How to Eat Like a Samurai
Sep
26
6:30 PM18:30

How to Eat Like a Samurai

Kanna Himiya, author of The Samurai Gourmet, and a descendant of the chef of the powerful Maeda samurai clan from Ishikawa Prefecture, takes attendees on an culinary adventure to reveal the ancient recipes and eating habits of Japan’s legendary military class. Moderated by Michael Romano, chef and food ambassador of Ishikawa Prefecture, listeners will learn how the samurai lifestyle was nourished by a simple, balanced diet — providing them with strength on the battlefield. After the discussion, a book signing reception will be held featuring sake and food samples from Ishikawa Prefecture. Tickets are $20 or $16 for Japan Society members, seniors and students.

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JapanFest Atlanta
Sep
16
to Sep 17

JapanFest Atlanta

Atlanta's annual JapanFest is the largest Japanese festival in the Southeast United States. This two-day event offers plentiful attractions, including Bunraku puppet theater,  sushi-making workshops and an Anime Village for fans of animation. Festival-goers can also learn how to play a taiko drum and enjoy Japanese ghost stories. Food highlights include Japanese shaved ice, bubble tea, ramen and teppan yaki.

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Watoji: Japanese Bookbinding
Sep
12
7:00 PM19:00

Watoji: Japanese Bookbinding

New York City's Japan Society offers a workshop in the art of Watoji, or Japanese book binding, led by mixed media artist Amanda Hu. In this workshop, participants will learn how to stitch together a personalized notebook, journal or scrapbook using traditional Japanese sewing techniques. Attendees of all skill levels will leave this workshop with a greater appreciation for traditional bookbinding as well as a charming memento of their experience.

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Missouri Botanical Garden Japanese Festival
Sep
2
to Sep 4

Missouri Botanical Garden Japanese Festival

  • Missouri Botanical Garden (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Visit one of the largest Japanese gardens in North American for this Labor Day weekend tradition. Missouri Botanical Garden's Japanese Festival celebrates the history, culture and people of Japan through music, art, dance, food, exhibits and more. Origami displays, Bonsai and Ikebana demonstrations, ice sculpture, Gaku music, Kendo and Judo workshops, Dashi processions, Bon Odori dance and Japanese storytelling are among this festival's many attractions.

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Okinawan Festival
Sep
2
to Sep 3

Okinawan Festival

Since 1982, the Okinawan Festival in Honolulu has celebrated culture from Okinawa, the southernmost district of Japan. On September 2nd and 3rd, festival-goers can enjoy Okinawan cuisine (including andagi doughnuts, the stir-fry dish champuru, Okinawa soba and pigs feet soup) while taking in live taiko drum and sanshin performances. Celebrated Okinawan singer Rimi Natsukawa will perform on Sunday at 3 P.M. There will also be demonstrations of flower arranging, classes in the traditional kachashii dance, and booths that showcase Okinawan and Hawaiian culture.

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Philadelphia Obon Festival
Aug
27
11:00 AM11:00

Philadelphia Obon Festival

Obon is a Japanese holiday that honors the spirits of ancestors. This free festival at Philadelphia's Shofuso Japanese House and Garden welcomes visitors to celebrate the holiday with live music, food, Japanese arts and crafts, a flea market, and Bon Odori, a traditional dance that celebrates the memory of ancestors.

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Kanban – Traditional Shop Signs of Japan
Aug
20
to Dec 4

Kanban – Traditional Shop Signs of Japan

  • Mingei International Museum (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Americans interested in Japanese cultural history will find much to enjoy at the Mingei Museum in San Diego, where Kanban: Traditional Shop Signs of Japan (on display through October 8) displays historic shop signs made from panels of lacquered wood, silk thread skeins, bamboo, iron, stone and other materials. This exhibit offers new insights into Japan’s commercial and artistic roots, and invites visitors to explore the evolution of trade as well as the fusion of art and commerce amidst the emergence of mass consumer culture in Japan. 

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Anderson Japanese Gardens Japanese Summer Festival
Aug
19
to Aug 20

Anderson Japanese Gardens Japanese Summer Festival

  • Anderson Japanese Gardens (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

On August 19th and 20th, Rockford, Illinois’ Anderson Japanese Gardens hosts its annual Japanese Summer Festival, which features a tea ceremony, traditional dance performances, martial arts presentations, Japanese sword performance, hands-on origami demonstration and children’s games.

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Nisei Week in Los Angeles
Aug
19
to Aug 27

Nisei Week in Los Angeles

  • Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Nisei Week is an annual festival that celebrates Japanese and Japanese-American culture in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood. This year, Nisei Week will happen between August 19-27th. Highlights include the Grand Parade, on August 21s; the World Gyoza Eating Championship (in which competitors attempt to break the existing record - 384 Gyoza eaten in 10 minutes); exhibits of bonsai, calligraphy and Ikebana; Ondo street dancing; and martial arts demonstrations.

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Liberty City Anime Con
Aug
18
to Aug 20

Liberty City Anime Con

Held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, the Liberty City Anime Con is the largest anime convention in New York City. It is run by fans for fans and includes cosplay contests, nightly dances, anime screenings and musical performances. Over 100 events and panel discussions will be offered. Attendees can browse the dealer room and artist alley for anime merchandise.

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Showdown! Kuniyoshi vs Kunisada
Aug
11
to Dec 10

Showdown! Kuniyoshi vs Kunisada

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston showcases ukiyo-e woodblock prints by renowned artists Utagawa Kunisada (known for realism and portraits of Kabuki actors) and Utagawa Kuniyoshi (whose supernatural designs foreshadowed manga and anime). This exhibition features a selection of 100 works drawn entirely from the MFA’s preeminent Japanese collection, including large, multi-sheet images. Visitors are encouraged to decide for themselves who has prevailed in this artistic rivalry.

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