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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Kansas City Japan Festival
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T175000
DTSTAMP:20250925T223813Z
CREATED:20240921T223710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T223813Z
UID:10000199-1759597200-1759600200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Kaibyou - Supernatural Cats of Japan
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211 • 2nd Floor • 5:00 PM\nKaibyou – Supernatural Cats of Japan\n(back by popular demand!)\nZack Davisson\, New York University\nAll cats are magical but the cats of Japan have their own secrets. \n\nIf they live long enough\, their tails split\, they stand on their hind legs\, and they start to dance. Bakeneko\, nekomata\, kasha\, and even the ubiquitous “lucky cat” called the Maneki Neko—come learn some of the secrets of these magic cats from Zack Davisson\, yokai scholar and author of Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan. \n  \n\n\n\nAbout Zack Davisson\nZack Davisson is an award-winning writer\, translator\, and lecturer. He is on faculty at NYU in the Translation and Interpretations department and active in his fields.  He has won multiple Eisner awards and the Bram Stoker award. Respected in both academic and popular culture circles\, Davisson played a significant role in making Japanese folklore\, entertainment\, and literature accessible to English-speaking audiences. \n\n\nHe is a regular lecturer at universities\, museums\, and cultural institutes\, as well as appearing on podcasts\, on documentaries\, and as a guest at comic and anime conventions. \n\n\nCurrent projects include ULTIMATE X-MEN for Marvel Comics\, CAT + CRAZY for Dark Horse\, and THE ART OF SHIGERU MIZUKI for Drawn and Quarterly.  \n\n\nDavisson has worked with National Geographic and the Smithsonian\, and has been featured on NPR\, the BBC\, and The New York Times. His original works have been translated into multiple languages.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/kaibyou-supernatural-cats-of-japan/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/supernatural-cats.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T164000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T165500
DTSTAMP:20250924T151548Z
CREATED:20240919T204653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T151548Z
UID:10000174-1759596000-1759596900@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Iaido Demonstration
DESCRIPTION:MTC: Polsky Theatre\nIaido Demonstration\nWilliam Perkins\nA demonstration of the martial art of Iaido.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/iaido-demonstration/
LOCATION:MTC: Polsky Theatre
CATEGORIES:Demonstrations
GEO:38.925458397354;-94.727636310904
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T165000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221420Z
CREATED:20250925T225006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221420Z
UID:10000243-1759593600-1759596600@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Good Luck in Japan
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211 • 2nd Floor • 4:00 PM\nGood Luck in Japan\nTalk by Dr. Alisa Freedman\, University of Oregon\nCome learn more about Japanese lucky myths\, gods\, creatures\, charms\, holidays\, and rituals and how they inspire us in the US.\n  \n\nAbout Dr. Alisa Freedman\n \nAlisa Freedman is an Associate Professor of Japanese Literature and Film at the University of Oregon. She has published articles and edited special journal issues on Japanese modernism\, Tokyo studies\, youth culture\, gender\, television\, humor as social critique\, teaching pedagogies\, and intersections of literature and digital media\, along with translations of Japanese literature. She is Editor-in-Chief of the U.S.-Japan Women’s Journal. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/good-luck-in-japan/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T164500
DTSTAMP:20250929T154942Z
CREATED:20250929T154942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T154942Z
UID:10000272-1759593600-1759596300@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Anime Screening: Flying Witch
DESCRIPTION:Nerman • Hudson Auditorium • Second Floor\nAnime Screening: Flying Witch\nFlying Witch is a gentle\, supernatural\, slice-of-life anime and manga about 15-year-old witch Makoto Kowata\, who moves from the city to the Japanese countryside of Aomori Prefecture to live with her cousins and train as a full-fledged witch. The story focuses on Makoto’s everyday experiences\, her relationships with her family and friends\, and the subtle\, hidden magic within the natural world\, rather than flashy spellcasting. It is known for its beautiful\, realistic animation\, charming characters\, and relaxing\, heartwarming atmosphere\, with a core theme of finding wonder in the ordinary
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/anime-screening-flying-witch/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Anime Screenings
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T162000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221326Z
