Watch Party: “Hiroshima Carp Theater”

Watch Party: “Hiroshima Carp Theater”

by | May 26, 2022 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At the Movies: Watch Party with Japanese Filmmaker Hideyuki Tokigawa

Friday, June 10, 2022 – 6:30 pm on Zoom

J-Sei is honored and thrilled to welcome Japanese indie filmmaker Hideyuki Tokigawa and to livestream one of his films. He founded his production company, TimeRiver Pictures, in 2009 to make independent films, all of which are affectionately set in his birthplace of Hiroshima and center on actual places and events.

Director Tokigawa will join us on Zoom from Japan to talk about his 2018 feature comedy-drama, HIROSHIMA CARP THEATER, which we will livestream. We’ll follow the virtual screening with a discussion and Q&A. Do not miss this unique opportunity to see this indie gem, a cinematic love letter to Hiroshima, and the artist who made it!

RSVP with “June Movie Night” in the subject line.
We’ll send Zoom information prior to the June 10 event.

Hiroshima Carp Theater (2018) starring Yoshimi Tokui and Honoka Yahagi

Aimi’s grandfather operates a historic movie theater in Hiroshima. The day before its final closure, a mysterious man named Tokuzawa appears. He tells a tale of Hiroshima’s past – of a baseball team, the Carp, and of their rise during the 1950s from the ashes of wartime; of how they were penniless, but with the support of their dedicated citizens they not only survived, but thrived. Through his tales of the past, the mysterious storyteller helps Aimi and her grandfather devise a plan to try and resurrect their movie theater, while at the same time the modern-day Hiroshima Carp team is enjoying renewed success in the Japanese baseball league.

See the trailer on Vimeo.

About the Filmmaker

Japanese filmmaker Hideyuki Tokigawa began his career in Singapore working for Discovery Channel Asia as a producer/director. In 2001 he moved back to Tokyo to work at Walt Disney Television International, where he led the TV Production Unit as Senior Producer. He studied filmmaking at Vancouver Film School and continued to hone his craft under the guidance of acclaimed Japanese director Shunji Iwai, with whom he worked on the 2002 FIFA World Cup feature documentary. In 2009 Hideyuki founded TimeRiver Pictures to independently create feature documentaries, television commercials, music videos, and short films. He made his feature directorial debut in 2012 with RADIO LOVE, which received the Audience Choice Award at Cinema Verde and was distributed nationwide in Japan. In 2014 he wrote and directed CINEMA ANGEL, about the closing of a real-life movie theater that had existed for over 100 years; it won Best Director and Best Feature Film at the Montelupo Fiorentino Film Festival. In 2018, Hideyuki’s next project, HIROSHIMA CARP THEATER, a unique human drama related to baseball culture and the city of Hiroshima, screened at the Hiroshima International Film Festival and the Oniros Film Awards, where it received the Hiroshima Peace Award and the Best Feature Film Award, respectively. His most recent film is 2020’s DANCING IN HER DREAMS, based on the life of a strip club owner in Hiroshima, which enjoyed a successful festival run and was honored with a Jury Award at the Madrid International Film Festival.

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

June 10 Bento

For movie night, you can order specially made obento from My Friend Yuji for pickup on Friday, June 10 in conjunction with Movie Night. Stay tuned for Chef Yuji’s mouth-watering offerings.

  • Menu tbd

Once the menu is announced, you can click on the button below to place your order.

Pick up your meal at the selected pick-up time at J-Sei on Friday, June 10th. Please remember to wear a mask and observe social distance protocol. Thank you!

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies recently celebrated its third anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with educational and inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We love having a growing and enthusiastic audience. You are the best! We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.

BTS: the K-Pop Phenomenon

BTS: the K-Pop Phenomenon

by | May 22, 2022 | Classes & Events

Introduction to BTS and Contra Costa County Library

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 – 4:00 pm on Zoom

Do you know BTS? Join Katy Buder, a Librarian from Contra Costa County Library, for an introduction to the record-breaking Korean music group, and the ways in which your local public library can help you access music, movies, books and more to satisfy all your interests for free.

In the course of the presentation you will learn about each of the seven members of BTS, their diverse discography, message and charity work, music videos & online content, awards, ARMY (fandom), and more. Katy will also show you how to get a Contra Costa County Public Library card and some of the unexpected resources it will provide. Time permitting, a Q&A will follow the presentation.

This program was requested and coordinated by members of J-Sei’s K-drama club and Katy is delighted to be able to combine her love for libraries and BTS to meet that request.

Register for this free event on Eventbrite to secure a virtual seat. We’ll send you Zoom info prior to the event.

REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

Speaker bio

Katy Buder (she/her) was born and raised in the East Bay, receiving her B.A. from UC Berkeley in Classical Civilizations & Art History, and later a Masters of Library and Information Science from SJSU. She is currently the Youth Services Librarian at the Hercules branch of Contra Costa County Library, and previously worked in the El Cerrito, Pinole and Kensington branches. She is an avid reader of mostly Fantasy and Science Fiction, passionate about bringing resources to the communities she serves, and is known to her coworkers as “the girl who loves BTS.”

She first encountered BTS in 2016 after falling down a YouTube spiral. After watching a few music videos she asked herself, “Hmm, I wonder what their names are”—and the rest is history.

J-Sei’s 50th Anniversary Gala – COVID-19 Event Protocol

by | May 16, 2022 | COVID-19

Join Us for J-Sei’s 50th Gala

Because our most important priority is to keep everyone safe, weighing the latest information from the CDC and local health authorities we have a limited number of tickets available. At the same time, we recognize how important it is to come together physically and feel safe enough to rest in the healing embrace of community.

We are asking that all guests do a rapid COVD-19 test at home on the day of the event. If you or your guests would like a test kit mailed to them please email us at gift@j-sei.org

Current COVID-19 Event Safety Protocol

To ensure the safety of our staff and guests, everyone attending the Gala must be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Guests should be prepared to provide proof of vaccination before entry. For an expedited check-in process at the event, we request that you and your guest(s) email proof of vaccination to gift@j-sei.org by Wednesday June 15th.

If you or your guest(s) are unable to be vaccinated due to a religious or medical exemption, you must alert our team at gift@j-sei.org by Wednesday June 15th for next steps. All guests are encouraged to wear a mask while not eating or drinking.

James Takata: Through the Lens of Filmmaking

James Takata: Through the Lens of Filmmaking

by | May 6, 2022 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At the Movies: Meet Filmmaker James Takata

Friday, May 13, 2022 – 6:30 pm on Zoom

Director and cinematographer James Takata will be J-Sei’s special guest to talk about his career in TV and film. Fans of the hit series THIS IS US are in for a real treat, since James has been involved with the show since almost the beginning, as the A Camera/Steadicam Operator, as Director of Photography, and as Director of the recent episode “The Day of the Wedding.” In addition to working on several other TV shows, James has also directed documentaries, short films, and music videos. Join us to get the inside scoop on working in Hollywood and find out what’s next for James now that THIS IS US has come to its end after six successful seasons. We’ll share film clips as well as his first short film, REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR (2002).

RSVP with “May Movie Night” in the subject line. You’ll receive Zoom information prior to the May 13 event.

 

About the Filmmaker

James Takata is an American film director, producer, and writer. He has directed episodic TV, a feature documentary (WE THE PARENTS), narrative short films (BROKEN WINGS; TRAPPED; REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR), and music videos. As a longtime member of the ICG Local 600, he brings a keen understanding of fine art and cinematography to his work as a director. He has contributed additional cinematography for the hit TV show THIS IS US on which he is also the A Camera/Steadicam Operator. He has lensed 3 full episodes, and recently he directed an episode, “The Day of the Wedding,” which premiered on April 19 on NBC.

His films have screened at film festivals and received recognition and honors, including the Gold Award (Independent Shorts Family/Children) at WorldFest Houston for BROKEN WINGS (2016) and the 2010 Bronze Telly Award and a 2010 Accolade Award of Merit for TRAPPED (2010). James won the ICG Emerging Cinematographers Award for his work on the short film ONLY CHILD (2012).

James was born and raised in Los Angeles, and in high school received a scholarship to the Ryman Program for Young Artists. He studied at the Art Institute of Florence and the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where he earned a B.A. in Studio Art.

[Photo credits: C. Thomas, R. Batzdorff, B. Lewin]

 

 

 

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

May 13 Bento

For movie night, you can order specially made obento from My Friend Yuji. Here are Chef Yuji’s mouth-watering offerings for this month in conjunction with Movie Night. Order for pickup on Friday, May 13.

