This program celebrates the exchange between music and dance, featuring acclaimed dancer and choreographer Henning Rübsam in dynamic new collaborations with the composers and performers of RAM. The concert presents three world premieres commissioned by Random Access Music and Thomas Piercy—new works by Beata Moon, Frances White, and Andrea Casarrubios—together with recent compositions by Masatora Goya and Roger Stubblefield.

To purchase tickets, please visit simpletix.com. Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the door.

Featuring

Henning Rübsam – Dancer/choreographer
Hélène Taddei Lawson – Dancer/choreographer
Violetta Klimczewska – Dancer

Musicians

Lish Lindsey – Flutes
Thomas Piercy – Clarinet / hichiriki
Sabina Torosjan – Violin
Molly Aronson – Cello
Marina Iwao – Piano

Music by RAM Composers

Beata Moon
Masatora Goya
Allen Schulz
Frances White

Guest Composers

Andrea Casarrubios
Roger Stubblefield

"Fifteen Minutes of Fame" Composers

As part of the “Fifteen Minutes of Fame” project, audiences will also hear the premieres of 15 one-minute duos for hichiriki and low flutes.

Nantenaina Andriamorasata
Vahan Luder Artinian
David Bohn
Ross James Carey
Monica Chew
Philip Czapłowski
Douglas DaSilva
Paolo Geminiani
Simon Hutchinson
Sakiko Kosaka
Matt A. Mason
Gene Pritsker
Allen Schulz
Jane Wang
Dalen Wuest

Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!

Susan McCormac 11/12/25 Susan McCormac 11/12/25

Art Song Suite about the Life of Beloved Japanese Poet

Experience the remarkable yet tragic life of beloved Japanese poet Misuzu Kaneko, who ended her own life at the young age of 26, through readings and music.

Left: Misuzu Kaneko, photo courtesy of Preservation Association of Misuzu Kaneko Works. Right: Illustrations ©︎Toshikado Hajiri

The Life of Misuzu Kaneko | Story, Poetry, and Art Songs

Saturday, November 15 from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Thespis Theatre – 25-02 Newtown Avenue, Long Island City

Admission: Free

The world premiere of New York-based contemporary music composer Satoshi Kanazawa’s art song project based on beloved Japanese poet Misuzu Kaneko will take place at Thespis Theatre in Long Island City this Saturday, November 15.

Experience the remarkable yet tragic life of Kaneko (April 11, 1903 - March 10, 1930), who ended her own life at the young age of 26. This presentation is based on the book Are You an Echo? which introduces Kaneko’s poetry through a narrative by David Jacobson and English translation by Sally Ito and Michiko Tsuboi. Through evocative readings and live performance, Kaneko’s tender words and melodies transcend time, touching the heart with their beauty and depth.

Left: Misuzu Kaneko, photo courtesy of Preservation Association of Misuzu Kaneko Works. Right: Illustrations ©︎Toshikado Hajiri

Part 1: Book Reading Session

The first half of this event will be a book reading, telling Kaneko’s heartbreaking story. Actor Daniel Abse will read from Are You an Echo? while Marisa Karchin and Naoko Nakagawa will recite a selection of Kaneko’s poems.

PERFORMERS

Daniel Abse – Book reading
Marisa Karchin – English poem reading
Naoko Nakagawa – Original poem reading

Part 2: Art Song Performance

Kanazawa, who has been working on this project for more than 20 years, will premiere the art song suite in the second half of the program. The suite features seven selected poems sung in

PERFORMERS

Naoko Kanazawa – Soprano
Marisa Karchin – Soprano
Junko Ichikawa – Piano
Satoshi Kanazawa – Composer

This program is made possible by the Queens Arts Fund New Work Grant and is supported by JULA publishing Bureau and DOUSEIKAI -Tokyo University of the Arts Alumni Association.

For more details and to RSVP, please visit Satoshi Kanazawa’s Eventbrite page.

Susan McCormac 11/11/25 Susan McCormac 11/11/25

Japan Society Presents Dance Production Based on Mishima

Japan Society’s Fall 2025 Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences continues with the world premiere dance production of The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi). A vibrant new work for all ages from the Tokyo-based dance company CHAiroiPLIN with choreography by company founder Takuro Suzuki is based on a lesser-known short story of the same title by Yukio Mishima.

The Seven Bridges

Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16 at 2:30 p.m. — Followed by an Artist Q&A

Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Admission: $48 | $36 Japan Society members

About The Seven Bridges

CHAiroiPLIN (a tongue-in-cheek amalgamation of Charlie Chaplin’s name and the Japanese word chairoi, meaning “brown”) is acclaimed for converting great authors’ novels into disarmingly enchanting yet satirical performances, appropriate for all ages, told almost entirely through movement. In this work, founder and choreographer Takuro Suzuki and company take on Yukio Mishima’s suspenseful and humorous short story. Following a fanciful superstition that crossing seven bridges without conversing with anyone on a full moon night will make their wishes come true, four women occupying different positions of wealth and societal status set out on a journey under the watchful gaze of the Moon. As distractions and mishaps befall the women, their race to the end of the seventh bridge becomes increasingly fraught—who, if anyone, will be able to make it to the end, and for what kind of wish? With spirited, arresting and slapstick movement set to an impressive range of high-energy music encompassing Daft Punk, Balkan brass band Fanfare Ciocărlia, eccentric original songs performed live, and more, Suzuki and CHAiroiPLIN infuse unbridled charm into Mishima’s compact reflection on ritual and desire.

Yukio Mishima’s short story “The Seven Bridges” was originally published in Japan in 1956. Two years later, Mishima himself developed this story into a dance drama. While CHAiroiPLIN’s entirely original work reflects their own signature gleefully absurdist style, the company has deliberately adapted a narrative which Mishima himself envisioned as uniquely appropriate for the dance stage.

This program is presented by Japan Society as part of Carnegie Hall’s Spotlight on Japan. Recommended for ages 7+. Performance runs approximately 55 minutes. To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website. Ticketholders will also receive complimentary, same-day admission for one person to Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries, on view at Japan Society Gallery through January 11, 2026. To view the exhibition, please show ticket/receipt to the Welcome Desk for free admission before the performance.

About CHAiroiPLIN

CHAiroiPLIN is a Tokyo-based dance company founded by the dancer/choreographer Takuro Suzuki. Made up of a combination of theater performers and dancers, the company incorporates an expressive variety of forms fusing dance, dialogue, singing, onomatopoeia, and other creative elements. They aim to create highly entertaining and narrative-driven dance performances that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Since its establishment in 2007, CHAiroiPLIN has received numerous awards for its ongoing “Dancing Literature” series, which adapts modern and classical Japanese literature and plays ranging from novels to manga, rakugo (traditional comedic storytelling) and folktales, utilizing idiosyncratic and stylized body movements and expert choreography. Some notable productions include Fantasy Stone (based on Shigeru Mizuki’s manga), which was awarded the Audience Prize in the 1st Sengawa Drama Contest; Market, a winner of the NEXTREAM21 Dance Festival All Genre Dance Contest; and Friends (based on an absurdist play by the acclaimed Japanese dramatist Kobo Abe), a winner of the Grand Prize at the Young Directors Competition.

