The 42nd Doll and Cultural Festival will be held at the SimpsonUnitedMethodistChurch in Arvada.The event featuring: Calligraphy, Origami, Tea Ceremony, Bonsai, Ikebana, Japanese Dance, Taiko, Martial Arts, etc.  

  Date/Time：March 6 & 7 (Sat. & Sun) 11：30～4：00

  Place：Simpson United Methodist Church

              6001 Wolff St.Arvada, CO

  Admission：Free

  Contact：Simpson United Methodist Church 303-428-7963

 The Japan-America Society of Wyoming (JASWY) will hold its forth Japanese Film Festival at LaramieCountyCommunity College in Cheyenne on Feb.20 and at University of Wyoming in Laramie on Feb. 27. Both screenings are admission free and open seating.

 Featured Films:

"The Blue Bird" (2008, 105 minutes, G, Drama) Official Site

Film adaptation of a short story by a Naoki Prize winner, Shigematsu Kiyoshi, who tackled the emerging issue of bullying among junior high school and high school pupils, directed by Nakanishi Kenji, for whom this is a directorial debut. The film was entered in the Japanese Eyes section at the 2008 Tokyo International Film Festival.
HigashigaokaJunior High School is in turmoil as one of the pupils, Noguchi, who had been bullied, attempted suicide last term. On the first day of the new term, a substitute teacher arrives to take the second year class. When the teacher, Murauchi (Abe Hiroshi), introduces himself, the pupils are surprised by his stutter. He has a speech impediment. Unable to speak eloquently, Murauchi faces his pupils with ‘words of truth’. His first instruction to the pupils is to return Noguchi’s desk and chair to the original place in the classroom. Every morning Murauchi greets the empty desk, “Good morning, Noguchi.” This causes a ripple beyond the classroom and among other teachers and parents, but Murauchi will not stop doing it. Eventually the day comes when Murauchi must leave.(Source UNIJAPAN)

“Departures” (2008, 130 minutes, PG-13, Drama) Official Site

The winner of the 81st Academy Awards(R) Best Foreign Language Film and the Grand Prix at the 32nd Montreal World Film Festival. Focusing on the vocation of encoffineers, who assist in sending the deceased body off to final departure with dignity, Takita Yojiro of When the Last Sword Is Drawn delicately portrays the profession. The film was a blockbuster hit pulling in over 3 billion yen in Japan.
Kobayashi Daigo (Motoki Masahiro) is a cellist, but when his orchestra is dissolved he returns to his hometown in Yamagata prefecture with Mika (Hirosue Ryoko), his web designer wife. He finds a classified ad for a company which provides assistance for "Departures" and goes for an interview. The company has just two people, a female clerk (Yo Kimiko) and the president (Yamazaki Tsutomu), and the business of the company turns out to be preparation of deceased bodies for funerals by wiping them clean and putting make up on them. Nonetheless, Daigo joins the company as a trainee, attracted by a good salary, and gradually realizes the value of the job of an encoffinner. His wife, however, despises it and leaves him. When she returns due to pregnancy, she sees what the job involves at first hand and understands its value. Just then they receive news of the death of his father, who left home when he was still young. Daigo overcomes the bitter feeling towards him and takes charge of preparing the body of his father.

(Source UNIJAPN)

Location

• LaramieCountyCommunity CollegeMap

ScienceCenter bldg room 121

1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY82007

 CCI bldg room120 of LCCC in Cheyenne

Date/Screening time

Saturday, Feb. 20

The Blue Bird: 2:00 pm

Departures: 4:00 pm

• University of Wyoming(Laramie) Campus Map

Classroom Building Room 129

1000 E., University Ave., Laramie, WY82071

 Date/Screening time

Saturday, Feb. 20

The Blue Bird: 2:00 pm

Departures: 7:00 pm

Contact: Ken Matsumoto, JASWY President

(307) 721-5984orJaswy@hotmail.com 

Click here for the further information.

