JET alum John Gauntner enlightens, entertains Japan Society audience
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Last night was Japan Society of New York’s Anual Sake Tasting: Back to Basics event with a lecture by JET alum John Gauntner (Kanagawa-ken) (aka “The Sake Guy”), now the leading sake educator in the world, followed by a sake tasting (and mingling) with about 20 sake exporters from all over Japan. I attended with professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) (who writes the WIT Life posts on JETwit) and we had a terrific time, learning the basics of sake, running into Tomoko Okuno of Japan Society as well as Alma Jennings (Fukushima-ken, 2008-10) who was volunteering at the event, and of course finally getting to meet John in person.
John will be lecturing at similar events over the next few days in Boston, Toronto and several other cities in North America. So keep your eyes out and, if you attend, make sure to say hi and let him know you’re a JET alum as well.
Thanks to Japan Society for putting on a great event!
Stacy Smith (CIR Kumamoto, 2000-03) and John Gauntner (Kanagawa)
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Sake tasting: JET alums Stacy Smith, Alma Jennings and Steven Horowitz sample sake with Kensuke Shichida, President of Saga Prefecture-based Tenzan Sake Brewery
Japan Society Presents Hikashu & Tomoe Shinohara in Concert
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The Japan Society will be hosting an upcoming concert featuring J-techno pop band Hikashu & Tomoe Shinohara on May 13. 50% of all ticket sales from this event will go to Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund.
Click Here to find out more information about the show.
Posted by Sam Frank, an ALT who taught English in Hiraizumi-Cho, Iwate Prefecture from 2002-2004 and worked in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture as a JET from 2004-2006. He currently manages the New York Division of UnRated Magazine and works as a Project Manager/Web Producer at Arrow Root Media.
NY’s Japan Society announces allocation of Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
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New York’s Japan Society has released full details about the non-profit organizations in Japan that will receive the first allocation of funds from Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Read on for their press release…
New York, NY – Japan Society today announced four Japanese nonprofit organizations that will receive a total of $1,000,000 in the first installment of funding from the Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund for relief and recovery work in northeastern Japan.
The four organizations – Tokyo Volunteer Network for Disaster Relief, JEN, Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC), and the Japan NPO Center – are involved in immediate relief efforts to help victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.
“Each organization is on the front lines in Japan and is playing an important role in the relief process,” Japan Society President Motoatsu Sakurai said. “We are pleased to provide financial support to these groups.”
Japan Society Round-up 03.28.11: Disaster relief funds set up by Japan America Societies
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In addition to the many fundraising events planned by Japan America Societies around the country, numerous funds have been set up to collect donations for Japan’s disaster relief. This list of funds (organized alphabetically by city/state) was compiled by JET alum Gail Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10). If you know of a fund set up by a Japan America Society that is not listed here, please leave it in the comments. Thanks!
JASGA has created a disaster relief fund to collect donations for organizations involved directly with relief efforts in the northeastern area of Japan. Donations can be made online here. Alternatively, checks can be sent to Japan-America Society of Greater Austin PO Box 9276 Austin, TX 78766. Please make checks payable to the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin and be sure to write Earthquake-Tsunami Relief Fund in the memo field.
JSB partnered with the Boston Foundation and the Fish Family Foundation to create a new Japanese Disaster Relief Fund-Boston. Donations to this fund are now being accepted online at www.japanesedisasterrelieffund.org. This fund was established with an initial leadership grant of $100,000 from Atsuko and Lawrence Fish, who have also pledged to cover all administrative costs of the fund. This will make it possible for 100 percent of contributions to go directly to Japanese disaster victims and to the organizations working on the ground in Tohoku to help the people who need it most. For more information, click here.
JASSCA has established the 2011 Japan Relief Fund. All donations will be forwarded to experienced non-governmental disaster relief agencies in Japan that have a proven track record of emergency humanitarian relief and restoration and development of destroyed areas. To donate, visit their website here.
