<![CDATA[A-to-J Connections - A-to-J Culture]]>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:29:41 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Oshogatsu In Little Tokyo 2025 Photo Gallery]]>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/oshogatsu-in-little-tokyo-2025-photo-gallery
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The new year means a lot of festivities and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California recently held its annual New Year Celebration Festival in Little Tokyo Los Angeles!

Held in Little Tokyo's Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza, this event always had entertainment, food, cultural activities, and even a sake fest. There was also a kimono contest & fashion show, an ondo dance, as well as several performances. This event always proves to be lots of fun, and we have a gallery for everyone to check out below! While the festivities are over, you can still experience it vicariously through said gallery, and maybe make plans to attend next year! We hope that everyone had a great 2024, and will have an even better 2025! One thing is for sure, we have lots more to show you here at A-to-J!

All photos by Ivan Aburto.
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]]><![CDATA[Oshogatsu In Little Tokyo 2024 Photo Gallery]]>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:58:48 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/oshogatsu-in-little-tokyo-2024-photo-gallery
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The new year means a lot of festivities and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California recently held its annual New Year Celebration Festival in Little Tokyo Los Angeles just a few days ago!

Held in Little Tokyo's Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza, this event always had entertainment, food, cultural activities, and even a sake fest. There was also a kimono fashion show, an ondo dance, as well as several performances. This is always a really fun event, and we have a gallery for everyone to check out below! While the festivities are over, you can still experience it vicariously through the gallery, and maybe make plans to attend the event next year! We hope that everyone had a great 2023, and will have an even better 2024, and we have lots more to show you here at A-to-J!

All photos by Ivan Aburto.
]]><![CDATA[Alicein Project's THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER Makes Hollywood Debut]]>Tue, 16 May 2023 18:04:35 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/alicein-projects-the-guardians-of-wonder-makes-hollywood-debut
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We're big fans of live theater here at A-to-J Connections, and an upcoming event just popped up on our radar: THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER, produced by Alicein Project, will have be having its Hollywood debut in just a few weeks!
Formed in 2010, Alicein Project is Japan's largest theater company that has put on several shows featuring emerging actresses. They've hosted dozens of shows in Japan, and overseas, and have previously participated in the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2021. June 2023 will mark their return to the Hollywood Fringe Festival with a run of free shows that begin on June 3rd. This run will be the highly anticipated THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER.

THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER stage play will showcase Japanese-subcultural style live-action entertainment, infused with the essence of anime, manga, and video games. Each show will feature a 30 minute action show that will be followed by a 30 minute interactive sword fighting workshop. THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER stars Reina Kaneta, Emika Kamieda, Shio Yamazaki, Stella Takasegawa, and Mizuki Kimura.

Shows will be held at the McCadden Place Theater and are completely free, following ticket reservation. Additional details, as well as the reservation link, can be found below. Overseas productions like this are an especially rare treat so be sure to grab your tickets today!
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Alicein Project's Past Productions
THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER Event Information
Date:
8:00 PM on Saturday, June 3rd
7:30 PM on Sunday, June 4th
6:00 PM on Friday, June 9th
9:30 PM on Saturday, June 10th
※A 30 min action show & a 30 min sword fighting workshop (a total of 60 min)
​
Venue:
McCadden Place Theatre
(1157 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90038)
Admission: FREE
(Advance reservation is required on the official website)
Ticket Reservation:  https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9985

Story:
A timid girl named 【Miko】 finds herself lost in a different world after being noticed by a mysterious being named 【Rei】. With the help of the righteous warriors, 【Hana】 and 【Sora】, who reside in this world, Miko's adventure begins. 
"I'm just..." "You're a special person." 
"I'm shy and I'm not brave." "You're a delicate and pure child, and I'll watch over you."
Will Miko confront and overcome her weaknesses? What is Rei's goal? Will Miko be able to return to reality? 

