Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows is Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View and a regular JetWit contributor who writes the Japan America Society Roundup.
This Thanksgiving I’d like to share with you a story about an experience that one Hiroshima JET was very grateful to have during his time in Japan. This story made headlines in Japanese newspapers in Hiroshima and Niigata prefectures in the summer of 2008, and now we’ve published it in the Wide Island View. My eyes well up every time I read it! I believe that this is one extraordinary example of a JET reaching out and connecting with the Japanese community. So without further ado, let’s begin…
By Aaron Sponseller
As I exited Nagaoka Station, I had no idea what would happen over the course of the next several hours. After taking an all-night bus trip from Hiroshima to Tokyo and then hopping on a train for another couple hours to reach this city in Niigata Prefecture, my wife, Tomoko, and I were tired yet enthusiastic to see how this day I had long-awaited would turn out.
We had come to Nagaoka to finish something that was long overdue. My grandfather served in the United States Army for the entire duration of World War II. In the spring of 1945, in the Philippines, he came into possession of a Japanese war flag.
When enemy soldiers were captured, they were stripped of all their gear and military issued clothing. It was not unusual for their captors to take these objects and keep them as souvenirs. Allied soldiers would take Nazi paraphernalia back to their home countries in the European Theatre; they did the same thing with Japanese paraphernalia in the Pacific. Japanese swords, katana, were prized as souvenirs. However, getting a sword back to the U.S. may have proven difficult, so many soldiers looked for smaller or more easily smuggled items. Less conspicuous items. One of the most common items to smuggle home was a Japanese flag.
Before heading to war, most Japanese soldiers took part in a ceremony of some kind that marked their departure. These ceremonies were typically held at Shinto shrines around Japan, with each ceremony marking the departure of several soldiers. During the ceremony, most soldiers were presented with a medium-sized Japanese flag (just the traditional white flag with a red “sun” in the middle). The flags were usually written on, however. The top of the flag read 「武運長久」(pronounced bu-un cho-kyu). This translates to something along the lines of “continued luck in battle.” The flag would also have the name of the soldier on it in large characters, as well as the name of the person at the ceremony who presented that flag to the soldier. The presenter was typically someone important to the soldier such as a boss or a good friend. Around the red sun were the hand-written names of the soldier’s friends or family or otherwise important people. The soldiers carried these flags with them throughout the war as reminders of who they were fighting for.
So, in the spring of 1945, in the Philippines, my grandfather found himself in possession of one such flag. Another soldier had quite a few flags and just gave one to my grandfather. Before I moved to Japan, my grandfather told me “I’ve wanted, for some time, to try to return the flag to the family to which it belongs. But I have no idea how you go about doing anything like that.”
Click here for the rest of the article…
Japan America Society Roundup 11.21.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
JAS of Greater Detroit and Windsor
Holiday Celebration and Wishlist Auction — Spend an evening toasting the season with society members at the elegant Meadow Brook Hall, the “Dodge” family mansion. Meadow Brook is one of America’s castles. It is the fourth largest historic house museum in the U.S., and is renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale.
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16
- Time: 6:30 to 10 p.m.
- Place: Meadow Brook Hall, Adams Road Entrance – Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester, Michigan
- For more information: http://us-japan-canada.org/en/events/default.aspx?eventid=11
Hokusai’s Summit: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji — Take a special tour of Katsushika Hokusai’s famed series the Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji, on exhibition for a limited time at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Hokusai is best known for his work in ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), known as woodblock prints in the West. His most famous and influential print is The Great Wave off Kanagawa, one of the prints included in this series.
- Date: Friday, Dec. 18
- Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Place: Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
- For more information: http://www.jashawaii.org/pdfdocs/Events20091117_3.pdf
The Aftermath corporate program — Sir Deryck Maughan, head of KKR’s Global Financial Institutions Group and Chairman of KKR Japan, will discuss economic and geo-political implications of the global financial crisis.
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 2
- Time: 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- Place: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., New York, New York 10017
- For more information: http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=4edef7fa
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 11.14.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
9th Annual Bonenkai — Forget 2009’s economic troubles with an evening of drinking and Japanese cuisine at the Krohn Conservatory, where you can enjoy the Cincinnati Park’s 2010 Butterfly Show, starring the butterflies of Japan.
