November 30th, 2015 - The CJS BOUNENKAI Is Coming...With an Okinawan Twist!

The holiday season is fast approaching….and there is no better way to start it off than with the Canada Japan Society’s legendary BOUNENKAI 忘年会 celebration and party on Monday, November 30th! 

Bounenkai literally means “forget the year party” and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the end of another successful year and banish any negative memories you might have of 2015….all while getting you ready for the start of the holiday season! The tradition is said to have begun in Japan during the 15th century during the Muromachi period as gatherings to express thanks. At that time, the parties were known as noukai (great achievement gathering). By the 18th century, they had become known as bounenkai, or year-end parties. Bounenkai is seen as a time for letting one's hair down and not worrying about the everyday work or societal formal, rank or age division relationships that exist…..everyone just comes out to have a good time! 

 The CJS is building on our successful Bounenkai events of years past with this, our largest party of the year. We would love to have you join this event and enjoy an evening of meeting new people with a connection/interest in Japan, reconnecting with those you haven’t seen for a while, informal networking, practicing your English and/or Japanese, learning more about the Canada Japan Society, and most of all…..have a great time!

This year we’re switching things up a bit and adding an OKINAWAN twist to the evening by hosting the event this year at RYOJI RAMEN & IZAKAYA!  Admission includes lots of great Japanese and Okinawan food, drink specials and our ever famous door prizes!

BOUNENKAI

Monday, November 30^th, 2015

 6 P.M. to 12 A.M.

RYOJI RAMEN & IZAKAYA

 690 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C1 (just East of Ossington)

 CJS Members and Students $20

 Non-Members $25

 Admission includes lots of great food. Cash Bar. 

We are capping numbers this year at around 100, so IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND YOU MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca!  First come, first served!  We hope to see you there.

November 5th, 2015 - Don't Miss The Last Ichimokukai Of The Year!

Wow…time flies….it’s already almost November and the LAST ICHIMOKUKAI of the year is fast approaching! That’s right…this is the last one of the year as we build toward our long standing, ever famous BOUNENKAI end of year party! Details to be announced soon.

 

Ichimokukai 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 IMK 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.   We hope to see you there!  Come early to ensure a good seat!

 

Ichimokukai

Thursday, November 5th, 2015

6-10 pm

 Manpuku

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

 

 

November, 2015 - JAPANESE MOVIES AT THE TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 

The Canada Japan Society is proud to once again be a sponsor for the TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, taking place from November 5 to 15^th, 2015. www.reelasian.com

This year we are co-sponsoring THREE J movies with a Japanese theme.

MISS HOKUSAI – Directed by Keiichi Hara, and based on the manga Sarusuberi by Hinako Sugiura, this anime feature is the untold story of artist O-Ei, aka Katsushika Oi, a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life father (Katsushika Hokusai ) in the late Edo Period.

http://www.reelasian.com/festival-events/miss-hokusai/

Saturday November 7, 2015 @ 9:00 pm  | AGO Jackman Hall

 

BALI BIG BROTHER – Directed by Toshio Lee, and adapted from Sho Kuroiwa’s best seller If You Work Abroad You Can Become a Tycoon, this film is a charming comedy with an all-star cast that transports the audience to the tropical paradise of Bali, while reminding everyone that wealth requires responsibility and happiness is simply a state of mind.

http://www.reelasian.com/festival-events/bali-big-brother/

Sunday November 8, 2015 @ 1:00 pm     | AGO Jackman Hall

 

INITIATION LOVE –  Directed by Tsutsumi Yukihiko, Initiation Love tells the story of awkward and overweight Yuki Suzuki. Invited as a filler on group date, he meets the pretty and disarmingly forthright Mayu (Maeda Atsuko). After Mayu gifts him a pair of Nikes, Yuki promises to take up running and get in shape…once he does an off-kilter love triangle ensues!

http://www.reelasian.com/festival-events/initiation-love/

 Thursday November 12, 2015 @ 7:00 pm              | Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre 

 

CANADA JAPAN SOCIETY members can use promo code “astro19” to save 25% off regular ticket prices (online sales only…NOT valid for “Initiation Love” at the JCCC).  Feel free to use the code for most Reel Asian films you book online.

