Walküre Final Live Tour 2023 ~ Last Mission in Pittsburgh, June 4.

The final concert by Walküre, featured in the Macross Delta animated series, will play locally at the AMC Loews Watefront on June 4.

The Tactical Sound Unit Walküre, featured in the Macross Delta anime series, will hold its final solo live tour “SANKYO presents Walküre FINAL LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Last Mission~”. The final performance of the tour, which will be held on Sunday, June 4, at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 1-3, will be live streamed to cinemas across Japan and Asia. Fans in the US can also enjoy the delayed stream in selected cinemas in the afternoon of June 4th their local time! Macross Delta is the latest entry in the long-running Macross franchise, which began with The Super Dimension Fortress Macross in 1982 and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

It plays here at 3:00 pm and tickets are available online. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain Tiger Sugar, Hong Kong-style dessert chain Mango Mango, coming to Squirrel Hill.

Window signage recently went up in Squirrel Hill to welcome chains Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango. Tiger Sugar is a Taiwanese bubble tea chain that has been expanding rapidly in recent months, and Mango Mango is a Hong Kong-style dessert chain founded in 2013 and has locations around the US. The signage is up at 5847-5849 Forbes Ave. (map), what was briefly and most recently Hops Brews And Sunshine beer distributor.

KPOT, all you can eat Korean BBQ and Hot Pot chain, coming to Squirrel Hill.

Signage just went up in Squirrel Hill for KPOT, an all you can eat Hot Pot and Korean BBQ chain. It is coming to 1816 Murray Ave. (map), in the former Eat n' Park location. KPOT has locations throughout the US, mostly on the east coast.

Extra date added in Pittsburgh for 2023 movie Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー), May 31 and June 5.

The latest Kamen Rider movie, Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー), will play locally on June 5 in addition to the May 31 screenings already announced.

Hongo Takeshi awakens to discover he has been transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg. Becoming the Masked Rider, he must fight the mysterious evil organization SHOCKER to protect all of mankind. "SHIN KAMEN RIDER" is Anno Hideaki’s ode to the legendary Tokusatsu franchise, Japan’s biggest hero, and his dearest childhood icon. Go! Go! Let’s go!

It is scheduled to play locally on May 31 at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic South Hills Village, and the Cinemark Theaters in Monaca, North Hills, and Robinson. It will play on June 5 at the Cinemark in Robinson. Tickets are available online.

Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 at Carnegie Museum of Art, June 24 through May 12, 2024.

Yoshida Hiroshi, Evening in Pittsburgh, 1928

The Carnegie Museum of Art will present Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 from June 24, 2023 through May 12, 2024.

Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 presents a survey of Japanese prints throughout the 20th century up to present day. The exhibition examines how the role of a printmaker has transformed through international encounters, new sources of inspiration, and artistic motivation. 

Drawn largely from the museum’s extensive collection of Japanese prints, the exhibition highlights a significant yet rarely seen part of its holdings, in addition to special loans from local private collections. Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 features masterworks by Kawase Hasui, Yoshida Hiroshi, Munakata Shikō, Saitō Kiyoshi, and new work by Hamanishi Katsunori and Morimura Ray.

The exhibition offers three fresh experiences for visitors, with new rotations of works appearing in October 2023 and February 2024. Each rotation consists of approximately 90 works on paper and proceeds thematically, beginning with works from the shin-hanga (new prints) movement, moving through works from the sōsaku-hanga (creative prints) movement, and ending with contemporary prints from the 1980s to the present day.

Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 is curated by Akemi May, associate curator of works on paper, with Emily Mirales, curatorial assistant.

The museum is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by buses 28X, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71B, 71D, 75, and P3.

Kpop Drop-in Class: Seventeen 'Super', at Yanlai Dance Academy, June 10.

Yanlai Dance Academy's next Kpop Dropin Class will do Seventeen's "Super" on June 10.

$15 drop-in, suggested for ages 10+
No pre-registration necessary, please come to class with cash or check.
We ask that you please wear white-soled shoes to help protect our floors.
This is part of our series of summer Kpop drop-in classes taught by Lucy Chen.