Cast:
Rena Kaneta @renakaneta
Emika Kamieda @Emika_Kamieda
Shio Yamazaki @shio_yamazaki
Stella Takasegawa @Stella_0917
Mizuki Kimura @sakura_s0513

The cast consists of five Japanese girls dressed glamorously. They will perform a powerful stage show, using sword-fighting choreography and projector images. After the performance, an interactive sword fighting workshop will be held.
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Alicein Project's Past Productions
Hollywood Fringe Festival
Theater festival held in the entertainment capital. It is committed to freedom of expression and artistic expression and aims for open access and community-led management. During the one-month period, approximately 400 groups perform on 2,000 stages in about 50 small theaters in the South Hollywood area, making it an international fringe theater festival with a large number of art companies and performers from not only the United States but also abroad.

Website: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodfringe/
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Alicein Project
Alicein Project is established in 2010 and it's the largest "theater company" in Japan that only casts emerging actresses (female talents/idols). They have performed approximately 100 plays to date, and the number of cast members has exceeded 1,800 actresses, including top idols. Their plays have also been performed in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and they participated in the Hollywood Fringe in 2021, receiving high praise in the global entertainment scene and being nominated for the Streaming Overseas Production Award.

Website: http://alicein.info/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aliceinpro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliceinpro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliceinproject/
]]><![CDATA[Take A Tour of Okinawa & Shurijyo Castle Via "Vitual OKINAWA"]]>Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/take-a-tour-of-okinawa-shurijyo-castle-via-vitual-okinawa
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acttil, on behalf of Ashibi Company, recently announced that the Shurijyo Castle Area, a reproduction of Okinawa's World Heritage Site "Shurijyo Castle Area",  has been unveiled in the metaverse location, "Virtual OKINAWA" today!
The Mission of Virtual Okinawa:
As the first company from Okinawa to participate in the Metaverse, Ashibi Company is developing an Okinawa experience called "Virtual OKINAWA." Within this virtual world, there are tourist attractions like “Kokusai Street Area" and "Beach Area," and we are also adding the "Shurijyo Castle Area" to help develop and revitalize the tourism industry in Okinawa for the post-Corona era.

This project will allow visitors to experience Okinawa's World Heritage sites from anywhere in the world and also enjoy virtual tourism while chatting with other visitors. Ashibi Company is hoping this will strengthen the desire to rebuild Shurijyo Castle and contribute to the preservation of traditional Okinawan culture.

For access to Virtual OKINAWA: https://virtualokinawa.jp/
About Shurijyo Castle Area:
Shurijyo Castle was destroyed by fire on October 31, 2019. Voices for restoration increased and Shurijyo Castle was restored within the Okinawan metaverse "Virtual OKINAWA" under the supervision of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation. The "Shurijyo Castle Area" in VIRTUAL OKINAWA is a faithful reproduction of Shurijyo Castle Park which includes the Shureimon Gate leading to the Shoden (main hall) of Shurijyo Castle.

In addition, the "Shurijyo Castle Area" is not only a place to see and enjoy Shurijyo Castle, but also a place where you can talk to an area guide to learn more about Shurijyo Castle and its history. We are also planning to hold various events, such as guided sightseeing tours, Eisa (Okinawa's traditional performing art) events, and more. In addition, their will be light up of the castle, fireworks displays, etc.
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Nemu Ui Live Broadcast Introducing Shurijyo Castle Area:
To commemorate the opening of the "Shurijyo Castle Area," Nema Ui, a local Okinawan virtual YouTuber, has made a live broadcast on her YouTube channel on April 26 JST.

Nema Ui is a virtual tour guide to introduce attraction spots in the Shurijyo Castle Area. The live broadcast can be viewed below.
]]><![CDATA[Wright Flyer Studios Releases "Hello Ktty's Room" on Google Assistant]]>Mon, 01 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/wright-flyer-studios-releases-hello-kttys-room-on-google-assistant
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Tech company WFS, Inc. recently announced the release of "Hello Kitty’s Room", a new communication game featuring Sanrio Company, Ltd.’s Hello Kitty, on Google Assistant.
■About Hello Kitty’s Room
In Hello Kitty’s Room, users can collect furniture such as differently themed table sets or plushies to furnish their very own room. Users can cook using food harvested from a field, or collect furniture by helping Hello Kitty on a trip. Users also have a chance to encounter other popular characters like Cinnamoroll - by taking a photo together, they will also visit Hello Kitty’s room from time to time. The game can be played on smart device touchscreen such as Google Nest Hub, and also via Google Assistant’s voice input on supported devices. Vibrant conversations featuring Hello Kitty’s rich vocabulary are made possible by HOYA Corporation’s ReadSpeaker Original Voice.