Thursday, December 10, 2015 - Royal Ontario Museum Daytime Lecture with Dr. Asato Ikeda: A Transnational History of Japanese Prints: the Inuit-Japan Exchange of the 1950s

Royal Ontario Museum Daytime Lecture with Dr. Asato Ikeda: A Transnational History of Japanese Prints: the Inuit-Japan Exchange of the 1950s

Thursday, December 10
11AM TO 12PM
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6)...
 
FREE with admission to the ROM

Come on out to hear in person Dr. Ikeda’s presentation on the Inuit-Japan Exchange of the 1950’s!

Based on the true story of Canadian artist James Houston, ROM's Asato Ikeda takes you on an intercontinental journey between Canada's Far North and Japan. Explore the artistic exchange between Inuit and Japanese printmakers in the mid-Twentieth Century, and its impact on the history of Japanese woodblock prints.

Ramen Fun with the Canada Japan Society!

 

The Canada Japan Society invites everyone to our FIRST Ramen Social Event at RAMEN RAIJIN http://zakkushi.com/raijin/ on Wednesday October 21st from 6-8pm.

Ramen Raijin is named one of the top 5 ramen restaurants in Toronto according to Tastetoronto.ca, Blogto.com, and The Globe and Mail. Raijin was also recently visited and interviewed by the Yokohama Ramen Museum.

Raijin's wonderful regular menu will be offered...you can order whatever your favourites are (if you are curious you can pre-check the menu on their website above).

Exclusively for the CJS, Raijin will be offering an optional off-menu SAKE TASTING with a special selection brought over from Zakkushi Izakaya.

Hope to see you there! 

Wednesday, October 21st
6 to 8 pm
Ramen Raijin
3 Gerrard Steet East, Toronto ON M5B 2K8

Space is limited so Please RSVP by email to Sam Lai (sam@cjst.ca) to attend











 

Japanese Food, Drinks and Fun at October Ichimokukai!

 

 

The summer went by so quickly! Autumn is just around the corner so please come out and celebrate the end of another fantastic Toronto summer with some cold beverages, great Japanese food, and some fun people at the Canada Japan Society’s ICHIMOKUKAI!

Ichimokukai 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 IMK 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.

We hope to see you there!

Come early to ensure a good seat!

Ichimokukai
Thursday, October 1st, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku
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

September 3rd, 2015: ICHIMOKUKAI Returns on the First Thursday of September!

The last ICHIMOKUKAI of the summer is here! Autumn is just around the corner so please come out and celebrate the end of another fantastic Toronto summer with some cold beverages, great Japanese food, and some fun people at the Canada Japan Society’s ICHIMOKUKAI!

Ichimokukai 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 com...mon interest or connection with Japan. At IMK 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.

We hope to see you there!

Come early to ensure a good seat!

Ichimokukai
Thursday, September 3rd, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku
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

Aug. 13th 2015: ICHIMOKUKAI Will Once Again Be A NIMOKUKAI in August!

 

 

SUMMER’s HERE…and its hot outside….but come celebrate the summer with a cold beverage, some great Japanese food, and some fun people at the Canada Japan Society’s ICHIMOKUKAI! Once again because of the holidays it will actually be a NIMOKUKAI again for August, so please note the date.

Ichimokukai 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 Jap...anese, all with a common interest or connection with Japan. At IMK 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.

We hope to see you there!

Come early to ensure a good seat!

Ichimokukai
Thursday, August 13th, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku
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

July 9th, 2015: July's ICHIMOKUKAI Will Be A NIMOKUKAI

 

That’s right, folks…..for July the Canada Japan Society’s Ichimokukai will become a NIMOKUKAI instead, held on the SECOND Thursday of the month. Same fun with intercultural exchange, great people, Japanese food, drinks, door prizes and more…..just a different date!

Ichimokukai 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 IMK 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.

We hope to see you there!