It runs from 2:00 to 3:15 pm at Yanlai Dance Academy at 2260 Babcock Blvd. in the North Hills (map).

2022 Japanese movie Lonely Castle in the Mirror (かがみの孤城) in Pittsburgh, June 21 and 22.

The 2022 Japanese movie Lonely Castle in the Mirror (かがみの孤城) will play in Pittsburgh on June 21 and 22. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf.

From acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (Colorful, Miss Hokusai) and based on the bestselling novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together.

It is scheduled to play so far at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Pitt hiring Chinese Language and Culture Instructor for summer classes to high school students.

The University of Pittsburgh's University Center for International Studies (UCIS) is hiring a Chinese Language and Culture Instructor for summer courses.

In this position, the instructor will teach Chinese Language and Culture classes for college credit to high school students which will run typically from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. Classes start on Monday, June 26th, and end on Friday, July 21st. There is no class on weekends, holidays (July 4th), or the last Friday of the program. In addition to what is normally expected of instructors in preparation for the course, you will be expected to attend the Orientation, on Sunday, June 25 at 1:00-2:00 pm; attend weekly staff meetings (Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm); conduct weekly student evaluations; and attend closing ceremonies on Friday, July 21.

In addition to the class time, the instructor is expected to prepare ahead of time by creating course materials and a course syllabus by June 1, 2023. Canvas will be available for instructors’ and students’ use. Any and all deliverables, reports, documentation, files, media, and other materials created by you in connection with the Governor’s School shall be considered “Work Product.” The Work Product shall constitute works-made-for-hire belonging exclusively to the University. To the extent that any Work Product does not constitute a work-made-for-hire owned by the University, you agree to assign and hereby do assign and transfer all of its right, title, and interest in such Work Product to the University.

Requirements: Fluency in the Chinese Language with a Master's in Chinese; Chinese Language and Literature; Education and Instruction; Education; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Language, Literacy, and Culture; or a related field.

Zen Ramen & Poke coming to Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel.

Zen Ramen & Poke is coming soon to Fox Chapel. It will be located at 977 Freeport Rd. at the Waterworks Mall (map) in the spot most recently occupied by Italian Village Pizza. The menu includes items like takoyaki, katsu, gyoza, shumai, and tempura, in addition to the ramen and poke in the name. The owner also runs Zen's Noodle House in Oakland.

Eiwa Japanese Ramen and Bar coming soon to McKnight Road.

Signage recently went up for Eiwa Japanese Ramen and Bar at 4860 McKnight Road (map), at what was formerly McKnight Kitchen.

朝茶 TSAOCAA now open in Oakland.

The Oakland branch of bubble tea chain 朝茶 TSAOCAA is now open. Work began in early April at 124 Oakland Ave. (map), in what was most recently and briefly Oakland Craft House. The chain also brands itself as 朝茶 TSAō·CHA and opened its extremely popular Squirrel Hill location in 2020.

SUGA: Live from Japan in Pittsburgh-area theaters, June 3, 17, 18.

An upcoming concert by Suga of BTS will play in several Pittsburgh-area theaters on June 3, 17, 18. The concert comprising SUGA:Live from Japan will start at 5:00 pm Japan Standard Time in Kanagawa, so will not quite be live here. It is scheduled to play on June 3 locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2023 movie Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー) coming to Pittsburgh, May 31.

The latest Kamen Rider movie, Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー), will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on May 31.

Hongo Takeshi awakens to discover he has been transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg. Becoming the Masked Rider, he must fight the mysterious evil organization SHOCKER to protect all of mankind. "SHIN KAMEN RIDER" is Anno Hideaki’s ode to the legendary Tokusatsu franchise, Japan’s biggest hero, and his dearest childhood icon. Go! Go! Let’s go!

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic South Hills Village, and the Cinemark Theaters in Monaca, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR (ACT: SWEET MIRAGE) IN LA: LIVE VIEWING in Pittsburgh-area theaters, May 28.

A live viewing of a TOMORROW X TOGETHER concert will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on May 28.