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 10
- Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Cincinnati Krohn Conservatory, 950 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati
- For more information: http://jasgc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1
- Shiatsu Workshop — Does the holiday season stress you out? Here’s a way to decompress. Masako Wada, a licensed acupuncturist and shiatsu therapist in Austin, will instruct participants in how to give Shiatsu massages for relaxation. She also will teach techniques for applying acupuncture without hurting yourself.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
- Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Triangle Square Club House, 4600 Guadalupe St., Austin
- For more information, click here.
21st Annual Origami Workshop — Learn the art of origami, Japanese paper folding, from paper cranes to an advanced decorative box and even an origami wreath. Admission and materials are free.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
- Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
- Place: Two World Trade Center (Mezzanine Level), S.W. First Ave. between Salmon and Taylor streets, Portland
- 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 Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 11.5.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Iaido: An Exhibition of Sword Arts Presented by Sword Masters from Fukuoka — The Japan-America Society of Mississippi will host five Sword Masters from Fukuoka, Japan, in three separate performances of martial arts, Japanese dance and performances of Japanese folk songs in Oxford, Fulton and Jackson, Mississippi. The Sword Masters will offer an exhibition of the ancient arts of Iaidō, Jōjutsu, Jūjutsu and Kendō. Master Nawata also will perform a Samurai Kuroda Bushi Buyo (dance). Each event will feature choral performances of traditional Japanese folk songs by local college choral groups. There will be three presentations:
- Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Meek Hall on the Ole Miss Oxford Campus.
- Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Itawamba Community College Fulton Campus.
- Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts at Millsaps College in Jackson.
- For more information: http://www.jasmis-us.com/events.html#Iaidou
- Japanese Holiday Card Workshop — Celebrate the holiday season by designing one-of-a-kind Japanese cards. During this workshop, you will learn to combine basic calligraphy brush strokes with Sumie techniques to create your own holiday- inspired designs. All levels are welcome.
- Date: Friday, Nov. 13
- Time: Session 1 is from 2 to 4 p.m. Session 2 is from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Japan America Society of Chicago, 20 N. Clark St., Suite 750, Chicago
- For more information: http://www.jaschicago.org/en/events/default.aspx?eventid=105
Kodo: An Evening of Incense Appreciation — Mr. Masataka Hata, president of the Shoyeido Incense company of Kyoto will present an evening dedicated to the lore of traditional Japanese incense appreciation. Engage in the classic incense game of kumiko or genji–ko, a favorite pastime of courtiers, as depicted in The Tale of Genji. Participants also can create their own fragrance to take home in an incense sachet. Register here.
- Date: Friday, Nov. 20
- Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Place: Showa Boston Institute, 420 Pond St., 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 Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 10.25.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of the Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Young Professionals Horsing Around Picnic — What did Mr. Ed say to the throat specialist? … “I’m feeling a little hoarse!” (Sorry, just couldn’t resist.) As if a picnic under the autumn leaves weren’t enough, this event also features horseback riding and fishing (if you bring your own fishing equipment). The cost is $30 for JASG members. Register online here by Nov. 11.
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
- Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
- Place: White Dog Farm, 685 Old Alpharetta Road, Alpharetta, Georgia
- For more information: http://jasgeorgia.org/eng/taxonomy/term/1
An Afternoon of Japanese Ghost Stories and Jazz — In the Noh theater, the dead are more important than the living because the actions of the dead are what brought us to where we are today. Japanese ghosts are usually female. Upset females. They are portrayed without feet because they have lost their connection to the earth. They are passionate women on a mission, so filled with love, jealousy or rage; they won’t go peacefully to into the night. At this event, hear Brenda Wong Aoki tell ghost stories masterfully performed in concert with Asian Jazz pioneer composer Mark Izu. This event also features performances of the koto, sax and shakuhachi (a traditional Japanese bamboo flute).
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 1
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Place: Yoshi’s San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore St., San Francisco
- For more information: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/945
Monstrosity after the Bubble: Japanese Visual Culture and Techno-Animism — Anne Allison, author of Millennial Monsters; Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination, will speak about animist sensibility in postmodern Japan.
- Date: Friday, Oct. 30
- Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Tufts University, Sophia Gordon Hall, 15 Talbot Ave., Medford, Massachusetts
- For more information: http://events.tufts.edu/details.php?eventid=14953&evdate=2009-10-30
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 10.19.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
- Political and Economic Outlook of Japan — Hear leading experts discuss economic and political issues facing Japan today. Among the speakers will be Minister Hajime Hayashi, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan, and Peter Kelly, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
- Time: 3 p.m.