JASNC created the JSNC Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund and pledges that 100 percent of contributions will be provided to Give2Asia, a highly regarded San Francisco-based philanthropy, to support relief efforts. Give2Asia will channel 95 percent of all funds received to Japanese NGOs working on the ground, with the remaining 5 percent funding Give2Aisa’s own work coordinating with and supporting those NGOs. Currently Give2Asia — in consultation with its advisor Japan NPO Network — is formulating relief plans with Second Harvest Japan and Shanti Volunteer Association. It is also in discussions with: Japanese Emergency NGOs (JEN), Saigai Volunteer Katsudo Shien Project Kaigi, Rescue Stock Yard, and Niigata Saigai (Disaster Volunteer Network). To donate, go here: http://give2asia.org/japansociety.
The Japan America Society of Chicago is currently accepting donations for the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. All proceeds will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross. To donate online, click here.
Japan Society Round-up: Events to raise funds for disaster relief
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Japan America Societies around the country are organizing fundraising efforts to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. Here is a listing of various upcoming events for disaster relief gathered by JET alum Gail Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10). If your local Japan America Society is planning a fundraising event not listed here, please leave it in the comments!
What: Candlelight vigil- Where: Front steps of Thomas Worthington High School, 300 W. Granville Road, Worthington
- When: Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
- Details: There will be music and a couple students speaking. Donations will be collected for the Red Cross fund for Japan.
- What: Soprano Seiko Lee Benefit Concert for Japanese Earthquake Relief
- Where: Dublin Recreation Center – Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, Ohio
- When: Sunday, March 27 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
- Details: The performance will feature Kenichiro Matsuda (Columbus Symphony), Hanamizuki no Kai (Columbus Japanese Women’s Chorus) and Eiko Toyoda (piano). Tickets/Suggested Donation $20 per person or two for $30. 100% of all ticket sales and donations will go to the Red Cross Japanese Chapter and will be directly used to support victims in Fukushima Prefecture through the Seiko Lee Project staff members. There are only 200 seats available, so pre-ordering tickets is recommended. Contact Ms. Asako Kim at 614-560-7796, Akai Hana Restaurant or Tensuke Market for more information or to purchase tickets. There is an age limit of 7 years and older.
- What: Stand With Japan event
- Where: The grounds of the Washington Monument
- When: Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.
- Details: The National Cherry Blossom Festival, its partners, participants and supporters invite you to gather at the Washington Monument followed by a walk around the Tidal Basin in the spirit of hope and rebuilding. This will be an opportunity for people to unite and connect, as well as contribute to the Festival’s Japan relief efforts, directly supporting the American Red Cross and their Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund. Visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information.
- What: Discussion forum about the earthquake
- Where: W.T. Young Library Auditorium of the University of Kentucky
- When: Monday, March 28 from 4:10 to 6:10 p.m.
- Details: The discussion forum will feature the following individuals, all of whom experienced the earthquake and/or saw its aftermath in Japan: Doug Slaymaker (Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures [MCLLC]), Keiko Tanaka (Community and Leadership Development) and Akiko Takenaka (History). In addition, the forum also will include Susan Gardner (Physics and Astronomy) and Dhananjay Ravat (Earth and Environmental Sciences). These panelists will explore issues pertaining to the earthquake from multiple perspectives. Masamichi (Marro) Inoue (MCLLC, Director of the Japan Studies Program) will introduce and moderate the discussion. This forum will be an occasion for information sharing, cross-cultural community building, and academic engagement in social issues. Donations to the Red Cross will be accepted. The forum is free and open to the public.
- What: Bluegrass Community Walk for Japan Relief
- Where: Coldstream Research Park in North Lexington
- When: Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
- Details: Residents of the Bluegrass Region who wish to show their support for the disaster victims will come together for this free community event. Donations for Japan disaster relief will be accepted by the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross.
