Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

November has arrived, and autumn will soon reach its peak in Japan with the arrival of autumn foliage. For those with plans to travel to Japan, you can expect to enjoy the gorgeous red and yellow leaves throughout this month in different regions. For those without any plans, I hope that you were able to appreciate a taste of fall’s beauty at JCC during our various Ikebana events, including the annual exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore...(Click here to read more)

Hana Tsutsumi Workshop

The Ohara School of Ikebana Singapore Chapter held a Hana Tsutsumi workshop at JCC on 3 October 2024. Hana Tsutsumi is a traditional form of flower presentation dating back to ancient times in Japan, and combines the art of ikebana, origami and gift wrapping. After Ms Daisy Koh, President of Ohara School of Ikebana Singapore Chapter, welcomed everyone, Datin Ong Kid Ching, a renowned Ikebana artist in Singapore and...(Click here to read more)

Visions in Motion: Gakuryu Ishii ~ JFF 2024 Masterclass by Film Director Gakuryu Ishii ~

In conjunction with our Japanese Film Festival 2024, JCC, the Singapore Film Society and the Japan Foundation held a masterclass by film director Mr Gakuryu Ishii on Saturday, 5 October 2024. During the session, he talked about his journey in filmmaking and also gave an in-depth sharing about his latest feature film ‘The Box Man’, adapted from a novel by...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Webinar: Online Sharing Session

On 12 October 2024, the Study in Japan Webinar was held in collaboration with Spring Magazine, Okayama University, Waseda University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Metropolitan University and Ritsumeikan University. Close to 120 people joined the online presentations by the universities. Representatives from the Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore (JUGAS) and the Singapore Student’s Association...(Click here to read more)

Shojin Ryori ~温故知新 Learning from the Past & Present~

JCC held an enlightening talk about Shojin Ryori, traditional Japanese vegetarian cuisine, on 12 October 2024, in collaboration with Alchemist. Ms Yasuko Aoki from Alchemist first introduced plant-based food. Following which, Ms Mari Fujii, an expert who has been engaged in Shojin Ryori for more than 40 years, proceeded to explain about its rich history, philosophy, and cultural significance. Ms Yuka Yamasaki, assistant to Ms Fujii and...(Click here to read more)

JET Programme Briefing 2024

The JET Programme Briefing Session was held in-person at JCC on 15 October 2024 , and online on 19 October 2023. Jointly organised by JET Alumni Association (JETAA) Singapore, J.CLAIR Singapore, and Embassy of Japan in Singapore, participants were able 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...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Autumn Breeze ~ An Exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 ~

The opening ceremony of Autumn Breeze ~ An Exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 ~ was held at JCC on 18 October 2024. JCC Director Ms Akiko Kawabe and I.I. President Ms Anna Kwan welcomed the guests and expressed their gratitude to those who were instrumental to the exhibition. This was followed by a live demonstration by Ms Chua Lee Hong...(Click here to read more)

Ikebana with Unconventional Materials

Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 held an Ikebana workshop at JCC on 19 October 2024. Participants learnt to explore creating and expressing new Ikebana with unconventional materials that can be found in daily life. Ms Widiana, Co-Chair of the Workshop Committee for I.I. Singapore Chapter 135, first welcomed everyone on behalf of I.I. President Ms Anna Kwan. After which, Ms Chua Lee Hong, who is accredited...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's visit to the opening preview of The World of Studio Ghibli Singapore Exhibition

H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the opening preview of The World of Studio Ghibli Singapore Exhibition at ArtScience Museum on 2 October. Commencing with speeches by Ms Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum and Mr Nonaka Shinsuke, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs of Studio Ghibli, the Ambassador had the privilege to...(Click here to read more)

Visit to Overseas Family School

On Friday 18 October 2024, Second Secretary Ms Mana Yamaguchi visited the Overseas Family School for its Japanese Culture Day to give a presentation about Japan, namely on the Japanese Parliament to Japanese-speaking students and Kyudo (Japanese archery) to international students. Ms Yamaguchi was impressed by the dance performance put up by the students, and she was delighted to have received many questions...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director’s Visit to KAGAMI

Ryuichi Sakamoto returned to us to perform his repertoire at the piano! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe was among the audience at KAGAMI, a transcendental concert by the late legendary composer and cultural icon that Japan is proud of, on 25 October at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. In fact, Sakamoto appeared only to the members of the audience who wore special glasses that were innovated by the studio Tin Drum, the premier creator...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador’s visit to Singapore Taiko Matsuri

On 27th October, H.E Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the first ever Singapore TAIKO Matsuri at Our Tampines Hub organised by Hibikiya with a huge turnout of enthusiastic audiences. The event saw an impressive line-up of local and international taiko groups such as Kozoku & Rakuzoku - The Performing Teams of Kg Chai Chee CC Daiko, Gindaiko, The Japanese...(Click here to read more)

Nyonin Koya and the History of Female Pilgrims at Koyasan

Koyasan is the spiritual center of Shingon Buddhism, an esoteric school of Buddhism founded in the ninth century by Kukai (known posthumously as Kobo Daishi), one of the most influential figures in the rich history of Japanese Buddhism. For centuries, worshippers from members of the imperial family to ordinary people have made pilgrimages to the sacred grounds of Koyasan, in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture...(Click here to read more)

Gomadoufu (Sesame tofu)

“Sesame tofu” is said to have originated as one of the vegetarian Buddhist dishes eaten by monks practicing austere asceticism at Mount Koya, a temple settlement founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) roughly 1,200 years ago. Sesame is an extremely nutritious food that was once considered to be a valuable medicine in China. It is said that Kobo Daishi, who traveled to China as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, brought sesame back to Mount Koya...(Click here to read more)

Momiji Festivals

With the coming of autumn, nature's brilliant reds and yellows make their annual appearance. In Japan, while spring is the time for viewing cherry blossoms, autumn is the season for appreciating koyo, or the changing colors of leaves. Visiting mountains draped in breathtaking color, like cherry blossom-viewing, is a tradition that dates back many centuries, and it's an occasion to appreciate the beauty and blessings of nature.

In November, when the autumn foliage is at its peak, numerous momiji festivals are held throughout the country...(Click here to read more)