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Introducing our Historic Anniversary Gala Honoree from Kyoto
Masataka Hata
President
How long have you been coming to Boston?
I first visited Boston over 40 years ago because a private collector was looking for someone to explain how to use two beautiful maki-e boxes for an incense game. Since then, I've visited Boston almost every year to introduce the traditional art of Japanese incense. Many of these events were hosted by the Japan Society of Boston.
In 2014, to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Kyoto and Boston, I accompanied 18 other volunteers from the Naginataboko Gion Hayashi Preservation Society to Boston. We performed traditional Gion Hayashi music at the JSB annual gala and also at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. This was the first time in the 1000 year history of the Gion Festival for this performance to take place outside of Kyoto.
What does your company do?
Shoyeido Co., Ltd. was founded in Kyoto in the early 18th century, the middle of the Edo period. We have manufactured and sold a wide variety of traditional Japanese incense - including the same traditional incense that's mentioned in the Tale of Genji - for religious observations, tea ceremonies and other uses ever since. We source ingredients from all over Asia and market our products throughout the world.
Click here to read the full interview!
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In Remembrance of Seiji Ozawa
Seiji Ozawa (1935-2024), legendary conductor and Music Director Laureate to the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), as well as friend and advisory board member to JSB, passed away on February 6th in Tokyo.
BSO's longest-serving conductor who also served as their Music Director for 29 years, Ozawa helped the Boston Symphony Orchestra enter a global era and become the biggest-budget orchestra in the world after joining in 1973.
Ozawa had many accolades both in his home country of Japan as well as in the western musical world. He was the artistic director and founder of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, co-founded the Saito Kinen Orchestra in 1984, and in 1979 accomplished the incredible task of bringing Western music back to China after a lengthy ban.
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The JSB College Events Hub
We have launched a new page on our website to gather and promote Japan-related college events and other resources for college students pursuing Japanese studies! Check out the hub below for more information, to view our current listings, or to submit an event or opportunity!
*Note: All events must be free and open to the public*
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JSB Fundraising Apparel
Marie Romano's winning Japan-Boston design is now available to purchase as a T-shirt or sweatshirt to help us fundraise for JSB.
Check out our online shop to see the different colors and styles!
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Beyond the Blade: Japanese Knife Craftsmanship
Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 - 6:00pm EST
Online
Kentaro Hoshiba is a fourth generation blacksmith whose family has been supporting fishing and farming villages in Noto, Ishikawa, Japan since the Meiji period by polishing and selling knives. Their company, Fukube Kaji Corp. began in 1901 as traveling knife peddlers, selling and maintaining the vital everyday tools of housewives, farmers, and fishermen. Today they keep the tradition of knife polishing services alive through "Pochisupa," their unique mail-in knife sharpening service, now with the help of online shipping. They are also currently working to expand business to the U.S., and launch their own knives, the Shinbu and Tafu.
Fukube Kaji and other companies are supported by Bunkei Corp., a consulting firm that aims to continue the culture of traditional Japanese craftsmanship into the 22nd century by providing guidance and resources to aid the transition into the modern age.
Our speakers will not only teach us about the precise art of Japanese knife making, but will also share about their traditions, companies, and current activities in Japan.
If you are interesting in supporting their recovery following the January 1, 2024 earthquake, please donate to Fukube Kaji Corp. earthquake recovery fund.
This is a free, hour-long presentation with Q&A hosted on Zoom.
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Art of Kintsugi with Tatsuya Murao
February 17th & 18th, 2024 - 10:00am & 1:00pm EST
Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress St, Boston, MA. The Common, 2nd floor
Meet Tatsuya “Tad” Murao of Kintsugi Boston and learn about the Japanese Art of Kintsugi. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing and restoring broken pottery items. Rather than making broken parts look brand new, Kintsugi sees repaired parts as beautiful and celebrates flaws as something unique to be embraced.
While being inspired by his art, try making something out of recycled materials and embrace the uniqueness of your creations. This program is offered in collaboration with the Boston Children's Museum and supported by the Pucker family.
This program will have two sessions on both February 17th and 18th. On both days, the event will run from 10:00-11:30am and 1:00-2:30pm.
Suitable for ages 3 to 5, 5 to 6 , 6+ The workshop is open to anyone with museum admission.
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Foundry Festival: Suminagashi Workshop
Friday, February 23rd, 2024 - 10:00am-12:00pm EST
The Foundry: The Point Room
101 Rogers St, Cambridge, MA
Join the Japan Society of Boston to learn an easy way to try suminagashi, a traditional artform using sumi ink and water to create beautiful designs on paper. Suitable for all ages, the workshop is free and all materials will be provided for participants to walk away with a beautiful suminagashi paper of their own.
Register on the Foundry website to secure a spot, otherwise seats will be first come, first served. The workshop will be held in roughly half-hour sessions at 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, and 11:30am.
Any questions regarding our workshop can be directed to joanneha@japansocietyboston.org
The Foundry Festival is a week of free Arts and STEM programming for the community!
Festival dates: Saturday, February 17, 2024 - Saturday, February 24, 2024
See the Foundry's website for a full agenda, maps, directions & parking, and more!
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Japanese Houses:
Stories of Remarkable Homes and the People Who Made Them
Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 - 7:00 PM EST
Online
Since the end of World War II, Japanese architects have been creating some of the world’s most exceptional dwellings. Admired by architects and homeowners on both sides of the Pacific, these innovative mini-buildings are the subject of Naomi Pollock’s new book, The Japanese House Since 1945.
Naomi Pollock is a world-renowned expert on contemporary Japanese architecture and design. Her recently published book highlights some of Japan’s most inspiring homes which illustrate the country’s design ingenuity and experimental construction capability. The author will share stories about the making of these residences and the people who made them their homes.
Following the presentation, she will discuss her work with Yoko Kawai, an expert in Japanese design, Lecturer at the Yale School of Architecture, and the principal of Penguin Environmental Design.
This free event is hosted by the Japan Society of Northern California in collaboration with Penguin Environmental Design and co-organized with the Japan America Society of Houston and the Japan America Society of Minnesota.
The Zoom link will be sent in the registration confirmation email.
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JSB Language Room
Friday, February 16th, 2024 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM EST
（日本時間では2月17日土曜日午前8時）
Online
Practice your Japanese (or your English) at our next online Japanese / English language exchange. Our monthly language room is sponsored by Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ). TUJ is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan.
Theme: 干支 Chinese Zodiac
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Hausu (House) Film Screening
Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 - 7:00 PM EDT
Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446
In celebration of the debut of the Coolidge Corner Theatre's new expanded theatre space, the Big Screen Debuts film series, which showcases prominent first films from a variety of famous and highly regarded directors, is happening now through late March.
An unforgettable mixture of bubblegum teen melodrama and grisly phantasmagoria, Nobuhiko Obayashi’s deranged fairy tale Hausu is one of Japanese cinema’s wildest supernatural ventures and a truly startling debut feature.
Tickets are on sale now. JSB members visit the Members-Only Portal for a discount code!
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Connect with JSB!
Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 - 6:00 to 8:00 PM EDT
Fuji at Kendall
300 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Join Japan Society of Boston staff and members for dinner at Fuji at Kendall! Connect with JSB is a great way to get to know us better, meet other society members, practice your Japanese in a casual environment, and enjoy great food at Japanese restaurants in Boston!
Fuji has multiple locations for upscale Japanese food in the Boston area and we will be visiting their Kendall Square restaurant. See their website for their full menu of sushi and other Japanese dishes.
This event is open to JSB members only. Registrants are welcome to bring a plus one, but their guest must be included in the registration. All attendees should be prepared to pay for their own meal/drinks.
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JSB Film Club
Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 - 6:00 to 8:00 PM EST
Online
We are excited to announce the first meeting of the new JSB Film Club!
Our first film will be Tampopo (1985), directed by Juzo Itami. In this humorous homage to the joys of food, a pair of truck drivers happen onto a decrepit roadside shop selling ramen noodles. The widowed owner, Tampopo, begs them to help her turn her establishment into a paragon of the "art of noodle-soup making."
Films should be viewed in advance of our meetings. Due to copyright laws, meetings will not feature screenings. This film can be viewed for free if you have a subscription to Max or the Criterion Channel. You can also rent from the Boston Public Library or purchase the DVD online at various sites.
The Japan Society of Boston Film Club meets on the last Wednesday of every other month to discuss great classic and contemporary Japanese films. The purpose of our club is to support the community of Japan enthusiasts in the New England region by creating a space for thoughtful and sociable discussion.
The club is limited to Japan Society of Boston Members.
Consider becoming a Member today!
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Between the Lines
Thursday, March 7th, 2024 - 6:00 PM EST
Online
Join us to discuss some of the greatest classics of medieval Japanese literature, written by women authors! In this session, we will be finishing our discussion of the Kamakura-era classic The Confessions of Lady Nijo, as translated by Karen Brazell.
The club is limited to Japan Society of Boston Members.
Consider becoming a Member today!
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JSB Book Club
Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 - 6:00 PM EDT
Online
Do you love Japanese literature? The JSB Book Club will be meeting to discuss Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima.
Spring Snow is the first of Yukio Mishima's Sea of Fertility tetralogy, a series of four connected novels that was his final work and is considered to be his literary masterpiece. It is the story of star-crossed lovers, friendship, political mishaps, and conniving servants that takes place in 1912 Tokyo in the inner circle of the imperial court.
Due to a scheduling conflict, March's Book Club meeting will be held on March 20th instead of the usual final Wednesday of the month.
The JSB Book Club meets on the last Wednesday of every other month to discuss great modern Japanese novels. The purpose of our club is to strengthen the Boston community of Japan enthusiasts by creating a space for thoughtful and sociable discussion.
The club is limited to Japan Society of Boston Members.
Consider becoming a Member today!
Find a copy of Spring Snow here. You are welcome to read any translation.
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Member Highlight
The Japan Society of Boston is pleased to introduce you to the wonderful members of our community through this blog series.
Each month we feature a JSB member and ask them to share with us their Japan Story.
This month: Peter Kelley
Peter Kelley is a dedicated JSB Member, previous head of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, and recipient of a 勲章; Kunshō, The Order of the Rising Sun. Peter received this award for his contribution to promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
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JSB Meets JET Alumni
As part of our partnership with the United States Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (USJETAA), the Japan Society of Boston features a new JET Alumni in our monthly blog!
This month's JET Alum is Sarah Baughn (Ishikawa 2019-2021).
Check out the article to read about her experiences in the beautiful prefecture of Ishikawa that was recently hit by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.
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Famous in Japan
Studying individuals from around the world who are famous in Japan, both past and present.
This month, read about iconic writer Natsume Soseki.
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Other Japan-Related Events | |
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Otoboke Beaver
March 21st, 2024, 7:00PM EDT
Royale
279 Tremont St, Boston MA 02116
Otoboke Beaver are a punk-rock-garage quartet from Kyoto, Japan. Formed at Kyoto University’s music club, the band consists of Accorinrin (Lead Vocal & Guitar), Yoyoyoshie (Guitar & Vocals), Hirochan (Bass & Vocals), and Kahokiss (Drums & Vocals).
Acco's off-kilter, self-taught compositional and confrontational performance skills, together with the band's incredible musicianship, make for a thrilling and unmissable live act.
Tickets are now on sale. Show is ages 18 and up.
Follow JSB on Instagram where we will be giving away free tickets to the show!
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Anime Boston 2024
March 29th-31st, 2024
Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston St., Boston MA
Anime Boston is a three-day convention held annually in Boston, Massachusetts, USA under the supervision of the New England Anime Society. Their focus is to celebrate and promote Japanese animation, comics, and pop-culture.
Stop by and say hi at JSB's table at Community Row!
Tickets on sale now. See their website for more information.
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Japan Festival Boston 2024
April 27th-28th, 2024
Boston Common
In 2012, the first Japan Festival Boston was hosted, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Kyoto (Boston's sister city) to Washington D.C. The Japan Festival Boston gives us a chance to share our culture with the Greater Boston area, and we have been expanding this festival each year (about 70,000 people in the past few years). The festival is completely organized by volunteers (more than 400 volunteers in 2019) and is supported by many sponsors and contributors from the community.
For businesses and organizations interested in a booth, see their vendor page.
They are looking for volunteers! If you are interested, use their contact form to make an inquiry.
To support Japan fest, check out their fundraising campaign.
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Showa Boston Friendship Program 2024 | |
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Boston-area 5th and 6th graders
August 5-9, 8:30am-4:30pm daily
Program highlights:
Teacher-led morning instructions in integrated groups
Hands-on cultural activities
Trips to Fenway Park, the Science Museum, and more
Program fee: $700
Lunch, transportation, and trip admissions are all included
*$50 discount for JSB members
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Showa Boston Presidential Lecture Series
Topic: Elder Care in Japan
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM (followed by Q&A)
Location: Rainbow Hall, Showa Boston
420 Pond Street, Boston, MA 02130
Registration Required
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Professor Chizuko Ueno
Japan's Renowned Feminist and Sociologist
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Rishiri Island Summer Camp
August 5-9
August 12-16
August 19-23
August 26-30
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for 18-25 year olds to explore Northern Japan while interacting with the local fishing community and beautiful scenery.
Registrations are now open on a rolling basis. See their website for more information.
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Japan-America Grassroots Summit
The Japan-America Grassroots Summit is an annual gathering of Japanese and American citizens, held alternately in Japan and America. It celebrates the historic friendship between Nakahama Manjiro and Captain William Whitfield.
Full details about the Wakayama program can be read on their online brochure.
Any questions about the Wakayama Summit can be directed to Chika Aoki, Director of CIE in Tokyo and principal coordinator of the Summit programs, at aoki@manjiro.or.jp
The deadline for early registration for the Wakayama Summit is February 29.
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Miho Hazama and m_unit
Saturday, March 16th, 2024, 8:00PM EDT
Berklee Performance Center
136 Massachusetts Ave, Boston MA 02115
Grammy-nominated composer and conductor Miho Hazama is one of the most promising and talented composers/arrangers of her generation. Lauded in DownBeat magazine as one of “25 for the Future” and an ASCAP Foundation awardee for Best Young Jazz Composer, Hazama creates inventive, complex, and surprising compositions for m_unit, the 13-piece jazz chamber orchestra that she leads.
This brilliant composer and her jazz orchestra make their Boston debuts at the Berklee Performance Center.
Tickets on sale now. JSB members and newsletter readers can get a 25% discount! Valid for up to 4 tickets per order, offer expires 3/15 at 12PM.
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Toshiko Takaezu: Shaping Abstraction
September 30, 2023 - September 29, 2024
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Saundra B. and William H. Lane Galleries (Gallery 332)
Born in Hawaii to parents of Okinawan ancestry, Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011) was a technically masterful and innovative artist best known for her ceramic sculptures, which she treated as abstract paintings in the round. The MFA holds a significant collection of Takaezu’s pottery—more than 20 examples are featured here alongside loans from private collections.
Challenging traditional presentations of American abstraction, “Toshiko Takaezu: Shaping Abstraction” celebrates the extraordinary range of Takaezu’s work, aiming to make her contributions more widely known. It is organized in partnership with the Noguchi Museum and the Toshiko Takaezu Foundation.
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