I have to say, this was the coolest event I have had the chance to attend since moving to Austin, despite the crappy parking at UT ($10 event parking) and the fact that there weren’t a lot of seats for spectators. The event cost for guests was free. So you can’t beat that.
Here are some photos from the event:
If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s taikai, keep your calendar open for next year. Generally, the tournament occurs on the second or third week of October.
Saturday morning was clear and crisp; perfect for getting outside and enjoying an Austin-style Fall day. So I decided to head down to the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center to watch the Austin Kyudo Group practicing the traditional art of Japanese archery.
Led by Craig Thompson, the group meets regularly at the Shambhala Center (located on the southwest corner of S. 5th St and Milton St.), usually on Saturday mornings at 9:00am.
If you’re interested in either attending a kyudo class or just visiting the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center, here’s a map:
So, you’re in Austin, and you think there’s nothing for you to do this weekend? Oh, you know I can’t just leave you in the dark. There is plenty to keep you busy. … In fact, I have a feeling I’m going to be quite exhausted by Sunday evening.
Friday, October 23rd
UT Austin Anime Club – 7:30pm – Starting 3o minutes later than normal, the UT Anime Club will be showing the following episodes:
To Aru Majutsu no Index #9
Toradora! #9
Nodame Cantabile, Paris Chapter #9
(Break: Tokkyuu Tanaka 3-go #7)
Legend of Galactic Heroes #63
Revolutionary Girl Utena #9
Spice and Wolf II #8
Zan Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei #9
Zettai Karen Children #30
Austin Anime Meetup Group – 7pm – Austin’s coolest anime meetup group will be having a meetup downtown at one of its member’s home. Currently, the meetup is full, but there is waiting list if you want to get on it.
Saturday, October 24th
Austin Kyudo Club – I’ll bet you didn’t know there was a kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) club in Austin. Well, there is, and they’ll be meeting at the Austin Shambala Meditation Center at 9am on Saturday. If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll give you the e-mail address of the coordinator.
Arcade UFO’s Tekken 6 and Soul Calibur 4 Video Game Tournament – 12pm - $2 to attend/$10 to compete – Ready to kick some ass? Test your might against some of Austin’s best video gamers at Austin’s only coin-operated Japanese video game arcade. Bring your own PS3 or PS4 controller or just use the machine’s built-in controls.
So, as you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy this weekend if you’re willing to get off your couch. I should be at most of these events, so feel free to introduce yourself and get your picture taken.
Following up its successful Sushi Workshop in July, the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin will present sushi chef Jorge from Kenichi for an advanced sushi workshop on Sunday, October 25th at the Triangle Clubhouse (4700 Guadalupe St.) from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. This workshop will allow attendees of the previous workshop to build on their sushi-making [...]
The San Antonio Museum of Art continues its celebration of Japanese culture next month with a film festival series and lecture that honors the early work of critically-acclaimed anime writer/director Hayao Miyazaki. From the official press release: “Miyazaki’s feature-length films follow legendary characters, often based on mythology or graphic novels, who experience childhood adventure and [...]
If you don’t mind driving a couple of hours south on I-35, the San Antonio Museum of Art will debut one of its four seasonal rotations of the Ukiyo-e or woodblock prints of Tsukioka (Taiso) Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) on November 3rd. The exhibit is called “Seasons of Beauty: Yoshitoshi’s Thirty-Two Aspects of Life,” and it will [...]
I know this post is off-topic, but I had to share my impressions of Kazuhito Yamashita’s performance last night here in Austin, which I attended with the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin. Before I begin, I guess I should apologize for not having any pictures or video from that performance, but the organizers of the [...]
There have been some rumors lately of a possible visit to the Austin area by manga-ka (manga artists) Konohana Sakuya, which is the working alias of Kouhei Nishino and Tsugumi Nishino. And if these rumors are true, the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin will be hosting them at their monthly cultural salon … possibly on [...]
I apologize for the short notice on this, but Kazuhito Yamashita, world-renowned and Japan’s most celebrated classical guitarist will be performing this weekend here in Austin. Here are the details: International Concert Series Proudly Presents Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 8PM Northwest Hills United Methodist Church 7050 Village Center Drive Tickets $35-$60 512-300-ACGS or AustinClassicalGuitar.org [...]
