japanamerica

Hayao Miyazaki. , originally uploaded by Emily Barrera . And in B&W. (Photo by Emily Barrera.)

Hayao Miyazaki , originally uploaded by lotusstone . With Miyazaki-san and interpreter Beth Cary at UC Berkeley, July 25, 2009. Photo courtesy of 'lotusstone.'

Center for Japanese Studies Set to Bestow Japan Prize on Hayao Miyazaki The Acclaimed Japanese Filmmaker's Appearance At UC Berkeley Presents An Invaluable Opportunity CAROLYN KAO /ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID LIU Taking major steps to recognize one of modern cinema's most accomplished visual artists, UC Berkeley's Center for Japanese Studies has chosen animation director Hayao Miyazaki as the recipient of the 2009 Berkeley Japan Prize. As part of his much-touted stateside visit, the renowned filmmaker will participate in a two-hour interview at Zellerbach Hall on July 25, a highly anticipated event that will be moderated by Roland Kelts, Tokyo University lecturer and author of "Japanamerica." Miyazaki will follow in the footsteps of noted Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, who received the prestigious award last October for his literary achievements. "The Berkeley Japan Prize honors individuals from all disciplines and professions who, through their work, have brou...

Thanks to Dr. Rebecca Suter, the Japan Foundation, the University of New South Wales and Sydney University for a stellar week in Sydney. I am honored to be here. And big thanks to Tanya at Palgrave Australia. We leave for Brisbane on Sunday.

Australia book tour, courtesy of JSAA and the Japan Foundation July13-16th , Sydney, AU, JSAA Conference, University of Sydney July 17th , Sydney, AU, The Japan Foundation: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter July 20th , Brisbane, AU, The University of Queensland: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter July 22nd , Melbourne, AU, The University of Melbourne: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter (photos of animania festival from jonathan gadir, abc radio)

[photo courtesy of Lisa Katayama @ tokyomango.com] My good friend Fred Schodt (pictured on far right above with wife Fiona, two relatives, and Consul General Yasumasa Nagamine) was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun , the Japanese government's most prestigious non-military honor, at a ceremony in San Francisco late last month. Fred's work as an author, translator and interpreter have introduced the English-speaking world not only to the wonders of manga (in the still unsurpassed Manga! Manga! ), but also to overlooked Japan-American historical narratives--as in his beautifully understated book, Native American in the Land of the Shogun . Fred is probably best known for introducing non-Japanese to the work of Osamu Tezuka, whom he befriended in the 1970s, becoming Tezuka's interpreter during overseas jaunts. And his latest book, The Astro Boy Essays , about the eponymous Tezuka icon, is especially timely, given that, for better or worse, Hollywood is finally about to rel...

Saturday, July 25, 2009 Hayao Miyazaki in Conversation with Roland Kelts 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM Zellerbach Auditorium For this extremely rare, U.S. appearance, Hayao Miyazaki will have a conversation with Roland Kelts (Tokyo University lecturer and author of Japanamerica ), followed by a question and answer period with the audience. Join us for an opportunity to engage Miyazaki in a conversation about more than just anime — the social issues and ideas that his films champion, including the future of Japan and the role of the artist in a rapidly evolving world. For tickets to this limited-seating engagement, please visit http://tickets.berkeley.edu/ .