Come early to ensure a good seat!

Ichimokukai
Thursday, July 9th, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku
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.

June 23, 2015: Annual General Meeting of the Canada Japan Society and reception

The Canada Japan Society (CJS) cordially invites our members and friends to our 2015 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, June 23rd!

Once again, our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the beautiful offices of McMillan LLP, featuring a spectacular view of Toronto from the 44th floor! The evening will start off with the formalities of the AGM when we will provide an overview of what the CJS has done this past year and outline our goals for the upcoming year and future. Other topics will include the important election of the 2015/16 Board of Directors (non-members will not be allowed to vote).

The evening will also include a special presentation about cinematic sound effects by Goro Koyama, Emmy Award-winning foley artist.   Goro Koyama has worked on such films as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, American Hustle, Cloverfield and the Japanese remake of The Unforgiven, and has recently created the creature sounds for a Japanese film KISEIJU (PARASYTE), which was based on a popular comic series. 

And don’t forget about our always popular ALL INCLUSIVE RECEPTION featuring great JAPANESE FOOD and DRINKS.  Admission to the AGM is FREE for current CJS members (who have paid membership dues for the current year) and $20 for non-CJS members.

Finally, our AGM is a great opportunity for members to renew their annual membership and for non-members to join CJS.  For ONE NIGHT ONLY, if you renew your membership or join CJS, we are offering the following discount:
* Student or Senior Membership $20 (SAVE $5)
* Regular Membership $40 (SAVE $10)

With membership in the CJS, you will get:
• Free admission to the AGM (worth $20)
• Free admission to all Ichimoku-kai events throughout the year
• Invitations to members-only events
• Discounted admission to other events
• Voting rights to elect the board of directors

Please note: if you would like to attend the AGM, you MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca.  Thank you!

CANADA JAPAN SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:oo…please come early if you are renewing your membership)
The Offices of McMillan LLP
44th floor, Bay/Wellington Tower
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Toronto
Admission: FREE for current, paid CJS Members, $20 for Non-CJS Members

For more information or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jeff via Facebook or at jeff@cjst.ca

June 15, 2015: Canadian premiere of "WOOD JOB!" at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival

Canada Japan Society (CJS) is sponsoring the Canadian premiere on Monday, June 15 of the film "WOOD JOB!" 「ウッジョブ – 神去なあなあ日常」as part of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival, taking place at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) from June 11-26. 

This charming coming-of-age comedy/drama by Shinobu Yaguchi, (Waterboys, Swing Girls, Robo-G) is based on a popular novel by Shion Miura. Having flunked his university entrance exams, 18-year-old Yuki Hirano decides to leave the city behind to take part in a one-year forestry programme, swayed not by a passion for lumberjack life but rather by the attractive girl in the recruiting brochure. Knowing little of what lies ahead, Yuki winds up in rural Kamusari, a small village deep in the mountains, far from modern conveniences and facing a much tougher challenge than anticipated. The story, rich with ancient mythology and Japanese forest legend, has drawn praise from Studio Ghibli animation filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki.

CJS is proud to be a part of this excellent showcase of contemporary Japanese film, and we hope you all come out to the Canadian premiere of WOOD JOB!

Tickets are $12 for the general public and can be ordered online (http://www.ticketweb.ca/snl/EventListings.action?orgId=97962&pl=jccc) or by phone to 416-441-2345.

WOOD JOB! ウッジョブ – 神去なあなあ日常
Directed and written by Shinobu Yaguchi, based on the novel by Shion Miura
Stars: Shota Sometani, Masami Nagasawa, Hideaki Ito
Monday, June 15, 2015
Start time: 7PM
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Court, Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5)
Tel: 416.441.2345

June 4, 2015: Join us at Ichimoku-kai (IMK)

Join us at the cozy and lively Ichimoku-kai (IMK) on Thursday, June 4th at Manpuku Japanese Restaurant for a great evening of cultural exchange, "oishii" Japanese food and drinks, door prizes, and lots of fun!