■Example voice commands to Google Assistant
“OK Google, talk to Hello Kitty.”
“OK Google, talk to Hello Kitty’s Room.”


■About Google Assistant
Google Assistant is your own personal Google, always ready to help whenever you need it. To get started, just say “OK Google.” Google Assistant is available on smartphones as well as smart displays such as Google Nest Hub and Google Nest Mini, and on smart speakers

Hello Kitty Room Overview
Release date : November 1, 2021
Price : Free
Supported languages : English, Japanese
Supported devices : Smart displays powered by Google Assistant (Google Nest Hub and others), Android™️ smartphones

▼How to access Hello Kitty’s Room
Speak to a supported device using the command “OK Google, talk to Hello Kitty’s Room.”  to launch the app.

▼Hello Kitty’s Room website
https://assistant.google.com/services/a/uid/00000002351c8bee
]]><![CDATA[Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries and Dessert Review & Sample Works]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/amigurumi-sweets-crochet-fancy-pastries-and-dessert-review-sample-works
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Here we have another super adorable release! Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries and Desserts, by Miyuki Ichikawa, is another crafting book that joins the line of VIZ Media DIY manuals. This book allows you to make an array of different aesthetic sweets such as: parfaits, cakes, macarons, doughnuts, taiyaki, and more! These projects can either be standalone pieces or made into items that you can use every day: jewelry, coin purses, and scrubbers. 
The cover for Amigurumi Sweets features a select array of their projects on a matte cover. The book is 99 pages long and the first 33 pages are detailed pictures of the finished crafts. From then on are the detailed instructions for making said crafts. The first 33 pages are printed on a thicker weight glossy paper for the photos while the instructions are on matte thick paper. For the simpler projects the instructions are an average of 2 pages long, while the more difficult ones, such as the Mini Parfait Trinket Case or Tart Charm Straps, can take up to 4 or 5. Each project will indicate the materials needed for that particular item as well as a detailed diagram. In additional to the diagram, we are also given a chart clearly stating how many stitches should be increased and decreased per row and the total stitches for each row. This is definitely great for just in case you lose count by accident. Tiny tips also given on the side as notes. The last few pages are used as a glossary for terms and techniques that are used in the book.
 
This books is definitely very cute. I love the projects that this book provides and can’t wait to try to make all of them. I would recommend that before getting this book, you are very comfortable with crocheting and its techniques. I found that Amigurumi Sweets is definitely a step above Amigurumi San-X Crochet Patterns in difficulty, which we have reviewed before. Amigurumi Sweets require smaller attention to details for the tiny fruit adornments and color changes. I would recommend this book for crafters beyond beginner level. I do have to admit that this book had better instructions and visuals that its predecessors.
 
I decided to tackle something simpler for this review, the doughnuts. Not only were the instructions super amazing on this one but I just love a good doughnut aesthetic. This project turned out so much better than my last review and the finished product actually looked like what it was supposed to. Amigurumi Sweets is amazing is that they actually give you options to customize your projects. For the doughnuts they gave the options of different colors to represent flavors as well as instructions to add beads to act as sprinkles. This is something that I really appreciated from this book. I decided to opt out on the sprinkles but made two doughnuts, a strawberry flavor and matcha flavor. I love how they turned out and can’t wait to make more!
Something to keep in mind for this books is that the table of contents in the front won’t tell you the page that the instructions are on but instead are for the pages that the pictures are on. Only when you get to those pages will it lead to you the actual instructions. Amigurumi Sweets feature an astounding 28 projects and each of those have different color options as well. Some of the projects that are listed in this books are:
  • Mini Parfait Trinket Case
  • Three Types of Cakes
  • Macaron Charm Straps
  • Biscuit Coin Purses with Metal Clasp
  • Assorted Chocolates and Truffle Rings
  • Cookie Magnets
  • Doughnuts
  • Cream Puffs
  • Taiyaki
  • And so much more!
 
