Japan Society Offers Families, Teachers and Students a Variety of Events and Activities to Learn About Japan

For Immediate Release

** Japan Society's Fall 2008 Education Programming **

New York, NY -- Japan Society's Education Program announces a full roster of programming for families, teachers and students of all ages from October 2008 through January 2009. This season’s public events include child-friendly programming about Japan Society Gallery's original exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters (October 4, 2008-January 11, 2009), participation in New York city's annual openhousenewyork Weekend with building tours and a special craft-making session, and several programs highlighting Japan's annual festivals and ceremonies among more. In addition, teachers and students have the opportunity to partake in several workshops and lectures related to various aspects of Japanese culture pertinent to the classroom.

See below for full event details as well as early registration information for Japan Society's annual Educators Study Tour to Japan. All events occur at Japan Society unless otherwise noted. For more information visit www.japansociety.org or call 212-832-1155.

Fall 2008 Education Program Highlights for Families & Children

openhousenewyork (OHNY) at Japan Society
Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5
Japan Society makes its second appearance in the OHNY Weekend, which showcases exemplary structures in all five city boroughs over two days. Exploring the Society's distinctive building, designed in 1971 by Junzo Yoshimura, site-specific programming includes child-appropriate docent-led tours of the building. [Admission is free. Family tours start 11am. Space is limited; advanced registration required by emailing jseducation@japansociety.org or call 212-215-1224.]

OHNY Kids! at Japan Society- Homes & Houses Japan/New York
Saturday October 4, 2-4pm
Japan Society Education staff introduces materials, structures and techniques common to Japanese traditional and contemporary home interiors. Following a special child-friendly talk on Japan Society’s building, "Japan House," families make a model house led by an architect. "Japan House," designed by Junzo Yoshimura in 1971 is the earliest example of Japanese contemporary architecture in New York City. [Free Admission. Recommended for ages 8-12 and accompanying adults. Space is limited; advanced registration required by emailing jseducation@japansociety.org or call 212-215-1224.]

Konnichiwa Friends - Family Tours of New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
Saturdays, October 11, November 15th, December 13th, January 11th, 2-3 pm
Slated for the second Saturday of every month between October and January, this series of tours engages young children ages 2-4 and their families in fun, interactive learning experiences. Using games, puzzles, storytelling, and other techniques for discussing art and culture, tour participants explore exhibition themes and include Japanese vocabulary and language acquisition activity building skills. [Free with adult admission to the exhibition. No reservation required. Call 212-715-1224 for further information.]

Art Cart - New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
Sunday, October 19, 2-4 pm
Led by a Japan Society educator, children and their families explore New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters through sketching, movement and discussion. Working with a professional designer and educator, children learn about approaches to designing objects and make their own bamboo toys. [Tickets $15 per family (up to 5 people)/$10 per family, including at least one Japan Society member. Recommended for ages 5-12. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Call the box office at 212-715-1258 for further details.]

Celebratory Rituals for Children: Shichigosan (7-5-3) Ceremony
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26 at 10am & 2pm
Co-sponsored with The International Shinto Foundation
At this annual family program, families celebrate and appreciate the growth and good health of children ages 3, 5 and 7 through the Shinto ritual of Shichigosan ("seven-five-three" in Japanese). Three- and 5-year-old boys and 3- and 7-year-old girls of all nationalities and religions, with parents or accompanying adults, are invited to participate. Special candies (chitose ame) are served to participating children. [Morning sessions: 10am-noon; afternoon sessions: 2-4pm. For ticket prices and to register, contact The International Shinto Foundation New York Center at NewYork@shinto.org or 212-686-9117. Early Registration is strongly advised.]

Meet Japan’s Mystical Folktale Creatures & Ghosts through Kamishibai Storytelling
Saturday, November 1, 2-4 pm
**Offsite Event held at Kinokuniya Bookstore**
Mystical creatures of Japan such as oni, kappa and tengu, as well as ghosts associated with the Buddhist festival Obon, are introduced through kamishibai storytelling and performance. Participants hear Japanese folktales featuring ghosts and otherworldly creatures, accompanied by song. Afterward, they create their own masks of folktale characters. [Free admission. Kinokuniya Bookstore is located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas (between 40 and 41 Streets). Recommended for ages 3-10. Program details subject to change. For more information, please contact Japan Society's Education Programs at (212) 715-1203 or Kinokuniya Bookstore at 212-869-1700.]

Art Cart - Flowers & Festivities in Japanese Culture
November 16, 2008, 2-4 pm
In collaboration with New York Botanical Garden
Led by a Japan Society educator, children and their families participate in an interactive lesson on the significance of flowers in Japanese culture with a focus on Kiku Matsuri (the Chrysanthemum Festival) followed by a mixed-media collage craft activity using paper, flower petals and more. [Ticket: $15 per family (up to 5 people)/$10 per family, including at least one Japan Society member. Recommended for ages 5-12. Call the box office at 212-715-1258 for further details.]

Fall 2008 Education Program Highlights for Teachers & Students

Student Musical Workshop - Gagaku Musical Instrument Workshop
Wednesday October 8, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Offered in collaboration with Midori and Friends
In conjunction with Japan Society Gallery's exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters and the Performing Arts Program's Gagaku Revolution, highlighting new works for ancient bamboo musical instruments, a limited number of pre-selected students are invited to participate in a special hands-on workshop with members of the renowned gagaku company Reigaku-sha on the ryuteki, hichiriki and sho.

Student Gallery Lessons PreK-12: New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
Tuesday-Friday, October 4, 2008-January 11, 2009, 11 am-12 pm (by appointment)
Pre-K-12th grade students experience object-centered, guided discussions of sculptures in the exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters and respond through drawing, writing and movement assignments. [Appointments required. To make an appointment or for more information, please call 212-715-1224.]

Workshop for K-12 Educators - From Romance to Robots: Using Japanese Short Stories in the Classroom
Monday, October 20 & Monday, October 27, 4:30-6:30 pm
Lead by Christopher Hill, Assistant Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, Yale University, this workshop introduces educators to Japanese short stories. Emphasis is on placing the stories within the context of contemporary Japanese and world literature, analysis of the themes in the stories, and consideration of how to utilize the works in an American classroom. [Tuition: $30, including materials. For an application, please visit www.japansociety.org/education or call 212-715-1254 for more information. Attendance required at both sessions.]

Workshop for K-12 Educators - Japanese Bamboo in the Art Classroom: A Hands-On Workshop
Sunday, November 9, 10 am-2 pm
In conjunction with Japan Society Gallery's exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters, artist Tanabe Shochiku leads educators in making their own simple bamboo baskets, followed by a tour of New Bamboo with Joe Earle, exhibition curator and Director, Japan Society Gallery. [Tuition: $40, including materials and lunch. For an application, please visit www.japansociety.org/education or call 212-715-1254 for more information.]

2009 Educators Study Tour
July 2009: Tour to Japan for K-12 Educators
K-12 educators from the tri-state area will be selected to participate in a three-week study tour to Japan in July 2009. Study tour highlights include visits to local pre-K-12 schools, a five-day homestay with a Japanese family, in addition to a wide range of site visits in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. [Fee: $500 includes round-trip airfare, accommodations, meals and orientation. Applications will be available in October 2008. For more information and an application, visit http://www.japansociety.org/programs_for_educators or call 212-715-1254.]

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About New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
October 4, 2008 – January 11, 2009
New Bamboo is the world’s first exhibition devoted exclusively to Japanese bamboo as a sculptural medium, featuring 23 innovators, old and young, who exploit to the full the tension between traditional skill and new expressive opportunities. Ranging from ethereal, computer-designed filigrees, through dramatic wall pieces to angry-looking, dirt-encrusted tangles and anthropomorphic sculptures, the over 90 works on display demonstrate awesome technique, meticulous attention to detail, and extraordinary creativity. [Saturday, October 4, 2008-Sunday, January 11, 2009. Hours: Tue.-Thu., 11 am-6 pm; Fri., 11 am-9 pm; Sat. and Sun., 11 am-5 pm; closed on Mon. and major holidays(Nov. 27, Dec. 25 & 26, Jan. 1). $12/$10 students and seniors/FREE Japan Society Members, children under 16. Admission is free to the general public Fridays from 6-9 pm.]

About openhousenewyork
openhousenewyork (OHNY) hosts year-round educational programs celebrating New York City’s built-environment, culminating in America’s largest architecture and design event, the Annual ONNY Weekend. Participants discover new neighborhoods, explore with friends and family, and experience NYC's architecture and design in all five boroughs through special talks, tours, performances and family-friendly workshops. The 6th Annual OHNY Weekend takes October 4 & 5, 2008. For more information, visit www.ohny.org.

About Japan Society’s Education Program
Japan Society’s Education Program offers programming for teachers and students, including teacher seminars, educators’ study tours, curricula development, school partnerships, and activities for students and school groups. Programs for families introduce children to diverse aspects of Japanese culture through entertaining and educational events.

About Japan Society
Founded in 1907 by prominent New York City business people and philanthropists, Japan Society has evolved over 100 years into an internationally recognized nonprofit organization presenting a full range of programs within arts and culture, business, education, family, and public policy. Through over 100 events annually, the Society creates rich encounters and exchanges that offer opportunities to experience Japanese culture; foster sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the U.S., Japan, and East Asia; and improve access to information on Japan.

Tickets & Information
Japan Society is located at 333 East 47th St. between First and Second Avenues (accessible by the 4/5/6 and 7 subway at Grand Central or the E and V subway at Lexington Ave.) For tickets, call the box office at 212-715-1258 or visit www.japansociety.org. For further information, visit the website or call 212-832-1155.

Education Programs are made possible by generous funding from The Freeman Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Norinchukin Foundation, Inc., Lesley Nan Haberman, Ms. Hiroko Onoyama, Joshua S. Levine and Nozomi Terao. Family Programs are supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional support for the Art Cart for New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters is provided by the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation.

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For further information, images and interview requests, please refer to:

Aya Akeura
Japan Society
T: (212) 715-1292
F: (212) 715-1262
E: aakeura@japansociety.org

Kuniko Shiobara
Japan Society
T: 212-715-1249
F: (212) 715-1262
E: kshiobara@japansociety.org