Kouhei Nishino and Tsugumi Nishino who together hold the pen name, "KONOHANA SAKUYA", will travel to the six U.S. cities under the Japan Foundation's Cultural Exchange Program.  KONOHANA SAKUYA will present their insights of Japanese manga, including current business style and future trends.  The audience will also be introduced to the creator's visual contents of manga production in a 60 minute lecture followed by a 30 minute Q&A session.  This is a fantastic opportunity for Japanese anime fans.  Admission is free.  Open to the public.

Date/Time

Monday, November 9, 20097:00PM-8:30PM

Location

King Center Concert Hall [maps]

(855 Lawrence way, Denver, CO80204 (303) 556-2296

Kabuki with its magnificent beauty and highly refined artistry has made it a rare jewel among the great theater traditions of the world.Its actors must undergo years of rigorous training in order to master its three artistic components of music (ka), dance (bu) and drama (ki) before being allowed to perform before an audience.In order to create the magic that is seen on stage, kabuki actors are supported backstage by a team of unseen artisans and craftsman including costumer stylists, wig masters, musicians and prop masters.

The traveling kabuki theater “Backstage to Hanamichi”, featuring leading actors Nakamura Kyozo and Nakamura Matanosuke of the world-renowned Shochiku Company, provides the audience with a rare glimpse into the traditional world of this centuries-old theater and the painstaking preparation that leads up to an actor's grand entrance onto the hanamichi stage.

The lecture/performance includes performances of two kabuki dance classics: Sagi Musume (The Heron Maiden) and Shakkyo (Lion Dance), contrasting the lyrical style of the onnagata (actor specializing in female roles) with the dynamic, acrobatic style in the heroic Lion Dance.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, October 24, 2009, 7pm

　Location　

　June Swaner Gates Concert Hall, Newman Center Performing Arts, University of Denver

　2344 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80208

　Admission　

　$25 General

　www.ticketmaster.com, (800)982-2787 or Ticketmaster Outlets

　Contact：　BOX OFFICE: (303)871-7720

Laramie, Wyoming—The Japan-America Society of Wyoming (JASWY) will present its fourth annual “Festival of Japan, featuring Mirai Daiko.

The Festival of Japan is supported by the Consulate-General of Japan at Denver, and co-sponsored by the Laramie High School International Club and Japan culture club. This event is supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature, which believes that a great nation deserves great art

Date/ Time
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2:00 - 4:15 pm

Location　
Laramie High School
1275 N. 11th, Laramie

Admission　
Free Admission, open seating
Enter-Reynolds Street and park at large parking lot.

Contact：　Ken Matsuno, President, JASWY
307-721-5984
jaswy@hotmail.com

Click here for the further information.

Consulate General of Japan at Denver, the Denver Art Museum, the Japan-America Society of Colorado, and the University of New Mexico present English Rakugo by Katsura Kaishi (a recipient of the Japan Foundation’s Performing Arts Japan Touring Grants in 2009).

Rakugo is the name for Japanese traditional comic storytelling which has had the Japanese rolling in the aisles for over 400 years!  Katsura Kaishi is a skilled Rakugo comedian, and has performed Rakugo in English in nearly half of all US states.  This is his 2nd tour of the US and includes events in Denver and Albuquerque.  Wearing a Kimono, sitting on a small cushion, using only a “fan” and a “hand-towel” for props, the lone Rakugo storyteller single-handedly creates the hilarious side of traditional Japan.  Rakugo is an enjoyable and educational art form for all ages and/or any backgrounds, and it fosters a renewed awareness of Japanese traditional arts. Don’t miss this rare opportunity! 


　Date/ Time/ Location

　Thursday, Septemper 10, 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

　Denver Art Museum- Lewis I. Sharp Auditorium

　100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy, Denver CO 80204

　Saturday, September 12, 7:00 p.m.

　University of New Mexico- Rodey Theater

　UNM campus, Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM 87131

　Admission　

　Free. (Open Seating)

　Contact： Consulate General of Japan at Denver (PR Section)    (303) 534-1151

The 12th Annual Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies will be held from June 25thto 29th, 2009. During this 5 day camp, the concert, Masters of the Shakuhachi, which includes performances by some masters from Japan, takes place on Saturday, June 27th. Information is below:

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.　(Doors open at 7:15 p.m.)