CREATED:20250926T223633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221326Z
UID:10000250-1759591800-1759594800@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Zuihitsu\, Haibun\, and New Possibilities of Genre
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • Craig Auditorium • 3:30 PM\nZuihitsu\, Haibun\, and New Possibilities of Genre\nTalk by Dr. Andrea Stover\nZuihitsu is a form of writing in which the writer “follows the brush” and writes associatively\, and Haibun\, a form of travel writing that includes a short prose piece describes an object scene or special moment coupled with a haiku poem\, allows students to explore alternative genres to record the precision of their observations and thinking. \n  \n\nAbout Dr. Andrea Stover\n \nDr. Andrea Stover is a Professor of English\, Belmont University and Director of Writing at Belmont University and the Japan Studies Association Conference Co-Chair. \n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/zuihitsu-haibun-and-new-possibilities-of-genre/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/writing-with-brush.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T155000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221224Z
CREATED:20250925T223254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221224Z
UID:10000242-1759590000-1759593000@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:The Human Mask: Yokai and Yurei Wearing Human Faces in Japanese Folklore
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211 • 2nd Floor • 3:00 PM\nThe Human Mask: Yokai and Yurei Wearing Human Faces in Japanese Folklore\nZack Davisson\, New York University\nIn a flip of perspective\, Zack will explain how Yokai are both the mask and the wearer of them.\nMany early tales from Noh theater and Buddhist literature featured supernatural creatures disguised as humans\, with the dénouement coming from when the human mask was dropped and the spirit revealed. This was continued through the Edo period and extends into today’s modern entertainment\, as yokai seek to infiltrate human culture for reasons entirely of their own. \n  \n\n\nAbout Zack Davisson\nZack Davisson is an award-winning writer\, translator\, and lecturer. He is on faculty at NYU in the Translation and Interpretations department and active in his fields.  He has won multiple Eisner awards and the Bram Stoker award. Respected in both academic and popular culture circles\, Davisson played a significant role in making Japanese folklore\, entertainment\, and literature accessible to English-speaking audiences. \n\n\nHe is a regular lecturer at universities\, museums\, and cultural institutes\, as well as appearing on podcasts\, on documentaries\, and as a guest at comic and anime conventions. \n\n\nCurrent projects include ULTIMATE X-MEN for Marvel Comics\, CAT + CRAZY for Dark Horse\, and THE ART OF SHIGERU MIZUKI for Drawn and Quarterly.  \n\n\nDavisson has worked with National Geographic and the Smithsonian\, and has been featured on NPR\, the BBC\, and The New York Times. His original works have been translated into multiple languages.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/the-human-mask-yokai-and-yurei-wearing-human-faces-in-japanese-folklore/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/zack-davisson-duke-university-manga-translator.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T153000
DTSTAMP:20250928T205915Z
CREATED:20250928T205915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T205915Z
UID:10000256-1759588200-1759591800@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Beyond Words: Nonverbal Language
DESCRIPTION:MTC 126B • 1st Floor\nBeyond Words: Nonverbal Language\nInstructed by Yosei Sugawara\nAttend this workshop to learn about nonverbal language used in Japan.\n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/beyond-words-nonverbal-language/
LOCATION:MTC: 1st Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T153000
DTSTAMP:20250928T203053Z
CREATED:20231003T141854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T203053Z
UID:10000253-1759588200-1759591800@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Karuta and Conversation Workshop
DESCRIPTION:MTC 124 • 1st Floor\nKaruta and Conversation Workshop\nHeld by JIAH – Japanese Instructors Association of the Heartland\nJoin Karuta tables for future those who want to practice their character recognition skills\, as well as conversation tables with KU international students from Japan to practice conversation skills.\n\nKaruta tables for future Japanese Language contestants who want to practice their character recognition skills.\nConversation tables will be hosted by native speakers and KU international students from Japan and are open to any level of student looking for practice.\n\nMembers of JIAH are instructors of Japanese at high schools and colleges in Kansas and Missouri. JIAH meets every 3-4 months to discuss Japanese pedagogy\, upcoming Japan-related events\, and plan the annual Heartland Japanese Language Contest. \nInstructors outside Kansas and Missouri are also welcome to join.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/karuta-and-conversation-workshop/2025-10-04/2/