Ichimoku-kai (IMK) literally means the “first Thursday meeting” and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society’s signature monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month.  It is a great place to informally network, make new and interesting friends, practise your Japanese or English, and – most of all – have a good time!  Usually, half the attendees are Japanese and half are Canadian, all with an interest in or connection to Japan.  Attendees receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

We hope to see you there - and come early for a good seat!

ICHIMOKU-KAI

Thursday, June 4, 2015

6-10 pm

Manpuku Japanese Restaurant

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.

May 29, 2015: CJS May Movie Night is the modern classic "Mr. Baseball"

The boys of summer are back and the Canada Japan Society is ready to "play ball!" with a showing of one of the best baseball comedies ever made, "MR. BASEBALL"!  

Tom Selleck - famous for TV shows Magnum PI, Friends, and Blue Bloods, among many films - stars as an aging baseball player from the New York Yankees who is traded to the Chunichi Dragons. He’s in for a rough time, having to adapt to an unfamiliar culture, a seemingly humorless manager, and his own professional and social insecurities… It's one of the best 'east-west clash of culture' films, and those who have been to Japan might well relate to what the main character goes through!

This light-hearted comedy mixed with romance and intercultural hilarity features some great performances by Selleck, and features the late, great Ken Takakura in one of three Hollywood movies he made in his career.
Whether you like baseball or not, you’ll have a great time watching Japanese and American cultures interact, and gain an appreciation for their difference - and similarities.

(Now if only someone would make a comedy starring Munenori Kawasaki about playing baseball in the major leagues in Canada... Hmm...)

Admission is FREE, but in return we kindly ask that you support our hosts by ordering some of their delicious food and drink, courtesy of award-winning chef Yumiko Kobayashi.  She has prepared a special late night menu featuring some of the best Belgian style waffle sandwiches to be had in Toronto - and the duck-fat fries are pretty good as well!

PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED SO PLEASE RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca. Hope to see you there!

Mr. Baseball (1992)
English & Japanese with English Subtitles
Starring: Tom Selleck, Ken Takakura , and Toshi Shioya 
Friday, May 29, 2015
Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Windup Bird Cafe
382 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7
(North side of College Street, east of Bathurst)
FREE admission
GUESTS MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca to attend

May 6, 2015: May Ichimoku-kai (IMK) features the return of our popular Japanese and English book swap!

This month's Ichimoku-kai (IMK), CJS's longest-running event, features the return of our popular Japanese and English Book Swap on Thursday, May 6 at Manpuku Japanese Restaurant!

Ichimoku-kai (IMK) literally means the “first Thursday meeting” and since 1995 it has been the Canada-Japan Society’s signature monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month.  It is a great place to informally network, make new and interesting friends, practise your Japanese or English, and – most of all – have a good time!  Usually, half the attendees are Japanese and half are Canadian, all with an interest in or connection to Japan.  Attendees receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

How does the Japanese and English Book Swap work? Simply bring your unwanted Japanese or English books to IMK and trade them for others. Any type of book is OK - textbooks, cookbooks, Manga, Fiction, Non-Fiction, magazines…. anything really! There will be no charge for the books, and anyone can take whatever they like! (We only ask that if no one has taken any books that you bring that you take them home at the end of the evening as we have no place to store them...)

Thank you, and we hope to see you there!

CJS ICHIMOKU-KAI with BOOK SWAP
Thursday, May 6, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku Japanese Restaurant
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.

May 1, 2015: Canada Japan Society's 7th annual "Surviving in Canada" Event / 第7 回新住民のためのカナダ生活情報セミナー

トロント日加協会 (CJS) 、Japanese Visitors Association (JAVA) 主催

第7 回新住民のためのカナダ生活情報セミナー

5 月1 日（金）6:30PM – 9:10PM @トロント国際交流基金 (The Japan Foundation, Toronto)

日加協会 (CJS)と JAVA 主催の第 7 回カナダ生活情報セミナーのご案内です。

当セミナーはトロントに滞在してる日本人を対象に開催されます。講演の内容は下記のとおり多岐に渡ります。

* 日本人滞在者へのサポート体制

* カナダ社会への適応について (日々の生活で直面する問題など)

