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Japanese Movie Night
J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, April 12, 6:30 pm
J-Sei Movie Night is in its 7th year dedicated to the wonderful and fascinating world of Japanese cinema, as well as Japanese American and AAPI films too! It’s always great fun for movie night fans to meet regularly, usually on the second Friday of each month, to watch a film together, selected from among different genres and eras, and have a group discussion about it afterwards. On occasion we are fortunate to have special guests, such as film scholars and industry artists, join us to talk about their work in film. Each month is a treat!
This month’s movie – Shoplifters (2018)
万引き家族
In Japanese with English subtitles
Written and directed by Koreeda Hirokazu and winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes as well as numerous other accolades, including a near sweep at the Japan Academy Awards, this hit movie is about a makeshift family living on the edge in Tokyo and doing what they can to survive. Starring Lily Franky, Ando Sakura, Matsuoka Mayu, and screen legend Kiki Kirin in one of her final roles, this movie is hard-hitting and heartfelt while asking a lot of tough questions along the way.*
* Viewers who would like to view other Koreeda films as part of a larger discussion on the theme of “Family” are encouraged to visit other sites and resources, including Kanopy (available through your local library) and other streaming and dvd sites for movie lending, rental, or purchase.
Please join us on Friday, April 12, starting at 6:30pm (on Zoom).
RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Apr 2024 movie night” in the subject line to receive Zoom info prior to the event.
See you at the movies!
J-Sei Movie Night Bento
No obento this month! Check back next month!
Click on the button below to place your order. Pick up your meal at the selected pick-up time at J-Sei on Friday. Please observe safety protocols when picking up your obento at J-Sei. Thank you!
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 Tock webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click on an item and select the number you want to order, then click “Add”; repeat with other items if desired. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order, then 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 is in its Seventh Year! 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. We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.
Oshogatsu Celebration
Oshogatsu Celebration – SAVE THE DATE
Friday, January 26, 11:30 to 2 pm
Join us for an intergenerational exchange with students from the American International Montessori School in Berkeley. Engage in Japanese games and activities, enjoy lunch, and don’t miss the Yosakoi performance by the students and “Butterfly” by Let’s Groove dancers.
Join us for our Oshogatsu celebration and enjoy a classic Japanese celebratory dish of Chirashi Sushi. RSVP to tara@j-sei.org with “Oshogatsu” in the subject line to join us in-person or pick-up To-Go. Suggested donation is $12.
Topaz Collages, a mixed media exhbit by Jeanie Kashima
TOPAZ COLLAGES: One Family’s Experience
By Jeanie Kashima
Exhibit Dates: January 22 to March 30, 2024
J-Sei Gallery Hours: MWF 10-1, TuTh 1-5
A series of collages emerged from family photos as artist Jeanie Kashima reflected on her early years, born in the Topaz concentration camp in Utah. After her mother Amy Takaki passed away at the age of 104 years, Kashima began work on her collages. While many do not have photos from their early years behind barbed wire, the Takaki family has a set of photos that document their journey and inspired the new work.
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which ordered 120,000 Japanese Americans to be forcibly removed from their homes to the interior of the United States. Taken from their spacious and comfortable home in Berkeley, the Takaki family was forced to adapt to living in horse stalls at the Tanforan Race Track. After several months, they were taken by train to Delta, Utah. Jeanie Takaki was the first baby born in the Topaz concentration camp and spent her formative years living with her family in the arid desert until 1945.
Topaz Collages provide a visceral landscape of one family’s experience of wartime incarceration.
ARTIST TALK with Jeanie Kashima – Sat, March 16, 2 pm
Hear from textile artist Jeanie Kashima on her inspiration and creative process in making Topaz Collages. Enjoy refreshments and celebrate this moving and captivating story and visual expression. RSVP for artist talk.
Taste of Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock Print
Taste of Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop
Saturday, February 3rd, Friday, February 23rd, and Sunday, February 25th — Workshops are FULL, Waiting list only.
Join us for a 3-hour introductory Japanese Woodblock Print workshop. Participants will be introduced to the art of Japanese woodblock printing called Ukiyo-E technique. Tomoko Murakami, a Japanese-born printmaking artist, will demonstrate the carving and printing processes. Participants will create small Ukiyo-E prints while learning to carve their woodblocks! All materials are provided, and all levels are welcome. Class fee: $45 (includes materials)
RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “woodblock” in the subject line and indicate your preferred date.
New Classes at J-Sei begin in February
As we continue to encourage people to join us at J-Sei, we are excited to offer the following new or renewed classes, beginning in February.
Beginning Watercolor Painting
Mondays, 10 to 12 — CLASS IS FULL. Waiting list only.
Enjoy the light touch of the brush on paper transforming images stroke by stroke. Whether you’ve taken class before or you are trying it for the first time, this class provides space for your artistic expression. Due to popular demand, we are adding a class time to explore Watercolor Painting with renowned Bay Area artist Wendy Yoshimura who has been teaching seniors for over 30 years. Suggested donation: $32 for 4 classes; or $10 drop-in. RSVP to jill@j-sei.org.
Beginning Ukulele
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30
The joy of music is good for the soul. Learn and practice the basics of ukulele, from chords to strumming, and fine-tuning rhythm and voice. We offer this beginning class in 8-week sessions. Susan Sullivan has been teaching ukulele at J-Sei for many years. She invites you to join in her love of music. Suggested donation: $55/session, or $8 drop-in. RSVP to karol@j-sei.org