JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

The JAPAN HOUSE LA Foundation and MUFG's ongoing series of exploring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is hosting another program on July 30 discussing different perspectives in sports, entertainment, governance, and culinary traditions. Top business and civic leaders will share their insights on how DEI initiatives strengthen corporate culture by empowering workplaces and engaging meaningfully with employees, customers, and the public. Retired former CEO of the County of Los Angeles, Sachi Hamai, will be the Moderator and bring a unique perspective from a county renowned for its diverse talent and industries. Guest speakers Masatoshi Komoriya, the Executive Chairman of MUFG Americas Holding, Courtney Moore, the Vice President for DEI at the Dodgers, and Terry Feit, Managing Partner at Deloitte Los Angeles, will be panelists to offer their viewpoints. Masatoshi Komoriya brings a deep expertise in the critical role of DEI in shaping corporate culture. Courtney Moore will offer insights on working for the Dodgers, a sports organization known for pioneering diversity initiatives, and Terry Feit shares how Deloitte has championed a corporate culture of trust and team building. A reception will follow the session for an opportunity to talk with the guest speakers and network while enjoying fine Japanese cuisine catered by our acclaimed restaurant, UKA. Join us for an enlightening event full of insider perspectives on the importance of DEI in businesses worldwide and how it creates new opportunities for brands to grow, innovate, and connect. Tickets are $35, please register here: https://bit.ly/4bAE5aC Presented by: JAPAN HOUSE LA Foundation Sponsored by: MUFG Supported by: JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles & Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles #JHLA #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion #MUFG #JapanHouseLAFoundation #JapanHouseLA #LADodgers #Panel #Networking #NetworkingEvent #DEIEvent #ThingsToDoinLA #Hollywood #JHLosAngeles

The idea of “kawaii” has been around for a long time in Japanese history, dating all the way back to mid-Heian period (10th century). In the “Pillow Book,” a book of personal essays and musings by Sei Shōnagon, there is a passage titled “Lovely Things” that describes children, animals and small things as “utsukushi.” The word “utsukushii” now means beautiful, however its medieval definition eventually became attached to the word “kawayushi,” now transformed as the word “kawaii.” In the classic sense, “kawaii” translates to cute and generally refers to adorable imagery, generally associated with children and has a calming effect, while triggering an instinct to protect whatever is cute. However, in Japan “kawaii” is a versatile word used to describe things that aren’t traditionally cute, ranging from the ugly to punk. At our exhibition, “Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-“, artist Sebastian Masuda brings forth a more broader definition of cute. Masuda defines kawaii as a "personal microcosmos of beloved things, undisturbed by anyone else." His artwork throughout the exhibition reflects his vision of kawaii with vivid imagery and bold colors, unafraid to explore both positive and negative emotions through the lens of kawaii. Kawaii is also all about self-expression and showcasing your unique perspective, no matter how self-expression appears! What do you find to be “kawaii”? 🧐 Share with us in the comments below! 👇 Media Sponsors: LAist & Los Angeles Magazine #JHLA #YesKawaiiIsArt #ExpressYourself #SebastianMasuda #Kawaii #JHLAKawaii #JapanHouseLA #JapanesePopCulture #JapaneseArt #KawaiiArt #SummerExhibition #JapaneseCulture #ArtGallery #JHLosAngeles #OvationHollywood #ThingsToDoinLA

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles and Purdie Distribution are proud to present the Los Angeles premiere of "Tokyo Cowboy," an award-winning film about a Japanese businessman who goes on a journey of self-discovery during a company trip from Tokyo to Montana, bridging Japan and the American West. 🐎 We will host a screening and fireside chat afterward with the director, Marc Marriott, producer Brigham Taylor, and co-starring actress Robin Weigert, known for her roles in "Deadwood" and "Big Little Lies." The film also stars renowned Japanese actors Arata Inoue, Ayako Fujitani, and Jun Kunimura, though they will not be present for the discussion. The film received many awards during its film festival run and this screening will be its first LA premiere. 🌟 Don't miss this special opportunity to see this poignant "fish out of water" film, discuss its cross-cultural storytelling with the creators, and enjoy some light refreshments afterward! 🎥 The screening will be on August 21, 2024, at 6:30 PM at our Level 5 Salon. The event is free but space is limited so make sure to register ASAP here: https://bit.ly/4fv98rh ⚠️ To make sure to be the first to know of these exciting events, make sure to follow us so you don't miss out! #JHLA #TokyoCowboy #FilmScreening #FilmPremiere #JapaneseFilm #JapaneseMovies #JapanHouseLA #PurdieDistribution #RobinWeigert #AyakoFujitani #MoviePremiere #ThingsToDoinLA #OvationHollywood #JHLosAngeles

