Japanese Language (Nihongo)
Japanese Language Classes: Next Session begins Saturday (6.8.2013) at 12 pm ($85 for Introductory Classes and $105 for Beginners and Continuing Classes)
The Japanese Culture Center offers three levels of Japanese language instruction. Pre-requisite for the second and third courses are completion of the previous courses or approval from the instructor. All classes are 6-week sessions which meet once per week. We are pleased to now offer this class at the Center in Lakeview.
Introductory Japanese
Students will learn basic vocabulary, speaking skills, grammar, and the two writing systems of Japan (hiragana and katakana.)
Ongoing Beginners Japanese
Further study of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing the japanese language.
Advanced Continuing Japanese
Students pursue more in-depth study of written and conversational Japanese.
Aikido
Current Doshu (leader of the way) of Aikido
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art characterized by dynamic movement, powerful throws, strikes, joint and pinning techniques. Extremely effective as a means of self-defense, Aikido is a potent art descended from the samurai tradition. All ages may benefit from the discipline of this training.
6-Week Introductory Course
The 6-Week Introductory Course is designed to give new students an solid foundation for Ongoing Training. Defensive movement, falling skills, and strikes will be taught, and students will learn basic throws and pins in actual practice against attacks. No experience is required, and all are welcome.
Aikido for Children & Teens
Aikido provides unique benefits for children. In addition to self-defense skills and increased awareness, children gain a sense of discipline, cooperation and self respect. With an emphasis on constructive, engaging instruction, children will learn the techniques at a pace they will appreciate and enjoy. Both Ongoing and Six-week Introductory courses are offered.
Ongoing Training – Classes Offered Seven Days a Week
The Ongoing Program is offered for students interested in making a commitment to the disciplined training introduced in the 6-Week Introductory Course. Through this program students are encouraged to progress through intensive effort to a mastery of the art. The Japanese Culture Center offers classes seven days a week at a variety of levels and is designed to allow students at any rank to train every day if they so desire. Monthly dues are charged for unlimited attendance ($100 per month or $140 per month Aikido and JKA Karate).
Zen Meditation
“Zen is to transcend life and death (all dualism), to truly realize that the entire universe is the “True Human Body,” through the discipline of “mind and body in oneness.” Miyamoto Niten (Musashi) called it Iwo no mi* (body of a huge boulder—going through life rolling and turning like a huge boulder); Yagyu Sekishusai named it Marobashi no michi* (a bridge round like a ball—being in accord with the myriad changes of life). Besides this actual realization, there is nothing else.
Zen without the accompanying physical experience is nothing but empty discussion. Martial ways without truly realizing the “Mind” is nothing but beastly behavior. We agree to undertake all of this as the essence of our training.
All our students, strive diligently! Gentlemen of the Rinzai Honzan (Main Temple) in Japan, open your eyes to this and together let us send it out to the world.”
Archbishop Omori Sogen Rotaishi,
Dated 1 October 1979
The Chicago Zen group at the Japanese culture center is made up of zen practitioners from various formal practices. Members unite once a week for two hours for zazen (quiet sitting meditation) and body work (including martial arts, yoga, hara development, etc.) Incorporating the two, we open our bodies to the fullest potential of breath and body alignment to deepen our practice.
Class Schedule
The Chicago Zen group meets at the Japanese Culture Center in Lakeview on Wednesday mornings (6:00 to 7:00 am) and Sunday mornings (10:00 am to 12:00 pm).
Suzuki/Viewpoint Training
The Training Group was founded in the Fall of 2008 with the purpose of providing a training space for actors who have had prior experience in the Viewpoints and Suzuki techniques and wish to further explore the use of these techniques. These two techniques are most famously taught by the members of the SITI Company (a New York based theatre company led by director Anne Bogart) and the majority of the group have trained with them in the past. These day the group includes a core of about 10 active members who participate regularly and some 20 supporting members who participate sporadically. Through continuous practice with these techniques the actors gain acute awareness to their bodies in relation to time and space as well as to other actors around them.
The Viewpoints technique was developed by choreographer and dance teacher Mary Overly and adapted for actor training by Anne Bogart and the Suzuki technique was developed by acclaimed Japanese director Tadashi Suzuki and his company. These techniques complement one another as part of the overall training process. While the Viewpoints technique is geared toward facilitating improvisation and group creation, the Suzuki technique is based on strict forms and routines (kata) through which the actors develop strong physical presence and a better sense of their bodies in space. In each 3 hour session we train for 90 minutes with each technique. The work is led by some of the more experienced members of the group. Members interested in joining the group should contact Claire Redfield via the JCC at info@japaneseculturecenter.com