About Takuro Suzuki

Takuro Suzuki was born in Niigata Prefecture in 1985. He studied theater, pantomime, and dance at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, led by world-renowned Japanese director Yukio Ninagawa. After graduating, he continued to present public performances that spotlight new possibilities of combining dance and theater. He aims to create works incorporating a variety of dance, dialogues, singing, and Japanese onomatopoeia that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Suzuki founded the dance company CHAiroiPLIN in 2007 and has been a primary member of the dance company CONDORS since 2011. He choreographs and has appeared in NHK’s hugely popular weekly children’s program Miitsuketa! (“Found it!”) and created choreography for the television programs Touken Ranbu and Bungo Stray Dogs. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the New Artist Award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival, the Yokohama Dance Collection EX Honorable Mention and was a finalist for the Toyota Choreography Award. In 2015, he was selected as the 2015 Ambassador of Cultural Exchange in East Asia, and he received the New Artist Award in the Dance Division from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology in 2024.

About Yukio Mishima

Born Kimitake Hiraoka, Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) was a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor, model, Shintoist, ultra-nationalist, and leader of an attempted coup d'état that culminated in his suicide. Mishima is considered one of the most important postwar stylists of the Japanese language. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times in the 1960s. His works include the novels Confessions of a Mask, Life for Sale, and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea as well as the plays My Friend Hitler, The Lady Aoi, and Madame de Sade.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mishima’s birth, Japan Society has hosted a compelling roster of new productions and U.S. company premieres throughout the fall. More than half a century since Mishima’s last published work, he continues to inspire artists in the 21st century. Japan Society Artistic Director Yoko Shioya remarks, “This series revitalizes Mishima’s contributions to the world of the arts through a slate of brand-new commissions and premieres adapting his writings, as well as a historic U.S. debut for a revered Noh company. This series not only recognizes Mishima’s critical legacy, but the ongoing current influence of this essential post-war author on artists today.”

The Series launched in September with Yukio Mishima’s KINKAKUJI, a Japan Society world premiere commission adapted for the stage by Leon Ingulsrud and Major Curda from Mishima’s novel Kinkakuji (The Temple of the Golden Pavilion) with scenic design by internationally acclaimed visual artist Chiharu Shiota. The series continued in October with Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum), co-created by Yoshi Oida and Kaori Ito, both headlining artists in France’s performing arts’ scene. This work mixes contemporary dance with exquisite movement adapted from Noh into a dark and seductive piece of dance-theater, based on Mishima’s adaptation on the traditional Japanese Noh classic Aya no Tsuzumi.

Following the world premiere of The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi), the Series culminates with Mishima’s Muse – Noh Theater on December 4 through 6, featuring the momentous U.S. debut of the distinguished Hosho Noh School performing a set of plays which Mishima later adapted, including Aya no Tsuzumi, Aoi no Ue, and the original kyogen (comedic) play Busu, adapted by Mishima into a modern English comedy.

Susan McCormac 11/11/25 Susan McCormac 11/11/25

Kabuki, Noh, and More at Carnegie Hall

Discover the heritage and evolution of Noh and Kabuki theater, taiko drumming, the three-stringed shamisen, and more led by today’s foremost actors, musicians, and representatives of art forms that have been handed down and passionately studied for centuries.

An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts

Friday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m.

Carnegie Hall | Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage – 57th Street and 7th Avenue

Admission: $86.50 - $226

Carnegie Hall will be the site of a very special performance: An Evening of Traditional Japaense Arts. Discover the heritage and evolution of Noh and Kabuki theater, taiko drumming, the three-stringed shamisen, and more led by today’s foremost actors, musicians, and representatives of art forms that have been handed down and passionately studied for centuries.

Performers

Hirotada Kamei – Noh Musician
Denzaemon Tanaka – Kabuki Musician
Denjiro Tanaka – Kabuki Musician
Yoshimasa Kanze – Noh Actor
Takanobu Sakaguchi – Noh Actor
Saburota Kanze – Noh Actor
Hayato Nakamura – Kabuki Actor
Hiromitsu Agatsuma – Shamisen
Kouki Agatsuma – Shamisen
Masaru Tsuji – Wadaiko
Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga – Wadaiko
Suguha Otani – Japanese Dance
Yumi Kurosawa – Koto
Takuya Iwata – Shakuhachi
Yuichi Otsuki – Noh Actor
Manabu Takeichi – Noh Musician
Wakichi Kineya – Nagauta Singer
Chotatsuro Imafuji – Nagauta Shamisen
Gotaro Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Katsueiji Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Katsukuniharu Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Tatsujuro Imafuji – Nagauta Musician
Kan Fukuhara – Shinobue

The performance will last approximately two and a half hours with one 20-minute intermission. To purchase tickets, please visit Carnegie Hall’s website.

An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts by Kosuke Yoshino

Sankyokai

Sankyokai (“Three Resonances”) is an ensemble dedicated to exploring new artistic possibilities through the sound of hayashi—the traditional musical accompaniment of Noh and Kabuki—by fusing the resonances of Japan’s two foremost traditional performing arts. Since its founding in 1997, the group has carried forward the spirit of classical performance while continuing to create sounds that transcend time.

The members are three brothers: Hirotada Kamei, head of the Kadono School of Noh Otsuzumi (large hand drum); Denzaemon Tanaka XIII, head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki music; and Denjiro Tanaka VII, also a Kabuki musician of the Tanaka School.

Their father, Tadao Kamei, was a Living National Treasure in Japan and head of the Kadono School of Noh drumming who performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016; their mother, Sataro Tanaka IX, was the head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki music. Born to parents who represented these two distinct classical traditions, the brothers literally embody the meeting point of Noh and Kabuki.

From early childhood, they grew up exploring boundaries seamlessly between the two worlds—Noh, with its 600-year-old spiritual rigor; and Kabuki, born 200 years later with its vivid theatricality. As they matured, each pursued his own professional path: the eldest, Hirotada, in Noh; the middle brother, Denzaemon, and the youngest, Denjiro, in Kabuki. Yet through years of training, they began to sense a shared desire: to discover a form of expression that could transition between these traditions without breaking their structure or form.

