The Crisis of the Humanities and the Future of Japanese Studies, February 3 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies Center and East Asian Languages & Literatures program, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation Endowments at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics. will present "The Crisis of the Humanities and the Future of Japanese Studies" on February 3. The event is a book launch and conversation with editors Seth Jacobowitz and Jonathan E. Abel of the forthcoming book Modern Japanese Literary Studies.

Join us for a conversation with the two editors of Modern Japanese Literary Studies, a new collaborative volume that reexamines the field at a moment of significant change. Drawing on interdisciplinary and global perspectives, the editors will discuss the book’s key interventions, the evolving place of modern Japanese literature in the humanities and the challenges and possibilities facing the field today.

The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, both in 4130 Posvar Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map) and remotely (registration required).

A Japanese-language talk "A Discussion on the State of Modern Japanese Literary Studies in Japan" will be held at Carnegie Mellon on February 4, and "Shimazaki Tōson and the History of Methodology in Modern Japanese Literary Studies" with professor Christopher Lowy on February 5.

Asian stationary store DooBoo opens in East Liberty.

An Asian stationary store, DooBoo, opened in East Liberty in December. It is located at 6012 Penn Ave. (map). Their Instagram has a variety of photos and videos, and a post before the soft opening previewed some offerings:

DooBoo’s a small little project run by two cousins hoping to bring some more relaxed joy & mindfulness into their busy lives. sometimes we forget that there’s so much more to life than just existing, so this small brick-and-mortar hopes to share stationery products focused on being mindful about and embracing your inner soul 🧚‍♀️

expect journals, notebooks, planners, pens, highlighters, stickers, memo pads, washi tapes, and more!! oh, and we’ll also try our bestest to support local and national artists and creators because supporting small businesses is a must! ✨ so go ahead and tag your artist friends or favorite artists and support them in their dreams 🌱

Lunar New Year at Phipps, February 21.

Phipps Conservatory and Chinese Association for Science and Technology-Pittsburgh Chapter (CASTP) will present a Lunar New Year celebration and event at Phipps on February 21.

Celebrate the year of the horse at Phipps Conservatory!Empty heading

On Sat., Feb. 21, Phipps Conservatory and The CASTP Organization are proud to present the 29th Lunar New Year celebration, all under Phipps' historic glasshouse! This event will host a variety of food and craft vendors, unique performances and educational resources to learn more about this beloved Chinese celebration. Plus, guests can also experience the lovely Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love during the celebration.

This event is included in regular Conservatory admission. Members and children under two are free.

Schedule of Events

Some tickets still remain for 2026 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala (大匹兹堡地区马年春节晚会), February 7 at Pittsburgh Playhouse.

The 2026 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala (大匹兹堡地区马年春节晚会) will be held February 7 at Pittsburgh Playhouse.

The 2026 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala, presented by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center (PCCC), will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, PNC Theater. Free cultural activities open to the public will begin at 4:00 PM, followed by the main performances at 6:00 PM.

As the largest and most influential Lunar New Year celebration in the Greater Pittsburgh region, the Gala brings together leaders and audiences from government, universities, corporations, and communities, serving as a key platform for cultural celebration and cross-cultural connection.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center to start Chinese (Mandarin) for Daily Conversation & Kung Fu / Tai Chi class with free trial lesson on February 8.

Squirrel Hill's Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center will start a new Chinese (Mandarin) for Daily Conversation & Kung Fu / Tai Chi class with free trial lesson on February 8.The coursses will run on Sundays starting February 15.

 Our Chinese (Mandarin) Language Course for Daily Conversation & Kung Fu / Tai Chi Training is starting soon — and we invite you to a FREE trial class on Sunday, February 8, 2026! 

This course focuses on practical Chinese (Mandarin) for daily communication as well as Kung Fu and Tai Chi training, helping students build real-world language skills while deepening their understanding of martial arts practice and culture.

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 What Makes This Course Special

Students learn useful, everyday Chinese (Mandarin) alongside Kung Fu / Tai Chi terminology, commands, and concepts—allowing language to be naturally applied both inside and outside the training studio.

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 Who Is This Course For?

Adults
• Learn Chinese (Mandarin) for daily conversation and martial arts training
• Practice common phrases alongside Kung Fu / Tai Chi terminology
• Explore the cultural background and philosophy behind Chinese martial arts

Teens & Kids
• Learn Chinese through movement, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi practice
• Enjoy games, stories, and hands-on cultural activities
• Strengthen understanding of movements, concepts, and techniques
• Build confidence, focus, and coordination
• Designed to be fun, age-appropriate, and pressure-free

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 Course Highlights

• Daily conversation Chinese (Mandarin) + Kung Fu / Tai Chi training language
• Martial arts culture, stories, and traditions
• Interactive, fun, and hands-on learning
• No prior Chinese experience required
• Class duration: 45 minutes

Peregrination: Xiaojing Yan 闫晓静 exhibition at Contemporary Craft, February 6 through May 2.

Peregrination, an exhibition by Chinese Canadian artist Xiaojing Yan (闫晓静), will open at Contemporary Craft on February 6 and run through May 2.

Peregrination, a long and meandering journey… 

This exhibition features work by Toronto based artist, Xiaojing Yan. Through the lens of personal migration and cultural hybridity, Yan explores the evolving relationship between identity, tradition, and the natural world. Yan’s art reflects a journey of transformation – an intricate weaving of folklore, ritual, and nature into a symbolic and dreamlike representation of lived experience. 

Drawing from ancient Chinese myths and customs, Yan reinterprets traditional narrative through a contemporary lens, reflecting on the fluidity of cultural memory. Her practice is both a tribute and a reimagining, examining how heritage can be at once rooted and reshaped – especially through her choices of materials and processes. Natural motifs, often deeply embedded in Chinese folklore, emerge in her work as metaphors for movement, adaptation, and belonging. Mountains, rivers, and celestial elements echo the rhythms of migration, symbolizing the passage between worlds – both physical and spiritual. 

Through meticulous craftsmanship and layered symbolism, her work becomes a meditation space – where the past converses with the present. Laden with symbolism, her creations remain as resonant today as they were historically, also engaging with contemporary concerns. In this act of peregrination, Yan constructs a landscape uniquely her own, evoking poetic and philosophical reflections on humanity’s connection to the natural world.

The opening reception is on February 6, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and is free and open to the public. Other free associated events, for which reservation is required, include an Artist Talk on February 7, a guided tour on March 21, and a guided tour on May 2. Contemporary Craft is located at 5645 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Pittsburgh Pirates sign 6-foot-7, 17-year-old Chinese pitcher Mingxuan Zhang (张铭轩).

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 6-foot-7, 17-year-old Chinese pitcher Mingxuan Zhang, according to reporter Francys Romero on X.com. The signing was announced on the 15th, but made official with the literal signing yesterday.

The Pirates have had other Chinese prospects in their system, including Hai-Cheng Gong of the Shanghai Golden Eagles who was signed in 2017 at 18, but none have made the big league roster.

2025 documentary The Rose: Come Back to Me, on Korean indie band The Rose, in Pittsburgh from February 14.

The 2025 documentary The Rose: Come Back to Me, on Korean indie band The Rose, will play in Pittsburgh from February 14 through 16.

The Rose: Come Back To Me is an intimate documentary showcasing the dramatic rise of The Rose, the Korean indie rock band with roots in the K-pop training system. After cultivating a millions-strong global fanbase, a label dispute forces them into a years-long hiatus. Now, they are back, with an electrifying tour—on their own terms.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2026 New Year's Banquet Gala with OCA Pittsburgh, February 21 at Szechuan Spice.

The 2026 New Year's Banquet Gala with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Pittsburgh will be held on February 21 at Szechuan Spice in Shadyside. 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse with a ten course banquet.

The Lunar New Year began in China more than 4,000 years ago and is widely observed in East and Southeast Asia. Over the years, the festivities have spread around the world. It is now celebrated by millions of people all over the United States, including here in Pittsburgh!

Come celebrate Lunar New Year with OCA Pittsburgh! Eat a 10 course meal, watch cultural performances and participate in a raffle!

OCA Banquet is our fundraiser that makes it possible for OCA to provide advocacy and services for Asian Americans in Pittsburgh.

If you are not currently an active member, we invite you become one. Your membership supports the important work we do as well as access to benefits. Please use this link to sign up.

Tickets are currently available, $110 for a seat or $1,000 for a table. The event runs from 5:00 to 10:00 pm at Szechuan Spice, 5700 Centre Ave. in Shadyside (map). More information is available at the event link.

2025 Japanese animated movie Scarlet ( 果てしなきスカーレット) in Pittsburgh from February 6.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Scarlet ( 果てしなきスカーレット) will play in Pittsburgh from February 6.

A sword-wielding princess embarks on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father. She soon meets an idealistic young man who shows her the possibility of a future free of bitterness and rage.

It plays locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront through the 10th and the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg from the 12th, and tickets are available online.

January Guest Chef Dinner featuring Wei Zhu from Chengdu Gourmet, January 29 at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh in Hazelwood.

Community Kitchen Pittsburgh will host Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet for the January installment of the Guest Chef Dinner on January 29.

Get ready for a bold, unforgettable evening as we welcome Chef Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet for a "One Night Only" dinner celebrating the depth and soul of authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Known for his masterful balance of heat, spice, and complexity, Chef Wei brings the flavors that have made Chengdu Gourmet a regional favorite, earning him national acclaim, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.

Recently selected as an official vendor for the NFL Draft, Chef Wei's cooking represents the very best of Pittsburgh's food scene, blending tradition, technique, and unmistakable flavor. You'll enjoy a thoughtfully-curated menu showcasing Sichuan classics and signature dishes, each telling a story of heritage, craft, and community.

Upcoming documentary on Japanese baseball Homecoming: The Tokyo Series in Pittsburgh, February 23 and 24.

The 2026 documentary Homecoming: The Tokyo Series, referring to the Major League Baseball series played in Tokyo at the start of the 2025 season, will play in Pittsburgh from February 23 and 24.

Homecoming: The Tokyo Series explores Japan’s profound bond with baseball, culminating in the 2025 MLB Opening Day games in Tokyo, when hometown heroes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, and Roki Sasaki return to the field where their journeys began. Through the lives of those shaped by the game, the film reveals how baseball bridges generations, shapes identity, and illuminates the connection between tradition and modern life. More than a chronicle of a sporting event, it is a portrait of a nation’s enduring love for baseball and the pride of watching its stars come home. Alongside the film, the filmmakers captured man-on-the-street interviews with American fans inside the Tokyo Dome who traveled to Japan for the games.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, the GQT Cinemas at the Pittsburgh Mills, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

2025 Park Chan-wook film No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) January 29.

The 2025 Park Chan-wook film No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다), which opened in Pittsburgh on January 15 after a one-day early access screening on December 8, will stay here through (at least) January 29.

From director Park Chan-wook and based on Donald E. Westlake's novel THE AX, the story follows Man-su on his desperate hunt for a new job after his abrupt layoff from the paper company he served for 25 years.

It is scheduled to play at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and the Manor in Squirrel Hill. Tickets are available online.

Chinese teahouse Peel coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Work continues on Peel, a Chinese teahouse coming soon to Squirrel Hill. It will be located at 5806 Forbes Ave., second floor, above Uncle Sam's (map). Permits were first issued for the spot back in April. Recently-added signage on the door advertises PEEL

is a (tea)house for drinks, eats, inquiries & play

Coming this winter

PennsylvAasia will be taking a much-needed break to start the year, so the blog, social media, and email will be quiet for a bit. Apologies for delayed, or no, responses to email or social media messages during this time. Thank you.

More dates and theaters for Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, including early access screening on February 4 and partnership with StayTiny Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill.

A day after tickets went on sale for the upcoming concert film Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience around Pittsburgh on February 6, 7, and 9, a new date and new theaters have been added.

Stray Kids : The dominATE Experience is an epic concert film featuring the global K-Pop sensation and their sold-out SoFi Stadium performances, along with behind-the-scenes footage. With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide and a fanbase that spans every continent, Stray Kids : The dominATE Experience will provide fans with a bold, large-scale theater experience, allowing them to see a glimpse behind the curtain of their favorite band.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill, which is partnering with StayTiny Pittsburgh for its screenings. There is also an Early Access Advance Screening on February 4 at the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online.

2025 Japanese animated movie Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (劇場版「ゾンビランドサガ ゆめぎんがパラダイス」 in Pittsburgh, January 19.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (劇場版「ゾンビランドサガ ゆめぎんがパラダイス」 will play in Pittsburgh on January 19.

At the end of the second season, in Saga City, which is about to be held at the Saga EXPO, aliens invaded the earth. In Saga, the survival of the world depends on the protagonists.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, for one screening dubbed in English, and tickets are available online.

Toshiko Akiyoshi’s ‘Kogun’: Narrating a Lone Soldier’s Experience in Nō Jazz, February 24 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host E. Taylor Atkins and his talk "Toshiko Akiyoshi’s ‘Kogun’: Narrating a Lone Soldier’s Experience in Nō Jazz" on February 24.

In March 1974, Lt. Onoda Hiroo emerged from the jungle on the Philippine island of Lubang, where he had been hiding for almost three decades after the end of the Pacific War. He immediately became a worldwide media sensation as an exemplar of samurai-like devotion to duty. Moved by his story and the tragedy of a life wasted for a fruitless war, jazz composer Toshiko Akiyoshi dedicated a composition to him. Entitled “Kogun” (lone soldier), the piece drew on thematic and narrative elements of medieval nō theater, situated within a jazz orchestral setting, to highlight this tragedy, thereby bringing to fruition her desire to create a seamless “blend” (yūgō) of Japanese music and the jazz idiom. This presentation also blends conventional cultural historical and musical analysis to argue for the landmark status of “Kogun” within jazz history.

E. Taylor Atkins is Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at Northern Illinois University. His major publications include Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band’s Kogun (2024); A History of Popular Culture in Japan, From the Seventeenth Century to the Present (second edition, 2022); Primitive Selves: Koreana in the Japanese Colonial Gaze, 1910-1945 (2010); Jazz Planet (editor, 2003); and Blue Nippon: Authenticating Jazz in Japan (2001), winner of the Association for Asian Studies’ John Whitney Hall Prize. He also plays bass for the Jazz in Progress Big Band and the Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra and produces and hosts House of Funk on Hot Rocks Radio.

The talk runs from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Pirates without a Taiwanese player again.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are without a Taiwanese player again after infielder Tsung-Tse Cheng (鄭宗哲) was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays on January 7. Cheng was designated for assignment on December 19th after the Pirates acquired additional roster players in a trade with Tampa Bay.

The Pirates signed Tsung-Tse Cheng as a 17-year-old prospect in 2019. He made his Major League debut on April 9 and played three games for the Pirates. He was the third Taiwanese player in Pittsburgh Pirates history after Wei-chung Wang in 2019 and Yu Chang in 2022. The Pirates have had numerous other Taiwanese players in the system, dating back to at least 2009 with Sheng-qin Hong, Pin-Hong Ji, and Ji-wei Xu.

If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura next installment of Maridon Museum Book Club, January 29.

The next installment of the Maridon Museum Book Club will feature If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura on January 29.

If Cats Disappeared From the World by Genki Kawamura follows a terminally ill postman who is approached by a devil offering an unusual deal: for each thing he agrees to erase from the world, he will be granted one extra day of life. As everyday objects disappear one by one, he is forced to confront what truly gives life meaning, including love, memory, forgiveness, and his bond with his beloved cat, Cabbage. The story is a gentle and emotional reflection on what we lose, what we choose to keep, and what makes life worth living.

Please join us for all our upcoming in-person Book Club meetings. To register, or if you have questions, please call 724-282-0123 or email info@maridon.org.

The meeting begins at 3:00 pm. The Maridon Museum is an Asian art museum located at 322 North Mckean St. in Butler (map). Upcoming Book Club meetings this spring will feature The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong on February 26, In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park on March 27, The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama on April 30, and Dust Child: A Novel by Phantom Que Mai Nguyen on May 28.