Experience the history, culture of Japan at SHU’s Japan Week

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures invites the community to Japan Week 2016 from Monday, April 4, through Friday, April 8. Japan Week gives participants the opportunity to build a bridge between cultures that will enable the sharing of knowledge and experiences of Japan through lectures, symposia, workshops, events and awards. The events are free and open to the public.

Now in its 18th year, Japan Week seeks to foster a greater understanding of Japan and its people. It is the university’s hope that participants will become leaders in a flourishing dialog between Japan and the United States and will work toward building a more peaceful global community, according to a press release from the school

The Seton Hall University Japan Week 2016 schedule is as follows:

Schedule for Monday, April 4:

• 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. — SHU-Japan Exchange Program, participants will report their experiences with the SHU-Japan Exchange Program during summer 2015; this event is hosted by professor Maria Bouzas, director of the Office of International Programs, in Beck Room.
• 10:30 to 10:55 a.m. — Japanese Language & Digital Storytelling Awards Ceremony. The Japanese Program announces its best and most motivated learners of the Japanese language and through the Digital Storytelling Awards. Awards will be presented by Dean Christopher Kaiser and professor Michael Stone, director of Language and Resource Center, in Beck Room.

Schedule for Tuesday, April 5:

• 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — A Hanko, or Japanese seal, making workshop. Participants will make their own Hanko seal. The first 40 participants will receive Hanko-making kits. Participants must provide original designs for their stamp. This is hosted by professor Shigeru Osuka, Japanese Program, in Beck Room.
• 5 to 7:30 p.m. — Japan Week Movie Night: “Sugihara Chiune” will explore the life of the Japanese diplomat who was appointed in a vice-consul and later a consul in Lithuania, and saved more than 6,000 Jewish lives by issuing transit visas during the outbreak of World War II. The film will be screened in Beck Room with light refreshments.

Schedule for Wednesday, April 6:

• 10 to 10:45 a.m. — Remembering the fifth anniversary of the March 11, 2011, Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Dr. Shigeru Osuka examines the relief effort for the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated coastal areas of the Tohoku region in 2011. This event, hosted by campus ministry, will be in Fahy Hall 236. Prayers of intercession will be provided by Rev. Nicholas Figurelli, associate director of campus ministry.
• Noon to 1 p.m. — Experience Kendama, a traditional Japanese toy with three cups and a spike that fits into the hole in the ball. All participants will receive prizes at this event hosted by the Asian Studies Association and held in the Pirate’s Cove in the university center.

Schedule for Thursday, April 7:

• 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Haiku and Japanese calligraphy workshop. Participants will learn how to express feelings through haiku and calligraphy. This event, held in Beck Room, is hosted by professor Hiroko Ishikawa, Japanese Program.

Schedule for Friday, April 8:

• 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — The 19th annual Graduate Student & School Teacher Symposium on Japanese Studies in Fahy Hall 129. Eight graduate student papers will be presented. The Keynote Speech, “Learning and Teaching Second Language Pronunciation: Creative Applications of Technology in Language Classrooms,” will be given by Dr. Tomoko Shibata, Department of East Asian Studies, Princeton University. The event will include a memorial gathering for the late professor Gary S. Andrasko at 11:30 a.m.

For more information about Japan Week 2016, contact Japan Week Director Shigeru Osuka at 973-275-2712 or orosukashi@shu.edu, and visit the website here.

  Seton Hall University