One more way to enjoy TOMORROW X TOGETHER’S second world tour! Don’t miss out on TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR [ACT: SWEET MIRAGE] IN LA: LIVE VIEWING. Watch it on a big screen at a theater near you!

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in North Hills and Robinson, and tickets are available online. TOMORROW X TOGETHER, also known as TXT, is a Korean boyband formed in 2019.

Kurosawa films Yojimbo (用心棒), Seven Samurai (七人の侍) at Row House Cinema, from May 19.

The Akira Kurosawa films Yojimbo (用心棒), Seven Samurai (七人の侍) will play at the Row House Cinema from May 19 through 25 as part of collection of an operations manager's favorite movies. A synopsis of the former, from the distributor:

The incomparable Toshiro Mifune stars in Akira Kurosawa's visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo. To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage. Remade twice, by Sergio Leone and Walter Hill, this exhilarating genre-twister remains one of the most influential and entertaining films of all time.

And the latter:

One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai) tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour ride from Akira Kurosawa—featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura—seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action, into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

"Mitigating the Pandemic's Achievement Gap in Korea" with Dr. Namgi Park, May 11 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Education will host Dr. Namgi Park, former Gwangju National University of Education President and Pitt alumnis, on May 11 for his talk "Mitigating the Pandemic's Achievement Gap in Korea."

Dr. Namgi Park (PhD '93), a School of Education alumnus, will be visiting campus and presenting a talk on policies to mitigate the pandemic's widening achievement gap in Korea. The global pandemic has exacerbated the class divide in education achievement. This seminar will introduce the situation and reasons in South Korea and policies to mitigate this gap which can offer clues and suggestions to other countries around the world facing similar challenges.

The event runs from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in 4310 Posvar Hall and online via Zoom. Registration is required. Dr. Park was the subject of a 2016 PittEd article on his contributions to Korean higher education. In 2013 he received a 225 Medallion from the University of Pittsburgh, which recognizes him as a distinguished alumnus. And his admiration for particularly impressive hibiscus he found in a Squirrel Hill front yard was published in the Chosun Ilbo, a flower and column that grabbed attention since the hibiscus (무궁화) is the national flower of South Korea.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) stays in Pittsburgh through May 10.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which opened in Pittsburgh on April 13, will continue to remain here through at least May 10.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

Suzume was the third-highest grossing film in Japan for 2022 and to this point is the third highest-grossing film there in 2023. It plays at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Waterworks Cinema through the 27th and the AMC Loews Waterfront from the 28th through May 3rd. Tickets are available online.

PricewaterhouseCoopers hiring Mandarin-speaking Entry Level Talent Identification Associate-China Sourcing Initiative for Pittsburgh-based position.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is hiring Mandarin-speaking Entry Level Talent Identification Associate-China Sourcing Initiative for a remote position based in Pittsburgh (and in a number of other US cities).

To really stand out and make us fit for the future in a constantly changing world, each and every one of us at PwC needs to be a purpose-led and values-driven leader at every level. To help us achieve this we have the PwC Professional; our global leadership development framework. It gives us a single set of expectations across our lines, geographies and career paths, and provides transparency on the skills we need as individuals to be successful and progress in our careers, now and in the future.

As an Associate, you'll work as part of a team of problem solvers, helping to solve complex business issues from strategy to execution. PwC Professional skills and responsibilities for this management level include but are not limited to:

• Invite and give in the moment feedback in a constructive manner.
• Share and collaborate effectively with others.
• Identify and make suggestions for improvements when problems and/or opportunities arise.
• Handle, manipulate and analyse data and information responsibly.
• Follow risk management and compliance procedures.
• Keep up-to-date with developments in area of specialism.
• Communicate confidently in a clear, concise and articulate manner - verbally and in the materials I produce.
• Build and maintain an internal and external network.
• Seek opportunities to learn about how PwC works as a global network of firms.
• Uphold the firm's code of ethics and business conduct.

2008 film Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) in Pittsburgh, May 7, 8, and 10.