*トラブルに巻き込まれないためのシェアハウス＆アパートレントセミナー

* 学生ビザ、観光ビザなどの延長やビザ変更に関して

* ワークビザ、永住権取得に関して

トロントで生活を始めたばかりの皆様にとっては見逃せないセミナーです。

講演は日本語で行われます。講演終了後に質疑応答の時間がありますので、ご質問がある方はこの機会をぜひ

ご利用ください。また、語学留学やワーキングホリデーでトロントに滞在されている皆様には、他の参加者や、

トロントやカナダのことを熟知する講演者、トロントに長年住むイベントスタッフと話をする絶好の機会です。

ネットワーキングの場としても当セミナーをぜひご活用ください。新来者以外の方々のご参加も大歓迎です。

参加費は当イベントの運営に使わせていただきます。参加ご希望の方は Aya@cjst.ca までご連絡ください。皆様

のご参加を心よりお待ちしております。

5 月1 日（金）

6:10pm – 受付開始

6:30pm – 8:10pm 挨拶、講演

8:10pm – 8:25pm 質疑応答

8:25pm – 9:10pm レセプション (スナックと飲み物あり)

トロント国際交流基金 (The Japan Foundation, Toronto)

131 Bloor Street West, Suite 213, Event Hall

Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1R1

参加費: $5

April 17, 2015: CJS April Movie Night is "Samurai Rebellion"

The Canada Japan Society returns to the Windup Bird Café for another Movie Night on Friday, April 17th with a showing of SAMURAI REBELLION 「上意討ち拝領妻始末」, a classic tale of feudal injustice starring the legendary Toshiro Mifune.

From Director Masaki Kobayashi (Harakiri, Kwaidan), this often overlooked portrayal of feudal Japanese society works as both exciting historical drama and heart-breaking melodrama. It showcases excellent storytelling, directing, acting, music and action – and it's the personal favourite "samurai" movie of the event's organizer!

Admission is FREE, but in return we kindly ask that you support our hosts by ordering some of their wonderful food and drink, courtesy of award-winning chef Yumiko Kobayashi.

PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED SO YOU MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca.  If you do not RSVP, you may be turned away, unfortunately…

Hope to see you there!

SAMURAI REBELLION (1967) 「上意討ち拝領妻始末」
Japanese with English Subtitles
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Tsukasa, Go Kato
Friday, April 17th, 2015
Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Windup Bird Cafe
382 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7
(North side of College Street, east of Bathurst)
FREE admission
GUESTS MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca to attend

April 2, 2015: Join us at Ichimoku-kai (IMK)

Fed up with Toronto's extended winter - especially when it's spring?  Then come out of hibernation to Ichimoku-kai (IMK) on Thursday, April 2nd at Manpuku Japanese Restaurant for a great evening of cultural exchange, "oishii" Japanese food and drinks, door prizes, and lots of fun!

Ichimoku-kai (IMK) literally means the “first Thursday meeting” and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society’s signature monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month.  It is a great place to informally network, make new and interesting friends, practise your Japanese or English, and – most of all – have a good time!  Usually, half the attendees are Japanese and half are Canadian, all with an interest in or connection to Japan.  Attendees receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

We hope to see you there - and come early for a good seat!

ICHIMOKU-KAI
Thursday, April 2, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku Japanese Restaurant
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.

March 27, 2015: CJS March Movie Night is "The Magic Hour"

The Canada Japan Society returns on Friday, March 27th to the Windup Bird Cafe for another Movie Night with a showing of the acclaimed comedy, THE MAGIC HOUR.

The Magic Hour is an homage to 1930’s and 1940’s Hollywood screwball comedies directed by Koki Mitani, the director of Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (1997) and The Wow-Choten Hotel (2006). The story takes place in a town that seems like a movie set, where a nightclub manager runs afoul of a local yakuza boss. He will do anything not to end up at the bottom of the ocean… and hilarity ensues!

