Webinar to Explore the founding of I-House
The founding of the International House of Japan
Reflections on the Founding of the International House of Japan: Insights from Rockefeller & Matsumoto for the Future
Thursday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Live Webinar
Admission: Free
As the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII approaches, the International House of Japan and American Friends of the International House of Japan present a live virtual discussion focused on the documentary film John and Shige: The Quiet Builders about the founding of the International House of Japan in the aftermath of such devastating global conflict. The event explores the friendship between John D. Rockefeller III and Shigeharu Matsumoto and the context of the time in which they built the International House of Japan. Panelists will consider how such an institution was developed and the ways in which it helped rebuild positive relations between the U.S. and Japan and its aim to prevent future conflict.
The panel intends to examine how the International House of Japan collaborated with U.S. institutions such as Japan Society. Through a close reflection on the origins of the I-House, AFIHJ hopes to generate a discussion about lessons for the future as the International House of Japan continues to work with partners to prevent future conflicts and enhance cross-cultural understanding.
To register, please visit afijh.org. Registrants will receive a link to watch the film John and Shige: The Quiet Builders.
Speakers
Victoria Bestor
Victoria Lyon Bestor has been fascinated by Japan since growing up in Seattle, Kobe’s sister city; her interest in the Rockefeller Family began when she was a program officer at Japan Society of New York in the early 1980s. As a Fulbright scholar she combined those interests to study the role of Rockefeller Philanthropy in Japan, making use of archives internationally including the Rockefeller Archive Center and International House of Japan. She has published several articles and chapters related to that research.
From 1999 to 2017 she was the executive director of the NCC (North American Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources), an international nonprofit, and has served on the board of the American Friends of International House of Japan.
Dr. Kent Calder
The Chair of AFIHJ, Dr. Kent E. Calder is an Edwin O. Reischauer Professor and Director of the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). A specialist in East Asian political economy, Calder lived and researched in Japan for eleven years and across East Asia for four years. His recent publications include Global Political Cities: Actors and Arenas of Influence in International Affairs (2021), Super Continent: The Logic of Eurasian Integration (2019), and Circles of Compensation: Economic Growth and the Globalization of Japan (2018), among others.
In 2014, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
Dr. Carol Gluck
The George Sansom Professor of History Emerita at Columbia University, Dr. Carol Gluck is a historian of modern Japan specializing in international relations, World War II, and history-writing and public memory in Asia and the West. Publications include Japan’s Modern Myths, Showa: The Japan of Hirohito, Asia in Western and World History, Words in Motion, Thinking with the Past: Japan and Modern History, and Past Obsessions: World War Two in History and Memory.
A past President of the Association for Asian Studies, Gluck is the founding member and chair of Columbia's Committee on Global Thought, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the American Philosophical Society. She is a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from the government of Japan and an awardee of the International Japanese Studies Prize from the National Institute of the Humanities.
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Fred Korematsu Day in Fort Lee, NJ
Honoring the civil rights activist Fred T. Korematsu
Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution
Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m.
Fort Lee Municipal Building – 309 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Admission: Free
The Borough of Fort Lee and New Jersey AAPI Commissioner Tak Furumoto celebrate Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. The event honors the legacy of Fred Korematsu, a U.S. civil rights hero who had the courage to stand up for what is right during World War II. January 30 would have been Korematsu’s 106th birthday.
About Fred Korematsu
In 1942, 23-year-old California native Fred Korematsu refused to enter the concentration camps established for the mass incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals living on the West Coast, citing the directive as unconstitutional. After his arrest for defying government orders, he took his case all the way to the Supreme Court – and lost. In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Korematsu, claiming that the incarceration was justified by “military necessity.” However, nearly forty years later, researchers uncovered evidence revealing there were no acts of treason by Japanese Americans to justify their internment. This discovery of government misconduct led to the reopening of Korematsu’s case. On November 10, 1983, a federal court in San Francisco overturned Korematsu’s conviction, marking a significant moment in the fight for civil rights.
Korematsu dedicated his life to activism, becoming a symbol of resilience and justice. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizing his tireless efforts to defend the civil liberties of all Americans. Learn more about him at the Korematsu Institute’s website.
Establishing Fred T. Korematsu Day
In 2010, when then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislative bill recognizing January 30 as the Fred T. Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, it became the first statewide day in U.S. history named after an Asian American. Following California’s lead, seven other states officially recognize the observance in perpetuity: Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. Other states, including Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Utah recognize Fred T. Korematsu Day by proclamation.
Tak Furumoto, who was born in Tule Lake War Relocation Center, one of the Japanese American incarceration camps, was instrumental in New Jersey’s adoption of Fred T. Korematsu Day in 2023. Raised in his parents' native Hiroshima after the atomic bombing, Furumoto returned to the U.S. to attend college and eventually served our country in Vietnam War. Furumoto and his wife, Carolyn, have run Furumoto Realty for more than 50 years and have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the Japanese American community in both New Jersey and New York.
Fred T. Korematsu Day in New York City
New York State, under the guidance of State Senator Shelley Mayer, passed a bill recognizing Fred T. Korematsu Day last year, but New York City first observed this day in 2018 after City Council unanimously passing Resolution 792, proposed by then Councilmember Daniel Dromm, on December 19, 2017. The day serves not only to honor Korematsu’s brave act to fight injustice, but also to educate the public in the hopes that the history of mass incarceration, prompted by wartime hysteria, will never be repeated.
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Discover Okinawan Cuisine in NYC
Taste of Okinawa in NY Food Festival
Taste of Okinawa NY Food Festival
Enjoy the bounty of fresh foods from Okinawa during the Taste of Okinawa NY Food Festival, running from Friday, January 24 through Saturday, February 8. Ten member restaurants of the New York Japanese Restaurant Association (NYJRA) will feature various ingredients from Japan’s southernmost prefecture, including mozuku, a brown seaweed; shikuwasa, a lime-like citrus; and kokuto, an unrefined black sugar. Visit one or all the participating restaurants to introduce the delicious taste of Okinawa to your taste buds.
Participating Restaurants
a-un Brooklyn
156 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-678-6628
Website: aunbrooklyn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aunbrooklyn/
Menu items: Free Range Chicken Teriyaki, Acerola Chuhai
a-un’s Free Range Chicken Teriyaki
Kokuto and Shikuwasa Cocktail at Bozu
Bozu
296 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-384-7770
Website: bozubrooklyn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bozubrooklyn/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes
Cha-An Teahouse
230 E. 9th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
212-228-8030
Website: chaanteahouse.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaanteahouse/
Menu items: Kokuto Anmitsu, Matcha Shikuwasa Cocktail
Kokutou Anmitsu at Cha-an
Hasaki
210 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-473-3327
Website: hasakinyc.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hasaki.nyc/
Menu items: Mozukusu, Okinawa Sour
Hi-Collar
231 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-777-7018
Website: hi-collar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi_collar/
Menu items: Kokuto Crème Brulee, Okinawa Sour
Sakagura
211 E. 43rd Street, B1
New York, NY 10017
212-953-7253
Website: sakagura.squarespace.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakagurany/
Menu items: Mozukusu, Okinawa Sour
Samurai Mama
205 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-599-6161
Website: samuraimama.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuraimama_bk/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes
Samurai Papa
594 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-398-8181
Website: samuraipapabk.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuraipapa_bedstuy/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes
Sushi Ryusei
216 E. 29th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-983-8880
Website: sushiryusei.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushiryusei/#
Menu items: Calamari Salad with Shikuwasa Dressing, Fluke Teriyaki
Mozuku Tempura Udon at Wasan
Wasan Brooklyn
440 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-864-3549
Website: wasan-ny.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasanbrooklyn/
Menu items: Mozuku Tempura with Deep Ocean Water Salt and Curry Salt, Mozuku Tempura Udon
Ingredients
Shikuwasa Citrus Juice
Acerola Syrup
Sea Grapes
Mozuku Seaweed
Teriyaki Sauce
Black Sugar
Deep Ocean Water Salt (Kumi no Shio)
Orion Beer
Health Properties of Okinawan Cuisine
Okinawa is a Blue Zone, an area with some of the longest living people in the world. Their longevity is attributed to the prefecture’s subtropical climate, communities’ supportive social networks, and a diet consisting of the items that are featured in a Taste of Okinawa. For example, mozuku is believed to be beneficial to digestive health and the immune system, while kokuto is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium and calcium. Including shikuwasa in your diet is said to enhance metabolism, and sea grapes (umibudo) contains fiber and antioxidants.