The 2008 film Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) will play in Pittsburgh on May 7, 8, and 10, part of this year's Studio Ghibli Fest. From the distributor:

Perfect for audiences of all ages, Ponyo centers on the friendship between five-year-old Sosuke and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke. As to be expected with Miyazaki, the film is awash in pure unbridled imagination and visual wonder — but it is the tender love, humor, and devotion exhibited by Ponyo and Sosuke that form the emotional heart of the film.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Waterworks Cinema, the Phoenix Theaters Luxury 14 in Bridgeville, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; the May 7 shows are dubbed in English, while the May 8 and 10 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Pitt hiring Visiting Instructor of Japanese for Fall 2023 start.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is hiring a Visiting Instructor of Japanese.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a visiting full-time instructor position in the Japanese language program starting Fall, 2023. Candidates must have native language proficiency; hold an M.A. in linguistics, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or second language pedagogy; and be authorized to work for the University. Prior experience in teaching Japanese and prior experience in teaching with the performed culture approach is strongly preferred.

2023 Korean Camp, April 27 - 29 in Oakland.

The Community of Reconciliation in Oakland is hosting a Korean Camp April 27 through 29, with introductions to Korean cooking, language, martial arts, games, and more. Registration may be completed online.

2023 Chinese film Born to Fly (长空之王) in Pittsburgh, from April 28.

The 2023 Chinese film Born to Fly (长空之王) will play in Pittsburgh from April 28. From the distributor:

After an unforeseen threat arises mid-air, a talented young air force test pilot (WANG Yibo) is forced to test not only the capabilities of his top-secret aircraft, but also his own physical and psychological limits, in order to survive.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Fantuan hiring Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist for Pittsburgh area.

Fantuan, a delivery service catering to Asian restaurants and groceries that expanded to Pittsburgh in 2020, is hiring a Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist.

Fantuan was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2014. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company is a one-stop platform providing food delivery (Fantuan Delivery), reviews (Fantuan Reviews), an errand service (Fantuan Rush), e-commerce and marketing services. Fantuan is one of the top Asian life-services platforms in North America, currently operating across Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York and other metropolitan areas in Canada and the US.

Job Title: Business Development Specialist

Job Responsibility:

1. Facing local merchants, understand the business status and needs of the merchants, combine the needs of consumers, select and design marketing and operation plans that fit for the merchants, negotiate and reach cooperation with the merchants, and promote the increase of merchant transaction volume.

"Borders vs. Barriers: The World of J-E Translation," part of 2023 Japan Lecture Series, May 4.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania will present Dylan Toda and his talk "Borders vs. Barriers: The World of J-E Translation" as part of the 2023 Japan Lecture Series on May 4 at Carnegie Mellon University.

How do international ideas reach us across a language barrier? Japan ranks 80th in the world for English proficiency, meaning Japanese to English (JE) translation services are high in demand. These two languages, a world apart, have a dynamic and challenging translation field which is powered by technology and expertise. Dylan Toda, a JE academic translator with expertise in the humanities, offers his insight into JE translation and its career paths, latest technologies, greatest challenges, significance, and more.

Join the JASP in learning from this field expert and discovering the fascinating world of JE translation on May 4, 2023. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

Dylan Toda is a Japanese to English academic translator, specializing in the fields of Japanese religion, history, and philosophy. He earned a M.A. (Buddhist Studies) from Otani University in Kyoto, Japan and a B.A. (East Asian Studies; Religious Studies minor) from Oberlin College. His translations can be found in many respected academic publications, including International Inoue Enryo Research, Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, The Eastern Buddhist, Journal of International Philosophy, Journal of Religion in Japan, and Japanese Studies. His website is https://www.dylanluerstoda.com.

It runs from 6:00 to 7:45 pm in the Askwith Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper Quad, Room 1024 (map). The event is free but registration is required.

Ko-Do-Mo no Hi special box at Teppanyaki Kyoto, available for order through May 2.

Teppanyaki Kyoto, a Japanese restaurant in Highland Park, is offering a Ko-Do-Mo no Hi (子供の日) special box for Children's Day, available for order through May 2. Ko-Do-Mo no Hi (Children's Day) falls on May 5 each year. Orders can be placed online through the 2nd for pick up on May 4 or May 5.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) stays in Pittsburgh through May 3.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which opened in Pittsburgh on April 13, will remain here through at least May 3.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

Suzume was the third-highest grossing film in Japan for 2022 and to this point is the third highest-grossing film there in 2023. It plays at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Waterworks Cinema through the 27th and the AMC Loews Waterfront from the 28th through May 3rd. Tickets are available online.

Taste of Asia Asian Food Festival in Pittsburgh, May 25.

The Taste of Asia Asian Food Festival will take place in at the Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown on May 25.

Join us for a celebration of Asian American Heritage month at Taste of Asia, the first Asian-focused food festival in Pittsburgh! We’re bringing together some of the best Asian restaurants in the city to showcase their mouth-watering dishes. Come and sample bites from Shanghai Tokyo, Chengdu Gourmet 2, Zen Asian Diner, and Essence.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 25, from 3:00 – 8:30 PM at the Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family and experience a wide variety of Asian cuisine all in one place.

Tickets are available online.

2023 movie Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー) coming to Pittsburgh, May 31.

The latest Kamen Rider movie, Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー), will play in Pittsburgh on May 31.

Hongo Takeshi awakens to discover he has been transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg. Becoming the Masked Rider, he must fight the mysterious evil organization SHOCKER to protect all of mankind. "SHIN KAMEN RIDER" is Anno Hideaki’s ode to the legendary Tokusatsu franchise, Japan’s biggest hero, and his dearest childhood icon. Go! Go! Let’s go!

It is scheduled to play locally so far at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic South Hills Village, and the Cinemark Theaters in Monaca, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) stays in Pittsburgh through April 27.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which opened in Pittsburgh on April 13, will remain here through at least April 27.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

Suzume was the third-highest grossing film in Japan for 2022 and to this point is the third highest-grossing film there in 2023. It plays at a variety of local theaters through Friday the 21st, and will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Waterworks Cinema from the 22nd. Tickets are available online.

2022 film Return to Seoul stays in Pittsburgh through April 20.

The 2022 film Return to Seoul, which premiered in Pittsburghon March 23 as part of this year's Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival and stayed in local theaters afterward, will remain in Pittsburgh through April 20.

On an impulse to reconnect with her origins, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. The headstrong young woman starts looking for her biological parents in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

It plays at the Squirrel Hill Manor and tickets are available online.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage in Pittsburgh-area movie theaters, April 23, 25, 27, and May 2.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on April 23, 25, 27, and May 2. From the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature film comes to life in this first-ever stage adaptation, full of dazzling sets, captivating musical numbers, and wondrous puppets of beloved characters. Adapted and directed by Tony Award®-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), two unique casts and performances were filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

It will play locally at: the AMC Loews Waterfront; the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, and the North Hills; and the Moviescoop theaters in Waterworks and Cranberry. Tickets are available online.

1985 Japanese film Tampopo (タンポポ) at Row House Cinema, April 21 - 27.

The 1985 Japanese film Tampopo (タンポポ) will play at Row House Cinema from April 21 - 27, part of its Yes Chef film series.

This humorous and endearing ‘Japanese Noodle Western’ is and ode to the joys of food. When a pair of truck drivers happen onto a decrepit roadside shop selling ramen noodles, the widowed owner begs them to help her turn her establishment into a paragon of the “art of noodle-soup making.”

Tickets are now available. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

2022 film Return to Seoul stays in Pittsburgh through April 12.

The 2022 film Return to Seoul, which premiered in Pittsburghon March 23 as part of this year's Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival and stayed here for another six days, will remain in Pittsburgh through April 12.

On an impulse to reconnect with her origins, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. The headstrong young woman starts looking for her biological parents in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

It plays at the Harris Theater 5:00 pm each day through the 12th.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain 朝茶 TSAō·CHA / TSAOCAA to open Oakland location.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain 朝茶 TSAō·CHA is coming soon to Oakland. It will be located at 124 Oakland Ave. (map), in what was most recently and briefly Oakland Craft House. The chain also brands itself as Tsaocaa, and opened its extremely popular Squirrel Hill location in 2020.

