BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Japan Foundation, Toronto - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The Japan Foundation, Toronto
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://tr.jpf.go.jp
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Japan Foundation, Toronto
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Toronto
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T163000
DTSTAMP:20260505T210236Z
CREATED:20260305T204518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T210236Z
UID:112090-1777980600-1777998600@tr.jpf.go.jp
SUMMARY:Tenugui Towels with Cherry Blossoms: Design Excellence in Japanese Daily Life
DESCRIPTION:桜の手拭い：\n日本の日常生活の中の、デザインの逸品展 \nIn celebration of spring 2026\, with Cherry Blossoms as a main theme\, along with related Ukiyo-e woodblock prints\, this colourful exhibition demonstrates the endless creativity in Tenugui. \nTenugui are towels made of bleached cotton\, approximately 34 cm wide and 90 cm in long. The word literally means “a hand wiping cloth.” In the 17th century\, when the production of cotton increased dramatically in Japan\, people benefitted from the rich supply of cotton cloth for use in their daily lives. Individual towels were used for a remarkable number of purposes not only for wiping and cleaning\, but also for wrapping and wearing\, and even as advertising tools. \nTo meet the various needs of special occasions throughout the seasons and the individual personalities of each owner\, the Japanese developed a wide range of designs on the surface of the cloth. In the Meiji period (1868-1912)\, under the influence of the Western Industrial Revolution\, the production of Tenugui entered a new era. The invention of Chūsen\, an innovative dye-pouring technique\, resulted in increased productivity and widened design possibilities\, allowing designers to incorporate multiple colours and sensitive shading. These new techniques were applied to traditional designs borrowed from the fashion world of Kimono and theatre costumes as well as newly invented ideas. Some are elaborate while others are transparently simple. \nNarrowed to a width of 34 cm and focused on the viewpoint of cherry blossoms\, one can expect to still see wide-open and spectacular views. \n\nAdmission: FREE \nAdvanced\, time-specific reservations are recommended. \nBook Your Visit Here \nHand-sanitization at the entry and wearing face-coverings on our premises are recommended. \nGallery Hours: Open on Tuesdays\, Thursdays\, Fridays\, and Saturdays. Hourly timeslots starting at 11:30 am\, 12:30 pm\, 1:30pm\, 2:30 pm\, 3:30 pm (4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Thursdays) \n* Special Full Weekend Open: Saturday\, May 23 and Sunday\, May 24\nWith additional early bird slot 10:30 – 11:30 am \n* Closed on Sundays\, Mondays\, Wednesdays\, Select Saturdays\, and Public Holidays:May 16 – 18 (Victoria Day Weekend) \nExhibition Period: April 9 – June 2\, 2026 \nLibrary & Gallery Opening Hours\n\n\n\n\n	MondayCLOSED\n\n\n	Tuesday11:30am to 4:30pm\n\n\n	WednesdayCLOSED\n\n\n	Thursday11:30am to 6:30pm\n\n\n	Friday11:30am to 4:30pm\n\n\n	Saturday11:30am to 4:30pm *Closed on select Saturdays\n\n\n\n	SundayCLOSED\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/tenugui-towels-with-cherry-blossoms/2026-05-05/
LOCATION:The Japan Foundation\, Toronto\, 2 Bloor St. East\, 3rd Floor\, Toronto\, ON\, M4W 1A8\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tr.jpf.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/Tenugui-Exhibition-Sq-Main.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Japan Foundation%2C Toronto":MAILTO:info_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp
GEO:43.6710659;-79.3857432
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Japan Foundation Toronto 2 Bloor St. East 3rd Floor Toronto ON M4W 1A8 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 Bloor St. East\, 3rd Floor:geo:-79.3857432,43.6710659
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T185234Z
CREATED:20260422T170011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T185234Z
UID:112522-1778004000-1778009400@tr.jpf.go.jp
SUMMARY:Robo-Buddhism and Techno-Religion in Japan Today
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe fusion of religion and technology has deep historical roots across the world’s cultures\, including Japan\, the focus of this lecture. In this talk event\, Dr. Jennifer Robertson will highlight innovative uses today in temples and shrines (and churches) of hi-tech devices\, including robots. Many Japanese roboticists building humanoids today seek to imbue their gendered robots with kokoro (mindful heart)\, drawing parallels with the Buddhist bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokiteśvara) known for her boundless compassion. Several years ago\, the Japanese mass media announced the advent of robot priests\, and roboticists at the University of Kyoto recently debuted a “Buddharoid.” Pet robots and electronic devices like smart phones and laptops are given Buddhist funerals when they break down or become outdated. A Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1606\, today offers prayers and funeral services for humans via an orbiting satellite. Moreover\, Shinto priests offer special prayers to protect computers from being infected by malware.  \nFinally\, “unorthodox” psycho-spiritual healers offer self-help services through websites\, YouTube channels\, and other forms of social media. The technological devices and applications used by traditional and non-traditional religious bodies alike bridge the conceptual gap between science and religion\, and between today’s hi-tech secularized world and more spiritual and ethereal realms. \nThis presentation on robo-Buddhism will be followed by a conversation between Dr. Robertson and Japan Foundation\, Toronto’s Executive Director Noriko Yamamoto. The conversation will include topics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and Japanese Studies. \nFinally\, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session and discussion with the speaker. \nThe Japan Foundation\, Toronto Library will also host an optional Library tour for attendees prior to the lecture from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm. \n  \nThe Centre for the Study of Global Japan\, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy is a promotional partner for this event. \n\n  \nSpeaker \n \nJennifer Robertson is Professor Emerita\, Anthropology and the History of Art\, and the Robotics Institute\, University of Michigan. She is also Affiliate Professor\, Tokyo College\, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advance Study\, and Anthropology and Japan Studies\, University of Washington. A historical and visual anthropologist/anthropological historian specializing in Japan\, her books and articles address a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary subjects ranging from the 17th century to the present. Her most recent book is Robo Sapiens Japanicus: Robots\, Gender\, Family and the Japanese Nation (California 2018); a Korean edition (Nulmin Books\, Seoul) with a new preface was published in 2025.  https://professorjenniferrobertson.com/ \n  \n  \nModerator \n \nNoriko Yamamoto (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Japan Foundation\, Toronto\, the Canadian branch of the Japan Foundation’s global network. The Japan Foundation’s mandate is to present Japan to the world through culture\, language\, and dialogue. During her career with the Foundation\, she has been involved in multiple programs for international dialogue and education in North America\, including a previous tenure in the New York office. She recently led the North American Japanese Literary Project and the Japan-Canada Fashion Exchange Project. She has also written chapters and translations in multiple books published in Japan in the field of cultural exchange. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nThis is a closed event and is only open to invitees. Thank you for your understanding. \n\nRelated Events: \nROM Bishop White Committee: Friends of East Asia\nAlmost Human – Robo Sapiens Japonicus \nMonday\, May 4\, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM (ET)\nIn-person Level B1\, Eaton Theatre | $55 regular tickets \n  \nIn celebration of the ROM original exhibition\, Shokkan\, Material Encounters in Japanese Art\, Almost Human: Robo Sapiens Japonicus is an evening of thought-provoking conversations examining robots\, sensory perception\, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines in post-industrial Japan. \nThis exclusive event complements the exhibition\, which examines the sense of touch as a vital element of Japanese aesthetics and cultural expression. Curated by Dr. Akiko Takesue\, Bishop White Committee Curator of Japanese Art and Culture\, the exhibition brings together exceptional objects from the collections and loaned objects from Japan\, inviting visitors to consider how tactile perception shapes beauty\, meaning\, and experience. \nThe presentation will be followed by a Japanese-themed reception featuring sake tasting\, Japanese cuisine and special displays from the Japan collections held at ROM. \nDetails and Tickets here
URL:https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/robo-buddhism-in-japan-today/
LOCATION:The Japan Foundation\, Toronto\, 2 Bloor St. East\, 3rd Floor\, Toronto\, ON\, M4W 1A8\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Lecture,Talk Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://tr.jpf.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/Robotics-square-for-webpage.png
ORGANIZER;CN="The Japan Foundation%2C Toronto":MAILTO:info_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp
GEO:43.6710659;-79.3857432
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Japan Foundation Toronto 2 Bloor St. East 3rd Floor Toronto ON M4W 1A8 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 Bloor St. East\, 3rd Floor:geo:-79.3857432,43.6710659
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR