Movie Night - "The Twilight Samurai" on Nov. 20/09

The CJS’s 2009 – 2010 Movie Nights series continues on Friday, November 20th with a screening of “The Twilight Samurai”.

Seibei, a lowly samurai, toils under financial hardship to raise his two daughters after his wife’s untimely death. He is nicknamed Twilight, for he always returns straight home after work to care for his family, never socializing with colleagues. Through an unfortunate turn of events, Seibei is forced to confront issues of courage, honour and love.

Director Yoji Yamada, perhaps best-known for his prolific output of Tora-san (Otoko wa tsurai yo) movies, brings a surprising perspective on the samurai period drama (jidai geki). Set in the late Tokugawa Period – near the twilight of the samurai years – the film portrays the domestic life of the average samurai, who struggle for survival with no wars to fight. Those expecting the usual hardboiled, sword-brandishing machismo will be surprised by this sentimental, quietly-paced work.

“The Twilight Samurai” swept the 2003 Japanese Academy Awards, winning in 12 categories including Film, Director, Screenplay, Actor, Actress, and Cinematography. It also earned a 2004 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.


The Twilight Samurai (2002, 129 minutes)
Director: Yoji Yamada
Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa

Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm
National Film Board of Canada
150 John Street (at Richmond), 2nd Fl.

CJS members: $5
Guests: $10

After-party at Everest Café (232 Queen St. W.) – join us!

Ichi-Moku-Kai (IMK) on Nov. 5/09

As much as I’d like to say that the Ichi-Moku-Kai coming up on Thursday, November 5th is the penultimate IMK for 2009 (just because I get to use the world “penultimate”), it is actually the final one for 2009.

Why? It’s because the first Thursday of December (Dec. 3rd) will be the date of our 2009 Bonenkai (end-of-year party). Save the date for this hugely popular annual event, and stay tuned for details.

So, back to the November IMK. As usual, Manpuku offers a fun Japanese menu and Japanese drinks at reasonable prices. This month we’ll be featuring a special live performance by Tatsu the Fiddler. Our house band, Bonito Beat, might be popping by as well.

Ichi-Moku-Kai
Thursday, November 5, 2009
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery
105 McCaul Street, Unit 29-31
(Inside the “Village by the Grange” building, south of the food court)
Free for CJS members; $5 for guests

CJS Movie Night - "Inugami" on Oct. 16/09

It's October! Get ready for the CJS's annual Halloween Movie Night!

This year we present Masato Harada's supernatural drama, "Inugami" (Dog God). The film mixes ancient myth and ceremony with the beauty of rural Shikoku in telling the tale of a family's inherited curse and descent into madness.

Popular actress Yuki Amami stars as a mysterious villager, who becomes involved with a younger man new to town. Soon, tragedies start to strike the village...

Don't miss this eerie,disturbing psycho-drama, the winner of several film festival prizes worldwide.

Inugami (2001, 106 minutes)
Director: Masato Harada
Cast: Yuki Amami, Atsuro Watabe, Eugene Harada, Shiho Fujimura, Eugene Harada

Friday, October 16, 2009 at 7:00 pm
National Film Board of Canada
150 John Street (at Richmond), 2nd Fl.

CJS members: $5
Guests: $10

Thurs., Oct. 1/09 - Ichimokukai

Come celebrate the start of autumn at the Canada Japan Society’s Ichimokukai party on October 1st!

Ichimoku-kai literally means the "first Thursday meeting" and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society of Toronto's monthly social event, naturally on the first Thursday of every month.

It is a great place to make new friends, practice your English and/or Japanese, informally network, learn more about life in Canada and Japan, and most of all…have fun! Our attendees are usually around 50 percent Canadian and 50 percent Japanese, all with a common interest or connection with Japan.

At Ichimoku-kai you will receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

This month we're featuring a special live jazz performance by the Dennis Sung Trio. Bonito Beat, our "house band", might drop in as well!

Ichimoku-kai
Thursday, October 1, 2009
MANPUKU
6pm to 10pm +
105 McCaul Street
Units 29-31 (in the Village by the Grange building, south of the Food Court)

There is a $5 cover charge for non-CJS members. Discounts are available for groups of three or more people.

If you have any questions, please contact me: jeff@cjst.org

Jeff Harju
Director
CJS
jeff@cjst.org

Ichimoku-kai September 3, 2009

Come celebrate the end of summer at The Canada Japan Society’s Ichimokukai party on September 3rd!

Ichimoku-kai literally means the "first Thursday meeting" and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society of Toronto's monthly social event, naturally on the first Thursday of every month.

It is a great place to make new friends, practice your English and/or Japanese, informally network, learn more about life in Canada and Japan, and most of all…have fun! Our attendees are usually around 50 percent Canadian and 50 percent Japanese, all with a common interest or connection with Japan.

At Ichimoku-kai you will receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

Our "house" band, "Bonito Beat", will return for another live performance , including some background music as well.

Ichimoku-kai
Thursday September 3rd
MANPUKU
6pm to 10pm +
105 McCaul Street
Units 29-31 (in the Village by the Grange building, south of the Food Court)

There is a $5 cover charge for non-CJS members. Discounts are available for groups of three or more people.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me: jeff@cjst.org

Jeff Harju
Director
CJS
jeff@cjst.org