“Samurai Geisha Fest-Los Angeles” is being held until Oct. 20 at the George J. Doizaki Gallery of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo.
The mixed cultural event introduces Japanese arts and entertainment to the world. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays.
The exhibit features:
??“Ninja*Arts” — samurai geisha art show by noted Japanese pop illustrators Amith*, Aoji, Benicco, Satoko Chiba, Emimino, Fuzichoco, Makoto Hayashi, Kamakirimai, Kazuha, Aya Kishimoto, Nao Kitano, Kujakuren, Megumi Matsuda, Me, Yuuiti Miyakawa, Hideyuki Mori, Marron Nagao, Aomochi Nakahara, Ayana Nakamura, Nakikuni, Hisao Ohmae, Yoshimi Ohtani, Natsuko Poe, Soyoko Shikama, Sui, Syuka, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Takei, Ryu Takeuchi, Teresa, Aya Yamane, Asuka Yokoo, Akira Yoshida, Yusuke Yoshida, and Yuu.
? “Samurai Boy” — Japanese traditional doll art show by Ichizo. These dolls were first created in 2007 with the cooperation of armorer Suzukine Yuzan. They are dressed in authentic armor made by the same process as the real thing. The faces are carefully painted by hand.
? Norbertellen Gallery/Zanbato Art Collective — featuring “Inspirations — Samurai Geisha,” paintings and illustrations by Erik Jerumanis. The collective also includes Djembe & Canvas, Natalia Lebed, Brooke Harker, Fabian Landgrave, Jobe Benjamin and Taiko Fujimura.
Special days are as follows:
Thursday, Oct. 10 — Downtown L.A. Art Walk Night until 9 p.m. Sake-tasting at Izakaya Fu-ga, 111 S. San Pedro St., $30 (online), $35 (at the door).
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13 —?“Anime Explode 1.5: Samurais and Geishas,” featuring bands Lolita Dark, Midnight Shinigami and Candy Bomber; a pop-up art show produced by Deathpop; and artists Zekie Cho, Sasha Palacio, Kevin McBee, Paprika Mari, Pinguino Kolb, Sefanie Warner, Ogeeku, Christian Angel, Ayami Oikawa, Yume Ninja-Soverign, Alcuin Gersh, Diego Paz, Deryke Cardenaz, Catherine Yi, Leslie Strock, Heidi Oh, Dave Baker, Chizorom Izeogu, Jason Moloney, Alain Norte, and Zero.
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20 — “Seven Souls in the Skull Castle, Part 1,” directed by Hidenori Inoue, written by Kazuaki Nakashima and starring Shun Oguri, Mirai Moriyama and Taichi Saotome. Screening and panel with pre-show by comedian Kazumi Kusano on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.), $25 (online) or $30 (at the door); after party with sake-tasting at Izakaya Fu-ga from 10 p.m. to midnight, $25 (online), $30 (at the door). Screening on Sunday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.), $15 (online), $20 (at the door).
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.LAJAPAN.com.