  • Ebi Chili Donburi: Japanese-style Szechuan chili sauced shrimp & seasonal vegetables over rice $18
  • Mabo Tofu Donburi: Llano Seco ground pork, Joodooboo tofu, Japanese-style mapo sauce & pickled greens over rice $18

Click on the button below to place your order.

You can pick up your meal at the selected pick-up time at J-Sei on Friday, May 13th. Please remember to wear a mask and observe social distance protocol. Thank you!

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies recently celebrated its third anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with educational and inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We love having a growing and enthusiastic audience. You are the best! We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.

Archiving Our Japanese American History, a series of activities

Archiving Our Japanese American History, a series of activities

by | May 5, 2022 | 50th Anniversary, Classes & Events

J-Sei is offering a series of activities that are designed to help us take a look at archives and legacy building from different angles, including family history, grassroots organizing, and education and research. We’ll explore our unique cultural and community history in the context of broader considerations such as: How is our Japanese American story part of a larger narrative? How has J-Sei evolved over the past 50 years? What can we do moving forward into the 21st century?  Join us for 1, 2, or 3 of the activities.

My Family Archives, An Exploratory Workshop (#3)
Sat, June 4, 1 to 3 pm

What do I do with my family archives –documents, photos and artifacts that provide a visual history? How do we digitally preserve these documents and piece together the story they tell? Bring a few items from your family archive to examine and share. Hear from oral historian/anthropologist Dana Shew on how to begin to document your family history. Piece together the clues in archived photos, artifacts and shared memories that contribute to the history of your family.

Dana Ogo Shew serves as a Staff Archaeologist, Oral Historian, and Interpretive Specialist at the Anthropological Studies Center at Sonoma State University. She earned her M.A. in archaeology from the University of Denverwhere she examined the lives of women at Amache. For the last decade she has specialized in projects that research, preserve, and share stories about the Japanese American experience, especially those related to WWII Japanese American incarceration.

Watch the short documentary An Uninterrupted View of the Sea by Mika Yatsuhashi. Using old photographs, Super 8mm film and FBI documents, Yatsuhashi tells the story of her family’s struggle to prove their American identities during World War II. Standing in flux between the identity of “Alien” and “Citizen,” Mika Yatsuhashi explores the effect of her family’s Japanese immigrant history on her American identity today.

Mika Yatsuhashi is a filmmaker who grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland. She moved to Montreal in 2017 to attend the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University. In 2021, she graduated with a BFA in film production. In 2020, she won the Mel Hoppenheim Award for Outstanding Achievement. She has a passion for exploring documentary film, identity, and American history.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Family Archives” in the subject line.  Let us know if you plan to join us in-person or online.

 J-Sei History Day, A Community Archive (#1)
Saturday, April 30, 1 to 4 pm

As J-Sei celebrates its 50 years, we would like to invite you to help us recount some of our organization’s history. A group of volunteers have dedicated their time to help us digitize a large collection of photos, slides and video. We have quite a collection of photo archives from the early years, from 1971-1980, that we would like to share. We are also seeking photo archives through the middle years as an organization. Please let us know If you have photos or archives in your collection you can share with us.

Join us to reminisce and share memories of building community services over the past 50 years – from East Bay Japanese for Action (EBJA) to Japanese American Services of the East Bay (JASEB) to J-Sei. We need your help in mapping out our growth as a community organization. Bring your photos and memories, help us identify people and activities, and share reflections of what transpired. What was the focus and who was involved?

Help us to begin to envision the future. Where have we come from, where are we at, what does the future hold as we celebrate this momentous occasion of half a century? RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “J-Sei History” in the subject line.

Uprooted: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans (#2)
Th, May 5, 1 pm – Group Tour

Join us for a group tour to see the current exhibit at the Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley. The year 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of a grave injustice in American society: the issuance of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorizing the forced removal of Japanese Americans from their homes on the West Coast and into incarceration
camps inland for the duration of World War II.

Uprooted tells some of the stories of that traumatic time. It is structured as an interplay between official government directives–executive orders, mandatory forms, official photographs–and the response of Japanese Americans through their drawings, diaries, letters, scrapbooks, and reminiscences.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Uprooted” in the subject line and indicate the number of guests. Let us know if you would like to carpool.