Sunday, May 6, 2007

Documentary on WWII Japanese-Americans

The documentary "From a Silk Cocoon" will be shown at 5 p.m. May 19 at Takatsuki Shiritsu Sogo Shimin Koryu Center in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture.

The award-winning film tells the story of a young Japanese-American couple who spent more than four years in internment camps during World War II, through their letters, diaries and haiku poems.

The screening will be followed by a discussion, in English, led by director Dr. Satsuki Ina.

The event is being hosted by Nikkei Gathering, a group of Japanese-Americans and Japanese-Canadians living in Japan, and other organizers.

The fee is 1,000 yen at the door. No reservations are required.

The venue is near Takatsuki Station on the JR Line.

For more information, call the organizer at (0532) 88-2658, or e-mail kusaka@aichi-u.ac.jp or fujimoto@wilmina.ac.jp

Foreign women discuss reverse culture shock

The Osaka Gender Equality Foundation is inviting English-speaking non-Japanese women to its monthly discussion meeting from noon to 2 p.m. May 26 at Osaka Prefectural Women's Center, or Dawn Center, in Chuo Ward, Osaka.

The discussion group will focus on common problems facing foreign women, including those pertaining to cultural differences, employment and child care. Participants will be encouraged to exchange their information and experiences.

This month's theme is "Preparing to Go Home: Reverse Culture Shock." Many people find that making the transition in returning to their home countries is harder than adjusting to living here. The group will discuss what to expect and how to prepare for leaving Japan for good.

The discussion will be facilitated by psychotherapist Joanna Sato.

Participation is free. No reservations are required.

The venue, Support Counseling Room, is on the third floor of the center, which is 350 meters east of Tenmabashi Station on the Keihan or subway Tanimachi lines.

For more information, call the organizer at (06) 6944-8242.

Calligraphy class offered in Osaka

The Osaka Sister City Network is seeking participants for its Japanese calligraphy class to be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 10 at the International House, Osaka, in Tennoji Ward.

Non-Japanese participants will be offered an opportunity to learn the ancient art of calligraphy. All materials, including brushes, ink and a textbook, will be supplied.

The fee is 1,000 yen, including the cost of the materials.

Reservations must be made by June 4. Twenty people will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For reservations and more information, call the organizer at (06) 6772-9670, fax (06) 6772-9790 or e-mail cir@sisterc.net

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.