LOCATION:MTC: 1st Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T152000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221154Z
CREATED:20250926T154029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221154Z
UID:10000248-1759588200-1759591200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Their Land is Still a Forest: Ainu in Contemporary Japan
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • Craig Auditorium • 2:30 PM\nTheir Land is Still a Forest: Ainu in Contemporary Japan\nTalk by Dr. Stacia Bensyl\, Missouri Western State University\nThis presentation is a reflection of the famous works of “Our Land Was a Forest: An Ainu Memoir” by Kayano Shigeru\, a noted Ainu folklore expert\, activist and politician as a lens to explore the persisting myths and lifestyles of the indigenous Ainu of northern Japan in contemporary times.\n  \n\nAbout Dr. Stacia Bensyl\n \nDr. Bensyl is a Professor of English at Missouri Western State University\, who also teaches postcolonial and world literatures\, she is a guest lecturer with the Japan Studies Association. \n\n  \n  \n\nImage: Hokkaido\, Japan – Shiraoi Ainu Museum is one of the country’s best museums about the Ainu\, the indigenous people of northern Japan.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/ainu-in-contemporary-japan/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Shiraoi-Ainu-Museum.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T170000
DTSTAMP:20251001T150651Z
CREATED:20250929T134553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T150651Z
UID:10000262-1759586400-1759597200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Monster Mask Origami
DESCRIPTION:GEB 254 • 2nd Floor\nMonster Mask Origami\nInstructed by Michaela Blank\nIn this workshop participants will use their folding skills to make Monster Mask Origami.\nAlthough the models are not overly complex\, we still recommend that participants have previous folding experience and basic folding skills. Due to a limited number of helpers with origami experience\, and seats available\, we will be limiting the number of attendees to 30.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/monster-mask-origami/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/folding-origami.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T160000
DTSTAMP:20250929T154656Z
CREATED:20250929T154656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T154656Z
UID:10000271-1759586400-1759593600@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Feature Film Anime Screening: A Letter to Momo
DESCRIPTION:Nerman • Hudson Auditorium • Second Floor\nFeature Film Anime Screening: A Letter to Momo\nA Letter to Momo is a Japanese anime drama film about 11-year-old Momo\, who moves to a remote island after her father’s death and discovers she is being watched by three hungry\, visible-only-to-her goblins\, leading to an adventure that helps her cope with grief and her mother’s absence. The film beautifully blends lighthearted humor\, drama\, and the spiritual themes of Japanese folklore\, with stunning hand-drawn animation and a focus on emotional depth.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/anime-screening-a-letter-to-momo/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Anime Screenings
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T145000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221132Z
CREATED:20250925T215918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221132Z
UID:10000241-1759586400-1759589400@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:The Inner Life of Monsters: Noh\, Godzilla and Japanese Culture
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211 • 2nd Floor • 2:00 PM\nThe Inner Life of Monsters: Noh\, Godzilla and Japanese Culture\nBill Tsutsui\, Japanese History Scholar\nNoh theater and Godzilla may seem like an unlikely combination\, even though monsters\, demons\, and spirits appear frequently on the Noh stage.\nBy diving deeply into Zeami’s fifteenth century play Nue\, the heroic warrior tale of Minamoto no Yoritomo slaying a monster\, and the 1954 classic Gojira\, this talk will explore the surprising cultural continuities between a rich and ancient theatrical tradition and a popular cinematic form seldom associated with great artistry or sophistication. \n\nAbout Bill Tsutsui\nBill Tsutsui has served as Chancellor and Professor of History at Ottawa University since 2021\, after more than 30 years teaching modern Japanese history and holding a variety of administrative positions at the University of Kansas\, Southern Methodist University\, Hendrix College\, and Harvard University.  Among the eight books he has written or edited are Godzilla on My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters (called a “cult classic” by the New York Times) and Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization.  He continues to speak\, write\, and teach on the Godzilla movies\, monster culture in Japan\, and the environmental history of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/noh-godzilla-and-japanese-culture/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/bill-tsutsui.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T145000