- What: Concert for Japan
- Where: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St. between 1st and 2nd avenues
- When: Saturday, April 9, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Details: Twelve hours of music and special activities will benefit Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. 100% of proceeds from the event and tax-deductible contributions made on site to the relief fund will go to organizations that directly help victims recover from the earthquake and tsunami. With dozens of performances throughout the day, confirmed gala blocks feature Philip Glass & Hal Willner, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Zorn (starting at 1 p.m.), and Ryuichi Sakamoto and Bill Laswell and gigi band (starting at 6 p.m.). In addition to the music, there will be activities for all ages. Participants will have the chance to make origami cranes and washi lanterns, take basic Japanese language lessons and access to Japan Society’s current gallery exhibition, “By Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art.” The entrance fee is $5. Gala blocks are $100 per block. For more information, click here.
- What: Japan Earthquake Relief Form and Update
- Where: Morrison & Foerster LLP, 425 Market St., 33F, San Francisco
- When: Monday, March 28, Noon to 2 p.m.
- Details: This free brown bag lunch meeting will focus on Japan Society earthquake and tsunami relief efforts and how the disaster may shape Japan’s future at home, regionally and globally. Dr. Barnett F. Baron, President and CEO of Give2Asia, will discuss his organizations work in the crisis, as well as the Japanese NPOs on the ground that Japan Society and Give2Asia are funding during this catastrophe. Dr. T.J. Pempel, Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, will provide a broader view of the long-term impacts. Advance registration required. For more information, click here.
- What: Japanese Dance Workshop
- Where: Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas
- When: Saturday, March 26. Session 1 is 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Session 2 is 3 to 4:15 p.m.
- Details: Learn Japanese folk dance during this workshop with kodo artist Chieko Kojima to raise funds for the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan. The fee is $15 for JASGA members of $20 for non-members. The first session is for participants who have basic skills and knowledge of Japanese dance, and the second session is for beginners. For more information, click here.
Japan America Society Roundup 2.9.11
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JET alum Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Japan America Society of Colorado
Tsugaru Shamisen performance — Come hear a free performance by the Monsters of Shamisen, Kevin Kmetz and Mike Penny. They are the first non-Japanese Tsugaru Shamisen performers ever to have participated and placed in the national Tsugaru Shamisen tournaments held annually in the Tsugaru region of northern Japan. Kmetz and Penny have performed throughout Japan and the U.S. in a great number of musical groups. Their music is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles including baroque/classical, Balkan gypsy, American bluegrass, Irish folk music and modern rock/pop.
- Date: Monday, Feb. 21
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Place: University of Colorado Denver, King Center Concert Hall, 855 Lawrence Way on the Auraria Campus
- For more information, click here.
Performance by Japanese violinist — Wright State University will host a free recital by world-class violinist Takayoshi Wanami, a blind violinist who has performed and recorded with some of the finest orchestras around the world, including the London Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Philharmonia, and the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields, among others. The performance will feature works by Beethoven, Ysaye, Takemitsu and Tchaikovsky. Also during the event, the University Orchestra will play Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 22
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Place: Wright State University’s Schuster Hall, Creative Arts Center
- For more information, click here.
JAS of the State of Washington
Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club — In the 1920s, Seattle’s first photography group was founded by Japanese immigrants who were denied citizenship and went on to dominate exhibitions and win numerous prizes. To create their work, which combined pictorial photography and Japanese traditional art, photographers used a blurry focus, altered the photos during development and captured emotions in a style that took its cue from the painting of the era. These photographs will be on display at a JASSW reception with guided tours and discussion.
- Date: Thursday, March 31
- Time: To Be Announced (evening)
- Place: Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st, Seattle
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail the info at gail (at) jetwit (dot) com.
Japan America Society Roundup 1.5.11
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JET alum Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
11th Annual Mochitsuki New Year’s Celebration — Celebrate the New Year Japanese style with demonstrations of mochitsuki (pounding sweet rice with a mallet and mortar to make rice cakes) and sample the end result with anko, kinako, nori, or Sendai’s special zunda-mochi. The afternoon will feature live performances by taiko drummers, a children’s choir, traditional Japanese dancers and a kimono demonstration. Other activities include New Year’s games for children, origami, calligraphy, and ikebana. Cost is $8 for non-members, $5 for members, $2 for children aged 6 to 12 years, free for children ages 5 and under.
