Sunday, June 16th through Saturday, June 22nd

Iaido Workshop, Saturday June 22 at 2pm

The Center for Japanese Studies presents the tenth annual Ann Arbor Japan Week!

Join us June 16th through the 22nd for a week of Japan-related programming designed for families and youth. All events are free and open to the public.

This year’s programming includes traditional Japanese sweets, manga drawing, music performances, an iaido workshop, and  a free, family-friendly screening of Mary and the Witch’s Flower on Thursday, June 20 at the Michigan Theater at 6:30pm.

See below for a complete list of events and email us at umcjs@umich.edu with any questions.

Scheduled Events

Sunday, June 16

  • No events this day

Monday, June 17

  • Japan Block Print Demonstration with Artist Nobuko Yamasaki
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6–7pm
    Join us for a demonstration and talk by artist Nobuko Yamasaki. Mokuhanga is a traditional Japanese technique for woodblock printing. It is best known for the ukiyo-e style prints popular in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868).

Tuesday, June 18

  • Wagashi Confectionery Making Demonstration with Toshiko Sugii Steffes
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 2–3pm
    Join us for a demonstration on making and decorating nerikiri representing the four seasons by Toshiko Sugii Steffes. Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections originally made to be served at tea ceremonies.
    This demonstration will happen twice, first at 2:00pm then again at 6:00pm.
  • Wagashi Confectionery Making Demonstration with Toshiko Sugii Steffes
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6-8pm
    Join us for a demonstration on making and decorating nerikiri representing the four seasons by Toshiko Sugii Steffes. Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections originally made to be served at tea ceremonies.
    This demonstration will happen twice, first at 2:00pm then again at 6:00pm.

Wednesday, June 19

  • Kimono Demonstration & Viewing
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 2–3pm
    Representatives from the Japanese Society of Detroit's Women's Club will demonstrate how to wear a Kimono and you will get a chance to see some beautiful examples up close! 
  • Letterpress Lab - Japanese Family Crests
    AADL Downtown Library, Secret Lab, 343 S. Fifth, 5:30–7:30pm
    Jillian Locke, Project Coordinator, Center for Japanese Studies will present a short talk about the history of traditional Japanese family crests, and share information about the selection of crest plates that are part of AADL's Letterpress collection.  
  • Performance: Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6–7pm
    Join us for a Japanese Festival with Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group. The performing artists, hailing from hometowns in both Japan and the Midwest USA, come together to share the soundscapes of traditional music.

Thursday, June 20

  • Star Festival Paper Lanterns
    AADL Downtown Library, Multi-Purpose Room, 343 S. Fifth, 1–2pm
    Tanabata, or the Star Festival, starts on July 7th every year in Japan. Come learn about the festival and make some paper lantern decorations to celebrate!
  • Japan Week Feature Film: Mary and the Witch’s Flower
    Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., 6:30pm.
    Watch the film trailer | Reserve your FREE ticket
    Mary is an ordinary young girl stuck in the country with her Great-Aunt Charlotte and seemingly no adventures or friends in sight. She follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest, where she discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blossoms only once every seven years and only in that forest. Together the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds, and far away to Endor College – a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try to set things right.
    Language: Presented with English dubbing. 2017. 103 min. Anime/fantasy. Rated PG

Friday, June 21

  • No events this day

Saturday, June 22

  • Japanese Storytime with Momo Kajiwara
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 11–11:30am
    Local music teacher Momo Kajiwara will lead us in song, movement, and storytelling in Japanese!
  • Iaido Workshop
    Room TBA, 2–3pm.
    Learn about iaido, a Japanese martial art, and sword history from instructor Peter Boylan of the Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice some basic iaido techniques.
  • Mini Shoebox Obliteration Rooms
    AADL Downtown Library, Multi-Purpose Room, 343 S. Fifth, 4–6pm
    Create a miniature version of Yayoi Kusama's famous interactive art installations. Hand assemble paper dollhouse-sized furniture, use it to furnish a white-walled shoebox 'room', then add tiny colorful stickers to your heart's content.
  • Kusama Infinity: the Life and art of Yayoi Kusama
    AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6–7:30pm
    The top-selling female artist in the world, Yayoi Kusama overcame impossible odds to bring her radical artistic vision to the world stage. People are experiencing her installation Infinity Mirrored Rooms, as she continues to create new work every day. 76 min, unrated.

Partners

  • Ann Arbor District Library
  • Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation
  • Japan Society of Detroit Women's Club
  • Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai
  • Marquee Arts: Michigan and State Theaters
  • Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group
  • Wagashi Studio

Ann Arbor Japan Week 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 live on in the archives. Check them out to get a notion of how the week has evolved.