January 5, 2008 - Yamatogaku Concert in Torrance Yamatogaku is an early 20th-century combination of various styles of Edo Period shamisen music using some Western performance techniques. One aspect of Western music, for example, is the use of singing in harmony in certain sections. The pieces retain a strict sense of the traditional, and yet they hint at the modern. A rare opportunity to experience Yamatogaku will be presented by the Yamatogaku School of Tokyo and its U.S.A counterpart on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. The program is sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Japanese government. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $20 for students and seniors. They are available through Yamatogaku U.S.A. at (310) 538-0334 or the Armstrong Theatre Box Office at (310) 781-7171.
January 6, 2008 - 10th Annual Shikishi Exhibition Express your hopes and dreams for 2008 on Sunday, January 7th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm when participants of all ages, professions, and interests, are invited to design a Japanese Shikishi (New Year’s greeting card). Admission is free and all submitted works are exhibited. Past participants include the former Prime Minister of Japan, Toshiki Kaifu and Judo Olympic Gold Medalist, Ryoko Tani. This year’s exhibit will feature art work based on this year’s theme Hatsu Mukashi (“First–Long Ago”) as well as references to the Year of the Rat, the animal which sits atop the 12-year Lunar Calendar cycle. The event will be held at the George J. Doizaki Gallery on the first floor of the Japanese American Community and Cultural Center in Little Tokyo. Free Admission. The George J. Doizaki Gallery hours are: Tuesday – Friday 12noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am to 4pm. Closed Mondays and holidays.
January 16, 2008 - “Hogaku: New Sounds from Japan”
Since the 1990s, there has been a renewal of interest in Japanese traditional music called hogaku. Many young musicians have appeared on the scene who have strong backgrounds in performance of traditional Japanese musical instruments and who are at the same time experimenting with the modern, expressive potential of their instruments. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) and the Japan Foundation and have invited six artists of Hogaku to represent this recent trend in the performance of this culturally unique Japanese music. They will perform at the Aratani/Japan America Theater in Little Tokyo on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 7:30pm Admission: $20 General, $15 JACCC Members, Seniors and Students.
January 18, 2008 - U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer to Speak in Los Angeles John Thomas ‘Tom’ Schieffer became the 27th United States Ambassador to Japan in April 2005, and since then, has worked on issues such as strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, increasing trade, and facilitating the realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Ambassador Schieffer will share his insights on Japan, the future of Asia and its growing consumer markets – and how these topics impact our city, state, and nation - in a speech at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel on Friday, January 18 from 12:00 -1:45pm. The event is presented in part by the Japan America Society, and it marks the first time a sitting U.S. Ambassador to Japan has spoken in Southern California since Walter Mondale addressed members of the JAS in 1994. The Omni Los Angeles Hotel is at 251 South Olive Street in Los Angeles. $45 Members & Guests of Members; $55 Non-members. For more info, visit jas-socal.org.
February 11, 2008 - “Murakami” Exhibit to Close at Geffen Contemporary
The art exhibit “Murakami” at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA will close on February 11. Arguably the most internationally acclaimed artist to emerge from Asia in the postwar era, Takashi Murakami effortlessly navigates between the worlds of fine art and popular culture and is best known for his cartoon-like, “superflat” style. This large-scale retrospective includes key selections that span the early 1990s to the present. More than 90 works in various media—painting, sculpture, installation, and film—will be installed in three sections, occupying over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is located at 152 North Central Avenue in Los Angeles. For more information, please call MOCA at (213) 621-1741, or visit moca.org.
February 16, 2008 - Hidano Super Taiko Concert 2008: “The Future of Taiko”
Award-winning taiko virtuoso Shuichi Hidano celebrates his 20th anniversary as a taiko artist with his first concert in Los Angeles at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo on Saturday, February 16 at 8:00 pm. Hidano has captivated audiences in over 20 countries with his innovative approach to rhythm and dynamic beats. Some of LA’s premier jazz, Latin, and rock studio musicians along with special guests on koto and shamisen will join Hidano, and a 30-member group from the Taiko Center of Los Angeles will join as well. $25 General Admission; $22 JACCC Members. For more information, call (626) 307-3839.
Yamatogaku is an early 20th-century combination of various styles of Edo Period shamisen music using some Western performance techniques. One aspect of Western music, for example, is the use of singing in harmony in certain sections. The pieces retain a strict sense of the traditional, and yet they hint at the modern. A rare opportunity to experience Yamatogaku will be presented by the Yamatogaku School of Tokyo and its U.S.A counterpart on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. The program is sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Japanese government. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $20 for students and seniors. They are available through Yamatogaku U.S.A. at (310) 538-0334 or the Armstrong Theatre Box Office at (310) 781-7171.
Express your hopes and dreams for 2008 on Sunday, January 7th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm when participants of all ages, professions, and interests, are invited to design a Japanese Shikishi (New Year’s greeting card). Admission is free and all submitted works are exhibited. Past participants include the former Prime Minister of Japan, Toshiki Kaifu and Judo Olympic Gold Medalist, Ryoko Tani. This year’s exhibit will feature art work based on this year’s theme Hatsu Mukashi (“First–Long Ago”) as well as references to the Year of the Rat, the animal which sits atop the 12-year Lunar Calendar cycle. The event will be held at the George J. Doizaki Gallery on the first floor of the Japanese American Community and Cultural Center in Little Tokyo. Free Admission. The George J. Doizaki Gallery hours are: Tuesday – Friday 12noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am to 4pm. Closed Mondays and holidays.
nuary 16, 2008 - “Hogaku: New Sounds from Japan”
John Thomas ‘Tom’ Schieffer became the 27th United States Ambassador to Japan in April 2005, and since then, has worked on issues such as strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, increasing trade, and facilitating the realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Ambassador Schieffer will share his insights on Japan, the future of Asia and its growing consumer markets – and how these topics impact our city, state, and nation - in a speech at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel on Friday, January 18 from 12:00 -1:45pm. The event is presented in part by the Japan America Society, and it marks the first time a sitting U.S. Ambassador to Japan has spoken in Southern California since Walter Mondale addressed members of the JAS in 1994. The Omni Los Angeles Hotel is at 251 South Olive Street in Los Angeles. $45 Members & Guests of Members; $55 Non-members. For more info, visit jas-socal.org.
The art exhibit “Murakami” at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA will close on February 11. Arguably the most internationally acclaimed artist to emerge from Asia in the postwar era, Takashi Murakami effortlessly navigates between the worlds of fine art and popular culture and is best known for his cartoon-like, “superflat” style. This large-scale retrospective includes key selections that span the early 1990s to the present. More than 90 works in various media—painting, sculpture, installation, and film—will be installed in three sections, occupying over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is located at 152 North Central Avenue in Los Angeles. For more information, please call MOCA at (213) 621-1741, or visit moca.org. 
Award-winning taiko virtuoso Shuichi Hidano celebrates his 20th anniversary as a taiko artist with his first concert in Los Angeles at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo on Saturday, February 16 at 8:00 pm. Hidano has captivated audiences in over 20 countries with his innovative approach to rhythm and dynamic beats. Some of LA’s premier jazz, Latin, and rock studio musicians along with special guests on koto and shamisen will join Hidano, and a 30-member group from the Taiko Center of Los Angeles will join as well. $25 General Admission; $22 JACCC Members. For more information, call (626) 307-3839.