Admission is FREE, but in return we kindly ask that you support our hosts by ordering some of their wonderful food and drink, courtesy of award-winning chef Yumiko Kobayashi. 

PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED SO YOU MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca.  No RSVP, no entry.

Hope to see you there!

THE MAGIC HOUR (2008)
Japanese with English Subtitles
Director: Koki Mitani
Starring: Kôichi Satô, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Eri Fukatsu
Friday, March 27th, 2015
Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Windup Bird Cafe
382 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7
(North side of College Street, east of Bathurst)
FREE admission
GUESTS MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca to attend

Sincerely,
Lisa Houston
CJS Communications Director
www.cjst.ca

March 19 and 21, 2015: Screenings of the documentary film NAGATSURA - HOME WITHOUT LAND

March 5, 2015: Join us at Ichimoku-kai (IMK)

Yup - it's still cold and snowy outside, which means... you guessed it! The best place to be is inside - at the cozy and lively Ichimoku-kai (IMK)! Join us on Thursday, March 5th at Manpuku Japanese Restaurant for a great evening of cultural exchange, "oishii" Japanese food and drinks, door prizes, and lots of fun!

Ichimoku-kai (IMK) literally means the “first Thursday meeting” and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society’s signature monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month.  It is a great place to informally network, make new and interesting friends, practise your Japanese or English, and – most of all – have a good time!  Usually, half the attendees are Japanese and half are Canadian, all with an interest in or connection to Japan.  Attendees receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

We hope to see you there - and come early for a good seat!

ICHIMOKU-KAI
Thursday, March 5, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku Japanese Restaurant
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.

March 3, 2015: JETRO Japan Business Seminar

Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) Canada is holding a Japan Business Seminar at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 beginning at 9:30am. 

Speakers from Canadian companies and Japanese organizations will explain about the current situation in Japan, talk about the experience of Canadian companies entering the Japanese market and outline the services available to support Canadian companies. 

The event is free but pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, please contact JETRO Toronto (by phone at 416-861-0000 x202 or by e-mail to tor@jetro.go.jp) or visit the event page on the JETRO website.

February 20, 2015: CJS February Movie Night is "Tokyo Playboy Club"

Hot on the heels of our successful movie night last month, the Canada Japan Society returns to the Windup Bird Cafe with a showing of Yosuke Okuda’s dark but bizarrely funny look into the seedy underbelly of Tokyo nightlife, TOKYO PLAYBOY CLUB「東京プレイボーイクラブ 」.

Lives intersect and strange situations arise as main character Katsutoshi (Nao Omori) hides out at his friend's titular nightclub. What he soon learns is that trouble has a sneaky way of following him wherever he goes. The film’s style is a combination of Guy Ritchie and Takashii Miike, mixing crazy situations with a bizarre sense of humour. 

WARNING: the film contains scenes of violence and adult situations/themes.

Admission is FREE, but in return we kindly ask that you support our hosts by ordering some of their wonderful food and drink, courtesy of award-winning chef Yumiko Kobayashi. 

PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED SO YOU MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca.  No RSVP, no entry.

Hope to see you there!

TOKYO PLAYBOY CLUB (2011)
Japanese with English Subtitles
Director: Yosuke Okuda
Starring: Nao Omori, Ken Mitsuishi, and Asami Usuda
Friday, February 20th, 2015
Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Windup Bird Cafe
382 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7
(North side of College Street, east of Bathurst)
FREE admission
GUESTS MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca to attend

February 12, 2015: Skate Night at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre

The Canada Japan Society invites one and all to come out and enjoy our first Skate Night in Toronto! Enjoy the winter weather with one of Canada’s favourite pastimes under the bright lights of the big city! The event will take place on Thursday, February 12th from 7-9 PM, and all are welcome.

Harbourfront Centre's Natrel Rink is the city’s most scenic rink and has been around for over 30 years. It has a heated indoor change room with lockers and washrooms and best of all….the skating is FREE! Don’t have your own skates? No worries - skates are available to rent for $8 and helmets for $5 (see details below). Hot food and drinks are also available at their rink-side restaurant. 

