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.

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 11/4/25 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.

Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation

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.

Susan McCormac 8/21/25 Susan McCormac 8/21/25

JapanCulture•NYC & Kaede Kimonos to host Pre-Halloween Bash

Kaede Kimonos and JapanCultureNYC are thrilled to announce we’re collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! On 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

Kaede Kimonos and JapanCulture•NYC are thrilled to announce we’re collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! On Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.

Event Details

📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025

🕘 9:00 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 & Japan Culture NYC

🎌 Under the patronage of Japan Village

Main Highlights

📖 Japanese Storytelling

👹 Cosplay Contest

🏮 Unique Vendors

🎤 Live Performers

🏯 Brooklyn’s First Night Parade of 100 Yokai

After Dark

✨ Stay with us for AKUMUFEST AFTER DARK ✨

🎶 Live Performances • 🎭 Comedians • 🎤 Special Guests

Register

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, vendor, performer, or participant, please contact us! Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com with “AkumuFest Info” in the subject line.

Night Parade Volunteer Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6GIn96Mc4KowUnT90n8-lLrudaDLN5NhYwzecaJ4ITjZmHg/viewform

We’ll have more details and registration forms available soon, so please stay tuned!

Susan McCormac 8/19/25 Susan McCormac 8/19/25

Explaining Expo: LinkedIn Live with Yvonne Burton

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 #5: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton

Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 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. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.

At the Heart of Expo: Countries and Connections

In Talk #5, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 20! With two months remaining in the international exposition, how is Yvonne planning her final visits? Will she reveal her agenda?

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

Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/theater/

🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up here

Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 3: https://youtu.be/bpenIQ5dROM?si=0EwThM4XrP765mw9
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/

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

Susan McCormac 7/21/25 Susan McCormac 7/21/25

Staged Reading on Hiroshima Bombing

This production of The Face of Jizo is unique as Miyake will read alongside her father; they are both descendants of survivors of Hiroshima's atomic bombing.

THE FACE OF JIZO 父と暮せば Project

Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Downtown Art – 70 E. 4th Street (between Bowery and 2nd Avenue)

Admission: Free

This year, we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In recognition of this event having impacted not only Japan, but the world over, New York-based actor Yuriko Miyake is presenting the play The Face of Jizo by Hisashi Inoue. The play specifically revolves around the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Subtitles will be provided by Roger Pulvers, the translator and filmmaker who worked on the translation of this piece. This production is unique as Miyake will read alongside her father; they are both descendants of survivors of Hiroshima's atomic bombing. Together they will share a staged reading of this masterfully crafted work.

Admission is free, but registration is required. RSVP through Eventbrite. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

An Extraordinary Reading in NYC: “The Face of Jizo” by Hisashi Inoue—Performed by a Real Parent and Child from Hiroshima

This summer in New York City, witness a rare and deeply moving staged reading of The Face of Jizo (Chichi to Kuraseba), a powerful play written by acclaimed Japanese playwright Hisashi Inoue.

What makes this performance extraordinary?

It is brought to life not by actors alone—but by a real-life father and daughter from Hiroshima, the very city where the story is set.

Performed in the heart of a nuclear-armed nation, this reading offers a poignant reflection on memory, grief, love, and resilience across generations. Despite its harrowing context—the aftermath of the atomic bombing—the story gently unfolds as a beautiful portrayal of a father’s quiet love and a daughter’s quiet sorrow.

Whether you are drawn to literature, history, peace activism, or simply human stories told with grace—this is a rare opportunity to experience a masterpiece of postwar Japanese theater in an intimate and powerful way.

Susan McCormac 7/20/25 Susan McCormac 7/20/25

Dassai Sake Series Continues at Japan Society

Dassai Sake Series at Japan Society: Conversation with Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo

Dassai Sake Series: Benihana and Beyond

Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Please arrive by 6:45 p.m.)

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

Admission: $45 | $35 Japan Society members

Join Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo, for a talk about the past, present, and future of both organizations. Both leaders will engage in a dialogue around the themes of “Challenge” and “Innovation,” discussing how they blend yesterday and tomorrow with the goal of rising to the modern world.

How are we defined by our history, and what is our obligation to it? What are the realities of the U.S.-Japan world today and new dangers and opportunities within it? Is there a future without innovation? How can one create change within a historic organization? And what are the needs to create real revolution? Japan Society invites you to spend the evening with Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki to hear their answers.

To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.