DTSTAMP:20251004T000730Z
CREATED:20250911T204717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251004T000730Z
UID:10000237-1759586400-1759589400@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Japanese Mask Workshop
DESCRIPTION:THIS IS A TICKETED WORKSHOP\nMTC 234 • 2nd Floor • 10:00 AM\, 11:30 AM\, 2:00 PM\nPurchase your ticketed workshops here. \nJapanese Mask Workshop\nParticipants in this workshop will explore the fascinating world of Japanese folklore linked to the prominent masks in Japanese culture and stories.\nEach participant will design and paint either a fox or a cat mask with additional options to personalize their mask with elastic\, tassels\, and decorative bells. All supplies are provided. \nEach workshop is 50 min in length\, limited to 25 participants\, and is best suited for ages 6 or older. One guardian is allowed to be admitted with a youth age 12 or younger.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/japanese-mask-workshop/2025-10-04/3/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Japanese-Mask-Workshop.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T143000
DTSTAMP:20251001T142634Z
CREATED:20250929T144733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T142634Z
UID:10000265-1759584600-1759588200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Influence of Western Fantasy Gaming on Japanese Anime\, Novels & Manga
DESCRIPTION:NMOA 212 • Nerman • Second Floor\nInfluence of Western Fantasy Gaming on Japanese Anime\, Novels & Manga\nTalk by Ai Namima-Davison & Shawn Davison\nJoin Ai Namima-Davison & Shawn Davison from Level One Game shop as they cover the introduction of Dungeons and Dragons into Japan\, leading to the creation of the Record of Lodoss War novelization\, Anime\, and then Sword World and how these early influences have affected modern anime world-building\, writing\, and style.\n  \n\nImage: Main characters for the novel Record of Lodoss War: The Grey Witch. Illustrated by Yutaka Izubuchi.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/influence-of-western-fantasy-gaming/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Record-of-Lodoss-War-Characters.jpg
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T143000
DTSTAMP:20250928T203053Z
CREATED:20231003T141854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T203053Z
UID:10000252-1759584600-1759588200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Karuta and Conversation Workshop
DESCRIPTION:MTC 124 • 1st Floor\nKaruta and Conversation Workshop\nHeld by JIAH – Japanese Instructors Association of the Heartland\nJoin Karuta tables for future those who want to practice their character recognition skills\, as well as conversation tables with KU international students from Japan to practice conversation skills.\n\nKaruta tables for future Japanese Language contestants who want to practice their character recognition skills.\nConversation tables will be hosted by native speakers and KU international students from Japan and are open to any level of student looking for practice.\n\nMembers of JIAH are instructors of Japanese at high schools and colleges in Kansas and Missouri. JIAH meets every 3-4 months to discuss Japanese pedagogy\, upcoming Japan-related events\, and plan the annual Heartland Japanese Language Contest. \nInstructors outside Kansas and Missouri are also welcome to join.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/karuta-and-conversation-workshop/2025-10-04/1/
LOCATION:MTC: 1st Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T142000
DTSTAMP:20250930T221102Z
CREATED:20250926T152213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T221102Z
UID:10000247-1759584600-1759587600@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:From Art to Anime: Myths and Perceptions of the Ainu in Japan and the West
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • Craig Auditorium • 1:30 PM\nFrom Art to Anime: Myths and Perceptions of the Ainu in Japan and the West\nTalk by Dr. Jennifer Welsh\nSince the earliest records of the Ainu\, Hokkaido’s indigenous people\, have often been viewed through myths rather than reality.\nEarly Japanese accounts depict the “Ezo” as dangerous\, uncivilized\, and easily tricked. In the late 19th century\, Isabella Bird’s writings depicted them sympathetically but still framed their culture through Western ideas of noble savages. Today\, increased awareness and revival efforts\, including cultural centers and portrayals in manga like “Golden Kamuy\,” aim to present the Ainu more accurately. This presentation examines how the Ainu have been portrayed across myths and historical sources. \n  \n\nAbout Dr. Jennifer Welsh\n \nDr. Welsh is a professor at both University of Alaska Southeast  and also assistant professor of history at Eastern New Mexico University. \n\n  \n\n  \nImage: Shiraoi-cho\, Hokkaido\, Japan: Ainu woman making traditional clothes at the open-air Shiraoi Ainu Museum. \n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/myths-and-perceptions-of-the-ainu/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ainu-woman.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T124500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T133000