Out of this belief, Sankyokai was born. Three Resonances reflects both the trio’s instruments—Hirotada’s Otsuzumi, Denzaemon’s Kotsuzumi, and Denjiro’s Taiko—and their wish to create a unified resonance born from their individual spirits. From its inception, Sankyokai has sought to present the timeless allure of classical performance in a contemporary context, finding new vitality in the dialogue and contrast between Noh and Kabuki. Today, the three brothers continue their journey as performers, creators, and stewards of Japan’s classical heritage, carrying it forward into the future.

Glossary of Terms

If you are new to traditional Japanese arts, you may not be familiar with the terms in this post. Please refer to the brief primer below to get you up to speed.

Kabuki: Classical Japanese theater that combines singing, acting, and dramatic poses and is known for elaborate costumes and makeup. Although men have performed all the roles since the mid-17th century, kabuki was established by a woman, Izumo no Okuni, around the year 1603. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed kabuki in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Noh: Japan’s oldest major theatrical art form, which has been performed since the 14th century. Based on literary tales, noh’s themes revolve around regret and spiritual transformation. Actors use masks to emphasize emotion and props such as folding fans to enhance the story.

Shamisen: Three-stringed, banjo-like instrument with a long neck and a distinct twangy sound. As one of the instruments providing accompaniment for kabuki, the shamisen enhances dramatic scenes and sets the mood. Originating in China, the Ryukyu Kingdom (what is now Okinawa Prefecture) introduced the instrument to mainland Japan in the mid-16th century.

Wadaiko: The traditional art of Japanese drumming, encompassing drums of a variety of sizes played by a group. Accompanying both kabuki and noh, wadaiko provides rhythm and sound effects and helps to create dramatic tension.

Japanese Dance: Known as Nihon buyo, traditional Japanese dance grew out of kabuki in the 17th century. It is a style of visual storytelling that incorporates refined movements and precise gestures.

Koto: The national instrument of Japan. The koto is a zither made of Paulownia wood and typically has 13 silk strings. Originally associated with gagaku, or court music, the koto is not standard in kabuki or noh.

Shakuhachi: Vertically held Japanese bamboo flute. First introduced from China in the 8th century, the shakuhachi was a staple in gagaku (court) music and later became used in Zen Buddhist meditation.

Nagauta: Genre of traditional Japanese music that literally means “long song.” Developed around the year 1740, nagauta is performed on shamisen to accompany kabuki. It is a lyrical style of music, focused more on expression rather than storytelling.

Shinobue: Japanese transverse bamboo flute with a high-pitched sound. In addition to its important role in kabuki and noh ensembles, the shinobue is integral to Shinto rituals as well as festivals and folk music.

Susan McCormac 11/10/25 Susan McCormac 11/10/25

New Book About Japanese Baseball

In the Japanese Ballpark: Book Talk & Signing with Author Robert K. Fitts

Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m.

The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor

Admission: Free

The Japanese American Association of New York welcomes back author Robert K. Fitts to discuss his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, which takes a deep dive into the people who work in baseball in Japan: ushers, beer girls, mascots, as well as players and executives such as Matt Murton, Bobby V., and former NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato. In total, Fitts edited twenty-six interviews into narratives.

Fitts will give a presentation about the book and then have a Q&A with the audience. Copies of his book will be available for purchase, and he will sign them as well. Experience baseball the Japanese way with Rob Fitts! To RSVP, please send an email to info@jaany.org or call the JAA office at 212-840-6842.

Author Robert K. Fitts and his new book, *In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball*

About the Book

In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball takes you deep inside the heart of Japan’s national pastime—far beyond the box scores and highlight reels. To discover what truly sets Japanese baseball apart, author Robert Fitts went straight to the source: the players, managers, umpires, team owners, mascots, beer girls, and lifelong fans who live and breathe the sport. Through their personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the game works and what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun.

Get a front-row seat to the traditions, strategies, and spirit that define baseball in Japan. From the passion of the fans to the precision of the game, every page offers eye-opening stories and insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of the Japanese game, In the Japanese Ballpark can help you fully experience every pitch, hit, and cheer.

About Robert K. Fitts

A former archaeologist with a Ph.D. from Brown University, Robert K. Fitts left academics behind to follow his passion — Japanese baseball. An award-winning author and speaker, his articles have appeared numerous journals, magazines, and websites. He is also the author of ten books on Japanese baseball and Japanese baseball cards.

Fitts is the founder of SABR’s Asian Baseball Committee and a recipient of the society’s 2013 Seymour Medal for the Best Baseball Book of 2012 (Banzai Babe Ruth); the 2019 and 2023 McFarland-SABR Baseball Research Awards; the 2012 Doug Pappas Award for the best oral research presentation at the annual convention; and the 2006, 2021, 2023, and 2024 SABR Research Awards. He has twice been a finalist for the Casey Award and has received two silver medals at the Independent Publisher Book Awards. While living in Tokyo in 1993-94, Fitts began collecting Japanese baseball cards and now runs Robs Japanese Cards LLC. To learn more, please visit Fitts’s website.

Susan McCormac 11/7/25 Susan McCormac 11/7/25

Issei Photography Exhibition at JAA

The Japanese American Association of New York presents First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s, a photo exhibition of works by photographer Hiroyuki Inoue.

First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s

Now through Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday) & 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (November 15)

The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor

Admission: Free

The Japanese American Association of New York presents First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s, a photo exhibition of works by photographer Hiroyuki Inoue.

Inoue is known for documenting the lives of Issei in New York with bold black-and-white photography, and the exhibition features photographs of approximately 60 seniors who lived in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of the photos are displayed with interviews of the photographed person. This is a special opportunity to see the pioneers of our community and learn about their lives in New York.

Gallery Hours

JAA – 49 W. 45th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan

Operating hours: Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Special hours on Saturday, November 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit JAA’s website.

Susan McCormac 11/6/25 Susan McCormac 11/6/25

Kim Ima’s One-Woman Show at La MaMa

Ready For Company and Other Family Tales is Kim Ima’s one-woman play about family and legacy, an inheritance of stories and unfinished quests from this Jewish/Japanese/American family tree.

Ready for Company and Other Family Tales

Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 23

The Downstairs – 66 E. 4th Street (between Bowery and 2nd Avenue)

Admission: $30 | $25 seniors and students

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club presents Ready for Company and Other Family Tales by writer/performer Kim Ima this November 6 through 23 at The Downstairs.

Ready For Company and Other Family Tales is a one-woman play about family and legacy, an inheritance of stories and unfinished quests from this Jewish/Japanese/American family tree. With a complicated family history, Ima excavates meaning from small remembered moments, inherited souvenirs, the oft-repeated family tales (as well as silent secrets) left for her to unpack. Told with music, movement and “show-and-tell” objects, this journey of nostalgia and discovery portrays with humor the beautiful and enigmatic paths of immigration—and what we choose to carry forward.

