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Please
join us for the third annual Japanese Film Showcase &
Presentation on Friday, April 15, from
4:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the University of Pennsylvania,
Houston Hall (Class of '49 Auditorium) at 3417 Spruce
Street, Philadelphia, PA. The former member of
Japanese Yakuza - Japanese Mafia (organized crime groups) -
Hiroyuki Suzuki speaks on the life inside the Yakuza and how
he transformed
from a feared member of Japan's underworld into a highly
respected pastor and role model. A critically
acclaimed biographical film based on Suzuki's personal tale,
"Jesus Is My Boss," will be also shown. |
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Seats are
limited. Reserve your tickets today!
$3 in advance; $4 at the door
To reserve tickets, please call 215-701-6349 or
click here. |
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Japanese refreshments will be available for
purchase. |
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Suzuki's Presentation will be translated
simultaneously into English. |
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"Jesus Is My Boss" (128 min. dir. Koichi
Saito, Japan, 2001) is originally called "Oyabun Wa
Iesu Sama" and has subtitles in English.
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The film contains violent scenes and some adult
language. Viewer discretion is advised. |
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The event will be held as part of the eighth annual
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater
Philadelphia, organized by the Japan America
Society of Greater Philadelphia, and presented by
the Philadelphia Japanese Film Association and
Omori & Yaguchi, a sole Japanese
patent law firm in Philadelphia. |
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Directions &
Parking Information |
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Link to the University's Web site
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University's campus maps
[PDF]
* The building #245 is Houston Hall
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About the Program: |
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4 PM
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Doors Open |
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4:15 -
6:25 |
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First
film showing of Jesus is My Boss |
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6:35 - 8:05
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Lecture by Rev. Hiroyuki
Suzuki |
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8:15 - 10:25 |
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Second film showing |
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About Hiroyuki
Suzuki:
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Born in Osaka, Japan in 1955, Suzuki became a member
of the Yakuza, Japan's organized crime groups, at the
age of 17. With the tattoos of carps and mythical
beasts all over his upper body and conspicuously missing
pinkie fingers, he was involved in hoodlumism for the
better part of two decades. |
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In 1989, a potentially fatal error led him to flee for his
life from more than 5,000 Yakuza members, including his
fellow brothers. He was in constant fear of being
killed, and living as a fugitive completely wore him out.
In the following year, with the support of
his Korean wife's prayers, he repented to God and joined
a church in Tokyo. |
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In 1992, Suzuki along with a handful of peer Yakuza
converts led a six-month evangelical march throughout
Japan, lugging a huge wooden cross. Similar
walking tours took place in South Korea and Hawaii,
which eventually developed into Mission Barabbas,
a missionary group organized by Suzuki and other Yakuza
converts. |
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Suzuki gained enough attention to earn a speaking
engagement at the President's Prayer Breakfast at the
White House in 1998, along with President Bill Clinton
and the Rev. Billy Graham, which generated extensive media coverage
internationally. |
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The 49-year-old convert is currently a pastor of the Siloam
Christ Church in Chiba, Japan, and continues to deliver his
life story and the Gospel of Jesus to various non-Christian
and charity groups all over the globe. |
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Suzuki has authored memoirs and self-help publications
in Japan, including "Anyone Can Start Over" (Asuka-Shinsha,
2001), "Beloved, Forgiven" (Raiin Shuppan, 2000), "The
Tattooed Christian" (Waseda Shuppan, 1998), and "How To
Start Over From Living Below The Breadline: A Memoir by the
Tattooed Pastor" (Kodansha, 2002). |
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