Pause, breathe, and discover Zen Kokyū, the art of mindful breathing, at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles this summer, led by method founder and expert Yuki Shiina who will come all the way from Japan! 🌬️ Zen Kokyū, or zen breathing, is based on a breathing technique developed in the 18th century by Zen master Hakuin Ekaku and is renowned for increasing the ability to improve concentration, blood flow, and relaxation levels. It encourages individuals to be more mindful of their breathing and serves as a tool to enhance health and well-being and has gained a following for its simple yet powerful approach to cultivating inner peace and rebalancing the body to its natural state. 🧘 Strengthen your connection between mind and body at this workshop and get a chance to refresh and recharge amidst a hot, busy summer. ☀️ The workshops will occur on Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25 at our Level 5 Salon. Space is very limited, but there will be two workshops per day. ⚠️ Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to learn from Yuki Shiina from Japan and make sure to register ASAP here: https://bit.ly/3WrHgfc #JHLA #MindfulBreathing #ZenKokyu #ZenBreathing #Breathing #Mindfulness #JapanHouseLA #JapaneseCulture #Japan #ZenMaster #ZenKokyū #Meditation #ZenBuddhism #ThingsToDoinLA #OvationHollywood #JHLosAngeles

There is debate over who made the very first animated clip on film. But, one of the oldest in the world is a three-second long film strip, “Matsumoto Fragment” (aka the “Katsudō Shashin”) by an unknown Japanese filmmaker dated back to 1907. However, it was Winsor McCay’s 1914 short “Gertie the Dinosaur” and it became massively popular and showed the limitless possibilities for animation on film. Afterward, a young animator, Walt Disney, came onto the scene and revolutionized animation in film forever with the invention of Mickey Mouse. His creativity and innovative uses of two-strip color made him a giant in the industry by the time his first animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was released in 1937, and his legacy in animation remains to this day. Since the 1990s, animation studios have begun exploring more efficient ways to animate stories with CGI (computer-generated imagery). The success of Pixar Studios proves its benefits. However, many fans and animators, like the legendary Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, still hope for hand-drawn animation to continue or remain a part of the digital process. Although Miyazaki has experimented with digital animation, his studio still prioritizes hand drawing as the foundation of their projects. Despite the advances in digital technology in animation, perhaps it’s important to preserve the most ancient form of animation with hand-drawn animation. From shadow puppetry to flipping pages in rapid succession to turn a still image into motion, this ability to create magic from human hands is incredible. Read more about the art of motion in animation here: https://bit.ly/3YrDp4v #Animation #Japan #Anime #Manga #AnimationStudios #StudioGhibli #JapaneseAnimators #JapaneseFilmMakers #AnimationArt #HayaoMiyazaki #CGI #CGIAnimation #WaltDisney #Pixar #PixarStudios #MatsomotoFragment #KatsudoShashin #GertieTheDinosaur

From HBO Max's "Tokyo Vice" and FX Network’s “Shōgun” which was recently nominated for 25 Emmys, the most for any series in a single year, to the Oscar-winning films "Godzilla Minus One" and “The Boy and the Heron,” visibility and appreciation for Japanese entertainment across film and TV has increased worldwide. Although the history of Japanese cinema began around the same time as cinema in America and Europe, international distribution was limited until the post-WWII period when the iconic “Godzilla” gained wide U.S. release in 1956 with English dubs and additional scenes with an American actor. The movie was a commercial success and the Japanese film industry strengthened with international films now being filmed on location and partnered with local crews and producers in Japan. Fittingly enough, the original 1980s “Shōgun” was the first U.S. TV series to be filmed entirely in Japan. Since then many notable films and series like “Kill Bill,” “Lost in Translation,” and “The Last Samurai” have all had co-productions between the Japan-Hollywood film industry and been received with great acclaim. In the age of streaming, Netflix licensed and domestically produced series like “Terrace House” and “Midnight Diner” which became hits overseas, demonstrating a large demand for Japanese content, enabling Hollywood filmmakers to consider filming on location in Japan, something that was previously thought to be expensive or complex. Today, these exciting Japan-Hollywood collaborations are creating a new era in cinema and bridging cultural gaps. Explore this exciting journey of cross-cultural storytelling, innovation, and recognition by reading more here: https://bit.ly/4cLhPMw #JHLA #Japan #Hollywood #FilmMaking #Shogun #EmmyNominated #OscarWinners #FilmScene #LocationShooting #JapanFilmMakers #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseFilms #JapaneseMovies #HollywoodMovies #FilmCollaboration #JapanHouseLA

Japanese anime has produced some of the world’s top-grossing franchises and a long list of Hollywood adaptations as the only non-English-language global IP. The growth of streaming media worldwide has aided in easier access to anime, though that isn’t the only reason for its immense popularity. In 2020, we had a panel with leading industry experts like John Ledford, founder and CEO of Sentai Filmworks, Maki Terashima-Furuta, president of Production I.G. USA, and Jason DeMarco, Senior V.P. and Creative Director of Adult Swim/Cartoon Network On-Air where they discussed the value and appeal of anime as a form of entertainment for both adults and children. The appeal of anime also plays into the widespread phenomenon of kawaii (cute) culture which consists of many anime characters and stylings and shows how it has made its way over to Hollywood. See this enlightening conversation on the boom of anime and its merits by industry experts here: https://bit.ly/2UIaaId #JHLA #Anime #Kawaii #YesKawaiiIsArt #ExpressYourself #JapanHouseLA #JHLAKawaii #JapaneseAnime #DemonSlayer #SentaiFilmworks #AdultSwim #Hollywood #JHLosAngeles

From Harajuku fashion to cartoon mascots and cat cafes, kawaii has recently expanded from a Japanese concept to a global phenomenon. The term “kawaii” translates to “cute” or “adorable” in English, but our exhibition, Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF- explores how kawaii can have many layers of meaning and have deep roots in complex cultural concepts. Yes, kawaii refers to something cute, but it can evoke being delicate and caring. Psychologists suggest that this cuteness causes an evolutionary signal for viewers to react to “baby-like” qualities in a nurturing way, thus increasing focus and attention to kawaii things. Japanese artists and artisans have shown an appreciation for this baby-like quality going back centuries such as during the Edo-era when painters often depicted dogs in cute ways or artisans crafted small, adorable miniatures of sword accessories and toy trains. All these show the historical roots of kawaii and how it has since evolved through time. History also plays a role in the kawaii evolution, as popular manga and anime characters became key images of kawaii in the post-WII era when Japan was longing for simplicity and innocence following the country’s rapid urbanization and massive social change. Characters like “Astro Boy” became a milestone of kawaii history with its iconic huge eyes, innocent appearance, and heroic adventures. Astro Boy paved the way for more kawaii characters to be in the spotlight over time. As these cute characters grew in popularity, companies like Sanrio began to create normal products like school supplies and clothing with sweet designs and characters, like Hello Kitty, which is one of the most recognizable kawaii mascots. Today, Sanrio has created hundreds of kawaii characters, including the yoshikitty dolls in collaboration with renowned artist, and JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles advisor, YOSHIKI. These rare yoshikitty dolls are made to resemble YOSHIKI’s stage outfits and can be seen on display in our exhibition, Yes, KAWAII is Art. Though, at its core, kawaii is far more than a product or trend, it is fundamentally about joy, self-expression, and shared vulnerability. Read more about how kawaii has left its mark on pop culture across the globe here: https://bit.ly/4cAG3ZP Media Sponsors: LAist & Los Angeles Magazine #JHLA #YesKawaiiIsArt #ExpressYourself #SebastianMasuda #Kawaii #JHLAKawaii #JapanHouseLA #Yoshiki #Sanrio #Yoshikitty #JapaneseHistory #Japan #JapanesePopCulture #JapaneseArt #KawaiiArt #JapaneseCulture #ArtGallery #JHLosAngeles #OvationHollywood #ThingsToDoinLA

Every third day of July is a national holiday called Marine Day in Japan. 🎉🌊 "Umi no Hi" or Marine Day, celebrates the blessings of the sea and is a day to express gratitude for the plentiful resources the ocean provides. 🌊 Let's appreciate the ocean for its resourcefulness and its beauty! 💙 Learn more about traveling to Japan to see its coastal treasures from Japan National Tourism Organization here: https://bit.ly/4cUIzJX #JapanHouseLA #JHLA #JapaneseTraditions #JapaneseHoliday #JapaneseCulture #UmiNoHi #MarineDay

Japan is gearing up for the Olympic Games in Paris this year with the newest lineup of 27 swimmers qualified for individual and relay events. It should be noted, that Japan typically sets its qualifying times faster than the Olympic Standard Time set by the World Aquatics. The 27 chosen swimmers were a mix of veterans and newcomers with standout performances. 2-time Olympic gold medalist Yui Ohashi and experienced Olympic medalist Daiya Seto secured their spots for the 200m Individual Medley, however, they faced tough competition from young talented swimmers such as seventeen-year-old Mio Narita, Tomoyuki Matsushia who surpassed Seto in the final race, and Ageha Tanigawa who beat out Ohashi for the women’s 400m Individual Medley. Although the competition was tough, Seto mentioned he was happy to see young swimmers improving and hopes to lead the way for the next generation since he has been competing for a long time. Perhaps one of the most inspiring races of the trials was Rikako Ikee’s return after battling leukemia in 2020. Ikee competed in the Tokyo 2020 Games in relay events but now earned her place in an individual event for the first time since 2016 with the 100m butterfly event. Sixteen-year-old Mizuki Hirai, who won the final, also qualified and is excited to be on an Olympic team with her swimming idol, Rikako Ikee. Read more about the standout performers like veteran swimmer Satomi Suzuki, world record holder Ippei Watanabe, Tomoru Honda, and other noteworthy performers of Japan’s qualifying Olympic swimmers for the Paris 2024 Games here: https://bit.ly/4bDaLjN. Are you excited about the swimming events in the Games? Share your thoughts below! #JapanHouseLA #Paris2024OlympicGames #JapaneseAthletes #Olympics #Swimming #OlympicSwimming #SwimTeam #Sports #YuiOhashi #DaiyaSeto #RikakoIkee #MizukiHirai #AAPIAthletes #Paris2024 #OlympicGames #Tokyo2020 #Tokyo2020OlympicGames #JHLA