Great-ful Aging

2-hour writing and movement workshop

Mon, December 8th

Time: 10 am to 12 noon

Through gentle movement, we will explore the rich stories held within our bodies. We will then give voice to these inner narratives during quiet reflection and journaling. These narratives will guide us to more expansive expressions of aging. Our intention is to discover nourishing messages that will help us live with a generous heart, curious mind, and deep appreciation for our aging body.  A journal and pen will be provided.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org and indicate Great-ful Aging – Dec.

Susan Almazol is an artist, dancer, writer, and curator. Uprooted from the Philippines to move to Japan and then to the United States before the age of 6 embedded an affinity for bold transformation. Susan became a sculptor at 54, danced on stage for the first time at 66, and began creating nude self-portraits at 71. She curated, exhibited in, and danced in “Seize the Gaze” art exhibition in 2024 at Joyce Gordon Gallery. She is preparing for a solo art exhibition and public program for Elders at the Richmond Art Center in 2026.

J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, Oct 10, 6:30 pm

J-Sei Movie Night is dedicated to the wonderful and fascinating world of Japanese cinema, as well as Japanese American and AAPI films. Join our lively group as we learn about and discuss history and culture through film and occasionally engage with filmmakers and scholars too!

This month’s film that we will discuss is DEMON / 夜叉 (Yasha) from 1985, directed by Furuhata Yasuo. It stars action movie legend Takakura Ken as an ex-yakuza trying to live peacefully and anonymously as a fisherman in a remote village. But he becomes caught up in some of the old ways when he tries to save his friends and a young thug (“Beat” Takeshi) who are in trouble, all while being pulled in opposite directions by two women, played by Tanaka Yuko and Ishida Ayumi. Will his past catch up with him and unleash the demon hidden within? Beautifully filmed on location on the Japan Sea coast and in Osaka, this multi-layered movie was nominated for seven Japan Academy Awards and won for Best Editing.

To RSVP, email jill@j-sei.org with “Oct movie night” in the subject line. We’ll send you Zoom info and reminders beforehand.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

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 Eighth 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.

J-Sei’s Family Festival – Pre-Order Bento

Pick-up: Sunday, Sept 28, 2025

Our festival is coming up this week!  Pre-order Bento has been extended to Thurs, Sept 25.

A limited number of bento will be available for Walk-Ups.

Pick-up at J-Sei, 1285 66th Street (near Hollis St), Emeryville.  Select a pick up time: 12, 12:30, 1, 1:30 pm. Pre-order by clicking on the button below.

Street parking is available. Festival parking will be available at the Fratellanza parking lot on 66th St, near San Pablo Ave – about 1/2 block away.

Pop-up Vendors (walk-up only):  Aloha Shave Ice, Daruma Kiosk, Milk Cloud Bakery

J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, Sept 12, 6:00 pm

***SPECIAL START TIME THIS MONTH at 6:00 pm!***

Please join us this month to discuss HIGH AND LOW / 天国と地獄 from 1963, one of the classics in the canon of works by master filmmaker Kurosawa Akira. Starring Mifune Toshiro as a businessman caught up in a kidnapping scheme involving mistaken identity, this film set the standard for crime dramas and influenced many of the police procedurals we see today; it’s also a searing look at post-WWII Japan, its economic recovery and social inequality.

Movie Challenge! The Spike Lee-directed remake, called Highest 2 Lowest, has just come out in theaters, starring Denzel Washington in the Mifune role. If you can, go watch the remake before movie night so we can compare the two films in our group discussion!

To RSVP, email jill@j-sei.org with “Sept movie night” in the subject line. We’ll send you Zoom info and reminders before the 12th. Please note: Because the movie is over two hours long, we’ll start movie night a little earlier, at 6:00pm.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

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 Eighth 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.