　Location　

　The Dorm, Sunrise Ranch

　100 Sunrise Ranch Road, Loveland, CO 80538　

　TEL: 1(970) 679-4200

　Admission　

　$15.00

　Contact：　David Wheeler　　(303) 449-2935

Click here for the further information.

Japan Foundation, Consulate General of Japan at Denver, Asian Art Coordinating Council and Curtis Arts & Humanities Center is sponsoring the exhibition, “Handcrafted Form Japanese Traditions and Techniques”.

　Date

　Saturday, May 9, 2009 - Friday, May 29, 2009

　Location　

　Curtis Arts & Humanities Center

　2349 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80121　

　TEL: (303) 797-1779

In addition, Opening Reception and Gallery Talk by Julie Segraves, Executive Director, Asian Art Coordinating Council will be held. Please see the following schedule.

Opening Reception： Saturday, May 9, 2009　 5:30p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Gallery Talk by Julie Segraves： Thursday, May 14, 2009　 1:00 p.m.

In Granada, south eastern Colorado, lies the Amache Internment Camp site (officially known as the Granada Internment Camp site).Amache was a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II.This year’s annual pilgrimage to the Amache Internment Camp site and memorial ceremony information is below:

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, May 16, 2009

　6:00 am 　　　Depart from Simpson United Methodist Church

　6:30 am 　　　Depart from the Tri-State/ Denver Buddhist Temple

　11:30 am～　Arrival at Amache Camp site followed by ceremony and Amache Museum tour.

　6:30 pm 　　　ETA Denver

　Cost

　$25.00 per person

　Contact：　Rose Shibao　 (303)426-7874　 / Hiroko Hung　 (303)979-4127

Due to popular demand, the Japan Club and Asian/Pacific American Student Services will present an encore performance of the adapted, Japanese version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of the 2009 Asian Fest, for one night only. The play is directed by Mako Beecken, a long time Instructor at CSU and is sponsored by ASCSU, Diversity Grant, and Asian/Pacific American Student Services.

This fusion play introduces three different Japanese traditional performing art forms:  Kabuki, Noh and Kyogen and features live music. Having elements of all three of these art forms in one play is unprecedented.  However, Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” lends itself perfectly to an attempt to bring this concept to life.  Although the play is in Japanese in its entirety, English supertitles will be provided. The audience can enjoy the Shakespearean rendition of the script, be dazzled by the amazing costumes, and be mesmerized by the entire production.

“…and I attended Beecken's Japanese representation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this past Saturday, and were absolutely amazed at the quality of this production: the student actors, the musicians, the staging, the magnificent costumes.... all were superb!!!  “

“It was a truly magnificent performance!!!”

　Date/ Time

　Sunday, April 26, 2009　　7:00 p.m.-

　Location

　Lory Student Center Theater, Colorado State University

　Tickets

　Free and open to the public.

　Space is limited so reservations are required. Please contact Mako Beecken.

　Contact： Mako Beecken   Masako.beecken@colostate.edu　(970) 491-5275

Click here for the past event guide.

World Sabaki Challenge 2009, sponsored by Enshin Karate (Grand Master, Joko Ninomiya), will be held in accordance with the schedule below. Strong contestants from all over the States and abroad will fight under “full contact rule” for the world Karate championship. The event will culminate with demonstrations by Grand Master Ninomiya.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, April 18, 2009　　4:30 p.m.

　Location

　Denver Merchandise Mart

　9th Ave.& Lawrence St., Denver CO

　Admission

　General Admission $25 (12 & under- $10), Golden Circle $50

　Tickets are available on-line so please click here.

　Contact：　Samurai Martial Arts Supply   (303) 320-7632

Consulate General of Japan at Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and Japanese Association of Colorado will be sponsoring "Lincoln in Japan:

Reflections on the Impact of an American President ", a lecture by Dr. William Pederson with the following schedule.

