UPDATE - We are sorry to say that Tokyo Humanities Cafe 12 has been POSTPONED because of coronavirus precautions in Tokyo.
We are hoping to reschedule it for later this year.
We are hoping to reschedule it for later this year.
Our popular cafe series at "Good Heavens" bar in Shimokitazawa.
Photos from the last event (THC 11, January 2020)
Join our mailing list (below) for more details about future cafes!
Details of previous cafes (THC 1 - 11)
Tokyo Humanities Project is excited to announce the next in our series of English-language humanities cafés, organized by the Tokyo Humanities team (Alex Watson, Laurence Williams, Samantha Landau, and Koji Yamamoto). The evening is compèred by Alex Watson (Meiji University).
We invite a series of speakers - researchers, artists, translators, and others - to present their work in an informal, supportive, and lively atmosphere.
The event brings research outside the university to a broader audience, and provides a space for people to meet and exchange ideas.
We invite a series of speakers - researchers, artists, translators, and others - to present their work in an informal, supportive, and lively atmosphere.
The event brings research outside the university to a broader audience, and provides a space for people to meet and exchange ideas.
Each presenter gives a 10-15 minute talk in English about any aspect of their work. For example, they might explain an ongoing research project, talk about a book of poetry or a translation they're working on, or discuss their photography career...
The talks are all pitched (TED-style) at a general audience - so no specialist knowledge is required. There'll also be plenty of time to relax with a drink and exchange ideas with other attendees.
speakers at THC 12 (EVENT POSTPONED)
(Friday, March 13th, 2019)
Yutaka Kikugawa
(Executive Director and CEO, El Sistema Japan)
"Social Change Through Music Education:
El Sistema and Japanese Children"
El Sistema and Japanese Children"
about Yutaka
Yutaka Kikugawa is Executive Director and CEO of El Sistema Japan. He holds a master's degree in policy studies from the University of London and previously worked for UNESCO and UNICEF.
Baye McNeil
(Author, journalist, and activist)
"Presumption Reduction - A Giant Step Towards Diversity Recognition"
about BAYE
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Baye McNeil has lived in Japan since 2004. His blog, "Loco in Yokohama", which explored life in Japan from a Black New Yorker's perspective, was developed into two bestselling books, "Hi! My Name is Loco and I Am a Racist" (2012) and "Loco in Yokohama" (2013). In recent years, Baye has written op-eds for papers including the New York Times and Washington Post on topics including blackface on Japanese TV and the media treatment of Naomi Osaka. He has been invited by major Japanese companies to give workshops on diversity and inclusivity, and gave a talk at TEDxKyoto (2018) titled "Unpacking Your Intangibles".
Hanabi Ryusuitei
(Rakugo Performer)
"Fire in the Stables:
A Rakugo Performance"
A Rakugo Performance"
about hanabi
Hanabi Ryusuitei is a rakugo (traditional Japanese comedy) performer.
She was born in Japan and educated at Musashino University (“Major: British and American literature”), CUNY Laguardia Community College (“Major: Hip-Hop of Language”), and San Francisco City College (“Major: Broadcasting”)
Hanabi has performed rakugo at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Pre-Events, Yokohama International Festival, Various events in Hawaii, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi-Hills, etc.
She is also a radio DJ, on programs broadcast in Tokyo, Nagoya, New York, and San Francisco. Her regular radio programs include:
Every Sunday - 6 hours live show “Sunday Happy Colors” on ZIP-FM
Every Wednesday - 3 hours live show “Reggae Revolution” on ZIP-FM
Every Friday - “Hands Up!” on ZIP-FM
Every Saturday - Open live show “101 Live @ Apple store” on Shibuya-FM
Every Thursday - “Miss Shibu” on Shibuya-FM
She also works as an MC (Million Audiences Music Festival “Itadaki” / ELLE Japon 30th Anniversary party / Uminohi Festival by Tokyo / Honey Beauty magazine 1st Issue party) and TV reporter (Gunma-TV, Web-TV).
She was born in Japan and educated at Musashino University (“Major: British and American literature”), CUNY Laguardia Community College (“Major: Hip-Hop of Language”), and San Francisco City College (“Major: Broadcasting”)
Hanabi has performed rakugo at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Pre-Events, Yokohama International Festival, Various events in Hawaii, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi-Hills, etc.
She is also a radio DJ, on programs broadcast in Tokyo, Nagoya, New York, and San Francisco. Her regular radio programs include:
Every Sunday - 6 hours live show “Sunday Happy Colors” on ZIP-FM
Every Wednesday - 3 hours live show “Reggae Revolution” on ZIP-FM
Every Friday - “Hands Up!” on ZIP-FM
Every Saturday - Open live show “101 Live @ Apple store” on Shibuya-FM
Every Thursday - “Miss Shibu” on Shibuya-FM
She also works as an MC (Million Audiences Music Festival “Itadaki” / ELLE Japon 30th Anniversary party / Uminohi Festival by Tokyo / Honey Beauty magazine 1st Issue party) and TV reporter (Gunma-TV, Web-TV).
Grace Ting
(Waseda University / University of Hong Kong)
"Theorizing Queer Asian Literature"
about GRACE
Dr. Grace En-Yi Ting is Assistant Professor in the Gender Studies Programme at the University of Hong Kong. She specializes in queer feminist approaches to Japanese literary and cultural studies, with an emphasis on women writers and girls’ culture. She is currently working on a book manuscript titled Minor Intimacies: Queerness, the Normative, and the Everyday in Contemporary Japan. From 2018-2020, she is a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellow at Waseda University.
When and where is it?
Events are held at "Good Heavens" (グッドヘブンズ) bar, five minutes' walk from the south exit of Shimokitazawa station (see below for a map).
The bar regularly hosts comedy events and film screenings and has lots of comfy chairs and a cosy atmosphere.
How much is it?
Free!
(However, the bar asks that you buy at least one drink, so please make sure to do that - and maybe more - to thank them for supporting our event)
The bar regularly hosts comedy events and film screenings and has lots of comfy chairs and a cosy atmosphere.
How much is it?
Free!
(However, the bar asks that you buy at least one drink, so please make sure to do that - and maybe more - to thank them for supporting our event)
More photos from previous events
Any other questions?
Contact the event host, Alex Watson
(Associate Professor, Department of Arts and Letters, Meiji University)
(Associate Professor, Department of Arts and Letters, Meiji University)
Leave your email address and first name (or alias) below and we'll add you to the THC mailing list. We send out reminders a few times a year to let people know about upcoming cafés.
Needless to say, we won't sell, divulge, or mishandle info in any way.
Needless to say, we won't sell, divulge, or mishandle info in any way.
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