Refreshments will be served!

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit La MaMa’s website.

Production Credits

Writer/performer: Kim Ima
Director: Megan Paradis Hanley
Dramaturg: Kendall Cornell
Set Design: Mary Olin Geiger
Lighting: Federico Restrepo
Costumes: Gabriel Berry
Sound Design: Leonie Bell

“...I want to tell you something about my mother....and my grandma Rosie...and my pop, and...and, and...Camp. That camp. The one we don’t like to talk about camp.
Camp, camp, camp, camp, camp.
Camp.
And cake. We also need cake.”

— Ready for Company and Other Family Tales by Kim Ima

About Kim Ima

Kim Ima is a performer, writer, and longtime member of La MaMa's Great Jones Rep. Theater credits include playing Cassandra in La MaMa's groundbreaking production of The Trojan Women directed by Andrei Serban and composed by Elizabeth Swados; The Interlude, a play presented by La MaMa about Ima’s American-born Japanese American father and his time in an American concentration camp during WWII; and Sur, a devised theater piece adapted from the short story by beloved science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin, in the Ellen Stewart Theatre in April 2025. Ima performed as a guest artist with Monica Bill Barnes & Company in Lunch Dances at the NYPL.

A founding member of The Trojan Women Project, Ima was the owner of The Treats Truck, a Vendy Award-winning food truck in NYC, and The Treats Truck Stop, a bakery cafe in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. She is the author of the cookbook The Treats Truck Baking Book, published by HarperCollins. To learn more, please visit her website.

About La MaMa

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club is dedicated to the artist and all aspects of the theatre. La MaMa's 64th Season, LA MAMA NOW, focuses on creating solidarity and building community, exploring ways to build connections for cross-sector coalition and invite artists, activists, organizers and community members into the creative process.

Susan McCormac 11/4/25 Susan McCormac 11/4/25

Dance-Theater Piece Retells Akutagawa Short Story

Led by dancers Yusuke Mori and Alaisha Sharma, Spider’s Thread is a performance based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s well-known short story.

Spider’s Thread

Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m.

CAVE – 58 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Suggested donation: $15-$30

Led by dancers Yusuke Mori and Alaisha Sharma, Spider’s Thread is a performance based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s well-known short story. It is a simple tale based on Buddhist teachings in which a convict is given a slim passageway from eternal damnation. In this dance-theater piece, the story unfolds through an interwoven tapestry of narration and movement, with violin accompaniment by Aimée Niemann.

Spider’s Thread is produced and curated by Yusuke Mori as part of the LEIMAY Constellation Series, co-presented with LEIMAY at CAVE, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, within WEAVE. The runtime of the show is 60 minutes. To RSVP and make a donation, please visit LEIMAY’s website.

Follow the Cast

Yusuke Mori: @yusuky88
Alaisha Sharma: @alaisharma
Aimée Niemann: @Aiméetanzt
LEIMAY Foundation: @LEIMAYfoundation
Illustration by @lindacheng1985

From left: Yusuke Mori, Alaisha Sharma, and Aimée Niemann

About LEIMAY

A nonprofit organization that serves as the collaborative artistic practice of Ximena Garnica and Shige Moriya, LEIMAY presents interdisciplinary performances and exhibitions, educational activities, and community projects.

Susan McCormac 11/3/25 Susan McCormac 11/3/25

Japan’s 47 Prefectures: Wakayama

Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International takes us on a tour of Wakayama Prefecture’s zone at the Kansai Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

As followers of JapanCulture•NYC know, JCNYC Business Editor at Large Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International spent several months in Osaka, visiting Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan almost 40 different times. She shared her Expo experiences through blog posts on her website and during six Expo Talks she and I hosted on Zoom and LinkedIn Live.

She was fortunate to have access to the Wakayama Prefecture Zone of the Kansai Pavilion. Below please see her complete post about that visit, which is the perfect way to kick off JapanCulture•NYC’s long-time goal of introducing all 47 prefectures of Japan. Since Expo took place in Japan’s Kansai region, it’s fitting to start there.

Please enjoy this in-depth look at some of the things Wakayama has to offer through Yvonne’s experiences at Expo:

Incredible craftsmanship
The spiritual heartland of Japan
Culinary products, including umeshu, the traditional Japanese liqueur

The 47 Prefectures series will be an exploration of Japan’s richness and diversity, highlighting areas that tourists might overlook. Let’s dive into places not named Tokyo and Kyoto to discover more of the essence of Japan. Keep reading JapanCulture•NYC to learn more about each prefecture and start planning your trip to Japan. After reading about Yvonne’s experiences, you might want to start with Wakayama!

Osaka Expo Visits 36 & 37: October 10 & 11, 2025 - Wakayama Prefecture @ KANSAI PAVILION

— By Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International

The Kansai Pavilion at Expo showcased the diverse richness of the Kansai region — the prefectures of Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Tokushima, Fukui, and Mie — each presenting its unique blend of history, culture, creativity, charm, and attractions.

Wakayama Prefecture - Part 1

Among them, the Wakayama zone was a deeply moving highlight. I was privileged to experience it firsthand, guided by the warm and generous spirit of Wakayama's representatives. Every element of the zone was thoughtfully curated to convey the finest essence of Wakayama — Japan’s spiritual heartland, where faith, nature, and craftsmanship have harmoniously intertwined for centuries.

I was fortunate to visit twice in two days. On my first visit, I took in the stunning visual exhibit and experienced a sumptuous bespoke confectionery tasting that was truly next level!

The first encounter in the zone began with a mural depicting ancient folklore and led to the focal point of the zone: the 5 “totems” video installation that stood tall and proud.

Each towering totem displayed a dazzling array of scenes of Wakayama culture, arts, nature, and industry from the past, present, and future. Across the elongated digital panels, the story of the prefecture is told on screens embedded in pillars symbolic of ancient Kii trees, encased in the renowned regional Kishu lacquerware.

Centuries-old craftsmanship embracing modern technology, merging nature, artistry, and industry into this unique expression of the Wakayama spirit — timeless yet ever evolving.

The zone itself was designed by a wonderful curator whom I had the pleasure of meeting. Her passion and appreciation of Wakayama were present in every detail. The creative use of the prefecture’s materials and products, both functionally and artistically, produced an integrated space that was beautiful, bathed in serenity, and with an almost reverent quality in the air.

Tasting the Best of Wakayama

At the elegant counter (made from Kishu wood) toward the back of the zone, visitors could experience a refined tasting experience — a blend of sweet and savory delicacies, each using Wakayama's signature ingredients and served in an elegant Kishu wood “chest,” with compartments containing sumptuous and artful treasures.

