"Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890," November 1 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh will host Hiroshi Nara and his colloquium "Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890" on November 1.

Ernest F. Fenollosa (1853-1908) was an art theorist and administrator known to many in Japna today. His name is spoken in admiration for his work in rediscovering traditional Japanese art, saving it from extinction, and modernizing it. Without his intervention, Japanese painting (nihonga) would have died. So goes the received reputation of Fenollosa's work. In this talk, Nara will explore some aspects of the work of Fenollosa that directly pertain to this reputation, by first discussing the pivotal speech he made in 1882 that made him very famous in the world of Japanese art then analyzing how his revolutionary ideas were implemented. The talk will attempt to answer the question of whether his work saved Japanese art from extinction.

The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 1219 Cathedral of Learning.

2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) in Pittsburgh-area theaters, October 28 - November 1.

The 2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from October 28 through November 1 as part of this year's Studio Ghibli Fest. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.

Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.

It plays locally at numerous theaters, including: the AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinema, Cranberry Cinemas, Phoneix Luxury 14 in Bridgeville, and the Cinemarks in Robinson, Monroeville, Monaca, and McCandless. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Kujira, serving sake and sushi, coming soon to Shadyside.

Kujira is set to open this winter in Shadyside. Signage recently went up at 736 Bellefonte St. (map) in the spot formerly occupied by The Yard, where Dr. Tea opened upstairs earlier this year. Kujira---Japanese for whale---has the same ownership team as Bubble Bee, which has opened a few bubble tea spots around the city recently.

Bubble tea place Meetcha to open in Oakland, too.

Yesterday we read about Meetcha and Kyo Matcha opening in Squirrel Hill, and it turns out Meetcha will also open a spot in Oakland. The bubble tea place will be located at 303 S. Craig St., in what was formerly Little Asia restaurant. It will be run by the same Little Asia and Bao 2 ownership, and will be across the street from Wushiland, another bubble tea chain that will open its first Pittsburgh location soon.

Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐) in Oakland eyes January opening.

The new all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ place coming soon to Oakland is eyeing a January opening, according to ownership. The new restaurant will be called Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐), and it has recently put up new signage at its 414 Semple St. (map) storefront. The menu will consist of Korean-style self-grill meats, along with various Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes available for take-out.

Dessert chain Kyo Matcha, bubble tea place Meetcha coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Signage is up for Kyo Matcha in Squirrel Hill, at at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Signage is also up for Meetcha, which will likely bring another bubble tea place to Squirrel Hill. Signage for something first went up in September, when plans for published for a restaurant/cafe in this spot. It will be one of several new Asian dessert places coming soon to the neighborhood, in addition to Meccha Matcha and Mango Mango/Tiger Sugar.

Footer's is owned by the same family who ran Lord Duncan Cleaners on Forward Avenue, which also closed earlier in 2023, and Sumi's Cakery.

2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) in Pittsburgh, November 1, for 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day.

The 2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) will play in Pittsburgh on November 1 for the 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

Pitt's Korean Student Association hosts Michelle Zauner, October 28.

The University of Pittsburgh's Korean Student Association will host Michelle Zauner on October 28.

what’s that I hear??? 📣⁉️Michelle Zauner, lead vocalist of the band Japanese Breakfast & author of the book Crying in Hmart, is coming to Pitt campus?!?! 😱🙊😎

‼️join KSA on October 28 from 5-7 PM at the Cathedral of Learning Room G24 for a conversation with Michelle‼️ we will be discussing themes such as loss, cultural identity, familial bonds, Korean heritage, breaking out into the music industry as an Asian American artist, and the power of her dreamy, poignant, and unique music & writing to be a source of inspiration for many, whether you are of Asian descent or not 🌍

🗣️🗣️🗣️ pssst I heard she’s also doing book autograph signings towards the end of the event 🙊 feel free to bring a copy of her book, Crying in Hmart 🤭

The event is free but registration is encouraged as seating is limited.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) returns to Pittsburgh, October 27.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which played in Pittsburgh in April and May, will return October 27 through (at least) November 1.

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.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some screenings are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh, December 11 - 13 as part of "Satoshi Kon Fest."

The 2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh December 11 - 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights' "Satoshi Kon Fest."

Anime Expo Cinema Nights invites you to celebrate TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), as it returns to theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers. On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo's nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising -- and sometimes miraculous -- connections that have brought them all together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, the December 11 and 13 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while the December 12 shows are dubbed in English.