This festival is presented by World Languages and Cultures, Asian Studies Program and the AUC Japan Club.
Registration is not required to attend the virtual sessions. Click the name of the session to join at the appropriate time.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Japanese Pop Culture
9 - 10 a.m. | Virtual
JIU Students, Tokyo, Japan
Popular culture, or pop culture, is generally considered the sum of concepts, ideas, attitudes, icons and trends that are embedded in the lives of mainstream society. Japanese pop culture has its own distinct characteristics that make it hugely appealing. For one, it celebrates modern trends and perceptions of the general populace while staying connected with traditional art forms. Not only that, but pop culture in Japan is so colorful, eclectic and unique that it has attracted a global following and has seeped into other countries’ cultural consciousness. This virtual session will be led by former students and will focus on contemporary Japanese pop culture, including anime.

Japanese Calligraphy-Shodo
10 - 11 a.m. | Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center Lobby
Yasumin Tarui & Minako Ahearn
Japanese calligraphy (書道, shodō) also called shūji (習字) is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing, of the Japanese language.

Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
12 - 1 p.m. | Virtual
Learn about the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program from Lora Schaeffer, Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.
About JET
Founded in 1987, JET has sent more than 70,000 participants from around the globe (including more than 35,800 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan. What makes JET unique is that it is the only teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan. With more than 55 countries around the world currently participating in JET, this program offers a unique cultural exchange opportunity to meet people from all around the world, living and working in Japan.

Japanese Art Workshop – Origami
2 - 3 p.m. | Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center Room 439
Yasumin Tarui & Minako Ahearn
Origami is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. In this workshop, Dr. Xuexin Liu will teach participants to create traditional origami sculptures. You will need at least three pieces of 4A paper and scissors to participate.

Japanese Tradition - Kimono Wearing
3 - 4 p.m. | Lower Manley
Yasumin Tarui, Anetha Evans & AUC Japan Club
The Japanese kimono is one of the world's instantly recognizable traditional garments. The word kimono literally means "clothing", and up until the mid 19th century it was the form of dress worn by everyone in Japan.

Cultural Activities and Films
6 - 8 p.m. | TBD
Yasumin Tarui, Anetha Evans & AUC Japan Club
The AUC Japan Club will offer a special dance lesson: "Chakkiri Bushi" is a traditional Japanese folk dance with its folk song and music. “Chakkiri Bushi” is derived from Shizuoka prefecture in Japan and is a popular dance performed at many cherry blossom festivals.
There will also be a screening of “Seven Samurai," a Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa and voted the greatest foreign-language film in BBC’s 2018 international critics’ poll.