About the Dassai Sake Series

The Dassai Sake Series is an ongoing lecture series pairing thought and business leaders from across the U.S.-Japan world together onstage with festive sake celebrations. The Dassai brand is built around the goal of bringing revolution to the sake industry, and the Dassai Sake Series is similarly focused on engaging conversations with U.S.-Japan leaders who have created their own revolutions—each concluding with celebratory networking receptions and kampai toasts to their success.

Susan McCormac 7/19/25 Susan McCormac 7/19/25

Remaining Japanese Films at NYAFF

24th New York Asian Film Festival

Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th Street
Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater – 144 W. 65th Street
LOOK Cinemas – 657 W. 57th Street
SVA Theatre – 333 W. 23rd Street

The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center present the 24th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF). This year marks NYAFF’s most globally expansive lineup . From blockbusters to indie treasures, NYAFF offers a rare opportunity to discover emerging talent and groundbreaking voices from across the region.

This year’s theme is “Cinema as Disruption”—spotlighting bold, genre-defying films that challenge, provoke, and reimagine. From unsettling horror and feminist thrillers to cosmic punk epics and political allegories, NYAFF celebrates the power of Asian cinema to defy convention.

“This year’s lineup dares to confront, question, and dream—exactly what cinema should do,” says Samuel Jamier, NYAFF Executive Director. To see the full lineup and to purchase tickets, please visit NYAFF’s website.

The remaining Japanese films include Transcending Dimensions, Blue Spring, 9 Souls, How Dare You?, Ravens, Samurai Fury, Jinsei, and Babanba Banban Vampire. Several screenings

Saturday, July 19 at 9:15 p.m.

Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th Street

Admission: $19 General | $16 Seniors, Students, and Persons with Disabilities | $14 Film at Lincoln Center Members

Transcending Dimensions

2025 | 97 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

North American Premiere

Matsuri to Midnight + Q&A with NYAFF 2025 Filmmaker in Focus Toshiaki Toyoda

Reaffirming his status as one of Japan’s most daring cinema provocateurs, NYAFF 2025 Filmmaker in Focus Toshiaki Toyoda returns with his first feature in seven years. A pulsing flirtation with the surreal, and an enthralling masterwork exploding with visceral and cerebral delights, Transcending Dimensions fuses sci-fi and crime into a meditation on the very nature of existence, time, and belief. Blending concepts that he’s been exploring in his brilliant “Mt. Resurrection Wolf” series of shorts, Toyoda immerses viewers in an aesthetically transfixing vision of inner and outer worlds. Set against a backdrop of collapsing realities and cosmic uncertainty, his new film delivers an epic journey involving four men: an earnest hit man (frequent collaborator Ryuhei Matsuda), a gullible monk, a mountain mystic, and a powerful sorcerer. Soon, faux religions, yakuza-style violence, and environmental collapse threaten to collide.

Ticket holders are invited to the Furman Gallery for Matsuri to Midnight before the screening starts.

*Blue Spring* © Taiyo Matsumoto/Shogakukan・"Blue Spring"Film Partners 2001

Sunday, July 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th Street

Admission: $19 General | $16 Seniors, Students, and Persons with Disabilities | $14 Film at Lincoln Center Members

Blue Spring

2002 | 83 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

Special Screening

Q&A with NYAFF 2025 Filmmaker in Focus Toshiaki Toyoda

NYAFF presents a special 35mm screening of Toshiaki Toyoda’s seminal classic Blue Spring. This groundbreaking, provocative film captured the malaise and disillusionment of a generation of youth coming of age at the turn of the millennium in a post-bubble Japan, where the norms of the past felt irrelevant and the future uncertain. With serious verve and a roiling badass soundtrack, this tale of power and rebellion grabs the viewer and doesn’t let go.

In their graduation year, disaffected students turn their concrete box of a school into a backdrop against which to create their own version of society. The newly elected boss Kujo (Ryuhei Matsuda) disdains all the rules, including those that have led to his election. Into this power vacuum, his scandalized friend and lieutenant Aoki (Hirofumi Arai) enters with vicious intent. As graduation looms, the pupils study violence and death.

Sunday, July 20 at 3:15 p.m.

LOOK Cinemas – 657 W. 57th Street

Admission: $15

9 SOULS

2003 | 120 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

Special Screening

Part of NYAFF’s 2025 Filmmaker in Focus on Toshiaki Toyoda, 9 SOULS is the surrealist comedy addition to Toyoda’s body of work. Following his nihilist punk youth drama Blue Spring, Toyoda showcases his genre range with a mashup of gangster drama, satire, and comedy. Though it may be different in tone, 9 SOULS nevertheless shows Toyoda’s signature rebelliousness and cult style.

Nine convicts escape from prison; most are convicted murderers. They commandeer a van from a strip club. Their plan is to find a stash of counterfeit money that a deranged cell mate told them about, divide it, then part ways. They make it to the site where the money is supposed to be hidden, and then one by one, each seeks out the place he wants to be, a version of home, somewhere to connect. Will it end well for any of them?

Sunday, July 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater – 144 W. 65th Street

Master Class with Tadanobu Asano and Mark Gill

Admission: $10 for general public and $5 for FLC & NYAFF members

An in-depth master class with renowned actor Tadanobu Asano (Shōgun) and the director of Ravens, Mark Gill.

Sunday, July 20 at 6:15 p.m.

Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th Street

Admission: $19 General | $16 Seniors, Students, and Persons with Disabilities | $14 Film at Lincoln Center Members

How Dare You?

2025 | 96 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

North American Premiere

Q&A with Mipo O

Grade schooler Yuishi becomes infatuated with schoolmate Kokoa when she gives an impassioned class speech about saving the environment in the spirit of Greta Thunberg. Soon after they team up with the class troublemaker, and Yuishi finds himself both on a self-righteous crusade of activism and in a precocious love triangle. When the trio’s antics escalate to unexpected consequences, they must all own up to the cold, hard truth.

Director Mipo O proves not only her insightful sense of humor, but also a knack for getting naturalistic performances out of her young cast. With its cleverly wry script that takes on both huge moral issues and murmurs of the heart from a child’s viewpoint, How Dare You? is a winningly observant and bittersweet cautionary tale for both young and old alike.

*Ravens* ©Vestapol Films, Ark Entertainment, Minded Factory, Y house, Katsize Films

Sunday, July 20 at 9:00 p.m.

Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th Street

Premium Screening: $25 for general public; $20 for seniors, students, persons with disabilities, and members

Ravens

2024 | 116 minutes | Japanese and English with English subtitles

New York Premiere

Q&A with Mark Gill, Tadanobu Asano, and cinematographer Fernando Ruiz

In Mark Gill’s hauntingly beautiful portrait of legendary Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase, Golden Globe winner Tadanobu Asano (Shōgun) commands the spotlight with his trademark manic energy and melancholy grandeur, reminding us not only of his irresistible charm, but of his immense talents.

In a story spanning 50 years, ranging from Shinjuku’s iconic Golden Gai to New York’s MoMA, Asano embraces both the dark and the light and, with his luminous costar Kumi Takiuchi (A Balance), brings the tortured artist and his obsessions to exhilarating life. With the support of the Fukase Archives, Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated director Gill (The Voorman Problem, England Is Mine) creates an achingly poetic film driven by a pulsating yesteryear soundtrack, shot with exquisite period sensitivity, tinged with magical realism, and layered with Fukase’s own iconic images, evoking the fractured beauty of a life lived on the knifepoint of genius and madness.

Tuesday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m.

SVA Theatre – 333 W. 23rd Street

Admission: $15

Samurai Fury

2025 | 135 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

U.S. Premiere

Yu Irie’s thrilling jidaigeki epic vividly portrays rebellion during Japan’s tumultuous Muromachi period. Hasuda (Yo Oizumi), a rogue warrior reminiscent of Mifune, gathers a crew of fighters, including a bojutsu prodigy (Kento Nagao), to challenge the oppressive shogunate. Mixing spaghetti-western grit, wuxia flair, and dynamic swordplay, this adaptation of Ryosuke Kakine’s novel is brilliantly filmed at Toei Kyoto Studio.

Samurai Fury combines breathtaking cinematography, electrifying choreography, and gripping historical drama, depicting a pivotal era’s brutality and beauty, as well as a desperate fight for justice that alters Japan’s destiny.

Friday, July 25 at 9:00 p.m.

SVA Theatre – 333 W. 23rd Street

Admission: $15

Jinsei

2025 | 93 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

North American Premiere

2025 NYAFF Uncaged Award Nominee

Intro and Q&A with director Ryuya Suzuki

Jinsei follows the life of one man over 100 years. The main character’s life is broken up into chapters, distinguished by the evolution of his name, or rather the names he goes by. He is a child, an orphan, a budding J-pop star, an outcast, a leader, an oracle. Employing a lo-fi style, director Ryuya Suzuki immerses the viewer in this man’s life, and as each chapter evolves so does the picture’s framing, color palette, and editing style.

