Ann Arbor Japan Week 2019

Ann Arbor Japan Week 2019

Sunday, June 16th through Saturday, June 22rd

The Center for Japanese Studies presents Ann Arbor Japan Week! Join us June 16th through June 22nd for a week of Japan-related programming designed for families and youth. All events are free and open to the public.

Ann Arbor Japan Week will kick off with a free, family-friendly anime screening of Ponyo on Sunday, June 16th at 3pm at the Michigan Theater. This year’s programming will include activities such as family arts activities at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Japanese arts and crafts workshops at the Downtown Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library, martial arts at the YMCA and Ann Arbor Summer Festivals, plus the opportunity to examine azalea bonsai at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens every day through June 22. There will also be restaurant specials throughout Ann Arbor Japan Week: 10% off food and 50% off house sake at Nagomi Sushi and Izakaya, and 10% off at Slurping Turtle--just mention Ann Arbor Japan Week!

See below for complete event listings, and email us at umcjs@umich.edu with any questions. Ann Arbor Japan Week is co-sponsored by the Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation.

Download the full brochure and schedule.

Volunteers Needed

Would you like to volunteer to help us organize the Ann Arbor Japan Week events? We would appreciate the help! Sign up here.

Sunday, 6/16

• Japanese Storytime at the AADL Malletts Creek Library Program Room, 3090 E. Eisenhower, 1-1:45pm, ages 5 and under (immersive Japanese experience).
• Drawing in the Japan Gallery at the Detroit Institute of Art, 5200 Woodward Ave., 12-4pm, all ages welcome for this drop-in activity.
• Ann Arbor Japan Week Kickoff film screening of Ponyo at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., 3pm.

Monday, 6/17

• Azalea Bonsai Viewing at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, where you can examine a collection of azalea bonsai in bloom, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., 10am-8pm.
• NHK’s Mark of Beauty, AADL Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth, 3-6pm. Join us for an afternoon of NHK International’s Japanese TV show, Mark of Beauty. Beauty in all things. Explore the beauty to be discovered in the places, objects, arts, and craft of Japan’s daily life.
• Japanese Video Games, University of Michigan Library Computer & Video Game Archive, Duderstadt Center room B474, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd., 5-7pm. Come to the gaming center to enjoy playing games on the Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 64, PS3, PS Vita, Sega Saturn, Wonderswan, Super Famicom and Atari systems.
• Fiber Arts Lab: Sashiko Embroidery, AADL Downtown Library: Secret Lab, 343 S. Fifth Ave., 7-8:30pm, grades 6 to adult. This week Fiber Arts Lab will be demonstrating the basics of sashiko stitching, a traditional embroidery style from Japan. They will provide everything you need to get started. Stop in and learn the basics. Or, feel free to bring along another project you've been working on (knitting, crochet, or embroidery) and hang out with us while enjoying the company of other crafters. No prior experience necessary.

Tuesday, 6/18

• The Fashion & Art of Japanese Textiles Workshop, Weiser Hall room 455, 500 Church St., 4-5:30pm, grade 6 to adult.  Enjoy a presentation on kimono fashion and the art of tsumami zaiku followed by a tsumami zaiku workshop. Registration required here.
• Japanese Fashion Photo Booth, Weiser Hall room 455, 500 Church St., 6-7pm, ages 5 and up. Wear your favorite Japanese fashions or try on traditional and modern kimono and yukata!
• Moss Tray Landscapes, AADL Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby, 343 S. Fifth Ave., 7-8:30pm, grades 6 to adult. Learn how to make miniature landscapes with moss inspired by Japanese gardens.

Wednesday, 6/19

• Early Literacy Program Storytime at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch, 5201 Woodward Ave., 10:30-11am, ages 2.5-5 in English with caregivers.
• Women’s World Cup Watch Party: Japan v. England at Slurping Turtle Ringo Room, 608 E. Liberty, 2:30pm. Appetizers provided, other menu items available for purchase. Space is limited and RSVP is required at umcjs@umich.edu.
• NHK’s Kawaii International & Bento Expo, AADL Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth, 3-6pm. Bento Expo presents bento ideas sent in from around the world--and learn how to make your own!
• Letterpress Lab with Japanese Crests, AADL Downtown Library: Secret Lab, 343 S. Fifth, 6-8:30pm, grades 6 to adult. Print and learn about Japanese crests! Materials provided.

Thursday, 6/20

• Family Art Studio: The Six Senses of Buddhism, University of Michigan Museum of Art multipurpose room, 525 S. State St., 11am-1pm & 2-4pm, ages 6 and up accompanied by an adult. RSVP required
• Ikebana Flower Arranging Demo with the Ann Arbor Ikebana International Chapter, AADL Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby, 343 S. Fifth Ave., 7-8pm.
• Japanese Festival Games, Ann Arbor Summer Festival KidZone Tent, 5-8pm, ages 4-14
• Bon Odori: Japanese Summer Dance, Ann Arbor Summer Festival Retreat Series, Power Center Lawn, 5-6pm. Join Minae Sawai (Cultural Exchange Facilitator from the Japan Foundation) for an introduction to the Japanese summer festival dance of Bon Odori! Participants will learn the basic steps and history of the dance. Join the facebook event here.

Friday, 6/21

• Temaki-sushi workshop, AADL Downtown Library: Lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6-7:30pm. Demonstration of Japanese style temaki (hand-rolled) sushi by Kanako Morishita from the Japan Outreach Initiative, followed by a make-your-own workshop.

Saturday, 6/22

• Storytime at the Museum: Japanese Art, University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA). Meet in front of the UMMA store, 11:15am-12pm. Ages 4-7. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No registration required.
• Taiko Drumming Performance, AADL Downtown Library: Lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 3pm

Download the full brochure and schedule.

• Ann Arbor District Library
• Ann Arbor Ikebana International Chapter
• Ann Arbor Japanese Language Meetup GroupAnn Arbor Summer Festival
• Ann Arbor Summer Festival
• Cinetopia Film Festival
• Detroit Institute of Art
• Detroit Public Library
• Grassroots Exchange Network - Japan
• Godaiko Drummers
• Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation
• Japan Foundation
• Japan Outreach Initiative
• Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
• Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program
• The Michigan and State Theaters
• Nagomi Sushi Downtown
• Sakura Performance Group
  
• Slurping Turtle
• University of Michigan Library Computer & Video Game Archive
• University of Michigan Museum of Art