JCC E-Magazine November 2021

Opening Ceremony of Japanese Film Festival Singapore 2021

Overview

We celebrated a colourful line-up of films during last month's Japanese Film Festival! Besides that, JCC hosted a wide range of online events including the JET Programme Online Briefing 2021, gold-leafing online workshop by Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office, and a webinar about Umeshu (plum wine).

Please stay tuned to our updates as we continue to present different sides of Japan and Japanese culture to everyone. In the meantime, do continue to keep up-to-date with our Zoom In! series on our Facebook and Instagram.

Director's Message

Konnichiwa!

This past October has been an exciting month at JCC! We were happy to have hosted a wide array of events that encompassed a large variety of topics. In the beginning of the month, ikebana enthusiasts were treated to an exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135. Near the tail end of the month, those interested in Japanese craft and food culture took part in online talks about Ishikawa gold leafing as well as umeshu.

October also saw the return of the Japanese Film Festival! This year, we were fortunate to be able to have a physical opening ceremony. I was heartened to see...(Click here to read more)

JCC Events

		Opening of Japanese Film Festival 2021 The Japanese Film Festival 2021 was officially opened with "It’s a Summer Film!", a teen fantasy film directed by Mr. Soushi Matsumoto at Shaw Theatres Lido on Thursday, 7 October 2021. H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki and Mr. Kenneth Tan, Chairman of the Singapore Film Society, attended the screening. Both the Ambassador and Mr. Tan gave opening remarks to welcome and thank all who came to watch. There was also a Q&A...(Click here to read more)

		Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme (JET Programme) Online Briefing 2021 Two JET Programme briefing sessions were held online on 21 and 25 October 2021 respectively, with more than 110 participants coming to learn more about the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Programme, and the experiences of those who have been on this unique programme. Representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore and J.CLAIR Singapore provided...(Click here to read more)

		Go for Gold: Gold-leafing online workshop by Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office The gold-leafing online workshop was held for the third time in collaboration with Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office on Saturday, 23 October 2021, in conjunction with the opening of the antenna shop "Flavours of Ishikawa" at Takashimaya Shopping Centre. Close to 70 participants...(Click here to read more)

		Umeshu: Fragrant Flavours of Japanese Fruit Liquor "Umeshu - Fragrant Flavours of Japanese Fruit Liquor" was held successfully on Wednesday, 28 Oct 2021! The hour-long webinar started with an introduction regarding the history and cultural significance of ume plums and the ume plum tree, followed by a presentation from Mr Ueda....(Click here to read more)

JCC Related Events

Culture x Japan x Tea

Ambassador Jun Yamazaki delivered his remarks at the event "Culture x Japan x Tea" at 10 Square @ Orchard Central on 23 October 2021, organised by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their establishment. Ms Sochoku Nakabayashi, Chief of Administration of the Association, explained the various aspects of chado (the Way of Tea) in her lecture, including its history, the aesthetic sense of its founder Sen no Rikyu, and the spirit of humility inherent in...(Click here to read more)

Cultural Articles

Mashiko Ware: The Evolution of Japanese Pottery in Tochigi

Tochigi Prefecture is a destination well known for its scenic landscape and its delicious fare. Visitors can feast their eyes on ancient temples and the deep, verdant green of the Nikko region, and then feast for real in Utsunomiya, a city that is home to hundreds of gyoza restaurants and the host of an annual Gyoza Festival. However, did you know....(Click here to read more)

Shichi-go-san: Children, Kimono, and Candy!

Autumn is one of the best seasons to experience Japan—visitors can feast their eyes on the brilliant oranges and reds of the autumnal landscape, and whet their appetite on the delicious fruits, vegetables, and fishes of the season. Many regions also hold festivals during this season. Visitors to Kyoto in October can watch an extravagant parade as part of the...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Cultural Fact for November

Shichi-go-san

November 15 is Shichi-go-san, a day of prayer for the healthy growth of young children. Shichi-go-san literally means seven, five, three; in most regions around the country, boys and girls aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven visit a Shinto shrine with their parents. Most girls wear kimonos when making their Shichi-go-san visit, while boys don haori jackets and hakama trousers. In recent years, though, an increasing number of children are wearing Western-style dresses and suits.

In medieval times, aristocratic and samurai families celebrated the growth of infants into healthy boys and girls...(Click here to read more)

Notice

■ The Japan Foundation grant program for FY2021 (Japanese / English)

■ Enjoy Free Japanese Lessons here on NHK World!

Notices regarding the COVID-19 situation

■ JCC has updated our Safety Measures

■ Japanese Government Initiatives for COVID-19

■ Embassy of Japan in Singapore Facebook