Much like Amigurumi San-X Crochet Patterns, this book can keep you occupied for a very very long time.

Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries and Desserts retails at $14.99 USD, the standard price for VIZ Media crafting books. I find that for this book the price is worth the product that you get. Unlike the last book, you get so much more options per projects. The projects themselves are more useful from day to day. I would rather have a coin purse to use than just a doll to collect dust on the shelf. I definitely recommend this book for crafters that love adorable aesthetics. You can create so much cute accessories which are perfect for matching coordinated outfits! As a crafter I love this book and hope that you can get as much fun and entertainment as I did.
 
-Eunice

You can find our more about Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries and Desserts here:
https://www.viz.com/read/craft-book/amigurumi-sweets/product/5826
Rating: A
 
Pros:
+ Detailed instructions
+ Great visuals
+ Customizable options
+ Useful projects for day to day
+ Cute aesthetic
+ More bang for your buck 

Cons:
- Definitely not for beginners
- Material needed can be either too specific or hard to find
]]><![CDATA[VIZ Media Announces Release of Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries And Desserts!]]>Mon, 07 Jan 2019 08:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/viz-media-announces-release-of-amigurumi-sweets-crochet-fancy-pastries-and-desserts9469218
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VIZ Media presents the vivid world of Japanese amigurumi with the release of Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries And Desserts! set to release on February 12th. 
Featuring easy-to-follow patterns created by Miyuki Ichikawa, Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries And Desserts! carries a print MSRP of $14.99 US. The book features various patterns that can be used to crochet an array of delectable desserts from parfaits and macarons to cream puffs and taiyaki. Patterns also contain instructions on how to turn desserts into a variety of sweet accessories including key chains, pouches, bag mascots, and more!

About Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries And Desserts!:
“Amigurumi Sweets features the Japanese aesthetic that has made amigurumi so wildly popular,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Senior Editor. “We’re excited to publish these adorable dessert patterns in English for crocheters and fiber arts enthusiasts.”

More Japanese amigurumi designs are available in VIZ Media’s previously released Amigurumi: San-X Crochet Patterns, which features crochet patterns for several popular San-X characters, such as Rilakkuma and Sumikkogurashi, plus their accessories.

For additional information on Amigurumi Sweets: Crochet Fancy Pastries And Desserts! and other titles available from by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.
]]><![CDATA["Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live" To Open the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, in 2019!]]>Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:16:23 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/pretty-guardian-sailor-moon-the-super-live-to-open-the-national-cherry-blossom-festival-in-washington-dc-in-2019
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Fans of Sailor Moon have a once in a lifetime chance to catch the Sailor Moon Super Live in Washington DC next March as the live opens the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival!
The opening ceremony will take place Saturday, March 23rd, at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC. This is a rare production of an official Sailor Moon live in the US, with hopefully more to come. The live will also be performed in Paris before the end of 2018.