More than flavors, it offered a taste of Wakayama’s aesthetic, spirit, and grace.

Wakayama Prefecture - Part 2

My second visit was an invitation to experience a collaboration between the monks of Mount Koya (Koyasan) and the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

A procession of seven Koyasan monks performed Shomyo—sacred Buddhist chanting—that enveloped the audience in reverent tones that were calming and restorative.

The sacred aura of these two World Heritage sites radiated an almost otherworldly grace, yet within that divinity was a warm, earthly welcome to everyone from across Japan and beyond. It was more than a tribute to Buddhist faith; it was a celebration of compassion, connection, and our shared humanity.

After the ceremony, I had the privilege of speaking with the monks — a moment that revealed their lightness and humor. They spoke with genuine delight about welcoming visitors to Koyasan, sharing their faith, and enjoying aspects of other faiths, and traditions, such as their annual Christmas parties.

I felt their harmony between devotion and delight, reverence and play. One monk, who had once studied in New York City, embodied this spirit perfectly — a bridge between worlds, his story a testament to deep faith and a commitment to connecting beyond borders.

A couple of days later, on the final day of Expo, I encountered two of these same monks wandering the grounds — wide-eyed and smiling as they explored pavilions and exchanged greetings across languages and cultures. It was a wonderful reminder that the sacred and the contemporary can not only coexist, but enrich one another — proof that faith, when open to the world, becomes a bridge, not a boundary.

My second visit to the Wakayama Zone concluded with what else . . . a tasting of Wakayama's famous umeshu (Japanese traditional liqueur). The flight I selected (set C) revealed umeshu’s versatility—from gentle and fruity to rich and robust, from a pale green plum color to deep amber. I sipped and savored every drop!

Wakayama’s blend of faith, tradition, craftsmanship, and creativity weaves a universe of timeless beauty — where spirituality and artistry coexist, inviting all who visit Wakayama to feel both wonder and connection.

Wakayama and the other prefectures of the Kansai region have so much to offer visitors. The Kansai pavilion was a wonderful showcase of the richness and diversity of each prefecture. Showing us that what is most local can also be universal — and that connection, in all its forms, is what the Kansai spirit is all about.

NOTE: I am writing and giving online talks about my Expo visits to share the wonders, innovations, inspiration, and cultural richness of EXPO Osaka 2025 with those who are interested but unable to attend.

All pictures and videos by Yvonne Burton

A big thank you to Yvonne for allowing JapanCulture•NYC to repost her entire article so that we can get a glimpse of Wakayama Prefecture. Are you craving umeshu? Or do you think a peaceful visit to Koyasan is just what we all need right now?

Please visit Yvonne’s website to read all of her blog posts about Expo.

Susan McCormac 10/21/25 Susan McCormac 10/21/25

AkumuFest Hits Japan Village Brooklyn

Kaede Kimonos and JapanCultureNYC are collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! This Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.

AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience

AkumuFest merges Japanese horror aesthetics with modern fandom through immersive storytelling, folklore-inspired fashion, and interactive experiences. Attendees are invited to dress in Japanese horror cosplay, kimono, or original yokai-themed attire.

Event Details

📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025

🕘 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm
🌑 AkumuFest After Dark: 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

📍 Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

🎟️ Admission: Free

Presented By

👘 Kaede Kimonos & JapanCultureNYC
🎌 Under the patronage of Japan Village

Main Highlights

📖 Japanese Storytelling

👹 Cosplay Contest

🏮 30 Unique Vendors

BaobDraws
Sushito Clothing
Radlab Art Studio
XIseeno
Vandel M Studios
Summeresque Crochet
Partulla
CupNewdles
CleanPlum
Unlicensedkarebear
The Dark Fae Collaborative
P-GLiTCHii Studio
tiny little guys
Oishiri Sauce
Cute Tangerinie
glitched_rena
SteamCatKimono
Anubis House Productions
Kazaria3
Pucci Ropa Jewelry /Hanatural.
Crafts by Wing
Little Song’s Workshop
Natalie Anna Jacobsen – Author of Ghost Train
PlusHii Kawaii
GRINNIES /Fragrant Olive
Clucludie
JOGI NO YUME
JapanCultureNYC
Ravishing Admire
KikiPenguins

🥐 Akumu Café – Located in the courtyard in front of Panya!

🎤 Live Performers

Liana Kurogi
OMNY Taiko
Rino Day performance (Solo/Duo)
Rino Band
Let Hair Down
Edamovement Lab
Akari Village
Quantum

🏯 Brooklyn’s First Night Parade of 100 Yokai

After Dark

✨ Stay with us for AKUMUFEST AFTER DARK ✨

🎶 Live Performances • 🎭 Comedians • 🎤 Special Guests

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

Get ready to scream, because the Chainsaw Man Movie Trailer will be shown at AkumuFest! swing by the Chainsaw Man booth for bloody-good giveaways (while supplies last)!

Are you brave enough to step into the chaos?

For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series. Denji worked as a Devil Hunter for the yakuza, trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, until the yakuza betrayed him and had him killed. As he was losing consciousness, Denji’s beloved chainsaw-powered devil-dog, Pochita, made a deal with Denji and saved his life. This fused the two together, creating the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Now, in a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into his world, and Denji faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.

VIP Pass

Step into the shadows with our exclusive VIP Pass, designed to give you the ultimate AkumuFest journey.

As a VIP, you’ll receive:

🍱 One Deluxe Bento Box – Choose from a curated selection of Japanese bento, each served with 2 classic side dishes.
🍬 Authentic Japanese Snack bag – Handpicked festival treats to enjoy throughout the day.
🥤 One Refreshing Drink – Choose from tea, soda, specialty drink or bottled water.
🎴 Up to Two Interactive Experiences – FREE – Whether you dare to take on the Cursed Experience Challenge or join the Yokai Hunt Tour, you can unlock up to two of these immersive adventures at no extra cost.

Your VIP pass doesn’t just give you food and perks—it grants you deeper access to the eerie, immersive world of AkumuFest. Enter, if you dare, by clicking here.

Susan McCormac 10/20/25 Susan McCormac 10/20/25

Chainsaw Man in NYC Theaters October 24

For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

Where to Watch

Here are just a few places where you can see Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc in New York City. As you look through the screening times, make sure to check which ones are subtitled or dubbed into English.

The Devil Hunters arrive at AkumuFest!

Get ready to scream, because the Chainsaw Man Movie trailer will be shown at AkumuFest this Saturday, October 25 at Japan Village in Brooklyn! Festival Hours: 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. | After Dark: 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Plus—swing by the Chainsaw Man booth for bloody-good giveaways (while supplies last)!