Epic in scope, Jinsei is one of the most original Japanese animated films in years. Over nearly two years, newcomer Suzuki wrote, directed, animated, and edited this tour-de-force by himself, determined to bring his captivating vision to life. Essential, experiential viewing, this is one that must be seen on the big screen.

Sunday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m.

SVA Theatre – 333 W. 23rd Street

Admission: $15

Babanba Banban Vampire

2025 | 105 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles

Love bites, and so does he—but only when the neck is ripest. In this adaptation of Hiromasa Okujima's cult manga, 450-year-old vampire Ranmaru (Ryo Yoshizawa) works at a traditional bathhouse while stalking his next meal: 15-year-old heir Rihito (Rihito Itagaki), whose virgin blood he craves. When Rihito falls for a classmate, Ranmaru declares war. His desperate sabotage attempts turn the town into a battlefield of cockblocking chaos.

Director Shinji Hamasaki delivers this BL-tinged bloodbath with fang-sharp wit, featuring a 2025 remix of the classic bathhouse anthem "Ii Yu da na." One question remains: Is protecting your dinner's virginity harder than immortality itself?

Susan McCormac 7/18/25 Susan McCormac 7/18/25

Catch BALLS at Caveat

BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy continues its popular summer residency at Caveat NYC

BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy”

Friday, July 18 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 from 9:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 5 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Caveat – 21A Clinton Street (between Stanton and E. Houston Streets)

General Admission: $35.74 | SPLASH (and splish) ZONE: $53.24

The hysterically entertaining BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy continues its popular summer residency at Caveat NYC, the acclaimed Lower East Side comedy venue that “champions nerdy, funny art—and sells cheap drinks.” Leading the cast of talented comedic performers is voiceover legend Stuart Zagnit, the original voice of Professor Oak from the English-language version of the Pokémon television series.

With pop up performances through August, audiences will have several chances to join The Professor on this epic musical adventure featuring improvised battles, an immersive Splash Zone, and a never-ending parade of adorable/violent puppet monsters.

In April, TDF listed BALLS as one of the top five shows to stream in the country. Nintendo Life call it “a proper laugh-fest [that] wears its Pokémon inspiration proud [sic] on its sleeve.” TimeOut New York says it’s the tenth best (out of 111!) thing to do in the city this weekend.

And JapanCultureNYC highly recommends BALLS! It’s weird, nostalgic, and thoroughly entertaining. Splurge for the Splash Zone; it’s worth it. I had a great conversation with Zagnit, so stay tuned for an in-depth look at his connection to the early days of Monster-Catchin’ and his involvement with this comedic musical.

Stuart Zagnit as The Professor and Harrison Bryan as Warlordturtle in *BALLS*

Created by Brandon Zelman (“Who’s that Pokémon? Podcast”, “Cat in the Hat Podcast”) and Harrison Bryan (“A Hanukkah Carol," “NY Innovative Theatre Award” Winner), BALLS features new music by an Elite Team of award-winning composers spanning Broadway, Hollywood, The West End, and TikTok, with an evocative score built around nostalgia. Composers include Lena Gabrielle (Six, Emojiland), Pippa Cleary (My Son’s a Queer, The Great British Bake Off Musical), Joriah Kwamé (Little Miss Perfect), Aaron Kenny (The Little Mermaid, A Hanukkah Carol), and Grace Yurchuk (Caesar: The Musical). Additional Music by Allan Nalven ("LSDJ") and Matthew Ryan Hunter (NBC) with Orchestrations, Arrangements, and Music Supervision by Lena Gabrielle.

BALLS Cast

Stuart Zagnit (Pokémon, Little Shop of Horrors) as "The Professor"
Teresa Attridge (Avenue Q, Fun Home) as “The Rival”
Harrison Bryan (Hand to God, “Handy Award” Winner) as “Warlordturtle”
Ebony Deloney (Hairspray, Beautiful) as “Fat’Chance”
Kurt Cruz (Asian AF, UCB) as “Pocket Pedia”
Katie Luke (Bandstand, Hairspray) as “Spittle”

“While BALLS wears its fandom on its sleeve, it’s not just a spoof. At its core, the show is a love letter to anyone who grew up catching monsters and dreaming big—and a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean giving up adventure.” (Artist Weekly)

To purchase tickets, please visit Caveat’s website. Learn more about the mayhem at BALLSmusical.com, and make sure to follow @ballsmusical on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for updates, discount codes, merch, and prizes.

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Sunday, July 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 at 3:15 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 at 6:15 p.m.

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BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy”

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