March 18th, 2011: Movie Night is "CLIMBER'S HIGH" and Yosakoi Dance Performance

CLIMBER'S HIGH: The Canada Japan Society is proud to present the harrowing tale of newspaper reporters covering the largest, single aircraft disaster in history, the crash of JAL Flight 123 in 1985. Directed by Masato Harada (Bounce Ko Gals, Inugami, Kamikaze Taxi), this suspenseful tale brings us inside the workings of a Japanese newspaper department in the 1980s.

The film delves into the tumultuous and stressful world of Japanese reporting where politics, money and traditions often get in the way of the ethics of journalism. Harada brings his deft style to this film based on a book by the real life main character, ex-reporter Kazumasa Yuuki, then a coordinator at the North Kanto Times when JAL Flight 123 crashed into Mt. Takamagahara in Gunma Prefecture claiming 520 lives.

The film was nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards and features strong acting performances from Shinichi Tsutsumi, Tsutomo Yamzaki, Masato Sakai and Machiko Ono.

As a special treat we have a Yosokoi dance performance by the Buyaku Dance Troupe prior to the screening. And as always, our ever popular post party at Everest will take place after the film; it’s a great time to meet new people and practice your English or Japanese talking about the film.

Please come on out for a great evening of dance, film, and fun.

The Climbers High (2008)
Japanese with English Subtitles
Friday, March 18th, 2011
National Film Board Theatre
150 John Street (at Richmond), 2nd Floor
7 P.M. Start
CJS Members $5, Non-Members $10

Community Event: Introduction to Japanese Contemporary Dance and Dancers

Introduction to Japanese Contemporary Dance and Dancers
A talk and video presentation by dancer/choreographer Naoko Murakoshi

Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)

Naoko Murakoshi, a former member of the Toronto Dance Theatre, is now pursuing a dance career in Japan and teaching dance at Kobe College (Kobe Jogauin Daigaku). On the occasion of her return to Toronto for the Dai Don Den performance with the Green Tea dance collective, Ms. Murakoshi will visit the Japan Foundation, Toronto to speak about trends and give an update on the various dance scenes in Japan. In her talk and video presentation, she will address such diverse areas of dance as Active Abroad, Theatre, Butoh, Modern, Contemporary, Outcasts, and Ballet/Entertainment.

Location: The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Address: 131 Bloor St. West, 2nd Floor of the Colonnade Building
Admission: Free
Reservation required: www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php or (416) 966-1600 x104
In Japanese with English interpretation

Community Event: 8th Annual Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival

TJSFF is organized by Japanese Art Festival, a registered Not-for-Profit organization, and was founded in 2003 to present a side of contemporary Japanese culture that had not previously been seen in Toronto. Over the last 7 years, the festival has introduced more than 195 films made by Japanese filmmakers and international filmmakers whose work relates to Japan. We are very honoured by the continuing support and interest of our growing audience and hope you will enjoy this latest collection of Japanese shorts.

This year features the work of Isamu Hirabayashi in the opening program (MOMO program). Some of you may remember his film Doron, which won The Festival Choice Award at TJSFF in 2006. The MOMO program presents 6 of his short films, including his masterpiece TEXTISM, his recently produced Shikasha, which was screened at Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight 2010, and his latest film and first animation work KIBISO. This year’s other themed program is titled NASHI, which features Palm of the Hand Stories, adapted from a series of short stories written by Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata. The ICHIGO, MIKAN and RINGO programs show 4-10 of the latest shorts from Japan each.

Advance Tickets & Passes are now on sale for Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival 2011! Tickets & Passes are available for purchase at Queen Video (480 Bloor St. W. / 412 Queen St. W.) and SANKO (730 Queen St. W.).

More Info: www.tjsff.com

March 3rd, 2011: ICHIMOKUKAI

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, get to talk to lots of interesting people, and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

Come on out and hear about all our upcoming events this Spring!

Ichimoku-kai
Thursday March 3rd, 2011
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.