The Japan Society was founded in 1907 to foster mutual cultural understanding and enlightened relations between east and west, and does so admirably. The society's U.S. headquarters, housed in a striking modern building by Junzo Yoshimuro (1971), mounts highly regarded exhibits of Japanese art in a serene gallery. Changing displays have included "Japanese Theater in the World" and "Frank Lloyd Wright and the Art of Japan: The Architect's Other Passion"; and late in 2003 "Isamu Noguchi and Modern Japanese Ceramics: Close Embrace of the Earth." The tranquil, elegant building also features a bamboo pond garden as well as a 278-seat auditorium that hosts a variety of performances, from contemporary Japanese dance and music to butoh dance and kabuki. The extensive program schedule also features lectures, gallery talks, films, and classes throughout the year; call or check the website for current programming.