Susan McCormac 10/11/25 Susan McCormac 10/11/25

Course on Artists of Japanese Ancestry

Joseph Tokumasu Field, an art historian and educator, has developed CrossCurrents, an exciting new course that is centered around twentieth-century artists of Japanese ancestry.

CrossCurrents

Mondays from October 13, 2025 through November 3, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. EDT

Virtually on Zoom

Admission: $80

Joseph Tokumasu Field, an art historian and educator, has developed CrossCurrents, an exciting new course that is centered around twentieth-century artists of Japanese ancestry.

Meeting on four consecutive Monday evenings beginning October 13 through November 3, Field and attendees will deep dive into the inspiring lives and work of the selected artists: Toshiko Takaezu, Atsuko Tanaka, Miné Okubo, and Henry Sugimoto. Using the newest scholarship, this course celebrates the important contributions to visual art, design, education, and political activism of these Japanese and Japanese American luminaries.

With an emphasis on lively discussions and shared discovery, the class will occur online through Zoom and will be recorded for participants to view/review in their own time. The cost is $80, which includes the four classes along with a further reading list, class schedule, weblinks, and other provided materials. Registrants who mention JapanCulture•NYC will receive a 25% discount, bringing the total to $60! Scholarships and other accommodations are available upon request.

To register and for more information, please contact Field at joetokumasufield@gmail.com.

Course Schedule

Week 01 – Monday, October 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Toshiko Takaezu

American artist Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011) was born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents Shinsa and Kama Takaezu. One of eleven children, she was raised in a traditional Japanese household whose values, as well as the surrounding Hawaiian landscape, strongly underscore her artistic practice. During her five-decade-long career, the artist worked in many media including painting, fiber, and bronze. However, her primary medium, and that for which she is best recognized, was ceramics. Takaezu was instrumental in the post-war reconceptualization of ceramics from the functional craft tradition to the realm of fine art. Her signature “closed form” merged the base form with glazed surface painting to create a unified work. From the Toshiko Takaezu Foundation

Week 02 – Monday, October 20 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Atsuko Tanaka

Born in Osaka, Japan, Atsuko Tanaka (1932-2005) was an innovative artist whose work gained prominence among the flourishing postwar Japanese avant-garde. Interested in understanding the relationship between the body, space, and time, her works challenged traditional notions of art and performance. While a member of the groundbreaking Gutai group, Tanaka created Electric Dress (1956), a garment made from 200 colorful blinking light bulbs which the artist wore in performance. From the 1960s onward, Tanaka produced mainly abstract paintings with colorful compositions at once organic and ordered. From Glenstone

Week 03 – Monday, October 27 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Miné Okubo

Miné Okubo (1912-2001) remains best known as a narrator and artist of the Japanese American camp experience, most famously in her 1946 book, Citizen 13660, a graphic memoir of her confinement at Tanforan and Topaz. However, Okubo considered herself first and foremost a painter, and she devoted seven decades to perfecting her art. Her work is currently on view at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) in the exhibition Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo through January 4, 2026. From Densho

Week 04 – Monday, November 3 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Henry Sugimoto

Henry Sugimoto (1900–1990), a Japanese-born artist who studied in Los Angeles and France, achieved largely posthumous fame for his paintings documenting the official wartime confinement of Japanese Americans by the U.S. government. Sugimoto lived and worked in New York City, and his works are held in many major institutions/collections. From Densho

Susan McCormac 10/10/25 Susan McCormac 10/10/25

Immersive ONE PIECE Exhibition at Mercer Labs in Downtown NYC

Legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise.

ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS

Thursday, October 9, 2025 through Sunday, November 30, 2025

Mercer Labs – 21 Dey Street (between Church Street and Broadway)

Admission: $75 VIP | $55 General Admission | $50 for Students, Seniors (65+), and Children (4-17)

On Thursday, October 9, legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise. Taking place at Mercer Labs (21 Dey Street, in downtown Manhattan), this highly anticipated experience will open to the public through Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Based on the globally beloved and best-selling manga of all time created by Eiichiro Oda and brought to life by Toei Animation, the iconic ONE PIECE episodic series follows pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew on their epic quest to find the “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of Gol D. Roger, former King of the Pirates. Now more than 25 years since the series debuted on Japanese TV in 1999, ONE PIECE has taken its place in mainstream pop culture as one of the most successful and enduring anime franchises of all time, attracting millions of fans of all ages around the world. Today, the franchise currently spans 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game, and an ever-growing catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment.

“At Mercer Labs, we’re revolutionizing the art experience — and for me, that begins with forging bold, creative alliances that shatter conventions,” says Nasir Dean, manager of special projects at Mercer Labs. “Partnering with Toei Animation on ONE PIECE was an instinctive choice — it’s a legendary brand that has ignited imaginations worldwide. Now, we’re inviting fans to immerse themselves in its universe through a dynamic fusion of culture, cutting-edge innovation, and breathtaking sensory exploration.”

“This partnership is a true meeting of worlds — legendary storytelling and next-generation technology,” said Roy Nachum, co-founder and Creative Director of Mercer Labs. “With ONE PIECE, we're not just displaying animation. We’re inviting fans to experience the artistry, imagination, and enduring spirit of the series in an entirely new way.”

Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation

The ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS exhibition will include exclusive installations, behind-the-scenes production artwork, immersive digital environments, and interactive experiences that celebrate the epic saga of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Mercer Labs to create ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS and bring this cutting-edge immersive ONE PIECE location-based entertainment experience to fans in New York City,” said Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc. “For over 25 years, ONE PIECE has been delighting audiences of all ages around the world with the imaginative storytelling and colorful characters by Creator Eiichiro Oda. And now, ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS will offer guests an exclusive limited-time opportunity to be immersed in the world of ONE PIECE and experience it like never before. Whether an existing fan or newcomer, you will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind and truly unforgettable ONE PIECE event!”

Ticket Pricing Breakdown

VIP: $75 (includes free mochi, a customized beverage, and a commemorative poster)
General Admission: $55
Students, Seniors (65+) and Children (4-17): $50
Groups of 10+ are 10% off. For group questions, contact Groups@mercerlabs.com.

Individual tickets for ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS are on-sale now. For tickets, visit www.mercerlabs.com, or call the box office at 212-600-9009.

Mercer Labs Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

ABOUT TOEI ANIMATION

Toei Animation Inc. is based in Los Angeles and manages the distribution of Toei Animation’s top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, ONE PIECE, Digimon, Saint Seiya, and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Toei Animation’s Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.

ABOUT MERCER LABS

Mercer Labs is a cultural institution that pushes the boundaries between art and technology. A space for experimentation and innovation, Mercer Labs is committed to redefining the museum experience, where art and technology constantly progress, serving as a center for the convergence of art, culture, and technology through immersive exhibitions, interactive experiences, and forward-thinking collaborations. As a collaborative platform, Mercer Labs fosters partnerships with artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and creatives creating an ecosystem where diverse forms of creative expression thrive. For more information, please visit www.mercerlabs.com.