- Place: The Ohio State University Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus
- For more information: http://jasco.osu.edu/
Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden — Bring the whole family to admire the colorful fall foliage as well as traditional Japanese dance, music, martial arts demonstrations, paper making and tea ceremonies.
- Date: Oct. 24-25
- Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Place: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth
- For more information: http://www.fwbg.org/calendar.php#2
JAS of the State of Washington
- Globally Successful: US-Japan Business Strategies— This round-table event, featuring a panel of four speakers representing Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Boeing, Nippon Suisan and Starbucks, will compare and contrast the global strategies of U.S. and Japanese firms from the aerospace, retail, food and financial services industries, as well as the similarities in strategies across their different target markets. Click here to register. The registration deadline is Oct. 23.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
- Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Douglas Forum, Bank of America Executive Education Center, Seattle UW Campus.
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jassw/
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 10.3.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
Lecture on Japanese Folding Fans — Japanese fans got us all through the miserable Japanese summers, but we should appreciate them for much more than that. They are used in a number of Japanese cultural practices, including Kabuki dance and Noh performances. Japanese fans have, in the past, been a major export from Japan, thought today this accessory to Japanese culture can sometimes be overlooked. During this lecture by Kanji Ishizumi, you can learn about the process of Japanese fan making and its craftsmanship, which have been passed down from generation to generation. The event is free, but places are limited. To reserve a place, e-mail event (at) jpf (dot) org (dot) uk.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Japan Foundation, Russell Square House, 10-12 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5EH
- For more information, click here.
Classic Japanese Hair Styling — Keiichi Hanada, one of Kyoto’s most prominent contemporary hair stylists, will introduce classical Japanese coiffures of the 18th and 19th centuries and reveal their enduring beauty. This is a free event. Registration is required.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Showa Boston Institute, 420 Pond St., Boston
- For more information, click here.
Presentation about Japanese employment — Dr. Norma Field of the University of Chicago will give a presentation titled “What’s happening to Japanese workers: What you won’t read in the Wall Street Journal or Business Week.” The perception that nearly all Japanese work for stable, team-oriented, paternalistic employers has been spread by the media over the years, but this is far from reality today. A seismic change has been taking place, with nearly a third of the Japanese labor force now classified as irregularly employed. What is often reported in the Japanese press these days are stories about the “income-gap society” (kakusa shakai), “working poor” (waakingu pua), and more recently, “lost generation” (rosu jene).
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Place: The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 3rd floor (Michael Moskow Auditorium), 230 N. LaSalle St., Chicago
- 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 Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.26.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
Japanese Obento and Food Culture Workshop — This full-day workshop is designed to introduce Japanese culture to K-12 educators through the life of a lunch box, or “obento.” The workshop will cover related topics about the history of rice cultivation, obento as depicted in the arts, an examination of regional variations in obento and a hands-on session that features how to prepare Japanese style rice and assemble an attractive obento package.
- Date: Monday, Oct. 12
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Dr., Homestead, Penn.
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jasp/obentoworkhopflyer.pdf
- 10th Annual Asian Film Festival — Watch the latest Japanese films on the big screens. JSSDT members can get special discounted tickets for $8 through Oct. 5.
- Date: Oct. 15 to 29
- Place: Hazard Center UltraStar Cinemas
- For more information, click here.
Japanese Anime Lecture and Slideshow — Local otaku Keith Goode will discuss a brief history of anime, reviewing some of its stylizations and niches, and showing how it fits into the grand design of Japanese popular culture. Learn about what some of the most popular animes have been and what’s popular now.
- Date: Monday, Oct. 5
- Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin
- For more information, click here.
- “Celebrate Colorado’s Japanese!” Family Day — JASC members are invited to learn about the contributions of Japanese immigrants to Colorado during this event at the Colorado History Museum. Colorado’s first Japanese immigrants worked on railroads, in coal mines and on farms. Celebrate their enduring legacy with crafts, activities and artifacts available for the whole family. There will be a Denver Taiko performance at noon and 2:30 p.m., and a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration at 1:30 p.m.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway, Denver
- For more information, email jascolorado (at) att (dot) net
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.13.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
2009 Annual Cultural Festival — This free fundraising event of JASSC will feature a bazaar where you can buy second-hand kimonos, haoris (jackets) and various Japanese goods like washi, pottery and bonsai. Fill up on sushi and other Japanese cuisine while enjoying taiko and koto music performances, Japanese dance and martial arts demonstrations.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Stargazers Theatre and Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Dr., Colorado Springs
- For more information: Email jcarusorathe (at) msn (dot) com or call 576-2229.
- Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter #25 50th Anniversary Celebration — Enjoy a reception with hors d’oeuvers and cash bar and an evening of entertainment including koto music, flute and violin performances and an ikebana demonstration and exhibition.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
- Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Phipps Conservatory, Tropical Garden Room, 700 Frank Curto Drive, Pittsburgh
- For more information: Call Nelda Burd at 742-352-5036
Ladies’ Day Trip in Ohio — Recall memories of the inaka while driving through backwoods Ohio. JASK ladies are invited to join a day trip to the Amish restaurant in Plain City, the new Premium Outlets in Cincinnati and the Japanese grocery in Columbus. The cost to JASK members is $45.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- For more information: http://jask.org/events?eventId=84477&EventViewMode=EventDetails
- US-Japan Business Luncheon — Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya will share his reflections on Japan’s government change, Japan’s past government reforms and its relevance to American business today. The luncheon is $65 for JASGP members.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
- Place: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
- For more information and to register, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.05.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
Japan Robot Night — Not only is Japan on the cutting edge of the robotics industry, but it even manages to make its robots so kawaii! One example is PARO, a baby seal robot that interacts with people and makes them feel emotionally attached. PARO is part of a new track of Japanese robotics that has taken off — service robots assisting humans. You’ll have a chance to see this therapy robot for yourself at this event, which will feature a lecture by Dr. Takanori Shibata, inventor of PARO. The program also will include a presentation on service robotics trends in Japan. The event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: University of Missouri-St. Louis, Millennium Student Center, Century Room C, One University Boulevard, St. Louis
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jasstl/images/Japan_Robot_Night.pdf
- 13th Annual Grand Taiko Concert — Witness the grace of an authentic Japanese classical dance master and the acrobatics of beautiful aerial silk performers at this annual taiko drum performance. Admission is free.
- Date: Sept. 18-19
- Time: 7:30 to 9:45 p.m.
- Place: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park, Houston
- For more information: http://www.ilovetaiko.org/
Japan America Kite Festival — Go fly a kite! Bring your own to this event, or purchase one from the variety of kites available for sale. Enjoy international kites of all sizes and colors, and don’t miss the huge 50-foot by 100-foot kites on display. There will be a Rokaku kite battles, stunt kite demonstrations, kite “ballet” and precision synchronized kite team performances.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Place: Seal Beach Pier, (North side of the Pier), Seal Beach, CA 90740
- For more information: http://www.jas-socal.org/jas/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3#13th
- Life for Foreign Workers in Japan — If you’ve wondered what life is like for non-Japanese blue-collar workers in Japan, check out this presentation by Dr. Harumi Befu, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Stanford University. Dr. Befu will present his current research on foreign workers’ lives in Japan — the support they receive as well as the challenges they face. This event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 17
- Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Union Bank Hospitality Room, 22 Peace Plaza, Miyako Mall, San Francisco
- For more information: http://japansocietyofnortherncalifornia.myshopify.com/products/foreign-workers-in-japan
Japanese Fall Festival — Enjoy stage events including karate, taiko, iado and kendo, as well as plenty of food booths, games and cultural demonstrations.
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 20
- Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Dallas Japanese Association, South Side Parking Lot, 4100 Alpha Rd., Dallas
- For more information: http://jasdfw.org/downloads/ffest.pdf
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 08.23.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
JapanFest Weekend — Try on an authentic Japanese kimono, participate in workshops ranging from the art of bonsai trees to tea ceremony, purchase a wide array of Japanese goods, learn how to make a Japanese kite, listen to Japanese music and more at this year’s JapanFest Weekend. The theme of this year’s festival is Cool Japan, a term that describes the growing international interest in Japanese culture, especially fashion, anime, music, food and technology.
- Date: Sept. 19-20
- Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Place: Convention Center at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Georgia
- For more information: http://www.jasgeorgia.org/newsletter/Summer2009.pdf
Canoe Trip — JAS members are invited to join a canoe trip down the Little Miami River for about an hour from Old Mill Base to Ft. Ancient. There will be a cookout on the campgrounds afterward. Look for a $6 coupon in the Entertainment Book or in the phone book.