No word on if the single performance will lead to a mini tour through North America, or if fans can catch it online. For more information, please visit the official Sailor Moon website and the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.
]]><![CDATA[Takashi Murakami's "The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg" Exhibit Gallery]]>Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:34:56 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/takashi-murakamis-the-octopus-eats-its-own-leg-exhibit-gallery
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A "Flowerball" against a wallpaper of Murakami's flowers
​There's a good chance at some point you've seen a work by Takashi Murakami. Perhaps his ubiquitous flowers? Or maybe a picture of My Lonesome Cowboy floating around online? Probably his cover for Kanye West's Graduation album in passing? No matter how you've seen some of his work, there's nothing quite like seeing the pieces for real, to really grasp the scale and detail behind his often brightly colored, cartoony, and occasionally unsettling works.
PictureKaikai and Kiki statues in front of "Jellyfish Eyes"
The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg is the name of this particular exhibit, a reference to a Japanese story that struck a chord with Murakami. Murakami here is the octopus, continually eating the legs of Japanese art and pop culture, to breathe new life into it and himself. Many of his works over his career are evident of this concept, from his modern takes on ancient ukiyo-e paintings to countless repetitions of his own paintings with slight variations each time.
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One of Murakami's Arhats paintings
The sheer size of some of his works are awe-inspiring, with some paintings easily 15 feet tall and 30 feet long, making Murakami a standout against his peers in that regard. His Arhat series is great at showing off his mastery of scale, with some of the pieces almost not fitting into the gallery. The easily tiled nature of some of this works also allows entire rooms to be engulfed by his designs, with many walls covered by wallpapers and glorified curtains covered in his flowers and his mascots Kaikai and Kiki. 
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Tan Tan Bo Puking
While many who come to the exhibit might have seeing the Graduation Bear or the very NSFW My Lonesome Cowboy in person as their big draw, personally I was excited to see Tan Tan Bo Puking in person. Tan Tan Bo, a stand in for Murakami himself, shown ill and vomiting, a reflection of Murakami being sick himself some years ago. The colors are bold, the design more disturbing the more you look at it, the size so large that it's hard to take the whole piece in just standing in front of it. 
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Fort Worth is the last stop of the tour for this gallery, and I'm glad I got to catch it. I've long admired Murakami's works, and getting to see some in the flesh was quite enjoyable.

-Janette G

Check out our gallery of the exhibit below!
​WARNING: Some of the pieces are NSFW
]]><![CDATA[maidreamin Brings Maid Culture to Toronto at Fan Expo Canada 2018]]>Sun, 26 Aug 2018 07:00:00 GMThttp://a-to-jconnections.com/a-to-j-culture/maidreamin-brings-maid-culture-to-toronto-at-fan-expo-canada-2018
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Japan’s top maid cafe chain maidreamin gives Canadian fans a double dose of Akihabara culture this month, returning to North America to perform at the four-day Fan Expo Canada event at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, August 30 – September 2.
maidreamin’s upcoming appearance at Fan Expo Canada will be one of their biggest-ever overseas events as they present genuine maid cafe service and musical performances at the the largest comics, anime, and gaming event in Canada. Top maids Peace, Mariru, and Hima will represent the internationally popular restaurant chain, just a few weeks after maidreamin’s performance at Montreal’s Otakuthon earlier this month.

Fan Expo Canada information:
https://www.fanexpocanada.com/en/attractions/anime/maidreamin.html

maidreamin will take part in fan Q&As, autograph and photo sessions, and live concerts with exclusive goods available for fans throughout the weekend.

maidreamin continues their overseas “service” and their mission to spread Japanese “moe” culture worldwide. Previous events include Anime Expo, Ani:Me Abu Dhabi, and Middle East Film and Comic Con Dubai. maidreamin has also collaborated on promotions for video games Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation, Goddess Masters, Kurokishi to Shiro no Maou, and Akiba’s Trip 2, as well as Shibuya design firm Team Labo and cookware designer Joshi Spa.

About maidreamin

maidreamin is the No.1 Maid Café restaurant in Akihabara. Founded in 2008, maidreamin has become the largest maid cafe chain with 16 locations and over 450 cast members from Japan and around the world.

maidreamin has become a symbol of Akihabara, famous for unique menus (available in multiple languages) and serving meals and drinks with cute magical performances.

maidreamin’s restaurants have won multiple awards from Trip Advisor for their family-friendly service and fun activities for every master and princess who enters the maid café dreamland. Each restaurant is designed around a different creative visual theme, and features daily live performances from the most energetic and talented maids in Japan.

maidreamin performs at multiple overseas events, where they demonstrate the traditions and excitement of maid cafe culture. maidreamin created the official Anime Expo theme song in 2017.

maidreamin is happy to welcome new customers every day as their popularity and influence continue to expand, bringing smiles to Japanese culture fans everywhere.
​
Moe Moe Kyun! (=^・^=)

LINKS
maidreamin website (English): https://maidreamin.com/multilp
maidreamin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maidcafe.maidreamin
maidreamin Twitter: https://twitter.com/maidreamin
maidreamin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maidreamin
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