DTSTAMP:20250929T153256Z
CREATED:20250929T153256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T153256Z
UID:10000269-1759581900-1759584600@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Anime Screening: Shirobako
DESCRIPTION:Nerman • Hudson Auditorium • Second Floor\nAnime Screening: Shirobako\nShirobako is an anime series centered on five ambitious high school friends who vow to work in the anime industry together\, only to find the reality of the business challenging and stressful. The story follows Aoi Miyamori as a production assistant at the fictional Musashino Animation\, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the anime production process through a comedic and dramatic lens. The title “Shirobako” refers to the “white box” containing pre-release videos distributed to the production staff.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/anime-screening-shirobako/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Anime Screenings
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T132000
DTSTAMP:20250930T220834Z
CREATED:20250925T230442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T220834Z
UID:10000244-1759581000-1759584000@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • Craig Auditorium • 12:30 PM\nStreet Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani\nDr. Maki Kaneko\, Kansas University Spencer Museum of Art\nAssociate Professor of Japanese Art\nStreet Nihonga presents the remarkable art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)\, a Japanese American artist who adapted his training in traditional Japanese painting to his life on the streets of New York City when he was unhoused later in life.\nHis work conveys a profound narrative of resilience and creativity\, set against the complex history of Japan and the United States in the twentieth century. With more than 120 works on view\, this exhibition offers the first major opportunity for the public to encounter a substantial body of Mirikitani’s art. It highlights both his artistic achievements and his innovative approaches to storytelling through drawing\, painting\, and collage. The exhibition is co-curated with Kris Ercums\, Curator of Global Contemporary and Asian Art at the Spencer Museum of Art and will open in February 2026 \n\nAbout Dr. Maki Kaneko\nMaki Kaneko teaches courses on the history of Japanese modern/contemporary art\, print\, manga\, and architecture from the seventeenth-century to the present and the arts of Asia Americans and Asian diasporas. Her research concerns the politics of memory\, race\, and gender in twentieth-century Japanese visual culture and the Asia-Pacific region. Her book Mirroring the Japanese Empire published in 2014 examines the representation and signification of the male figure in Japanese oil painting and cinema between 1930 and 1950\, the decades when Japan engaged with a series of imperialist wars. Kaneko’s current research includes Japanese American diaspora artists\, the history of “outsider art” in Japan\, and gender and sexuality in contemporary visual culture. \n\nAbout Kris Imants Ercums\nKris Imants Ercums is Curator of Global Contemporary and Asian Art at the Spencer Museum of Art\, where he has curated over 30 exhibitions and 12 artist residencies since 2007. His curatorial practice focuses on Japanese art and visual culture\, with recent projects engaging contemporary ceramics\, postwar painting\, and performance. Upcoming exhibitions include Form and Flux: Contemporary Ceramics from Asia and Brush\, Block\, and Blood: Three Generations of Yoshida Women Printmakers. He earned his PhD in Chinese art history from the University of Chicago in 2014 and is currently co-curating Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani with Maki Kaneko\, opening February 2026. \n\n\nImage Credit: Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani\, Cat Looking at Fish\, circa 2001 \n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/street-nihonga-the-art-of-jimmy-tsutomu-mirikitani/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Art-Nihonga.png
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T121500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T124500
DTSTAMP:20250930T220743Z
CREATED:20250905T210348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T220743Z
UID:10000228-1759580100-1759581900@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Lecture: The Masks of Kagura Musume
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211: Second Floor • 12:15 PM\nLecture: The Masks of Kagura Musume\nLecture by Asuka Iijima\nDiscover the hidden stories behind the masks.\n\nIn this fascinating lecture\, dancer Asuka Iijima unveils the history\, artistry\, and cultural significance of the masks featured in her performance of Kagura Musume. These authentic masks—sourced from a professional Kabuki prop house in Japan—represent a maiden princess\, a fearsome serpent\, a storm god\, and comical festival figures. \nThrough images\, demonstrations\, and storytelling\, Asuka will guide you into the world of Japanese festival traditions\, explaining how masks shape the characters\, movements\, and spirit of Kagura dance. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the symbolism and craftsmanship that bring this legendary tale to life. \n\nABOUT THE PERFORMER\nAsuka Iijima (Wakayagi Kiku Asuka) began her study of Japanese Dancing at age seven\, studying under Master Wakayagi Kichikomae. She has over twenty years of dance training. Her stage performances include: Hane no Kamuro\, Fuji Musume\, Kioi Jishi\, and Shigure Saigyo. She studied abroad for advanced academic degrees from 2000 to 2005 completing both master’s and PhD degrees. Since 2007\, she has been performing to popular Japanese ballads and local folk songs such as Yagibushi rather than traditional kabuki style music. \nIn 2021\, she was certified as Shihan (Master of Japanese Dancing ) and is preparing to open a school of dance. She received a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and English Education from Keio University; a master’s degree in composition and TESOL (a certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and a PhD Degree in Composition and TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Currently\, she is an English instructor at Keio University in Tokyo and serves as an English instructor and tutor for various academic institutions. \n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/lecture-the-masks-of-kagura-musume/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/masks-of-Kagura-Musume.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T130000
DTSTAMP:20250928T212651Z
CREATED:20240918T220502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T212651Z
UID:10000160-1759579200-1759582800@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Tanka Workshop
DESCRIPTION:MTC 224 • 2nd Floor\nTanka Workshop\nInstructed by Linda Galvane\nLearn the art of Tanka\, a Japanese poem consisting of five lines\, the first and third of which have five syllables and the other seven\, making 31 syllables in all and giving a complete picture of an event or mood.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/tanka-workshop/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tanka2.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T124500
DTSTAMP:20250929T153042Z
CREATED:20250929T152946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T153042Z
UID:10000268-1759579200-1759581900@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Anime Screening: Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
DESCRIPTION:Nerman • Hudson Auditorium • Second Floor\nAnime Screening: Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night\nJellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night is an anime about four young women — an artist who gave up drawing\, a retired idol\, a VTuber\, and a composer — who form an anonymous art group in the bustling Shibuya district of Tokyo. The group\, called JELEE\, creates music and content to become a global phenomenon\, with the story exploring their personal struggles with past traumas\, identities\, and finding their place in the world.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/anime-screening-jellyfish-cant-swim-in-the-night/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Anime Screenings
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T114500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T121500
DTSTAMP:20251001T151642Z
CREATED:20250928T204814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T151642Z
UID:10000254-1759578300-1759580100@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Karuta for Kids
DESCRIPTION:MTC 126A • 1st Floor\nKaruta for Kids\nMiki Shono\, University of Kansas\nKids will learn how to play Karuta\, traditional Japanese playing cards that feature Japanese proverbs and kana characters.\n  \n\nImage Source: Takahiro Maruyama
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/karuta-for-kids/
LOCATION:MTC: 1st Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kids-playing-karuta-1.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T123000
DTSTAMP:20251001T140344Z
CREATED:20231002T220739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T140344Z
UID:10000130-1759577400-1759581000@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Takeshi’s Castle Episode 81 Screening
DESCRIPTION:GEB 258 • Second Floor\nTakeshi’s Castle Episode 81 Screening\nJoshua Murphy\nJoin is for a screening of the Japanese Game Show that\, for most\, defines the genre: Takeshi’s Castle.\nThe Japanese game show that went from being a television footnote\, to airing in over 100 different countries was remade in over a dozen places. The recent Takeshi’s Castle Amazon revival will also be touched upon. This lecture will explain the history of one of the most successful Japanese game show franchises–the history of how a segment on a sports competition show became the worldwide phenomenon of Ninja Warrior.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/the-history-of-takeshis-castle/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Takeshis-Castle-image.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T122000
DTSTAMP:20250926T144237Z
CREATED:20250926T143147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T144237Z
UID:10000246-1759577400-1759580400@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Masked Superheroes in Japan