2009 marks the bicentennial of the birth of America's greatest leader -- Abraham Lincoln. More than any other American president, Lincoln is an international figure whose impact reverberates around the globe. Though this American president never set foot in Japan, his presence is strongly felt there. After all, when Hirohito was in middle school, he had two busts in his room, one of whom was of Lincoln. Additionally, in the mid-1930s, the Japanese government issued 50 illustrated books about people who should serve as a role model for children. Forty-nine of the 50 people were Japanese heroes. The 50th was Abraham Lincoln. These are just some of the items discussed by Dr. William Pederson in his talk on "Lincoln in Japan: Reflections on the Impact of an American President."   

　Date/ Time

　Tuersday, April 14, 2009　　6:00 p.m.

　(There will be a reception immediately following the lecture.)

　Location

　Tivoli Turnhall in the Auraia Campus　(→MAP)

　900 Auraria Pkwy. Denver CO 80204

　Admission

　Free. Open to the public.

　(Paid parking at any of lots in Auraria Campus is available for this event.)

　Contact：　Consulate General of Japan at Denver (PR Section)    (303) 534-1151

(Dr. William Pederson)

William Pederson holds the American Studies Endowed Chair in Liberal Arts at the LouisianaStateUniversity in Shreveport where he is also a professor of Political Science and the director of the InternationalLincolnCenter. The Oregon native received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and is the author, editor or co-editor of some 30 books the most recent of which is Lincoln Lessons: Reflections on America’s Greatest Leader. Additionally, Dr. Pederson is a member of the national advisory committee to the Commission on the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln.

The Japan America Society of Colorado will host the 2009 JASC Japan Cup in partnership with the Colorado Japanese Language Education Association.

This friendly competition features teams of students from high schools and colleges from across the Rocky Mountain Region who compete against each other in their overall knowledge of Japanese culture, grammar, kanji, listening and reading comprehension.

The event is free for spectators and during the morning preliminary rounds everyone is invited to browse and partake in an array of cultural activities such as Aikido, go, anime, etc. In the afternoon, sit back and enjoy watching the top three teams from each level compete for the top prizes.

Last year’s competition was a resounding success with more than 250 spectators and approximately 80 student participants from 10 educational institutions from across Colorado.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, April 11, 2009　　8:30 a.m.-

　Location

　Sturm Hall, University of Denver

　2000 E. Asbury St. Denver, CO 80208

　Contact：　Japan America Society of Colorado 　(303)592-5364　or　jascolorado@att.net

For more information, please click here. (You can download applications, guidelines and study guides.)

Presented in partnership with the Japanese American National Museum and the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Ethnic Studies, Facing History and Ourselves is sponsoring a community discussion on the history of Japanese American internment in Colorado. The panelists include Tay Kondo and Bob Fuchigami who will discuss experiences both in and out of the camps. They will be joined by 9News’ Adam Schrager who will speak about Colorado Governor Ralph Carr’s efforts during this difficult time.

　Date/ Time

　Thursday, April 2, 2009　　7:00 p.m.- 8:30p.m.

　Location

　Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple

　1947 Lawrence St. , Denver, CO

　Admission

　This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so reservations are required.

　To RSVP, please click here.

　Contact：　Karen Mortimer, Facing History and Ourselves　　 (303) 316-4848   or　 karen_mortimer@facing.org

↑Click to Enlarge.

Japanese Association of Colorado is sponsoring a showing of the video "Nisei Who Became Japanese Sumo Wrestler". Mr. Eiichi Tsukiji will join the showing as a special guest.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, March 14, 2009　　1:00 p.m.

　Location

　JAC Officel

　1215 19th St, Denver, CO 80202

　Contact：　Seiji Tanaka   　 (303) 427-7906

The Department of Music at Metropolitan State College of Denver will be presenting "Ode to Spring- the World of Japanese Sankyoku Music", a concert by Duo Sokyo. It will feature artists Yoko Hiraoka and David Wheeler. Free parking is available at the Tivoli lot and PTC parking.

　Date/ Time

　Thursday, March 5, 2009　　7:30 p.m.

　Location

　University of Colorado, Denver; Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall

　Contact：　King Center Box Office   (303) 556-2296

The Japan-America Society of Wyoming (JASWY) will hold its third Japanese Film Festival at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne on Feb.28 and at University of Wyoming in Laramie on March 7. Free Admission, open seating.

