Speaker Series

A Window into Japanese Traditional Music

Join us virtually to learn about the fascinating history and culture of Japanese traditional instruments. Be introduced to the captivating sounds of the 13-stringed and the 17-string zither, called koto, and the biwa, a Japanese lute, demonstrated by professional musicians from Japan and featuring special guest Kazuyuki Shiotaka. A live Q&A session will follow with speaker and musician Dr. Joseph Amato. A special viewing link will be sent to members a week before the event.

Transforming the World: How Japanese Robots Saved a Nation and Charmed a Planet

FREE VIRTUAL LECTURE Transforming the World: How Japanese Robots Saved a Nation and Charmed a Planet Co-organized by the Japan Foundation and Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Its infrastructure devastated by World War II, Japan’s economic engine cranked back to life thanks to the power of imagination, from intricate toys to thrilling comics and anime. … Read more

Images of Nature: Cultural Representations in Japanese Film

FREE VIRTUAL LECTURE Images of Nature: Cultural Representations in Japanese Film Co-organized by the Japan Foundation and Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Japan has produced one of the world’s most fascinating national cinemas, and the Japanese view of the natural world permeates film. Images are used to project the Japanese perception of nature, be it … Read more

Running it Back, Finding a New Way Forward: Japanese Film 2011-2020

FREE VIRTUAL LECTURE Running it Back, Finding a New Way Forward: Japanese Film 2011-2020 Co-organized by the Japan Foundation and Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens In this panel, Matthieu Felt and Christopher Smith contextualize selections from this year’s festival within the history of post 3/11 Japan and trends in recent Japanese Cinema. Matthieu Felt highlights … Read more

Documentary Film Screening – Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan

Speaker Series – Discussion led by Director Yujiro Seki Documentary Film Screening – Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises Please know that our theater tends to be quite cold so you may want a sweater or jacket with you. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Director, writer, and producer, Yujiro Seki, was … Read more