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • CRAIG AUDITORIUM • 11:30 AM\nMasked Superheroes in Japan\nTalk by Dr. Alisa Freedman\, University of Oregon\nFrom Moonlight Mask (Gekko Kamen) to Super Sentai bands of fighters in Ultraman\, masked Superheroes have been a staple of Japanese television. What lies behind their masks?\n  \n\nAbout Dr. Alisa Freedman\n \nAlisa Freedman is an Associate Professor of Japanese Literature and Film at the University of Oregon. She has published articles and edited special journal issues on Japanese modernism\, Tokyo studies\, youth culture\, gender\, television\, humor as social critique\, teaching pedagogies\, and intersections of literature and digital media\, along with translations of Japanese literature. She is Editor-in-Chief of the U.S.-Japan Women’s Journal. \n  \n  \n\n  \nImage Credit: Choudenshi Bioman (1984)
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/masked-superheroes-in-japan/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/choudenshi-bioman.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T122000
DTSTAMP:20251004T000730Z
CREATED:20250911T204717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251004T000730Z
UID:10000236-1759577400-1759580400@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Japanese Mask Workshop
DESCRIPTION:THIS IS A TICKETED WORKSHOP\nMTC 234 • 2nd Floor • 10:00 AM\, 11:30 AM\, 2:00 PM\nPurchase your ticketed workshops here. \nJapanese Mask Workshop\nParticipants in this workshop will explore the fascinating world of Japanese folklore linked to the prominent masks in Japanese culture and stories.\nEach participant will design and paint either a fox or a cat mask with additional options to personalize their mask with elastic\, tassels\, and decorative bells. All supplies are provided. \nEach workshop is 50 min in length\, limited to 25 participants\, and is best suited for ages 6 or older. One guardian is allowed to be admitted with a youth age 12 or younger.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/japanese-mask-workshop/2025-10-04/2/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Japanese-Mask-Workshop.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T121500
DTSTAMP:20250728T153715Z
CREATED:20220927T153449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T153715Z
UID:10000021-1759576500-1759580100@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Tea Ceremony Lecture & Demonstration
DESCRIPTION:MTC: Polsky Theatre • 11:15 AM\nTea Ceremony Lecture & Demonstration\nDemonstrated by Yoko Hiraoka and Yuri Iijima\nAttendees will have the opportunity to witness\, and several attendees will have the opportunity to participate in\, a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.\nAttendees will all have the opportunity to learn about the history and practice of the Tea Ceremony\, as well as observe a demonstration of this special practice. \n\nAbout Yoko Hiraoka \nYoko Hiraoka began her study of the Japanese Tea Ceremony at the age of 14 in the Ura-senke style\, later moving to the Omote-senke tradition in Kyoto Japan. Her core training took place in Shõgaku-ji Temple in Hyogo prefecture. She is an Omote-senke licensed teacher with the tea name: ‘Sôrei’\, meaning ‘Clear Awareness’. \nShe now teaches tea from her home in Colorado where she has a traditional tea garden and teahouse named ‘Busshin-an’ (House of Buddha’s Heart). She is a senior master performer/teacher of classical Koto\, Biwa\, and Shamisen music. \n\nAbout Yuri Iijima \nYuri Iijima is a Tea Master from Maebashi\, Japan\, trained in the Edo-senke school of Tea Ceremony. She has studied tea ceremony for 40 years and is a licensed tea master holding a Shinnodaisu certification. In addition to her tea training\, Yuri holds licenses for Ikebana (flower arranging) in the Sougetsu school and is also a Kimono specialist. She is a retired Junior High art teacher and owns and operates a school for Japanese cultural arts called Nagomi-ryu Bunkadou\, located in Isesaki\, Japan (Springfield\, Missouri’s sister city). She provides instruction in Tea\, Flower arranging\, wearing Kimono\, watercolor\, and other arts.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/tea-ceremony-demonstration/
LOCATION:MTC: Polsky Theatre
CATEGORIES:Demonstrations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TeaCeremony-1200.jpg
GEO:38.925458397354;-94.727636310904
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T120000
DTSTAMP:20250929T152456Z
CREATED:20250929T152456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T152456Z
UID:10000267-1759576500-1759579200@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Anime Screening: Senryu Girl
DESCRIPTION:Nerman • Hudson Auditorium • Second Floor\nAnime Screening: Senryu Girl\nSenryu Girl is a Japanese comedy anime and manga series about Nanako Yukishiro\, a cheerful high school girl who communicates solely through written senryu poems (5-7-5 syllable poems focused on people and emotions) instead of speaking\, and her budding romance with an ex-delinquent best friend\, Eiji Busujima\, as they navigate their school life and literature club activities.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/anime-screening-senryu-girl/
