Community Events

San Mateo Kabuki Group Meets Dec. 7

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:15:46 -0800

SAN MATEO — Every first Sunday of the month, San Mateo Kabuki Group watches kabuki videos at the Japanese American Community Center, 415 S. Claremont St.

On Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m., the group will watch “Tatatoki,” written by Kawatake Mokuami in 1884.

The 9th Hojo Takatoki (played by Nakamura Hashinosuke) is utterly infatuated with drinking and women. His political power is unreasonably outraged. His vassals are perplexed.

One day his mansion is plunged into darkness and a fierce storm breaks out. A number of long-nosed goblins then appear one by one before the pensive Takatoki.

Sachiko to Hold Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:13:28 -0800

EMERYVILLE — A safe haven for East Bay ladies to shop Thanksgiving weekend, without the usual crowd crunch, will be at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel at 601 Powell St. in Emeryville, just one block east of Interstate 80.

Sachiko Fashion will be showing over 500 garments and some specialty take-home holiday gifts. Joining Sachiko in the Marina Ballroom will be Maryann Lyons of San Francisco, who will sell her unique Asian-influenced jewelry.

Hours are Friday, Nov. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

‘Cinema Japan’ Continues at PFA

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:41:57 -0800

BERKELEY — “Cinema Japan: A Wreath for Madame Kawakita” continues at the Pacific Film Archive through Dec. 17.

The 24-film series, which opened Nov. 1, marks the centennial of the birth of Kashiko Kawakita, who was a major force in bringing Japanese cinema to international attention and in introducing many Western films to the Japanese public.

‘Cats’ With Subtitles

rie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:40:11 -0800

BERKELEY — The documentary “The Cats of Mirikitani,” including Japanese subtitles, will be shown as a fundraiser for the Tule Lake Preservation Committee on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.

The film tells the story of Jimmy Mirikitani, a former Tule Lake internee who became a homeless artist in New York. He was befriended by the filmmaker, Linda Hattendorf, and reconnected with his past and his community by attending the Tule Lake Pilgrimage.

Year-End Festival at S.F.'s Japan Center

rie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:54:14 -0800

The San Francisco Japantown Year-End Festival is being held by the Japantown Merchants Association until Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Many stores in Japantown will be offering special discounts and special merchandise.

A Japan Center tradition, the gara-gara drawing, will return next month. Tickets for the drawing are obtained by making purchases at participating businesses.

The grand prize is a round trip for two to Las Vegas with hotel accommodations for three days and two nights, or $500 cash. Five grand prizes will be given out along with many other prizes.

Exhibit of Japanese Incense Utensils

rie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:04:38 -0800

LOS GATOS — “The Aromachology,” an exhibition of incense utensils, will be on view at Iwasawa Oriental Art, 75 University Ave. in Los Gatos, from Nov. 15 to 30.

The exhibition’s name is a combination of “aromatherapy” and “psychology.”

“The appreciation of delicate fragrances produced by burring incense has a long and proud tradition in Japan,” said an Iwasawa spokesperson. “Known as kodo — literally, the ‘way of scent’ — it was a pastime cultivated by Japan’s samurai class, alongside flower arranging and the tea ceremony.

Networking Event for Young Professionals

rie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:04:38 -0800

SAN MATEO — The Japan Society of Northern California’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) and the Bay Area Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAPSF) will hold a joint mixer on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6:30 to 9 pm. at Mandala Lounge, 38 E. 25th Ave. in San Mateo.

“Don’t miss this chance to network with successful working professionals from around the Bay Area in this casual, yet elegant, venue,” said a YPG spokesperson. “Representatives from both NAAAPSF and Japan Society will be there to answer questions about either organization.”

NRJ for API LGBTs to Hold Retreat

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:04:38 -0800

BERKELEY — The Network on Religion and Justice for Asian Pacific Islander Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People will hold a one-day retreat on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Pacific School of Religion, Mudd Rom 100, 1798 Scenic Ave.

“Come for a day of reflection and renewal, community building, conversation deepening, food and fellowship after the election season,” said a NRJ spokesperson.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, call (510) 849-8937 or e-mail eleung@psr.edu. For more information on NRJ, visit www.netrj.org/.

Fall Grand Ceremony at Konko Church of S.F.

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:17:53 -0800

The Konko Church of San Francisco will celebrate the annual Fall Grand Ceremony for Ikigami Konko Daijin on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. (not 10 a.m. as previously announced).

The celebration will include special English guest speaker Rev. Roderick Hashimoto of the Konko Church of Vancouver. He is also the Konko Churches of North America chief administrative minister.

Rev. Hashimoto’s topic will be “Praying to and for Ikigami Konko Daijin.”

Rev. Akinobu Yasutake of the Konko Mission of Waipahu will be the special Japanese guest speaker.

Concert to Mark Taiko Dojo's 40th Year

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:08:44 -0800

BERKELEY — The thundering power of taiko drums is back in the East Bay.
On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23, Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and San Francisco Taiko Dojo will unleash a spectacular program in honor of the group’s 40th anniversary.

The powerful rhythms of the International Taiko Festival 2008 will reverberate throughout Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Widely considered to be one of the world’s foremost taiko festivals it is the premier showcase for taiko musicians and special guest artists from the greater Bay Area and Japan.