Susan McCormac 10/7/25 Susan McCormac 10/7/25

Free Tickets to Mamoru Hosoda’s SCARLET

Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 9:00 p.m.

Film at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall – 1941 Broadway at W. 65th Street

Admission: Free with Special Link from Film at Lincoln Center

Our friends at Film at Lincoln Center is generously extending free tickets to Scarlet by Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Digimon: The Movie) to followers of JapanCulture•NYC. The screening, part of this year’s New York Film Festival, will take place Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 9:00 p.m., so act quickly! The screening will feature a Q&A with Hosoda. To redeem your free tickets, please visit this special promo link from Film at Lincoln Center. PLEASE NOTE: If the ticket reservation page indicates a price, click the PROMO button on the top-right portion of the screen (to the left of the shopping cart icon) and enter Promo Code 2840.

Refunds cannot be issued on previously purchased tickets. All tickets are subject to availability. Please arrive 15 minutes before the screening.

Still from *Scarlet*, a Sony Pictures Classic Release

About Scarlet

Mamoru Hosoda | 2025 | 111 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

In his towering new achievement, animator-director Mamoru Hosoda transports viewers to jaw-dropping fantasy worlds, combining weighty Shakespearean themes with wondrous anime imagery as he conjures a phantasmal riff on Hamlet.

After attempting to avenge the brutal death of her father at the hands of her power-hungry uncle Claudius in 16th-century Elsinore, the princess Scarlet awakes in the Land of the Dead. In this forbidding purgatory of mountains and desert, governed by a powerful godlike dragon, Scarlet must fight for her own soul and body while still vowing to defeat Claudius. Yet her plans are complicated by the presence of the handsome Hijiri, a saintly hospital nurse from our contemporary world who refuses to accept that he’s dead—or that revenge can end history’s cycles of violence.

Hosoda has made an epic fantasy that weighs the human impulse for revenge against the need for care, forgiveness, and survival.

Susan McCormac 10/5/25 Susan McCormac 10/5/25

Learn About Historic Japanese Farmhouses

The Kominka Preservation Alliance is hosting a free seminar entitled Giving Japanese Kominka Farmhouses & Other Traditional Structures a Second Life in Japan & Overseas at RESOBOX.

The Kominka Preservation Alliance Seminar

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

RESOBOX – 91 E. 3rd Street (at 1st Avenue)

Admission: Free

The Kominka Preservation Alliance is hosting a free seminar entitled Giving Japanese Kominka Farmhouses & Other Traditional Structures a Second Life in Japan & Overseas at RESOBOX. Japan’s kominka (traditional farmhouses), kura (storehouses), and other heritage wooden structures represent centuries of craftsmanship, local culture, and community life. Yet many of these architectural treasures face demolition due to depopulation, changing lifestyles, and economic pressures.

Image credit: Hotaruan Kayabuki Minka owned by Haruo Nishio

What the Seminar Will Explore

The history, cultural significance, and unique architecture of kominka
Traditional materials and time-tested building methods
Current challenges and preservation efforts in Japan
Experiences of living and working in a rural kominka
Creative reuse in Japan and abroad—from homes to guesthouses and cultural spaces
Stories of relocating and restoring kominka and kura storehouses
Practical ways for individuals and communities to get involved

This seminar welcomes anyone with an interest in Japan’s culture and heritage—from traditional architecture and craft to rural life and community revitalization. It will offer both inspiration and practical insights into the preservation and creative reuse of Japan’s historic wooden structures. The event is free, but space is limited, so reservations are required. To register, scan the QR in the graphic below or visit kominkapreservationalliance.com.

About the Kominka Preservation Alliance

The Kominka Preservation Alliance is a collaborative platform dedicated to preserving Japan’s traditional architecture, crafts, and rural communities through a wide range of events, initiatives, and activities. To learn more, please visit their website.

The Kominka Preservation Alliance Members

Kominka Collective | kominkacollective.com | contact@kominkacollective.com
Toda Komuten | todasanchi.com | kou-toda@todasanchi.com
Kominka North America | kominkanorthamerica.com | info@kominkanorthamerica.com
Minka Preservation Society | minkasociety.com | info@minkasociety.com

Susan McCormac 9/29/25 Susan McCormac 9/29/25

What’s the Latest at Expo 2025 in Osaka?

JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!

Expo 2025 Talk #6: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton

Thursday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT | Friday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. JST

LinkedIn Live

Admission: Free

JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!

Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, since it began in April. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this fascinating global event.

In Talk #6, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 30! She will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!

🚀 Taking the Expo Conversation Across Platforms

Since our last talk in early September, Yvonne has shared her Expo insights through a variety of media outlets. Check them out:

📰 Featured in an article on Forbes.com
🎙️ Guest on Joan Michelson’s Electric Ladies podcast
💻 Guest on the Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast with John Chen, where she discussed everything from architecture to technology at the Expo

Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-6withcross-culturalcon7378471677707309056/

🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube and LinkedIn

All About Yvonne

📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton

💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!

Susan McCormac 9/20/25 Susan McCormac 9/20/25

Shunzo Ohno Presents “Soaring Higher” at Joe’s Pub

Soaring Higher – Shunzo Ohno in Concert

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Joe’s Pub – 425 Lafayette Street

Admission: $40

Internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno returns to The Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. with the debut of his bold new project, Soaring Higher. Known for his fearless artistry and transformative sound, Ohno has long been regarded as one of the most influential trumpeters of our time. With Soaring Higher, Ohno explores resilience, transformation, and joy through tender melodies, euphoric funk, and global rhythms. The evening promises an immersive journey where bold innovation meets heartfelt soul.

Ohno will be joined by an all-star ensemble: Clifford Carter (keys), Thierry Arpino (drums), Kip Sophos (bass), Quintin Zoto (guitar), SUNY Music Conservatory graduate Sasha Ono (cello), and the extraordinary Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista. Together the genre-defying dynamic powerhouse ensemble transcends categories, crafting a live experience of fearless musical exploration.

To purchase tickets, please visit The Public Theater’s website. There is a two-drink or one-food minimum per person.

Jazz visionary Shunzo Ohno. Photo by Crystabelle Tan.

About Shunzo Ohno

Born in Gifu, Japan, Shunzo Ohno began playing trumpet at age 13 and by 19 was already Japan’s leading jazz trumpeter. His career took flight under the mentorship of legendary bandleader Art Blakey, leading to collaborations with jazz greats including Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Machito’s Afro-Cuban Orchestra. He is featured on Grammy Award–winning recordings with both Machito and Gil Evans and has released 16 albums as a leader and appeared on more than 30 as a sideman.