- Date: Sunday, January 16
- Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
- Place: Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., 2801 Telecom Parkway, Richardson, Texas 75082
- For more information, click here.
- Contact: info (at) jasdfw (dot) org or 214-342-2022
- Pittsburgh Sushi Experience — How’s a resolution to try more sushi sound? In 2011, the JAS of Pennsylvania will visit four Pittsburgh sushi restaurants. The first gathering will be at the trendy Penn Avenue Fish Company, where you can sample fusion sushi and a host of other aquatic offerings. Be sure to bring your business card to participate in a drawing for a gift card.
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: 308 Forbes Ave. (near Honus Wagner), downtown Pittsburgh
- For more information, click here.
Speaker Series Presentation — Dr. William R. Farrell will give a presentation titled “From Black Ships to a Black President: Images and Reality in US-Japan Relations.” Using wood block prints, post cards and political cartoons, he will take the audience on a lively tour through history, viewing events such as Commodore Perry’s arrival, the road to Pearl Harbor, World War II, the Occupation, trade wars and the current international situation.
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 27
- Time: JASGC annual meeting at 5 p.m. Speaker presentation at 5:30 p.m.
- Place: Taft Center, 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email the info to Gail at gail (at) jetwit (dot) com.
New Spring Japanese Classes at Japan Society of New York
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| New Spring Classes at the Toyota Language Center
Spring 2011 Japanese Japanese Spring 2011 English Spring 2011 Shodō 2011 Spring Learn To Read Hiragana and Katakana LOCATION |
Japan America Society Round-up 12.7.10
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JET alum Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Hatsuharu no Kai (New Year’s Celebration) — Don’t forget to eat your mochi! (Who needs Ovaltine, anyway?) Join students from the Japanese School of Denver as they greet 2011 by pounding rice into mochi, practicing calligraphy and demonstrating a tea ceremony.
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 9
- Time: Noon to 3 p.m.
- Place: Arapahoe Community College, Littleton campus
- For more information, click here.
Outdoor Film Series — Check out this series of free events in Japantown Peace Plaza over the next few months. Events include film screenings and karaoke contests. December’s film presentation is Tokyo Godfathers, a film set in Tokyo at Christmas. Three homeless friends—a young girl, a transvestite, and a middle-aged bum—are foraging through some trash when they find an abandoned newborn. Hana, the transvestite with delusions of being a mother, convinces the others to keep it overnight. The next day, using a key found with the baby, they start tracking down the parents, with many adventures along the way.
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 11
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: Peace Plaza in Japantown, Post Street at Buchanan Street, San Francisco
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail the info.
Japan America Society Round-up 11.22.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Inside a Japanese Kitchen: Let’s Make Sukiyaki — In this two-part workshop, participants will learn about the wide variety of Japanese condiments such as dashi, miso and ponzu, and then how to use some of those condiments to make sukiyaki.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 5
- Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Place: Maneki Neko Restaurant, 238 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia
- For more information, click here.
- Japanese Business Culture: Working With Japanese Colleagues — Do you work at or with a Japanese company? This seminar is designed to help cover some of the challenges you may encounter, including: ways to communicate, styles of communication, Japanese style decision making, hierarchy of workers, role of the group, protocols (gift giving, greetings, business cards, etc.), and brief language introduction.
- Date: Friday, Dec. 10
- Time: 8 a.m. to noon
- Place: Dublin Entrepreneurial Center, 7003 Post Road, Dublin
- For more information, click here.
Press Club YPG Bonenkai — Bid farewell to 2010 by sampling a wide variety of wine with Japan Society friends and food at the Press Club with its eight winery-exclusive tasting bars.
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 16
- Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco
- For more information, click here.
- The New Era of Medicine with iPS Stem Cells — This lecture will be given by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Japan’s best known scientist in the field of stem-cell research. In addition to his Center for iPS Cell Research & Application at Kyoto University, he is also Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, and Investigator in Stem Cell Biology at the University of California at San Francisco. He is the 2010 recipient of two of the world’s most prestigious awards for scientific research: The Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology and The Balzan Prize.
- Date: Monday, Dec. 13
- Time: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Place: The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Round-up 10.19.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America Societies…
The Horse in Japan Exhibit Tours – If you love horses and Japan, this program’s for you. Berea College will host a symposium and exhibit with artifacts from the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan, including wood blocks (ukiyo-e), examining the cross-cultural meanings of the horse in society. Tours will be available in English as well as Japanese.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 30
- Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Frost Building, Room 218, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
- For more information, click here.
- Japanese Home Style Cooking Class – Learn how to make authentic Japanese food in this hands-on, intimate and practical cooking class. Participants will learn easy recipes that don’t require many special ingredients or tools.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 24
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Place: Ryu of Japan, 11101 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas
- For more information, click here.
JAS of the State of Washington
Green Energy Event – This event, titled “Adding‘$Green¥’ to the Bottom Line”, brings together speakers from four companies all involved in some aspect of green energy. Two of the companies have green energy products at different stages of development, the third is responsible for developing an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a six-state region, and the fourth represents a consulting firm and will provide a broad overview of green energy in both Japan and the United States. Additionally, there will be a demonstration by Canycom of one of their all-electric utility vehicles before the event.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 27
- Time: 5 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: PACCAR Hall Seattle UW Campus
- For more information, click here.
Do your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 10.11.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America Societies…
Japanese Buddhist Fire Ceremony — Join a group of Tendai Buddhist monks from Japan as they present sacred chants and perform the dramatic, traditional outdoor goma (fire) ceremony. Discover the meaning behind the ceremony, and participate by writing prayers for sanctification. Curator Anne Nishimura Morse will discuss Buddhist images acquired for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts by three benefactors.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 24
- Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Place: Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston
- For more information, click here.
- History of Christianity in Japan – This program provides a unique opportunity to learn about the multifaceted history of Christianity in Japan from its beginning until the present. Dr. Leroy Seat, who lived in Japan from 1966 to 2004 and taught at Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka for 36 years, will give a presentation of Christian history in Japan from the time of Francis Xavier’s arrival in 1549 until Dr. Seat’s own last visit to Japan last May.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 26
- Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri
- For more information, click here.
Restless Spirits and Bewitching Transformations! – Get your skin crawling learning about a whole world of Japanese goblins and ghosts. What is that clattering in the kitchen in the still dead of night? Where does she go wandering so mysteriously in the hours of darkness, that beautiful young wife? As Halloween spirits return to their spectral world, this creepy program will explore the Japanese tradition of yokai and yurei.
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 2
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Lodge Room No. 11, The Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen St., London WC2
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.27.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (Hiroshima-ken, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Godzilla and Japanese Culture – Since the monster’s first appearance more than 50 years ago, Godzilla has become a cinematic icon and a globally recognized symbol of Japan. Southern Methodist University’s new dean and Godzilla expert, Dr. William Tsutsui, will give a talk exploring the serious lessons to be learned from the 28 Godzilla films and the abiding worldwide popularity of the King of the Monsters.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5
- Time: Registration at 6:30 p.m.; Lecture at 7 p.m.; Reception at 8 p.m.
- Place: McCord Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Dallas Hall, Southern Methodist University, 3225 University Drive, Dallas
- For more information: http://www.jasdfw.org/downloads/godzilla.pdf
Japan Career Day – This fall JASM will host its first Japan Career Day, aimed at students and young professionals looking to use their experience with Japanese language and culture in a future profession. This event will feature speakers, panel discussions and workshops on how to leverage your Japan experience into a successful career. Cost is $5 for JASM members or $10 for non-members. Following the Career Day will be a Sushi Social networking event where attendees can network with established Japan professionals from around the metro area. The social costs $30 for JASM members or $35 for non-members.
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
- Time: Career Day from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sushi Social from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Place: Career Day will be at Macalester College, Alexander Hill Ballroom, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul. The Sushi Social will be at Sakura restaurant, 350 Saint Peter St., St. Paul.
- For more information or to RSVP: Call the JASM office at 612-627-9357 or e-mail jasm (at) us-japan (dot) org.
US-Japan Business Luncheon – The keynote speaker at this luncheon will be Shuhei Aoki, Bank of Japan’s General Manager for the Americas and Chief Representative in New York. Mr. Aoki will explore the topic “Can Japan Prosper Again?” With China having passed Japan as the world’s second largest economy, Aoki will address questions about whether Japan can regain its economic momentum by expanding trade with China, or whether the U.S. is a more reliable partner.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 28
- Time: Registration at 11:30 a.m.; Lunch and Networking at noon; Lecture and Q&A at 12:30 p.m.
- Place: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St.
- For more information: http://jasgp.org/newsletter/current.html
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.1.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (Hiroshima-shi ALT 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine WideIslandView.com, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Tea Ceremony Workshop — Learn how to make a perfect bowl of tea at this hands-on workshop. During this tea ceremony event, participants can learn about the history, cultural contents and basic principles of the tea ceremony in English.
- Date: Friday, Sept. 17
- Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: The Japan Society of Northern California (Conference Room),
- For more information, click here.
- Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival — Enjoy traditional Asian music, dance and food, as well as arts and crafts at the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival. JASP will have a booth there demonstrating traditional Japanese wrapping cloth techniques (furoshiki). Learn how to wrap and carry a water bottle, make a waist pouch and more.
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 18
- Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Place: South Side Riverfront Park, Pittsburgh
- For more information, click here.
Nihon-to: The Swords of Japan — Come and learn all about Japanese swords from Frank Tomicek, a member of the Austin Kendo Doshikai and Japanese Sword Society of the United States, as well as a long time collector of Japanese swords.
- Date: Monday, Sept. 13
- Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: 1701 Toomey Road, Casa de Luz Auditorium (1F), Austin
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Cetnar Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Indiana State Fair “Bridges to Japan” exhibit — Starting this year, Indiana’s state fair will have a new international theme each year, and they’re starting by featuring Japan. The exhibit will introduce visitors to Japanese culture and showcase Indiana’s extensive connections to Japan. Visitors can enjoy Japanese cultural activities, performances, exhibits on daily life, Japanese food, and displays on the many economic, sister city, and educational partnerships between Indiana and Japan. Volunteers are being recruited!
- Date: Aug. 6 to 22
- Place: Indiana State Fairgrounds, on the corner of East 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway in Indianapolis
- For more information, click here.
- Summer Film Series — The Summer Film Series sponsored by the Japan Society of Boston will feature screenings of nine major Japanese movies (most of them new or rarely screened in the Boston area). It’s a wonderful opportunity to see Japanese hit movies or classics by great Japanese directors. Plus: they’re free! You can also enjoy dinner (often featuring Japanese delicacies) before the movies. Pre-registration is required.
- Date: June 29 to Aug. 24
- Time: Most screenings are on Tuesdays starting at 7 p.m. There will be a special A-bomb Memorial Day screening on Friday, Aug. 6
- Place: Movies will be in the Rainbow Hall of Showa Boston Institute. Dinner is in Showa’s cafeteria.
- For more information, click here.
Canoe Excursion: Historic Franfort Tour — Enjoy a guided canoe/kayak trip with JASK friends, designed for beginners. Children and families are welcome. Price is $30. Float along and breath the fresh air in the midst of beautiful Kentucky river country.
- Date: July 17
- Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
- Place: Kentucky River View Park, Frankfort, Kentucky
- For more information, click here.
- Japanese Dialect Workshops — Impress your Japanese friends with your knowledge of four dialects from the northernmost to the southernmost regions of Japan. These special language workshops are geared for intermediate to advanced Japanese language learners. Each week, a different dialect will be taught by native Japanese speakers from the regions of Okinawa, Kansai, Kyushu and Hokkaido. To register, click here.
- Dates: Wednesdays, July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, 11615 Forest Central Drive, Suite 206, Dallas
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
