Bi-Weekly Newsletter: Upcoming Japan Events December 17th - 30th, 2019

Plans for 2020 programming have been underway! Here are some programs to look forward to in the New Year! 1/8 Japanese English Language Exchange 1/17 JSB Jazz Series Inaugural Night 1/19 Oshogatsu at the Children's Museum 1/30 Film: Persona Non Grata 2/4 First day of Japanese Language Class And More! Japanese Language School at JSB Our winter program will officially launch in February 2020! Offerings will include beginner level classes in Boston and Cambridge, as well as private lessons. The Cambridge class will be on Tuesdays in Kendall Sq from 6:30pm to 8pm and the Boston class will be on Wednesdays at 50 Milk St from 6:30pm to 8pm. Intermediate and Advanced classes will start in the fall of 2020. Registration opens January 6th, 2020 Visit our website to learn more!

おせち料理 (Osechi ryouri) Traditional assortment enjoyed on New Year's day. Japanese of the week: 明けましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu) Meaning: Happy New Year The New Year's celebration is a major time of the year in Japan as many gather with families to bring on all of the new! As much as Japan is known to be a hard working country, most businesses are closed while the nation recharges and gears up for a positive new beginning. As part of the celebration, a special meal is prepared in which families gather together and share. Visting a shrine or temple at this time 初詣 (hatsumode) is also key to the tradition of Japanese New Year pastimes. Keep up with JSB on social media!  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Japan Society of Boston Dec Membership Drive Join hundreds of Japan enthusiasts from Boston and beyond in supporting the Japan Society of Boston's mission to inspire curiosity, connection, and community during the month of December and receive two years for the price of one year of individual membership. Members receive discounts to JSB events, J-Life International, Ogawa Coffee, Gray Mist Studio and Itadaki Restaurant and Bar Join Today! Thayer Award 2020 application now open! The John E. Thayer, III Award was established in 1991 to commemorate the work and commitment of John E. “Jack” Thayer, III, a long time member of the Japan Society’s board of directors who was dedicated to furthering relations between Japan and the U.S.  This award was established to recognize the achievements of individuals, groups of individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the progress of the understanding and friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. Apply Here!

Japan Society of Boston Events

JAPANESE/ENGLISH  LANGUAGE EXCHANGE Wednesday, January 8th 6:00-8:00pm at CIC Boston 50 Milk St, Boston Free for all! Join us for a Japanese/English language exchange with native Japanese speakers! This monthly event begins with a half an hour of speaking in Japanese, followed by a half an hour of speaking in English, and alternate until we hit 8 PM. We hope that our guests will meet others and find new paths for improving and enjoying their Japanese and English language skills. We expect all guests to come with a friendly disposition to learn and help others learn!

Register Here

Persona Non Grata: The Story of Chiune Sugihara Thursday, January 30th Dinner 5:30PM - Film 7:00PM Vilna Shul: Boston's Center for Jewish Culture 18 Phillips St, Beacon Hill $40 Japanese inspired Kosher Dinner, Film & Conversation $10 Film & Conversation JSB Community 20% Discount Code: JapanSociety20 Presented in collaboration with Vilna Shul, Persona Non Grata tells the previously unknown story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who issued over 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees in Kaunas, Lithuania, saving the lives of over 6,000 people. Caught between the unbending policies of his country now bound by treaty with Nazi Germany and his awakening moral responsibilities, we follow his life from his early days in Manchuria to his eventual posting in Lithuania. Film will be introduced by director Cellin Gluck and followed by an audience Q&A. JSB community (members and non-members) will receive a 20% discount on the purchase of dinner+movie or movie alone with code: JapanSociety20

Register Here

Upcoming JSB Events - Save the Date!

JSB 2020 Jazz Series: Boston Higashi School Jazz Band January 17th 6:00- 8:00 PM CIC's Venture Cafe, Kendall Sq. Join us for an evening of food, fun, and jazz as we kick off our four part 2020 Jazz series with the Boston Higashi School Jazz Band! Stay tuned - More information coming soon! The Frontier of Digital Transformation in Japan: Unlocking Value February 6th, 2020 8:30 - 11:30 AM 50 Milk St. Boston, MA Please mark your calendars for what will be a thought-provoking presentation, discussion and networking event. JSB, in partnership with our corporate member TAMR, will present a keynote talk on the frontier of digital transformation and unification of data across multiple data sets/silos. TAMR has been on the forefront of machine learning and analytics with practical and efficient outcomes. CEO Andy Palmer will set the stage for discussion among a panel of academic and professional practitioners/users in this space. More details to come in the next newsletter--but Save the Date now!!

Other Japan Events Around Boston

Boston Theater: Yamato - The Drummers of Japan Saturday, February 1st 8:00 pm Berklee Performance Center 136 Massachusetts Ave, Boston MA Created in 1993 by Masa Ogawa in the city of Nara, the Yamato drummers have been touring the world every year since its opening. Towards the beginning of its growing career, the troupe was presented with the "Spirit of the Fringe" award at the 1998 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Yamato troupe strive to share their enthusiasm and energy with people all over the world. With the use of the traditional Japanese Waikado drum, the group put on a sensational performance that is gripping from start to finish. Read More Shogi Night January 10 & February 7th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Fox Library 175 Mass Ave, Arlington MA Boston Shogi Club is hosting a Shogi night for all level players. Don't be afraid, come put your skills to the test. Read More

Painting Edo: Japanese Art from the Feinberg Collection Painting Edo — one of the largest exhibitions ever presented at the Harvard Art Museums — offers a window onto the supremely rich visual culture of Japan’s early modern era. Selected from the unparalleled collection of Robert S. and Betsy G. Feinberg. More than 120 works in the exhibition connect visitors with a seminal moment in the history of Japan, as the country settled into an era of peace under the warrior government of the shoguns and opened its doors to greater engagement with the outside world. Read More!

The Japan Society of Boston, Inc . | [www.japansocietyboston.org ]

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