“For this fair, we have carefully selected a variety of ingredients nurtured in Okinawa’s rich natural environment. We hope many people will visit the participating restaurants and experience the charm of Okinawa firsthand. Don’t miss this opportunity to savor the authentic tastes of Okinawa in New York City!”
Satomi Watanabe
H.I.S International Tours (NY) Inc.
About New York Japanese Restaurant Association
NYJRA elevates Japanese cuisine in the U.S. by collaborating with Japanese restaurants and developing markets. The organization supports education programs for restaurants on topics such as the history of Japanese food, human resources tips, and culinary techniques, as well as assisting Japanese restaurants to address the major challenges they face today. To learn more about NYJRA, please visit their website.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Candlelight Concerts Feature Joe Hisaishi
The music of Joe Hisaishi, known for Studio Ghibli and “Beat” Takeshi film scores, is featured at two upcoming Candlelight Concerts in NYC
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Thursday, February 13 at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m.
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church – 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn
Admission: $46.50 - $78.50 on February 13 | $35 - $65 on March 19
The music of Joe Hisaishi is the focus of two upcoming Candlelight Concerts. Tickets are available and can be purchased at the event site Fever. The Highline String Quartet will perform Hisaishi’s music at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church under the gentle glow of candlelight (or electric tealights). Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations in New York.
About Joe Hisaishi
Born Mamoru Fujisawa in Nagano, Joe Hisaishi is the beloved, award-winning composer renowned for collaborating with Hayao Miyazaki, writing the scores for all but one of the animator’s Studio Ghibli films. He has also composed the music for several films by “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, including Hanabi and Kikujiro. The recipient of seven Japanese Academy Awards, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for The Boy and the Heron. In 2023, Hisaishi was bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government.
Tentative Program
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind – “Kaze no Tani” (Opening Theme)
Laputa: Castle in the Sky – “Kimi wo Nosete” (Carrying You”)
My Neighbour Totoro – “Kaze no Toori Michi” (“Path of the Wind”)
My Neighbour Totoro – “Tonari no Totoro” (Main Theme)
Kiki's Delivery Service – “Umi no Mieru Machi” (“A Town with an Ocean View”)
Kiki's Delivery Service – “Tabidachi” (“Journey”)
Princess Mononoke – “Main Theme”
Spirited Away – “Inochi no Namae” (“Name of Life”)
Spirited Away – “Chihiro's Waltz”
Ponyo – “Gake no Ue no Ponyo” (“Ponyo on the Cliff”)
The Wind Rises – “A Journey (A Dream of Flight)”
Kikujiro – “Summer”
The Tale of Princess Kaguya – “When I Remember This Life”
Howl's Moving Castle – “Merry Go Round of Life”
Concert approved by Wonder City, representing Joe Hisaishi. Guests must be eight years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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JapanCulture•NYC Business Directory
The JapanCultureNYC Directory announcement
The Place for All Things Japanese in New York City
Since launching JapanCulture-NYC.com in May 2011, I have received daily emails and DMs asking for recommendations of the best sushi or ramen restaurants as well as the best places to find Japanese Oshogatsu decorations in New York City. This made me realize that a compilation of these businesses was beneficial as well as necessary for the community.
What is the Directory?
A listing of all Japanese and Japanese-related businesses in New York City on JapanCulture-NYC.com, the Directory will help people who are interested in Japanese products and services find the right business—all in one place. Think of it as an online phone book.
What kinds of businesses benefit from being listed in the Directory?
Restaurants
Retail
Wholesale
Super Markets
Liquor Stores
Fine Art Galleries
Stationery and Gift Items
Language Schools and Independent Teachers
Dance Studios
Martial Arts Dojos
Event Organizers
Musicians
Filmmakers
Translators and Interpreters
Societies and Nonprofit Organizations
Any kind of business!
How Will Being Listed in the Directory Help Me?
Tangible Benefits for Everyone Who is Listed
Increased visibility – JapanCulture•NYYC attracts thousands of visitors each month who are actively searching for businesses like yours, using high-ranking keyword searches such as “Japanese restaurants in NYC.” Plus, exposure to around 1K email subscribers and 10K social media followers of JapanCulture•NYC.
Proven traffic value – The organic traffic to our website is valued at $260/month, equivalent to what you’d spend on Google Ads for similar visibility, but we deliver this value at a fraction of the cost, making it ideal for small businesses with limited advertising budgets.
Increased traffic to your website as well as your physical store – Unlike generic directories, we specifically cater to NYC’s Japanese community, ensuring your advertising reaches the audience most likely to engage with your business.
How Much Does It Cost?
Tiers to Fit Your Budget
Hajime (Starter): Name of business, address, phone number – Cost: Free
Naka (Mid-Tier) Photo of business or related products, link to website – Cost: $50 yearly (less than a dollar a week!)
Takumi (Expert): All of the above + featured article about the business (or aspect of business that owner wants to highlight) + prominent position on JapanCulture•NYC + monthly blasts on social media. – Cost: $500 yearly
How Can I List My Business in the Directory?
For Free Hajime Listing: Fill out the Google Form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenNRzzMmb0Nb3zSBBCXI7pC9-bqM-LFD714Sv9-bLBgoaGFg/viewform
For Paid Listings: Schedule a 30-minute consultation to get started with Susan Miyagi McCormac, JapanCulture•NYC Founder & Editor-Chief, through Calendly: https://calendly.com/jcnyc/30min
Be a part of JapanCulture-NYC.com, the English-language website dedicated to showcasing All Things Japanese in New York City.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Plan a Journey to Japan
Plan Your Journey to Japan: Meet Experts at the New York Adventure Show
2025 New York Travel & Adventure Show
Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 26 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Javits Center – 429 11th Avenue
Admission: $19.29 for one day | $28.08 for both days
The New York Travel & Adventure Show returns to Javits Center with more than 550 travel experts to help you plan your next vacation to anywhere in the world. If Japan is one of your desired destinations in 2025, you’ll want to take advantage of the Japanese-related travel organizations that will be at your disposal. Discover cities other than Tokyo and Kyoto to explore and learn the best insider tips to make your adventure to Japan the best it can be.
Whether it’s your first time or your 20th time, head to the Japan booths at the Travel & Adventure Show! To purchase tickets, please visit the Travel & Adventure Show’s website.
Participating Japan-Related Travel Organizations
Booth 214 – Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau
Booth 216 – HIS / Experts of Travel to Japan
Booth 301 – Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Booth 303 – Iwate, Japan
Booth 323 – Japan National Tourism Organization
Chindon-ya Performance
Saturday, January 25 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 26 from 11:30 a.m. until Noon
Presented by Tokyo Tourism
BENTENYA, a Japanese professional female Chindon-ya, will perform at the Global Beats Stage on each day. A Chindon-ya is a type of street advertisement through which colorfully clothed bands march in parades and perform at matsuri. The bands play instruments such as taiko drums, bells, accordions, saxophones, and trumpets while toting sandwich boards advertising store openings and the like. Hailing from Aichi Prefecture, BENTENYA formed in 2008 and turned pro three years later, claiming first prize in the National Chindon Tournament in 2015 and 2016. They have performed their special brand of music internationally, including the Japan Expo in Paris in 2016 as well as the 2024 Japan Festival Houston.
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Miné Okubo’s Portraits at SEIZAN Gallery NYC
Miné Okubo, Untitled, 1940s from SEIZAN Gallery
Miné Okubo: Portraits
Now through Saturday, March 1
SEIZAN Gallery – 525 W. 26th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues), Ground Floor
Admission: Free
SEIZAN Gallery is presenting Miné Okubo: Portraits, the gallery's first solo exhibition featuring work by one of the most influential Japanese American artists of the 20th Century. Until March 1, 2025, works by Okubo will be on public display, some for the first time, including eleven portraits completed in the late 1940s. Okubo achieved early success as an artist and continued to be extraordinarily prolific throughout her life until her death in 2001. She is most renowned for Citizen 13660, a groundbreaking memoir that combines visual art and narrative to record her experience living in Japanese American internment camps during World War II.
About Miné Okubo
Born in Riverside, California, in 1912, Miné Okubo was a nisei, or second-generation Japanese American. After earning an MFA in art and anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, she was awarded the prestigious Bertha Taussig Fellowship to study in Paris under Fernand Léger. When World War II broke out, Okubo returned to the United States in 1939 on the last ship from Europe. Back in California, she contributed to mural projects under the Federal Art Project and curated exhibitions.
From 1942 to 1944, Okubo was detained at the Tanforan Relocation Center in San Bruno, California, and at the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah. While in these camps, she created more than 2,000 drawings using charcoal, watercolor, pen, and ink. During this time she taught art to others in the incarcerated population, alongside Chiura Obata and other notable artists. Published in 1946, Citizen 13660 includes nearly 200 illustrations documenting daily life in the camps. It received the American Book Award in 1984.
Miné Okubo, Untitled, 1940s from SEIZAN Gallery
Life and Work in New York City
After her release from Topaz in 1944, Okubo relocated to New York City, where she went on to have a successful career as a commercial illustrator for prestigious publications such as The New York Times, LIFE, and Fortune while continuing her painting practice. Her debut assignment was illustrating the magazine's April 1944 "Japan" issue. Portraits—especially of women and children—remained a central focus of her work. In "Personal Statement" she wrote "From the beginning, my work has been rooted in a concern for the humanities."
The eleven portraits featured in this exhibition were created in the late 1940s, just a few years after Okubo’s release from the camps. These bold, powerful works share stylistic connections with her earlier charcoal drawings from the internment period, which are also displayed in the gallery. While her camp drawings often convey the despair and trauma of the incarcerated, the later portraits—rendered in colorful pastel—capture energy, strength, and compassion. The anonymous figures exude vitality and humanity, celebrating everyday life and signal an early transition to Okubo's iconic, color-rich style.
Recognition and Legacy
Her contributions have been recognized in numerous ways. In 1965, CBS-TV featured her in the documentary Nisei: The Pride and the Shame. In 1972, her first retrospective was held at the Oakland Museum. In 1981, Okubo testified before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), advocating for the inclusion of internment history in educational curricula.
Okubo’s works are now archived at the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties at Riverside Community College District and featured in prominent museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Oakland Museum. Her legacy endures in exhibitions like The View from Within curated by Karin Higa in 1992 at the Japanese American National Museum as well as on-going group exhibition Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo at the Smithsonian American Art Museum curated by ShiPu Wang through August 17, 2025.
SEIZAN Gallery
Located in Chelsea, SEIZAN’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday and Monday by appointment. For more information, please visit SEIZAN Gallery’s website.
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All-Asian American, All-Femme Cast in Shakespearean Play
All-Asian American, all-femme cast in modern-verse version of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline
Cymbeline
Friday, January 18 through Saturday, February 15, 2025
Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sundays at 3:00 p.m. (Except Saturday, January 18, which will be at 7:00 p.m.)
Classic Stage Company/Lynn F. Angelson Theater – 136 E. 13th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues)
Admission: $55 Premium Seating | $45 Standard Seating | $25 Students
The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), in partnership with Play on Shakespeare, presents the world premiere of Andrea Thome’s modern-verse translation of Cymbeline, a play originally written by William Shakespeare. Cymbeline features an all-Asian American, all-femme cast directed by Stephen Brown-Fried.
About Cymbeline
In a world shattered by tyranny and poisoned by misogyny, Cymbeline tells the story of a young woman's flight from despair to heroism as she rediscovers her lost siblings and brings order to a kingdom ruled by chaos. Performed by an ensemble of eleven women, Cymbeline is a story of hope and rebirth in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
The title character is portrayed by Amy Hill, a Japanese American actress whose television roles include Grandma Kim in Margaret Cho’s sitcom All-American Girl, Lourdes Chan in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Kumu in the reboot of Magnum P.I.
Acting alongside Hill will be Purva Bedi, Annie Fang, Anna Ishida, Narea Kang, Jennifer Lim, KK Moggie, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Julyanna Soelistyo, Sarah Suzuki, and Jeena Yi. Asian American women also play a big role behind the scenes of Cymbeline as well, with scenic design by Ant Ma, costumes by Mariko Ohigashi, lighting by Yiyuan Li, and sound design by Caroline Eng. To purchase tickets, please visit NAATCO’s website.
Amy Hill
About NAATCO
Actors Richard Eng and Mia Katigbak founded the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) in 1989 to offer more opportunities for Asian Americans in American theatre, including the actors on stage and the directors, designers, and technicians behind it. NAATCO also strives to reach their non-Asian American audiences by cultivating “an appreciation of Asian American contributions to the development of theatre arts in America.” Visit NAATCO’s website to learn more.
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HARAJUKU BURLESQUE THEATRE AT JAPAN SOCIETY
Shuji Terayama's Duke Bluebeard's Castle ©Yoji Ishizawa
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
Wednesday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. — Followed by an opening night reception
Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. — Followed by an artist Q&A
Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $48 | $36 Japan Society members
Japan Society presents the North American premiere of a new production of Duke Bluebeard’s Castle in partnership with Under the Radar, America’s premier experimental performance festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Written by revolutionary Japanese angura (underground) theater artist and multi-hyphenate Shuji Terayama, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle is now re-envisioned by illustrious experimental theater director Kim Sujin and performed by the all-female avant-garde ensemble Project Nyx. As part of Under the Radar 2025, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle will have only four performances. The runtime is 135 minutes and will be performed in Japanese with English supertitles.
