Founded in 1986 at Columbia University, the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture was established in honor of Professor Donald Keene, internationally renowned scholar, teacher, and interpreter of Japanese literature and culture. The primary goals of the Center are to promote Japanese studies and to ensure a continuing exchange of ideas between Japan and the United States. In a larger sense, it seeks to encourage study of the interrelationships among the cultures of Japan and the other nations of the world in forming our shared global heritage. The Keene Center's operations encompass a variety of activities, including lectures, symposia, exhibitions, academic fellowships, visiting fellows, and a translation prize program.

Michael Emmerich
For Manazuru (original work: Manazuru by Hiromi Kawakami). Michael Emmerich is an assistant professor at University of California, Santa Barbara Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.

Thomas William Hare
For Zeami: Performance Notes (original work: Nihon Shisotaikei 24 Zeami Zenchiku by Zeami Motokiyo). Thomas William Hare is William Sauter LaPorte ’28 Professor in Regional Studies, Professor of Comparative Literature at Princeton University.

The award ceremony will take place on February 25, 2011.

We are currently accepting applications for Japanese to English translation of literary works for the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature. The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize has long set a standard of excellence in its field, playing a central and enduring role in enhancing the quality, quantity, and scope of Japanese literary works that receive translation into the English language. Annually, it awards the Prize to the best translation of a book-length modern work or a classical work, which is selected by the translators themselves. The 2011 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize application deadline is Thursday, October 28, 2010. For submission guidelines and the application form, please click here.

Sept. 15	“Tea Demonstration and Lecture” Demonstration and Lecture by Dr. Genshitsu Sen (Soshitsu Sen XV), Urasenke 6:00 PM, Casa Italiana, Columbia University   [Details] *Seating is limited. RSVP to
Sept. 30	“How the Sacred Foxes Came to Columbia: Anthropological Fieldwork, Synchronicity, and the Collecting Impulse” Lecture by Karen Smyers, Anthropologist 6:00 PM, Room 403 Kent Hall, Columbia University   [Details]
Oct. 7-9	“John C. Weber International Symposium on Japanese Religion and Culture: Images and Objects in Japanese Buddhist Practice” Room 403 Kent Hall (tentative), Columbia University   [Details]
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