Oct 28, 5:45-7:30pm. The performance is Sun, Nov 2, at the West End Studio Theater, 959 Islington St, Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Beat Night is Thu, Sep 18, 7pm, in The Press Room, 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth. The poetry focuses on the theme of peace and conflict resolution in the spirit of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, and is accompanied by improvised jazz music.
            An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905 focuses on the Russo-Japanese War. This exhibition runs through Fri, Oct 31 at the John Paul Jones House Museum of the Portsmouth Historical Society, 43 Middle St. It is also at the New Hampshire State Archives, 71 So. Fruit St, Concord.
For more information, contact: Charles Doleac. Tel 603-436-4010; Email cdoleac@nhlawfirm.com or Stephanie Seacord. Tel 603-772-1835; Email sseacord@lemd.com; Web www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.org.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON, MA
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave, presents the following exhibitions:

Contact: Museum of Fine Arts. Tel 617-267-9300; Web www.mfa.org.

HARVARD U, CAMBRIDGE, MA
Tapestry in Architecture: Creating Human Spaces is on view in the Japan Friends of Harvard Concourse, Center for Government and International Studies, South Building, 1730 Cambridge St, Mon, Sep 15 − Fri, Nov 14. This exhibition features work by artist Mitsuko Asakura, whose work combines Japanese traditional dyeing and weaving with Western tapestry techniques. Contact: Reischauer Institute, Harvard University. Tel 617-495-3220; Email rijs@fas.harvard.edu.

EDUCTION AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

JAPAN FULBRIGHT MEMORIAL FUND
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program, sponsored by the Government of Japan, provides teachers and administrators with fully-funded three-week study tours of Japan. The program is designed to increase understanding between the people of Japan and the United States by inviting U.S. elementary and secondary educators to visit Japan and share their experiences with fellow Americans upon their return. Participants return from Japan to implement a self-designed plan to share their knowledge and experience with their students, colleagues, and community. For more information, contact: Institute of International Education. Tel 888-527-2636; Fax 202-326-7672; Email jfmf@iie.org; Web www.iie.org/jfmf.

LAURASIAN INSTITUTION
New Perspectives Program: Japan (NP:J) takes teacher-led school groups to Japan to study in Kyoto and Tokyo for two weeks in the summer. The group also experiences a homestay and school visits. The application deadline for 2009 is Mon, Nov 24. To learn more, contact: Shelley Namiki. Tel 206-367-2152; Email snamiki@laurasian.org; Web www.laurasian.org.
            Through the J-corps, Junior Program, a select group of high school exchange students from Japan are brought to the United States for the academic school year. The program seeks to build mutual understanding among the American and Japanese participants in the high school community. Contact: Mari Kim. Tel 206-367-2152; Email mkim@laurasian.org; Web www.laurasian.org

CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN BOSTON
The Consulate General of Japan offers free presentations at schools for teachers and students in the New England area to encourage the study of Japan and promote friendly relations between Americans and Japanese. For more information about this School Visit Program, contact: Sumiko Otsuka, at the Consulate General of Japan in Boston. Tel 617-973-9772, or visit www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/eng/Culture_Education/svp.htm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ELGIN HEINZ TEACHER AWARDS
The Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award program recognizes exceptional teachers who further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese. The award is presented annually to two pre-college teachers in two categories, humanities and Japanese language. The award consists of a certificate of recognition, a $2,500 monetary award, and $5,000 in project funds. The award is open to current full-time K−12 classroom teachers in the United States who have been teaching for at least 5 years. Application deadline is Sun, Feb 1, 2009. For more information, contact: David Janes, United States-Japan Foundation, 145 E. 32nd St, New York, NY 10016. Tel 212-481-8757; Email djanes@us-jf.org; Web www.us-jf.org.
The 2008 Award Recipient for Humanities is Michelle L. Pearson (Hulstrom Options School, Northglen, CO). Pearson was a participant in the Japanese Studies Leadership Program, co-sponsored by the Five College Center for East Asian Studies. Jessica Haxhi (Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School, Waterbury, CT) was the 2008 Award Recipient in the Japanese Language category. Congratulations to both recipients.

GOLDMAN SACHS FOUNDATION PRIZE
The Asia Society awarded the 2007 Goldman Sachs Foundation Media and Technology Prize to the Reischauer Scholars Program in March. This college-level, distance-learning course about Japan for American high school students was developed at Stanford University. Gary Mukai, Director of Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), and Naomi Funahashi, instructor for the program, accepted the prize.

JAPAN SOCIETY OF BOSTON HAS MOVED
The Japan Society of Boston has moved its offices to a new location on the campus of Showa Boston Institute.
Other contact information remains the same.

TEACHERS ALERT STUDENTS TO....

--> The Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) invites all interested high school juniors and seniors to apply to the 2009 Reischauer Scholars Program (RSP). The RSP annually selects 25 exceptional high school juniors and seniors from throughout the United States to engage in an intensive study of Japan. Selected students participate in an Internet-mediated course on Japan from February to June 2009. The RSP provides students with a broad overview of Japanese history, literature, religion, art, politics, economics, and contemporary society, with a special focus on the U.S.-Japan relationship. All students who successfully complete the course will earn 3 units of Stanford University Continuing Studies (CSP) credit and a Certificate of Completion from SPICE, Stanford University. All completed applications must be postmarked by October 17, 2008. For more information, contact: Naomi Funahashi, RSP coordinator. Tel 650-724-4396; Email nfunahashi@stanford.edu. An application can be downloaded at www.reischauerscholars.org.

RESOURCES

The Japan Society of New York has added more content to its Web site, About Japan: A Teacher’s Resource, (www.aboutjapan.japansociety.org). Recent additions include:

The site also includes photographs, essays, and resources for the classroom.

 

Conferences, Workshops, Lectures, and Discussions
Performances, Films, Exhibitions, and the Arts * Education & Travel
Resources * Announcements * Tips for Teachers

Home Page * General/East Asia * Calendar * Focus on China and Korea