LOCATION:Nerman: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Anime Screenings
GEO:38.924880809544;-94.726821038974
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T115000
DTSTAMP:20250930T220039Z
CREATED:20250924T190044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T220039Z
UID:10000238-1759575600-1759578600@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:The Noh Mask Reimagined: From Tradition to the Mona Lisa
DESCRIPTION:MTC 211 • 2nd Floor • 11:00 AM\nThe Noh Mask Reimagined: From Tradition to the Mona Lisa\nTalk by Dr. Kris Imants Ercums\nKansas University Spencer Museum of Art\, Curator of Global Contemporary and Asian Art \nThis talk explores the transformation of tradition in the art of Noh mask carving\, focusing on masks from the Spencer Museum of Art’s collection and the contemporary work of master carver Bidou Yamaguchi.\nRooted in centuries-old techniques and the austere beauty of classical Noh theater\, traditional masks embody the Japanese aesthetic of yūgen—a subtle\, mysterious depth that hints at the unseen. Yamaguchi\, a formally trained Noh mask maker\, honors this tradition while expanding its expressive potential. Over the past decade\, he has turned his gaze toward iconic figures of Western art\, such as the Mona Lisa and Girl with a Pearl Earring\, reimagining them as Noh masks infused with yūgen. Most recently\, he has introduced a bold new category: “persona” masks\, which draw on contemporary and historical Western portraiture to explore questions of identity and cultural hybridity. Through a close examination of historic and contemporary masks\, this talk reflects on how inherited forms are reactivated through cross-cultural engagement and artistic innovation. Yamaguchi’s work not only bridges East and West but also deepens our understanding of how tradition can be a dynamic and living force in global contemporary art. \n\nAbout Kris Imants Ercums\nKris Imants Ercums is Curator of Global Contemporary and Asian Art at the Spencer Museum of Art\, where he has curated over 30 exhibitions and 12 artist residencies since 2007. His curatorial practice focuses on Japanese art and visual culture\, with recent projects engaging contemporary ceramics\, postwar painting\, and performance. Upcoming exhibitions include Form and Flux: Contemporary Ceramics from Asia and Brush\, Block\, and Blood: Three Generations of Yoshida Women Printmakers. He earned his PhD in Chinese art history from the University of Chicago in 2014 and is currently co-curating Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani with Maki Kaneko\, opening February 2026. \n  \n\n\nMask Image Credit: Bidou Yamaguchi | Artist
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/the-noh-mask-reimagined/
LOCATION:MTC: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/noh-masks-reimagined.jpg
GEO:38.9251032;-94.7281012
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T113000
DTSTAMP:20250929T135400Z
CREATED:20221001T152841Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T135400Z
UID:10000043-1759573800-1759577400@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:A Look at Japanese Game Shows on American Television
DESCRIPTION:GEB 258 • Second Floor\nA Look at Japanese Game Shows on American Television\nJoshua Murphy\nIn this presentation\, Joshua Murphy will look at Japanese Game and Variety Shows and their effect on the American television landscape.\nTakeshi’s Castle\, Ninja Warrior\, Ultra Quiz\, Shark Tank and America’s Funniest Home videos are some of the shows that will be discussed and seen in this panel. \nJoshua Murphy is a Historian who has interviewed over 100 television personalities\, producers\, and distributors. He has been a Japanese Gameshow fan for over a decade and has been studying Japanese Gameshows for over ten years.
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/a-look-at-japanese-game-shows-on-american-television/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251004T112000
DTSTAMP:20250930T215839Z
CREATED:20250926T142154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T215839Z
UID:10000245-1759573800-1759576800@www.kcjapanfestival.org
SUMMARY:Godzilla in America: Japan's Monster in Western Cinema
DESCRIPTION:GEB 233 • Craig Auditorium • 10:30 AM\nGodzilla in America: Japan’s Monster in Western Cinema\nTalk by Dr. Michael Charlton\, Missouri Western State University\nA Fun exploration of how Godzilla and Godzilla films have been adapted for Western audiences over the past 70 years.\n  \n\nAbout Dr. Michael Charlton\nDr. Charlton is the Vice Provost\, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs\, Professor of English at Missouri Western State University. He has published a wide variety of works on topics related to television\, film\, video games\, and comics. \n  \n  \n\n  \nGodzilla 1954 Image Credit: Toho Co.\, Ltd \n 
URL:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/event/godzilla-in-america/
LOCATION:GEB: 2nd Floor
CATEGORIES:Cultural Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Godzilla-1954.jpg
GEO:38.924261110731;-94.729228437157
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR