"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.