Ohno’s journey is extraordinary—not only a testament to musical mastery but to the human spirit itself. Having survived a devastating car accident in 1988 and, years later, a life-threatening battle with throat cancer, he reimagined both his technique and his artistic vision, forging a sound that is uniquely his own—one that resonates with resilience and hope. His inspiring story is captured in the film Never Defeated: The Shunzo Ohno Story, narrated by long-time friend Buster Williams.

Ohno is a recipient of numerous international awards for his contributions to the global music culture. For the past 14 years, Shunzo has made annual visits to Northern Japan, supporting communities affected by the earthquake/tsunami, demonstrating the power of music.

Ohno continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his artistry, advocacy, and unwavering spirit. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening with one of jazz’s most fearless innovators.

Susan McCormac 9/4/25 Susan McCormac 9/4/25

Gardens for Peace at BBG

As part of the North American Japanese Garden Association’s annual Gardens for Peace project, which brings communities together in Japanese gardens to promote peace, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is presenting free public programming in and around the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.

Gardens for Peace

Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden – 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn

Free with Garden Admission: $24.22 | $17.52 Seniors and Students | Free for Children under 12

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Photo from bbg.org

Related Activities

Japanese Garden Mini Tours
Tours run every fifteen minutes between 11:00 a.m. and noon
Meet at Duck Landing, next to Viewing Pavilion.

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through one of BBG’s best-known specialty gardens. These 15-minute tours highlight the Japanese garden elements in this historic garden designed by Takeo Shiota in 1914.

Drop-in Japanese Woodblock Printing
From noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion

Try your hand at woodblock printing with Sato Yamamoto, a Japanese artist inspired by culture and diversity. Choose from patterns by Sato or the Gardens for Peace pattern, designed by Toshiko Tanaka, an A-bomb survivor and advocate for world peace.

Gardens for Peace pattern, designed by Toshiko Tanaka, an A-bomb survivor and advocate for world peace

Shamisen Variation
At noon at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion

Enjoy a relaxing traditional Japanese shamisen variation.

Koto Performance
1:00 p.m. at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion

Stroll the Japanese Garden paths as you listen to a traditional style koto performance.

Bonsai Mini Drop-In Tours
1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum

Drop by to talk with trained Garden Guides about BBG’s bonsai collection, view season standouts, and ask questions. Get hands-on at the special interactive station featuring tools, pots, and trees from BBG’s Education collection.

Details

Gardens for Peace is free with admission to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. No registration is necessary to join the activities. To purchase tickets, please visit BBG’s website. Tours can be canceled due to inclement weather, so check BBG’s website for updates.

Susan McCormac 9/3/25 Susan McCormac 9/3/25

Outdoor Concert & market in the Catskills

Momoglobalflowers, a biodynamic farm in the Catskills, is hosting its fifth annual Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) outdoor concert and market. Enjoy an evening of music, food, and local artisans surrounded by the beauty and nature of the farm.

Momoglobal Flowers 5th Annual Shinrinyoku Outdoor Concert and Market

Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Rain Date: Sunday, September 7)

Momoglobalflowers Farm – 414 Swiss Hill Road, Jeffersonville, NY 12748

Admission: $30 | Free for children under 15 | Dogs are welcome

The ticket includes a free tasting of Dassai Sake, an Uji Kyoto ice shake matcha with oat milk and koji by Damdam Tokyo, and a free tasting by Aaron Burr Cidery. To purchase tickets, please visit Momoglobal’s Eventbrite page or pay cash at the door.

Schedule and Activities

The Market opens at 3:00 p.m. for free workshops and shopping.

Mini-Ikebana workshop by Kaya Abe
Japanese calligraphy by Yuka Sudo
Origami by Izzy Yang
Keiko Pottery
Te Plus Te Hinoki body care
Peaboy and Mitsu tie dye
Herbal soap by Manami collaboration.
Guided meditation by Miriam Hernandez at 4:00 p.m. before the concert begins
Suikawari (watermelon splitting) at 9:00 p.m.

Musical Artists

Singer/songwriter Monday Michiru
Jazz pianist Misha Tsiganov with his trio
Andrew Pertulis playing handpan
Electronic musician Rikitaro Suzuki
Rap artist The Mighty Cobra

Food and Beverage Vendors

Ice shake with matcha from Uij, Kyoto, by Damdam
Japanese handmade sweets by Diane
Japanese dried plums and treats by Mimaki Umeboshi Miwa
Filipino food by Nais Cassy Shu
Bibimbus Kai a Korean food truck
Ohmammy Mami Japanese curry
Desserts by Vesurce

Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on and a bag to carry out your trash. For more information, please follow @momoglobalflowers on Instagram.

Susan McCormac 8/26/25 Susan McCormac 8/26/25

Calligraphy Master Leads Workshop at Brooklyn Kura

Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!

Japanese Calligraphy Workshop with Rihaku Inoue

Sunday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Kura – 36 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn

Admission: $109.96

Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!

This Sunday, Brooklyn Kura hosts a special afternoon of mindfulness, calligraphy, sake, and sushi in collaboration with Japanese Calligraphy Master RIHAKU.

Welcome the season of early autumn through brush, ink, and flavor. The theme of this workshop is the Zen-inspired phrase: 「ひと葉落ちて秋を知る」Hitoha ochite Aki wo shiru. (When a single leaf falls, the world senses the coming of autumn.)

Guided by RIHAKU, participants will slow down, align breath with brush, and experience the meditative rhythm of Japanese calligraphy. Writing this seasonal phrase becomes a practice of mindfulness—quieting the mind, noticing subtle transitions, and embracing the present moment.

RIHAKU (center, in kimono) leads a calligraphy workshop at Brooklyn Kura

Each guest will create their own unique piece on traditional Japanese washi paper, to be taken home as a personal keepsake of calm and clarity.

This mindful journey will be paired with a tasting of Brooklyn Kura’s premium sake, along with casual futomaki rolls and inari prepared by Sushi Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka. His simple yet refined sushi will complement the spirit of the workshop, grounding the senses in flavor and seasonality.

To register, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.

About Rihaku Inoue

Rihaku is a New York–based Japanese calligraphy artist and founder of RIHAKU New York. She pioneers “3D Calligraphy,” blending classical brush techniques with projection mapping and VR. She has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural institutions, Brooklyn Kura, and in 2025 she led a mindful calligraphy workshop sponsored by JP Morgan. Her large-scale calligraphy performance at Japan’s Todaiji National Temple garnered national media coverage. Her mission is to share the timeless spirit of Japanese calligraphy across cultures, fusing tradition with innovation. Follow her on Instagram at @rierihaku.

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