2021 Taiwanese film A Letter to A'ma (給阿媽的一封信), and Q&A with the director, April 16 at CMU.

The 2021 Taiwanese film A Letter to A'ma (給阿媽的一封信), and Q&A with the director, will play at Carnegie Mellon University on April 16. The event is hosted by the Pittsburgh Taiwanese Association and co-hosted by Café Philo Pittsburgh and the Taiwanese Scholar Society in Pittsburgh.

In A Letter to A’ma, Taiwanese art teacher/filmmaker Hui-Ling returns to her childhood home to mourn the passing of her grandmother. As she pieces together the fragmented memories of her youth, she finds herself coming face-to-face with the problematic issue of her country’s fractured history. Through a student art project guided by this teacher that has lasted for over a decade, a representational portrait of the island’s collective memory begins to emerge, initiating a process in which Taiwan, an island-nation forgotten by the world and in the midst of forgetting itself after centuries of colonization and decades of dictatorship, can now remember its past and re-envision its postcolonial identity through art.

Director Hui-Ling Chen will attend for a post-screening Q&A!

2000 Taiwanese film Yi Yi (一一) in Pittsburgh, April 15 - 20.

The 2000 Taiwanese film Yi Yi (一一) will play in Pittsburgh April 15 through 20. From the distributor:

The extraordinary, internationally embraced Yi Yi (A One and a Two . . .), directed by the late Taiwanese master Edward Yang, follows a middle-class family in Taipei over the course of one year, beginning with a wedding and ending with a funeral. Whether chronicling middle-age father NJ’s tentative flirtations with an old flame or precocious young son Yang-Yang’s attempts at capturing reality with his beloved camera, the filmmaker deftly imbues every gorgeous frame with a compassionate clarity. Warm, sprawling, and dazzling, this intimate epic is one of the undisputed masterworks of the new century.

It plays at the Row House Cinema and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

2023 Japan Lecture Series - The Physics of the Samurai Sword, April 20 at Cranberry Township Library.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania will present "The Physics of the Samurai Sword" on April 20, part of the 2023 Japan Lecture Series.

Ever wonder why samurai swords occupy such a revered place in the art of weaponry? The curved blades have become so popular in media that many English speakers know their name - katana. The physics behind a katana are complex and involve a combination of metallurgy, materials science, and manufacturing techniques. Swords of other shapes and lengths complemented the use of the katana in battle and cultural significance.

Learn more about the history, development, and use of these blades on April 20, 2023. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

The talk by Matthew Roberts of Pine-Richaland High School runs from 6:00 to 7:45 pm at the Cranberry Township Library (map). The event is free but registration is required.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) in Pittsburgh, from April 13.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) will play in Pittsburgh from April 13.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

Suzume was the third-highest grossing film in Japan for 2022 and to this point is the third highest-grossing film there in 2023. It is scheduled to play, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the AMC Classic Westmoreland, and tickets are available online.

Chinese animated film New Gods: Yang Jian (新神榜：杨戬) in Pittsburgh, April 13.

The 2022 Chinese animated film New Gods: Yang Jian (新神榜：杨戬) will play at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville on April 13. From GKIDS, the distributor:

Thirteen years after Yang Jian (known to some as Erlang Shen) imprisoned his sister beneath a mountain, the once powerful god now scrapes by as a penniless bounty hunter. When a mysterious woman hires him for a new job, Yang Jian soon finds himself chasing down a familiar figure. He must stop Chenxiang, his long-lost nephew, who is in search of the magical lotus lantern that will free his mother, even if it will bring catastrophe. As Yang Jian confronts the actions of his past, he must face a host of dangerous vigilantes seeking the same treasure with the power to alter the balance of their worlds.

This latest entry in the New Gods universe from Light Chaser Animation (White Snake, New Gods: Nezha Reborn) features awe-inspiring action sequences set against breathtaking and wildly imaginative environments. Combining ancient lore with dazzling animation, New Gods: Yang Jian is a timeless adventure of epic proportions featuring one of China’s legendary mythic figures.

The show is at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

University of Pittsburgh hiring Postdoctoral Fellow in Japan Studies.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of History of Art & Architecture is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow in Japan Studies.

The Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA) and the Asian Studies Center (ASC) at the University of Pittsburgh invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow of Japanese Art, Architecture, or Visual Culture for academic years 2024 and 2025 (September 1, 2023–April 30, 2025). This position is open to applicants with expertise in the history of art, architecture, or visual culture of Japan (including its diaspora, colonies, occupied territories, and indigenous communities) from any time period. HAA is committed to centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its curricular and research initiatives. We seek a colleague whose scholarship, teaching, and mentorship will advance our DEIA and anti-racist mission. Applications are open to advanced ABDs (those who will have PhD in hand by April 2024) and to scholars who have received their PhDs within the last 6 years. 

The postdoctoral fellow will teach one course each fall and spring semester at the undergraduate level, one of which will be the Arts of Japan. The other course will be an upper-division undergraduate seminar related to the fellow’s research expertise in Japan and may be open to graduate students. In addition to their teaching duties, the postdoctoral fellow will be expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students beyond the classroom as appropriate to their educational needs. The fellow will receive a research stipend and mentoring from colleagues in HAA and ASC.

Pittsburgh Japan Community Spring Picnic, April 22 at North Park; April 7 registration deadline.

The Japanese Society of Greater Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Japanese School are hosting a Pittsburgh Japan Community Picnic on April 22.  The event is open to the public but registration by April 7 is required.  Information about the event, from the Japanese Society of Greater Pittsburgh:

Pittsburgh Japan Community Spring Picnic

Pittsburgh Japan Community Spring Picnic will be held on Saturday, April 22 at North Park. Come enjoy eating freshly pounded rice cakes and listening to the  Japanese musical instruments in a park with a view of cherry blossoms.

Pittsburgh Japanese School (PJS) and Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (JAGP) have jointly organized this event to provide an opportunity for the Japanese community in the Pittsburgh area to get to know each other.

Everyone is welcome to attend free of charge, so please feel free to register.
Advance registration is required to attend the event.[Deadline: 4/7(Fri.)]. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Opening reception for new Shohei Katayama exhibition, April 29 at Mattress Factory.

The Mattress Factory will host an opening reception for an upcoming Shohei Katayama exhibition on April 29.

Join us for the opening of a new exhibition by artist-in-residence Shohei Katayama. Shohei Katayama is a Japanese American artist who explores the space between light and dark, life and death, beauty and danger, nature and man. Utilizing his art as a catalyst for environmental conversations, his work examines the underlying patterns and forces of nature by showcasing unseen relationships in ecology. Katayama uses materials that embodies the philosophy associated with ecological examination. Through his work, Katayama demonstrates the entanglements that are present between such systems and illustrates the disruptions that can occur when individual components are manipulated.

The Opening Reception is a free event that will feature a walk-through of the new exhibition and an opportunity to meet the artist. Drinks and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.

Registration for the Opening Reception is strongly encouraged here.

Please check in at the Museum’s Main Building at 505 Jacksonia Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

It runs from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Main Building, located at 505 Jacksonia Street in the Mexican War Streets section of the North Side (map).

Lauren Yee's Young Americans at O'Reilly Theater, from April 26.

Pittsburgh Public Theater will present Lauren Yee's play Young Americans the O'Reilly Theater from April 26 through May 14.

WORLD PREMIERE BY ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST EXCITING NEW VOICES Journey between two eras and two generations as celebrated playwright Lauren Yee sets the stage for us to road trip there and back in her hilarious, heartfelt new play. On parallel treks, Joe drives from D.C. to Portland trying to win the heart of his unfamiliar new fiancé Jenny and, twenty years later, drives the same roads back to have one last adventure with their adopted daughter Lucy before delivering her to college. With some unexpected detours along the way, immigrants Jenny and Joe traverse the strange territory of their new country while their daughter Lucy pieces together their bittersweet family history in this beautiful new comedy about the lengths we will go for the people we love. A world premiere co-production with Portland Center Stage.

Tickets are now available online. The O'Reilly Theater is located at 621 Penn Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).