Greetings from the Center Director

Greetings from the Center Director, Fall, 2008

In 2008 The Center for Japanese Studies continues to provide the finest in Japanese educational programs, as well as theatre and dance performances to our students and our community. Japanese Studies is going strong this Fall at PSU. Over 420 students are enrolled in language and literature classes, and we have ten students in our MA program in Japanese Language and Literature. Over 200 exchange students from Japan give our language students many friends with whom to share cultural exchange.

In early 2008 The Center for Japanese Studies created its first endowment account thanks to a generous gift from Adolf and Gabriella Hertrich. Interest from their $100,000 donation will be used as scholarship support for students in advanced Japanese language courses. I want to extend heartfelt thanks to all of our donors and collaborators. It is only through the generosity of our supporters that we are able to carry out our mission.

One of our premiere events in '08 was the "Japan in Motion" Festival--two public performances -"Kabuki in English," a bravura revenge classic, The Medicine Peddler, performed by PSU students in July, and "Suzuki Acting," taught by Goto Yukihiro, from San Francisco State University. The kabuki show thrilled a packed house at Imago Theatre, and received fine press coverage in The Oregonian and Yuuyake Shimbun. The performing arts focus had begun in the Spring with a kabuki/buyo/shamisen demonstration by visiting Kabuki-za performer, Mark Oshima, and English rakugo (comic story-telling) by the hilarious and energetic Katsura Kaishi.

In The Medicine Peddler, curtain pose, July 25, '08, Imago Theater

The kick-off event of the new academic year was the first of our Heian arts series, a journey by sixty lucky audience members into the fragrant world of Genji Incense. I invite you all to attend lectures, exhibitions, and performances this year...we have exciting and illuminating events lined up-they include a post-war print exhibition in the Littman Gallery in January, and culminate in April with lectures and discussions with the foremost scholar of Japanese literature, Donald Keene.
Keep looking at the events page at www.pdx.edu/cjs for the latest info.

Warm regards,

Larry Kominz

Director, Center for Japanese Studies

Professor, Japanese Language and Literature