(Cheyenne)

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, February 28, 2009　　1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. "Hula Girls"/  7:00p.m.-9:15p.m. "Always: Sunset at 3-chome"

　Location

　LaramieCountyCommunity College (CCI bldg room 120)

　1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY 82007

(Laramie)

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, March 7, 2009　　1:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. "Always: Sunset at 3-chome, 2"/  7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. "Hula Girls"

　Location

　University of Wyoming (Classroom Building Room 133)

　1000 E., University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071

　Contact: Ken Matsumoto, JASWY President　　(307) 721-5984　or　 Jaswy@hotmail.com

Click here for the further information.

"Hula Girls"

In 1965, a cold, northern Japanese coal mining town was facing unemployment due to reduced coal use as oil became the predominant energy source in Japan. In a desperate move to revive the town, local women and an urban-born dance instructor from Tokyo formed a hula dance group as a major attraction of a Hawaiian-theme resort the town plans to build. Based on a true story. (2006, 107 minutes, comedy/Drama)

"Always: Sunset at 3-chome"

Set in Tokyo in 1958, this film depicts human dramas of downtown residents who lived at the time of the construction of the Tokyo Tower. (2005, 133 minutes, comedy/Drama)

"Always: Sunset at 3-chome, 2"

The story revolved around a young man (Chagawa Ryuunosuke) who aspires to become a professional novelist. The sequel has the same cast and crew from the first film. (2007, 145 minutes, comedy/Drama)

The Program for Teaching East Asia, the CU Center for Asian Studies, and the Japan America Society of Colorado is sponsoring a showing of the award-winning documentary Wings of Defeat. Both the director and producer of the film will be present for comments and a discussion.

　Date/ Time

　Thursday, February 26, 2009　　6:00 p.m.- 8:15 p.m.

　Location

　CU Boulder; Eaton Humanities Room 150

　Contact：　casevent@colorado.edu　　(303) 735-5511

Noh is one of the oldest performance arts in the world, featuring rhythmic musicians, choral chanters and masked actors. Japan Foundation, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Consulate-General of Japan at Denver, University of Colorado Denver’s College of Arts and Media along with several others have put forth the support needed to bring this performance to Denver. Principal noh actor Shizuka Mikata will be joined by four exceptionally talented performers from the KanzeSchool to demonstrate this traditional art.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, February 14, 2009　　8:00 p.m.-

　Location

　University of Colorado, Denver; Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall

　Admission

　Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved by calling the King Center Box Office at (303) 556-2296.

The 2009 Colorado Garden & Home Show will be held from February 7th – 15th. The show is known as the oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show in the Rocky Mountain Region.

While celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Garden & Home show, the Ohara school has been participating in the flower circle for over 15 years and will supply an arrangement again this year. The arrangement by the Ohara School of Ikebana Denver led by master instructor Akiko Buckmaster won the award for Best Floral Display in 2008 (Please see the picture at right).

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, February 7- Sunday, February 15, 2009　Sat:10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Weekday: 12:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

　Location

　Colorado Convention Center

　700 14th St. Denver, CO80202

　Admission

　General Admission $12, Senior Ticket (at the door) $10, Kids 12 and under Free.

　(Discount Ticket at all Tickets West outlet in King Soopers $10.)

Click here for the further information.

The Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple, the Japanese Association of Colorado and the Uta Gassen Executive Comittee will be co-hosting the "34th Denver Red & White Singing Competition" in accordance with the schedule below. On the day of this event, they will serve obento-boxes for $10 and there will be door prizes at the end. The competiotion will be recorded and both copies (DVD/ VHS) will be sold later.

　Date/ Time

　Saturday, January 24, 2009　　11:00 a.m. Doors open/ 12:00 p.m. Competition begins

　Location

　Denver Buddist Temple

　1947 Lawrence St., Denver 　　(303) 295-1844

　Admission

　$8 (Admission is free for people 15 years and under/ 75 years and older.)

　Contact：　Seiji Tanaka　　　　(303) 427-7906