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.