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Mike at mike@cjst.ca for more information.  For more information about Natrel Rink - including the exact location - please visit their website.

Hope to see you there!

Skate / Helmet Rental Information: Government-issued ID is required for all rentals. Examples include a driver's license, passport, birth certificate or citizenship card, BYID/age of majority card, etc. Quantities are limited and will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

CJS SKATE NIGHT
Thursday, February 12, 2015
7-9pm
Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink
235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8
FREE event
Skates & helmets available to rent from Natrel Rink
Government-issued ID is required for all rentals

February 5, 2015: Join us at Ichimoku-kai!

When it's cold and snowy outside, the best place to be is inside - at the cozy and lively Ichimoku-kai (IMK)! Join us on Thursday, February 5th at Manpuku Japanese Restaurant for a great evening of cultural exchange, "oishii" Japanese food and drinks, door prizes, and lots of fun!

Ichimoku-kai (IMK) literally means the “first Thursday meeting” and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society’s signature monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month.  It is a great place to informally network, make new and interesting friends, practise your Japanese or English, and – most of all – have a good time!  Usually, half the attendees are Japanese and half are Canadian, all with an interest in or connection to Japan.  Attendees receive special food and drink discounts and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.

We hope to see you there - and come early for a good seat!

ICHIMOKU-KAI
Thursday, February 5, 2015
6-10 pm
Manpuku Japanese Restaurant
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.

March 12, 2015: KODO DRUMMERS return to Toronto!

For the first time in four years, Japan’s world famous KODO DRUMMERS are returning to Toronto! 

Tickets are on sale now for its ground-breaking new show “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery”, which runs one night only - Thursday, March 12, 2015 @ 8pm - at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts.

This second Kodo program to be directed by famed Kabuki artist Tamasaburo Bando represents an evolution of the group's new expression and promises to transport both seasoned fans and first-time viewers alike to uncharted artistic territory.

Ticket prices range from $55 - $95 (not including service or delivery fees if applicable). They can be can be purchased in person at the Sony Centre box office, over the phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca

January 30, 2015: CJS Movie Night Returns to Windup Bird Cafe!

The Canada-Japan Society is proud to re-introduce our long-running MOVIE NIGHT series at a *new location* in Toronto.  Please join us on Friday, January 30th (at 9 pm) at Windup Bird Cafe with a showing of Koki Mitani's award-winning comedy Rajio no Jikan (ラジオの時間) / "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald", together with a live introduction to the world of cinematic sound effects by Goro Koyama, Emmy Award-winning foley artist.　

Rajio no Jikan tells the funny story of the cast and crew of the late-night broadcast of a radio drama. When no one is pleased with the project, it sets off a chain of events that changes every aspect of the story and forces everyone to participate in completing the drama - all live on the air. This film won 3 Japanese Academy Awards and was nominated for a host of others.

As a very special treat on this movie night, Goro Koyama will give what is sure to be an eye-opening - and ear-opening! - presentation all about movie sound effects. He has worked on such films as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, American Hustle, Cloverfield and the Japanese remake of The Unforgiven, and has recently created the creature sounds for a Japanese film KISEIJU (PARASYTE), which was based on a popular comic series.

In contrast to our movie nights at the now-defunct NFB Theatre, and thanks to the generosity of our hosts at Windup Bird Cafe, this will be a FREE event. We kindly ask people attending to show thanks to our hosts by ordering some of their wonderful food and drink.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike similar movie nights held by CJS, space is extremely limited, so people interested in attending MUST RSVP in order to attend - anyone showing up at the event who is not on the guest list will be turned away.  To attend, please e-mail Jeff at jeff@cjst.ca as soon as possible.  

Thank you, and we hope to see you there!

Rajio no Jikan (ラジオの時間) / Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald
(in Japanese with English subtitles)
Friday, January 30, 2015
Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Windup Bird Cafe
382 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7
(North side of College Street, east of Bathurst)
FREE admission
GUESTS MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca