FEATURE EVENTS
Monday (June 12) 6-7:30 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week Film Screening | Mifune: The Last Samurai
Join us for a screening of the documentary Mifune: the Last Samurai by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki which explores the acting career of Toshiro Mifune. Mifune was a prolific actor who starred in many Akira Kurosawa films during what is considered the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema.
Tuesday (June 13) 2-3 pm & 6-7 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week | Wagashi Confectionery Making Demonstration with Toshiko Sugii Steffes
Join us for a demonstration on making and decorating nerikiri representing the four seasons by Toshiko Sugii Steffes. Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections originally made to be served at tea ceremonies. They are considered a visual and culinary art form and are often enjoyed during special occasions or seasonal transitions. Nerikiri is a type of Wagashi that is created using white butter beans, sugar, mochi, and food coloring.
Wednesday (June 14) 2-3 pm | Pittsfield Branch
Japan Week | Teru Teru Bozu: Japanese Weather Dolls
Join us for this seasonal craft inspired by the Japan Society London to learn how to make Japanese weather dolls, called Teru Teru Bozu, to ward off the rainy season.
Wednesday (June 14) 6:30-7:30 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week | Howl's Moving Castle Silhouettes
Create a playful window decoration based off of Studio Ghibli's beloved 2004 film Howl's Moving Castle! These easy and intricate multi-layer paper silhouettes will be pre-cut by machines and then assembled by hand. The library's computer-aided cutting equipment will also be there for a live demonstration of how they work.
Thursday (June 15) 6-7 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week | Bon Odori Dance Festival with the Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group
Join the Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group for a mini concert of festival and folk music followed by a Bon Dance. Bon Festivals celebrate life and bring community together. After the performance, join in on the interactive dance. Participants will learn a simple series of moves to be performed standing or seated and dance along with the musicians!
Friday (June 16) 6-6:45 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week | Shodō Japanese Calligraphy Performance with Ms. Kyoko Fujii
Shodō is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing of the Japanese language. Shodō expert Kyoko Fujii started learning the art of Japanese calligraphy at the age of six in her hometown of Hiroshima. While in college she earned the “master instructor,” or shihan license and the 5th level of 8 ranks (dan). She taught a variety of seminars on shodō basics, practical shodō, and creative shodō. She also has created many commercial designs, including company and product logos and brochure graphics. After moving to Michigan in 2009, she began to share the art of shodō in public presentations, working with traditional brushes and an easel, drawing Japanese characters, poems, and sumi-e (Japanese ink painting).
Saturday (June 17) 10:30-11 am | Downtown Library
Japanese Storytime with Momo Kajiwara
Join us as local music teacher Momo Kajiwara leads us in song, movement, and storytelling in Japanese!
Saturday (June 17) 2-3 pm | Downtown Library
Japan Week Concert | Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble
Join Masayo Ishigure and the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble for a live performance of classical and contemporary Japanese koto and shamisen music. Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble is a New York–based group that was founded by Masayo Ishigure in 1996, and consists of members of the Sawai Koto Academy, one of the most prominent schools for contemporary Koto and Shamisen music.
