Events Archive
Fall 2014
Sunday, Sept. 14
Performance—Michigan Hiryu Daiko #2, Taiko performance and education, Harvest Festival, Scotts, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Free. Information: (269) 491-7071.
Monday, Sept. 22
Study abroad in Japan info session, 5-6:30 p.m., 3025 Brown Hall. Information: sakhi.vyas@wmich.edu.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Reading—Hiromi Ito, one of Japan's foremost writers, 4-5:30 p.m., 3025 Brown Hall. Flier.
Japanese Language Lessons for Teens
Beginner Japanese language lessons for teens are now available through the Soga Japan Center at Western Michigan University.The program is open to middle school and high school students. The fee is $40 for four lessons, which will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on four consecutive Fridays, beginning September 26, in 2045 Brown Hall on WMU's main campus.
English–Japanese Language Partners
The English–Japanese Language Partners program is for Western Michigan University students (native speakers of either language), offering an opportunity for them to practice Japanese and English outside of the classroom. Language partners meet in public at least once or twice a week for one hour of conversation. Partners are required to make time for speaking both languages at every meeting.
The Soga Japan Center facilitates this program and provides assistance, as needed. For more information, please contact Michiko Yoshimoto.
A research and outreach center of the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
Summer 2014
Monday, June 23
Japanese Language and Culture Course (through Friday, June 27)—for Academically Talented Youth program, WMU's Lee Honors College, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration $100: michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5874.
Tuesday, June 24
Japanese Language and Culture Course (through Friday, June 27)—for Academically Talented Youth program, WMU's Lee Honors College, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration $100: michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5874.
Wednesday, June 25
Japanese Language and Culture Course (through Friday, June 27)—for Academically Talented Youth program, WMU's Lee Honors College, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration $100: michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5874.
Thursday, June 26
Japanese Language and Culture Course (through Friday, June 27)—for Academically Talented Youth program, WMU's Lee Honors College, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration $100: michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5874.
Friday, June 27
Japanese Language and Culture Course (final day)—for Academically Talented Youth program, WMU's Lee Honors College, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration $100: michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5874.
Spring 2014
Thursday, Feb. 13
Lecture—"Following in Haiku Footsteps: Taneda Santōka and the Haiku Life in Translation," Emiko Miyashita, poet and director, JAL Foundation, 3025 Brown Hall, 4 to 5 p.m. Free. Event flier
Lecture—"Japanese Aesthetics since the Founding of the Tea Ceremony," Susumu Miyashita, expert in tea-related antiques, 3025 Brown Hall, 5 to 6 p.m. Free. Event flier
Friday, Feb. 21
Lecture—"Kabuki and Buddhism" by Kanji Tamura, Rissho University, 3301 Friedman Hall, 1 p.m. Free; information: s.covell@wmich.edu. Event flier
Monday, April 21
Prose and poetry reading—by Yoko Tawada, 3025 Brown Hall, 5 to 6:15 p.m. Free.
Fall 2013
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Bilingual poetry reading and discussion—"Crossing Centuries" featuring Mutsuo Takahashi and Hiromi Itō, 3025 Brown Hall, 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Event flier
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Japanese Language Club—ages 12 and up, drop in on any date, Parchment Community Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 30
Information session—Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, 3025 Brown Hall, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Free.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Japanese Language Club—ages 12 and up, drop in on any date, Parchment Community Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 11
Film screening—"Kagura for the Wrathful Deities of Hiba" with director Dr. Koichi Matsuo, 2008 Richmond Center for Visual Arts, 6 to 8 p.m. Free.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Japanese Language Club—ages 12 and up, drop in on any date, Parchment Community Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Lecture—"Keeping Up Appearances: Gender and Theater in Premodern Japan," Dr. Maki Isaka, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2500 Knauss Hall, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Free. Event flier
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Japanese Language Club—ages 12 and up, drop in on any date, Parchment Community Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Japanese Language Club—ages 12 and up, drop in on any date, Parchment Community Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22
Discussion—"Tea-Time Discussion about ESL in Japan," hosted by CELCIS director and faculty, Bernhard Center Faculty Dining Room, 4 to 5 p.m. Free.