Ticketholders for performances on Thursday through Saturday will also receive complimentary, same-day admission for one person to Bunraku Backstage, on view at Japan Society Gallery through Sunday, January 19. To view the exhibition please show ticket/receipt to the Welcome Desk for free admission before the performance. PLEASE NOTE: This exhibit will not be available to the public on Wednesday, January 15. Purchase tickets at Japan Society’s website.
Shuji Terayama's Duke Bluebeard's Castle ©Yoji Ishizawa
About Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
In this new take, director Kim Sujin gives the play an entrancing and nightmarish Harajuku burlesque makeover. The 30-member company includes the all-female ensemble Project Nyx, the Gothic-Lolita cabaret music duo Kokusyoku Sumire, and the award-winning magician Syun Shibuya. This stage show further twists Terayama’s aggressively subversive play into a macabre, magic-infused Lolita fashion spectacle saturated with dark magic tricks, fiddlers and accordion players, aerial dance, and more.
Set in the backstage of a theater in Japan, the play begins with the arrival of a character, The Girl Set to Play the Seventh Wife, as a theater troupe prepares to perform a play called Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of her missing stagehand brother, she becomes trapped in the twists and turns of the script, which weaves metaphysical layers of the Gothic horror over top of the play, drawing into question the very nature of theater itself.
About Shuji Terayama
Throughout his career, Shuji Terayama, a legendary founding figure of Japan’s raucous avant-garde angura theater movement in the 1960s and ’70s, was repeatedly drawn to the French gothic horror Le Barbe Bleue (Bluebeard), a magic-infused folktale about a nobleman who murders his six wives. Terayama’s obsession with the story of Bluebeard’s seventh wife and the mysterious room in Bluebeard’s castle that she is forbidden to enter culminated in this late-career magnum opus script, a twisting game of cat-and-mouse that asks the question: On the theater stage, where magic and the mundane and fantasy and reality freely mix, can anyone truly determine what is truth, and what is a lie? Terayama wrote Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, nominally drawing from Bela Bartók’s famous operatic version of the French legend, and directed it for his company, Tenjo Sajiki, in 1979 at the Seibu Theater in Shibuya, Tokyo. The premiere production was titled Duke Bluebeard’s Castle – from Bartók and was billed by the company as a work full of “fashion, magic, evil, and eroticism.”
Coinciding with the performances on January 15 through 18, rarely seen artifacts of Terayama’s scripts, letters, photos, and other items from the La MaMa Archive will be displayed in Japan Society’s foyer. All items are collected from presentations of Terayama’s work at La MaMa Experimental Theater Club, including La Marie-Vision, directed by Terayama himself and performed by American actors in 1970, and Directions to Servants, by Terayama’s Tenjo Sajiki company in 1980.
Kim Sujin © Courtesy of Japan Society
About Kim Sujin
Multiple award-winning director Kim Sujin has garnered an international reputation for his experimental theater productions and is recognized as a direct inheritor of the angura movement from founders such as Juro Kara and Shuji Terayama. After graduating from Tokai University, Kim studied under director Yukio Ninagawa and was a member of the Ninagawa Studio, where he learned the basics of theater by appearing in productions such as Chikamatsu Shinju Monogatari (The Tale of Chikamatsu).
In 1978, he joined Juro Kara's company, Jokyo GekijoTheater. He received direct instruction from Ninagawa and Kara, two leading figures in the "underground small theater" scene. Kim quickly established himself through his distinct “tent theater” performances, a unique style of experiential theater inherited from Juro Kara. Kim later founded his theater company, Shinjuku Ryozanpaku, in 1987. He has been directing all of Shinjuku Ryozanpaku productions since the company's launch and is recognized for his dynamic directional skills that make full use of the tent and theater space. Since its inception, the company has travelled across the world. The company had its US debut in 1999 with Kara’s A Cry from the City of Virgins, presented at Japan Society.
Starting in 2016 and continuing over several years, Kim directed Juro Kara's major plays, including Vinyl Castle, Kara-ban Kaze no Matasaburo, Mud Mermaid, and A Cry from the City of Virgins, for the prestigious venue Theater Cocoon in Tokyo as a materialization of the late Yukio Ninagawa's wish. In 2023, he won the 57th Kinokuniya Theatre Award for Individual Achievement, and this year, Kinokuniya Theatre announced the Group Achievement Award to Kim’s Shinjuku Ryozanpaku for its 59th Award. Kim has served as the resident director of Project Nyx’s productions since its founding in 2006. He continues to direct productions around the world and is currently a visiting professor at Chonju National University in Korea.
Shuji Terayama's Duke Bluebeard's Castle ©Yoji Ishizawa
About Project Nyx
Based on the art and costumes of Akira Uno and the direction of Kim Sujin, Project Nyx was founded in 2006 by Kanna Mizushima, an actress and company member of Shinjuku Ryōzanpaku who plays the role of The Fifth Wife in Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. This all-female experimental theater unit breathes life into art that has drifted into obscurity or oblivion, ranging from timeless masterpieces to lesser-known gems, and reviving them as contemporary performances with an avant-garde spin.
Project NYX has also been recognized in Japan as a current leading interpreter of Japanese angura theater, revitalizing these works in the twenty-first century. By bringing together artists from various genres, Project NYX aims to create new entertainment that transcends the expected boundaries of theater, merging music, dance, and fine art. Since its inception, it has promoted an "exquisite entertainment theater" with a mysterious, glamorous, and avant-garde visual style, continuously expressing the beauty and strength of women. In recent years, Project Nyx has also taken on the challenge of developing "female kabuki," creating a style that blurs, crosses, and transcends preconceived gender boundaries and gender roles on and around the theater stage.
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AAPI Dance Festival
Kanon Sugino among the AAPI dancers performing for the Asian American Arts Alliance’s two-day festival
A4 AAPI Dance Festival at APAP
Saturday, January 11 from 1:45 p.m. until 3:45 p.m.
Sunday, January 12 from 4:15 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.
The Ailey Citigroup Theatre – 405 W. 55th Street
General Admission: $25 | Two-Day Pass: $30
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) present two afternoons of thrilling AAPI dance, with performances from the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Jadin Wong Fellow Kanon Sugino, Jadin Wong Artist of Exceptional Merit Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow (they/he) and KAŌS Dance Collective, Jadin Wong Artist of Exceptional Merit Luna Beller-Tadiar, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, and J CHEN PROJECT.
The AAPI Dance Festival at APAP is a part of the Dance Managers Collective Showcase. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit A4’s website.
Day 1 Program
1:45 p.m. – TBD by Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow (they/he) and KAŌS Dance Collective
“As the Roots Undo” centers around the idea that the longer you stay in a new place, the more you distance yourself from the version of you that existed before. The original piece is meant to be a snapshot depicting the feeling of living through each seemingly identical day, understanding the necessity of adaptation in order to survive. The dancers see that they’re not alone and find strength in collective perseverance.
2:00 p.m. – “Mirage no Wana” by Kanon Sugino
This work is an exploration of Japanese culture, heritage, language, societal norms, body image, and mental health, portraying the multidimensionality of the culture and its people. Amidst the richness and beauty of Japan is a concealed toxic and self-deprecating culture.
Dancers: Manatsu Aminaga, Kira Shiina, and Kanon Sugino
2:15 p.m. – “Leaving Pusan” by Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company
“Leaving Pusan” tells the story of Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s great grandmother’s emotional and physical departure from Korea in 1903. She voyaged to Oahu, Hawai'i, on the Gaelic, the first steamship that delivered Koreans to work on the sugar cane and pineapple plantations, and worked on the Del Monte plantation her entire life.
2:45 p.m. – “AAPI HEROES” (Excerpt) by J CHEN PROJECT
“AAPI HEROES” entertains and pays homage to the vibrant legacy of Asian American history. We follow our young explorer, Kai, on a captivating journey across time to discover iconic Asian American figures such as Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Chinese American star, and Bruce Lee, a legend in martial arts and philosophy. It also brings to life the mythic NuWa, Goddess of Creation, and the global K-POP phenomenon.
Dancers: Chieh Hsiung, Sumire Ishige, Maya Lam, and Carl Ponce Cubero
3:15 p.m. – Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Experience the artistry of Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, celebrated for its authentic and diverse programs that spotlight AAPI dance and foster cross-cultural collaboration. This dynamic performance highlights the Company’s innovative approach to blending tradition with modernity:
“Lion in the City”
A thrilling reimagining of the beloved Lion Dance, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. Nai-Ni Chen’s collaboration with Rokafella and Kwikstep unites Chinese movement with urban dance in a joyous prayer for peace.“Tiger and Water Lilies”
Grace and power converge in this BalletMet commission, blending Asian traditions with contemporary ballet as dancers portray the duality of motion versus stillness.“Carousel”
Step into a dreamlike world inspired by European carousels and equestrian elegance, filled with whimsy and vibrant characters.“Unfolding”
A poetic collaboration with Korea’s Hanulsori troupe, inspired by shared cultural heritage and the timeless principles of Yin and Yang.
Day 2 Program
4:15 p.m. – “All the Pretty Visitors” by Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow and KAŌS Dance Collective
In “All the Pretty Visitors,” we question: How are we the visitors – when our souls are tied to this land? Why must we be forced into shadows and shame – when our rejoice is just as sacred? We, the Aswang, dance in celebration and defiance – dance the dances of those we’ve devoured.
4:30 p.m. – “Mercury” by Luna Beller-Tadiar
In “Mercury,” a mercurial body becomes a substrate, a platform for shifting codes of use, uncannily animated by unseen forces. Undeniably live, yet, to a modern/colonial viewer, not quite human, this figure plies the continuities between brown colonized bodies, robots, NPCs, and AI. Inspired in part by “invisibilized” Filipino service labor, in this piece social worlds erupt into the nowhere, non-space of the virtual, making sensible the ghost in the machine.
4:45 p.m. – “Leaving Pusan” by Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company
5:15 p.m. – “AAPI HEROES” (Excerpt) by J CHEN PROJECT
5:45 p.m. – Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
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Japanese Jazz Pianist to Perform in NYC
Japanese jazz pianist Miho Nobuzane performs at Klavierhaus in New York City as part of the series From Tokyo to Times Square by Decibel
From Tokyo to Times Square: Miho Nobuzane
Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m.*
Klavierhaus – 790 11th Avenue (between 54th and 55th Streets)
Admission: $30 in advance | $35 at the door | $15 Students
Don’t miss an unforgettable evening with pianist Miho Nobuzane, a versatile musician whose captivating performances blend jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and dynamic improvisations. This concert is part of the Japanese jazz piano series From Tokyo to Times Square by Decibel, a nonprofit dedicated to live music, and celebrates the rich musical and cultural connections between Japan and New York.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Decibel’s website at decibelpresents.com.
About Miho Nobuzane
Born in Osaka, Japan, Miho Nobuzane began her piano journey at the age of four. After studying classical piano, she discovered her passion for jazz and Brazilian music, which led her to New York City, where she quickly became a distinguished figure in the Brazilian jazz scene.
Nobuzane has collaborated with legendary musicians including Bernard Purdie, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Bakithi Kumalo, Filo Machado, Paula Lima, Nanny Assis, Lincoln Goines, and many more. She has performed at iconic venues like Blue Note NY, Iridium NY, Long Beach Jazz Festival, as well as in Brazil, Hawaii, and Japan.
Miho’s three albums — Make You Happy, Simple Words ~Jazz loves Brazil, and Anata Ni Deaeta — showcase her incredible talent as both a composer and performer.
About From Tokyo to Times Square
From Tokyo to Times Square is a unique concert series featuring top Japanese jazz pianists performing live in New York City. The series, which began in November 2024, spans seven months, with one pianist performing each month, showcasing the talent and creativity of Japan's jazz scene. Kyoko Oyobe and Yayoi Ikawa performed in November and December, respectively, and the series continues until May.
Upcoming Performances
All set times are at 7:00 p.m.*
Miki Hayama – February 4
Eri Yamamoto – March 4
Martha Kato – April 1
Rina Yamazaki – May 27
*The original post of this event stated that there is also a set at 8:30 p.m., but there is not. The only performances will be at 7:00 p.m. JapanCulture•NYC regrets the error.
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Wasan Osechi Box 2025
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to place your order for osechi ryori, the traditional Japanese New Year meal. Brooklyn-based Japanese restaurant Wasan is accepting orders for their Wasan Osechi Box 2025. The restaurant has been sharing this cultural experience with the community for more than a decade now.
The boxes are available for pick up or delivery to select locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Prices range from $295 to $330 plus tax.
Highlights of Wasan’s Osechi Offerings
丹波の黒豆 (Tanba no Kuromame: Black Soybeans): Directly sourced from Osaka, Wasan’s owner-chef’s hometown. These carefully prepared beans are a customer favorite for their perfectly sweet and tender flavor.
栗きんとん (Kuri Kinton: Sweet Chestnuts): Naturally colored with gardenia flowers, their kinton has no artificial additives and offers a beautifully golden and health-conscious sweetness.
伊達巻 (Datemaki: Shrimp-Filled Egg Roll): By adding shrimp, they create a fluffy, light texture and a rich, balanced flavor.
Extra Special Exclusive Promotions
10% Off for December 31 Pick-Up: Everyone who picks up their orders on New Year’s Eve will receive a 10% discount. Plus, you’ll enjoy Wasan’s special toshikoshi soba, which is typically eaten on December 31, for the perfect transition to the New Year.
Sashimi Takeout Set for Two - $48: A fresh assortment of tuna, salmon, and other favorites.
Wasan Junmai Ginjo - $29: Normally $58, this exclusive offer is available for December 31 only. Pair it with your Osechi for an exceptional celebration.
Customers’ Rave Reviews
“It was incredible to enjoy authentic Osechi in New York!”
“Our entire family was delighted—Wasan’s Osechi made our New Year so special.”
“This was the best goma-mame I’ve ever had. I look forward to it every year!”
“Just wanted to say the Osechi was delicious. Honestly, it was perfect.”
Quantities are limited, so place your order now. For more details and to place your order, please visit Order Wasan Osechi 2025.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Vintage Kimono Sale at Kaede Kimonos
Kaede Kimonos Holiday Kimono Sale
Saturday, December 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Kaede Kimonos – 224 W. 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues), Suite 1406
Visit Kaede Kimonos for their last vintage kimono sale of the year and enjoy discounts of 30% to 50% off their inventory. Get a sneak peek at their 2025 kimono collection as well.
Free Japanese snacks for the first 10 customers!
The event is free to enter, but if you print your Eventbrite ticket, you have a chance to win a kimono. To register, please visit the Kaede Kimonos Eventbrite page.
For customers who are unable to attend in person but are interested in the sale, contact Kaede Kimonos (347-450-5692 or DM on Instagram). The staff will FaceTime or Skype with customers to help them shop.
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JapanCulture•NYC’s Holiday Gift Guide
Reported and compiled by JapanCulture•NYC’s Fashion Editor Jen Green
JapanCulture•NYC’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is here with a round-up of all-Japanese holiday markets or pop-up shopping events this December. This curated list will help you find that special gift while supporting local businesses or vendors in a one-stop-shopping situation.
Image credit: Bin Bin Sake
Bin Bin Sake Holiday Market
29 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The first market this season is Bin Bin Sake’s third annual holiday market this Sunday, December 8. Holiday gifts, Japanese crafts, and delicious treats by local artists and vendors will be available for sale. There’s four six for’s jewelry, home goods like Wuhao’s tenugui and Towka’s candles, and art prints from illustrator Megan Troung, plus much more. For the foodies on your shopping list, there are some tasty gifts such as MiMAKi’s premium umeboshi sour pickled plums and fresh onigiri from HIBINO day by day.
For a full list of vendors, please see Bin Bin’s Instagram post here. In addition, there will be bottle engraving and Bin Bin merchandise, perfect for that sake lover in your life. As you shop, be sure to participate in the free sake tasting!
Image and photo credit: Niji
Niji Holiday Market
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor)
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 from Noon until 6:00 p.m.
Niji Japanese makers market is back at Japan Village for their holiday shopping event. Explore unique creations from more than 20 Japanese craft vendors for the ultimate gifts this season. Jewelry offerings range from Pucci Ropa’s handmade metal pieces to Rockin’ Wasabi’s origami jewelry and chocolateclayyy’s sculpted earrings. For home goods gifts, vendors such as HANATURAL will be selling handmade Japanese-inspired soaps along with pottery by some local potters like Namiko Kato and Hiroko Yokotagawa. Kawaii-style gifts will be available from HikariwoSagasu, Boy Oh Boy Co., and Tharaphy NY. For a full list of vendors, please see Niji’s Instagram post here.
A Night with the Makers: Holiday Edition
The Makers Guild – 51 35th Street, Brooklyn (2nd floor)
Saturday, December 7, Saturday, December 14, and Saturday, December 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The Makers Guild is hosting a holiday shopping series every Saturday until Christmas. It’s not just shopping; it’s an experience with live music, complimentary drinks, tastings, gift guides, and other activities. Of the participating shops, four of them are Japanese women-owned businesses that you need to be sure to check out:
Logo and right photo from n+a; bottom right photo by Jen Green
n+a jewelry was established in 2007 by Japanese sisters Noriko and Akiko Sugawara from Yokohama, Japan. Pulling inspiration from both the city and nature, while combining it their unique perspectives and Japanese sensibilities, the sisters create original and timeless designs.
Logo and left photo from Tadaima; right photo by Jen Green
Tadiama bakery has been a staple at The Makers Guild with a fan following and long lines for their delicious baked goods and intricate, beautifully garnished beverages. But it’s more than a bakery; it’s a quaint Japanese gift shop, too. With items like candles, stationery, and home décor that owner, Ayaka Ando, sources on her trips back home to Japan, you can pick up a gift for someone while you treat yourself to one of those coveted Tadiama pastries.
On December 14 Tadiama is hosting a fine coffee pop-up featuring 95RPM Coffee Roaster, serving hand-brewed coffee from this Brooklyn based micro-roaster.
Photo from IPPIN PROJECT’s website
IPPIN PROJECT is collective of Japanese artisans’ products that are handcrafted using traditional Japanese techniques to create high quality designs. The products they carry are not mass-produced in Japan; they are made from limited materials by skilled artisans. IPPIN PROJECT also produces custom-made furniture using traditional Japanese materials with a contemporary twist. From pottery to kitchenware and home decor to jewelry, IPPIN PROJECT offers many options for the ultimate gift.
Photo from Kajiha’s website
KAJIHA’s owner Sonoko Kaneko uses natural resources to create botanical arrangements, objects, preserves, and natural-scent products in her Brooklyn studio, which is connected to IPPIN PROJECT.
Outside the hours of A Night with the Makers, KAJIHA also offers workshops where you can create your own unique gift. Spots are limited as the workshops are done in small groups for one-on-one attention with the instructor. Please check out the schedule here and consider giving a gift you’ve made yourself.
Graphic by TEN TEN
TEN TEN NYC Presents: Kawaii Holiday
Ideal Glass Studios – 9 West 8th Street, New York
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Ticketed time slots: December 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; December 15 at 10:00 a.m.
TEN TEN NYC is hosting THE kawaii event of the holiday season in NYC, and it’s so much more than a holiday market. Join them for a two-day celebration of Japanese “kawaii” culture that includes music, art, performance, workshops, and a market of local vendors. Immersive installations by local artists offer the perfect backdrop while the kawaii fashion challenge is a great chance to show off your festive kawaii holiday looks.
Sebastian Masuda, Godfather of Kawaii, is hosting a workshop on Saturday, December 14 as well as bringing items from his iconic Harajuku shop 6%DOKIDOKI for their first NYC pop-up! Saturday’s workshop is your chance to make a custom 12-inch teddy bear with decora materials provided by Sebastian Masuda Studio Tokyo. Tickets to this limited-seat experience also include VIP perks such as a lecture by Masuda and a photoshoot opportunity.
Other artists and designers participating in the market are Breanna Watson with various accessories featuring her illustrations, Harrison Scott with his iconic bags, Shampooty with one-of-a-kind collectibles that evoke childhood nostalgia in a cheeky way, and many more!
Come out to this Kawaii Holiday Wonderland to get festively creative, have fun, and get some shopping done.
But Wait, There’s More . . .
In addition to these holiday markets, here are two more opportunities to secure a Japanese gift this season at these month-long shopping events:
Photo credit: CIBONE’s Instagram
YAMMA Holiday POP UP
CIBONE 50 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn
Now through Sunday, January 5, 2025
Every day from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. (Closed every third Tuesday)
Curated by YAMMA brand director Nana Yamasaki and hosted at CIBONE in Greenpoint, this holiday pop-up features brands Yammakko, HARAPPA, Yammaman. Known for genderless and timeless pieces made from traditional Japanese cotton Aizu Momen, YAMMA brand’s styles boast clean lines and colorful combinations. Aizu Momen is durable cotton made by using a traditional craft techniques that have been preserved in old Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture.
Image credit: Niji’s Instagram
Niji Japanese Seasonal Shop
Tangram Flushing 133-33 39th Avenue, Flushing
Saturdays and Sundays in December from Noon until 6:00 p.m.
A second Niji market is set up all month long at Tangram in Flushing, Queens. Items range from fresh fruit from Japan to accessories, pottery, soaps, stickers, and more! HANATURAL will also sell their handmade Japanese-inspired soaps here. Bun’s Blooms brings her joyous art to stickers and keychains.
Heartfish Press is selling festive wreaths and hosting a workshop on Sunday, December 22. Here is another opportunity to create a thoughtful handmade gift that the recipient will cherish. For more details and to register in advance, please check out Niji’s website.
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Meet Cookbook Author Sonoko Sakai
Cookbook author Sonoko Sakai. Photo by Rick Poon.
Book Talk and Signing: Sonoko Sakai and Wafu Cooking
Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $25 | $20 Japan Society members | $23 Seniors, Students, and Persons with Disabilities
Japan Society is hosting a special talk and signing with bestselling author Sonoko Sakai on December 11 to celebrate the release of her newest book, Wafu Cooking: Everyday Recipes with Japanese Style. This event will be moderated by novelist and cookbook writer Sanaë Lemoine.
Thanks to our friends at Japan Society, JapanCulture•NYC readers have access to complimentary tickets to attend! Please visit Japan Society’s website and enter code SONOKOFRIEND at checkout.
About Wafu Cooking
Wafu (literally “Japanese style”) food combines flavors, ingredients, and techniques from around the planet with a distinctly Japanese personality, and this new cookbook presents 120-plus original globally influenced Japanese recipes. Sakai’s book captures the cultural exchange between Japan and the world in dishes that have come to Japan from abroad and have been “wafu-ed” to suit local tastes and in Japanese dishes that are reimagined through an American lens, reflecting the interconnected way we eat today.
Sonoko Sakai. Photo by Rick Poon.
About Sonoko Sakai
Author Sonoko Sakai was born in New York to Japanese parents and grew up in San Francisco, Kamakura, Mexico City, and Tokyo. Her books include Japanese Home Cooking, Rice Craft, and The Poetical Pursuit of Food. She has worked as a recipe developer, producer, creative director, cooking teacher, and lecturer. She lives in California with her sculptor husband, Katsuhisa Sakai.
From Wafu Cooking by Sonoko Sakai. Photos by Rick Poon.
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Unique Collaboration of Michelin-starred chefs
Restaurant Yuu x Racine
Wednesday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Restaurant Yuu – 55 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn
Cost: $450 per person
Michelin stars will be shining at Restaurant Yuu in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on December 4 and 5. Chef Yuu Shimano and Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka, owner of Racine in Champagne, France, are collaborating for an exclusive dinner event.
Within six months of opening in 2023, Executive Chef Yuu Shimano’s namesake Restaurant Yuu was awarded one Michelin Star. Robb Report ranked Restaurant Yuu as the number one Best New Restaurant in America in 2024, and OAD listed it as #68 out of 598 restaurants in the Top Restaurants in North America in 2024.
Tasting Highlights
This exceptional 14-course chef’s tasting menu will kick off the holiday season; both chefs will use their distinct culinary styles to showcase the very best of seasonal winter ingredients.
Guests will enjoy five amuse-bouches, three by Chef Kazuyuki and two by Chef Yuu. This will be followed by three signature dishes from each chef. The meal will conclude with two desserts: one created by Chef Kazuyuki and the other by Restaurant Yuu’s Executive Pastry Chef Masaki Takahashi.
There will be two seatings on December 4—at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.—and a 6:00 p.m. seating on December 5. To make reservations for this unique culinary experience, please visit Tock.
Chef Yuu Shimano
About Chef Yuu Shimano
Chef Yuu Shimano trained at Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, Japan, and Lyon, France, graduating in 2002. He spent eight years in French kitchens, beginning at the two-Michelin-starred La Villa des Lys at the Hotel Majestic in Cannes before becoming the Chef de Partie of Meats and Sauces for a long stint with his mentor, Guy Savoy, a three-starred Michelin chef, in Paris. There Shimano learned to appreciate the soul of French culture and the interaction between nature and the ingredients. In 2017, he was tapped by Tokyo Restaurant Factory to open MIFUNE New York, where he served as Executive Chef for five years and earned a Michelin star. He found his style when he combined his French techniques with meticulous Japanese attention to detail and precision.
Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka
About Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka
Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka’s impressive culinary journey began in Japan, where he honed his skills at esteemed establishments such as Apicius and Hotel New Otani Saga. He moved to France at the age of 21 and trained for years at Michelin-starred restaurants around the country before opening his own restaurant, Racine, in Reims, where he earned two Michelin stars. He is the recipient of multiple prestigious accolades, including the Jeune Talent de l’Année Award (Young Talent 2015) and the Grand de demain (Future Grand Chef 2016) Award from Gault & Millau, which he earned three times. His cookbook, Racine: Un Japonais à Reims, was published in 2021.
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TSUMUGU to Screen at Dances with Films
Tsumugu: Spinning the Thread of Life
Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Regal Union Square – 850 Broadway at 13th Street
Admission: $20
A Japanese manga artist and a survivor of childhood trauma shares profound insights from her personal journey, revealing the importance of nourishing both body and spirit. She emphasizes the value of eating well and continuing to pursue your passions, even when facing hardships. These practices, she shows, are essential to sustaining life.
In Tsumugu: Spinning the Thread of Life, Japanese filmmaker Toko Shiiki tells the story of Masami Taira, who was abandoned by her mother and abused by her stepmother at a young age. Her debut manga, Kuroido Ganka, was published by Kodansha in 1998, and although she doesn’t have current commissions for manga, she continues to draw every day.
Tsumugu: Spinning the Thread of Life, is a ten-minute documentary screening as part of the Dances with Films festival at Regal Union Square from Thursday, December 5 through Sunday, December 8. Please note: The film is the fourth of four documentaries in the Doc Shorts Blk 2. To purchase tickets, please visit DWF’s website.
Gagaku Concert at Columbia University
Glories of the Japanese Music Heritage XVI: An Evening of Japanese Sacred Court Music
Tuesday, December 3 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Miller Theatre at Columbia University – 2960 Broadway (at 116th Street)
Admission: Free
IMJS: Institute for Japanese Cultural Heritage Initiatives Columbia University, in collaboration with Nippon Traditional Beauty Association, presents its 16th season concert featuring former directors of Imperial Household Orchestra and Columbia Gagaku Instrumental Ensemble of New York.
Gagaku, Japanese sacred court music, has its roots in the 5th century and was developed for the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
This concert is a rare opportunity to experience the tradition of and contemporary take on gagaku with former head musicians of the Imperial Household Orchestra. To register, please visit IMJS’s Eventbrite page.
Program
Part I: Enriching the Present
Classical Repertoire with Columbia Gagaku Musicians
Hyōjō nō netori (Prelude Mode Centering on the note of E)
Rōei: Kashin (Glorious Day)
Etenraku (Music of the Divine Heavens)
Bugaku: Ryō-Ō (Chinese King of Ryō) – with bugaku dance
Part II: Transforming the Future
Contemporary Works for Shō Solo
Toshi Ichiyanagi, Galaxy (Hoshi no wa) (1983)
Naoyuki Manabe, Kokyū III for Shō (2002)
Part III: Treasuring the Past
Heritage Handed Down in the Imperial Household
Kagurauta: Senzai
Konju no jo / ha (Ah, Cheers – Overture / Unfolding)
ABOUT IMJS
Founded in 1968, the Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies is an international liaison and research center designed primarily to serve European and American scholars in all disciplines whose main area of study focuses on pre-Meiji era Japan. The institute encourages research on often overlooked aspects of premodern Japanese civilization, especially during the medieval period (primarily, but not exclusively, the Kamakura and Muromachi periods 1185-1600). For more information, please visit their website.
Covenant Ballet’s Take on Dickens
Charles’ Carol: A New Work by Marla Hirokawa
Saturday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Brooklyn College Claire Tow Theater – 2920 Campus Road, Brooklyn
Admission: $55 Reserved Seating | $45 Seniors and Students (with ID, limit 4) | $35 Groups of 10 or more
Charles Dickens's most popular, most beloved tale, A Christmas Carol, tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from miser to philanthropist after being visited by the spirits of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The story has inspired hundreds of portrayals in film, television, ballet, and opera. Choreographer Marla Hirokawa will add her interpretation to this list—with a twist. The new ballet Charles’ Carol puts the Christmas story in the context of Dickens's own childhood poverty that shaped his empathy for the poor and paved the way for this timeless story to be penned.
Don't miss this retelling of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol as never seen before!
Twenty-four students from Hirokawa’s Covenant Ballet Theatre Academy, ages ten through eighteen, will take the stage alongside professional dancers, sets, and crew. Some dancers are performing live on a proscenium stage for the very first time. Show your support for these aspiring dancers and score your tickets to Charles Carol today! To make your purchase, please click here.
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Full Weekend of Anime Talks & Screenings
Foreign Exchange: Anime Inspirations & Visionaries with LeSean Thomas
Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission
Ninja Scroll with Reception: $20 | $16 members
Behind-the-Scenes of LeSean Thomas’s Yasuke Talk: $12 | $8 members
All Other Screenings: $16 | $12 members
High School and College Students Talks: Free with RSVP (For Students and Educators Only)Foreign Exchange Bundle: $80 | $55 Members
Get tickets for all screenings and the Yasuke talk at a discounted price. To get bundle pricing, please add all events into your cart. Discount will be applied automatically. Please note this bundle does not include the High School and College Student Talks.Prices are inclusive of fees, where applicable. To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
LeSean Thomas
Through Foreign Exchange, Japan Society presents retrospective screenings which spotlight the works that inspired LeSean Thomas, one of the few Black Americans working in the anime industry in Japan, and celebrate the luminaries across the anime world including Masahiro Ando, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takeshi Koike, Yutaka Minowa, Kenichi Shima, and the late Satoshi Iwataki. Appearing in-person throughout the series, LeSean will discuss his history with anime, his cross-cultural productions with Japanese creators and the artform’s deep impact with diverse audiences, including talks with The Imagination Project Inc. offering guidance for the next generation of creators, directors, producers, artists, and animators.
Yasuke
Schedule
Behind the Scenes of LeSean Thomas’s Yasuke
Friday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m.
This event examines LeSean Thomas’s most recent work, Netflix’s Yasuke, a project he created, directed, and executive produced. In this talk, Thomas will share rare behind-the-scenes Yasuke footage and discuss the creation of the series. It is a glimpse into the synergy that arises when diverse talents from different backgrounds come together to tell stories.
Ninja Scroll
Ninja Scroll with Opening Night Reception
Friday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m.
Dir. Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 1993, 94 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles
Introduction by LeSean Thomas. Written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and animated by studio Madhouse, Ninja Scroll tells the story of a lone warrior and his battle against a team of supernatural ninjas. A nonstop tour de force, Ninja Scroll continues to be praised more than 30 years after its release, and it is often cited by animators and filmmakers as the film that opened their minds to the possibilities of animation.
Sword of the Stranger
Sword of the Stranger
Saturday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Dir. Masahiro Ando, 2007, 102 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles
Introduction by LeSean Thomas. Directed by Masahiro Ando and animated by studio Bones, Sword of the Stranger is a fresh telling of a wandering swordsman tale. In it, a samurai from a strange land must not only battle dangerous mercenaries, but he must also come to terms with his past. The film concludes with a dauntingly choreographed battle that’s one of the most praised fight scenes in animation history.
Redline
Redline
Saturday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m.
Dir. Takeshi Koike, 2010, 102 min., Digital, color, in Japanese with English subtitles
Introduction by LeSean Thomas. Directed by Takeshi Koike and animated by studio Madhouse, Redline is a ferociously animated far-future action-adventure spiraling around an intergalactic race. While a box office flop upon its initial release, it would go on to become a classic beloved by cinephiles, animation fans, and industry professionals on both sides of the Pacific.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Dir. Shinichiro Watanabe, 2001, 115 min., 35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles
Introduction by LeSean Thomas. Set in a lawless future heavily drawn from inspirations including American science fiction, cyberpunk, noir, and Westerns, the Cowboy Bebop saga is praised for its seamless blend of genre, music, and storytelling. In Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, bounty hunter Spike Spiegel must unravel military conspiracies and hunt down an old soldier before he releases a weapon that could destroy all life on Mars.
Demon City Shinjuku
Demon City Shinjuku
Sunday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Dir. Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 1988, 82 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles
Introduction by LeSean Thomas. Based on a novel by Vampire Hunter D creator Hideyuki Kikuchi and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Demon City Shinjuku is a pulpy film emblematic of the anime popular with American audiences 30 years ago, when LeSean Thomas himself was growing up. And while essentially a Japanese grindhouse flick filled with supernatural action and grotesque monsters, it was the work of tremendous anime industry talents.
Talks for Students
Inspiring The Next Generation: Creating TV Anime in Japan – High School Talk and Screening
Friday, November 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Free Talk and Screening for High School Students. LeSean Thomas will present his anime Children of Ether and share with high school students his story, from growing up in the Bronx to directing anime in Japan. His goal is to return to his hometown of NYC and inspire the next generation of creators, artists, animators, and directors.
The Business of Creativity: Behind-the-Scenes of TV Anime Creation
Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m.
Free Talk and Screening for College Students. LeSean Thomas will present the first episode of his anime Cannon Busters and walk college students along his path to work in the animation world, recounting his journey from New York, to LA, to Korea, and then Japan. He will discuss the details of anime production, the skills he needed to work in this field, and recommendations on getting a start in animation.
Special Features
Yasuke Exhibit
Japan Society will present a limited-time pop up exhibit featuring Yasuke production art personally selected by LeSean Thomas. See this exhibit free on Japan Society’s A Level before or after screenings. This exhibit will include never-before-seen sketches and storyboards from legendary Japanese creators.
Yasuke Art Book
Attendees will be able to take home Foreign Exchange: The TV Anime Creations of LeSean Thomas Vol. 1 – Yasuke, a companion art book to the Foreign Exchange film series collecting art and stories from the production of Yasuke. A limited number of books, all pre-signed by Thomas, will be available for purchase at the event.
About LeSean Thomas
South Bronx-born LeSean Thomas is among the distinguished few Black Americans making their mark in the TV anime industry and is currently the only Black American to successfully create, produce, and direct original TV anime series in Japan. His journey began with projects like The Boondocks, where he served as Supervising Character Designer and Co-Director on the NAACP Image Award-winning series, and continued with Black Dynamite: The Animated Series, where he took on the roles of Producer and Supervising Director.
His talents further extended to Studio Mir’s The Legend of Korra while living in Seoul, Korea. These foundational experiences paved the way for his transformative move to Japan, where he created and directed notable works such as Crunchyroll’s Children of Ether and Netflix’s Cannon Busters, produced in collaboration with the renowned studio Satelight. Thomas’s most recent triumph is the critically acclaimed and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix series Yasuke. Its unique blend of historical narrative and fantastical elements, set against a backdrop of increasing demand for Black creative inclusion in adult, sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy spaces in media, propelled Yasuke into a resonant project that captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!