- Date: Saturday, August 29
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Place: Little Miami Canoe Rental, Old Mill Base, 225 Corwin Road, Oregonia, Ohio
- For more information and registration: http://www.jasgc.org/nickcanoetrip.html
JAS of the State of Washington
- Challenges of Banking in an Economic Crisis — Masamichi Yasuda, Senior Executive VP/Deputy CFO of Union Bank, will be the featured speaker during this lunch program. He will speak about the state of the economy in Japan today compared to its post-bubble years, and the economic challenges facing U.S. bankers. He will also touch on how Union Bank has been able to stay successful during these difficult economic times.
- Date: Friday, Sept. 25
- Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Place: World Trade Center West, Holland America Dining Room, 4th Floor, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 410, Seattle
- For more information and to register: https://www.pspinc.com/jassw/register-9-25-09.htm
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 8.16.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies…
- JASCO Business Seminar — JASCO presents a business seminar titled “4 Behavior Styles of People” designed to help those who are challenged with Japan-U.S. cultural differences or those who wish to improve relationships with customers. The seminar will explain reasons why people act in a certain way and give you the ability to slightly modify your approach to different people for much better results. This seminar has been a vital part of the core management training program for many years at Honda companies throughout North America.
- Date: Friday, Sept. 11
- Time: 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Offices of Corna Kokosing Construction, 6235 Westerville Road, Westerville, Ohio
- For more information: http://jasco.osu.edu/events/2009/NDiSCflyer_E.pdf
Greater Kansas City Japan Festival — Enjoy performances of taiko and other Japanese instruments, J-bands, cultural exhibits, martial arts demonstrations, kimono workshops, anime vendors and much, much more.
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
- Time: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: The Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas
- For more information: http://kcjapanfestival.com/
- Post-Election Political Update — At this luncheon titled “Political Change Comes to Japan: What Lies Ahead”, Professor Gerald Curtis will discuss the results of the elections and what lies ahead for Japan and the United States. He will have just returned from observing the elections and meeting with key political figures in Japan. Register online by 5 p.m., Sept. 8.
- Date: Friday, Sept. 11
- Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
- Place: Capital Hilton: South American Room, 1001 16th St. NW, Washington, DC
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/dc/
Happy 15th Sake Tasting and Beer Garden Party — Get ready to bend your elbows at two upcoming JASGC events. Register online.
- Event: Beer Garden Party
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
- Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Road
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- Event: 15th Sake Tasting
- Date: Friday, Oct. 9
- Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Sawyer Point Building Atrium, 720 E. Pete Rose W.
- For more information on both events: http://www.jasgc.org/sake_tasting_flyer.pdf
Tsugaru Shamisen Concert — JASGA invites members to enjoy the unique sound of the traditional Japanese Shamisen during this performance by Toshie Suzuki of Oita, Japan. In 2003, she won the National Tsugaru Shamisen contest in Japan, the youngest winner in the competition’s history, and in 2008 she was the first winner of the women’s Tsugaru Shamisen in Kobe and Osaka. See a video of her performance.
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: Casa de Luz Auditorium, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 08.04.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of the Hiroshima JET webzine Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of the various Japan America societies…
JAS of the State of Washington
Wa in a Sports Bar — Best-selling author Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa 2009, will be the featured speaker at JASSW’s cocktail reception. Whiting’s book is an updated version of the original 1989 book You Gotta Have Wa, a book about the cultural conflict between Japan and America, as seen through the common sport of baseball. In his talk, Whiting will address the question of whether Japanese and Americans understand (and like) each other more than they did two decades ago and the subject of how culture still manifests itself in baseball. Following the presentation, visitors can watch the Seattle Mariners play the New York Yankees on three large-screen plasma TVs in a private room. Cost is $20 for JAS members. Registration deadline is August 11. Click here to register.
- Date: Thursday, August 13
- Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Presentation starts at 6:20 p.m.,
- Place: FOX Sports Grill, VIP Lounge, 1522 6th Ave., Seattle
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jassw/index.htm
- Symposium on Historic Preservation in Kyoto & Boston — This symposium will include comments by the mayor of Kyoto and presentations by leading Japanese and American architects, urban planners and other specialists. Presentations will be in Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation. The symposium will be followed by a reception in honor of Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa at the Kyo-no-Machiya (Kyoto House) Boston Children’s Museum. Admission is free but registration is required.
- Date: Wednesday, August 26
- Time: Symposium 1:30 to 5 p.m. Reception 5 to 7 p.m.
- Place: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, first floor theater, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/boston/Calendar.html
J-Pop Summit Festival 2009 — Mark your calendars for this pop culture-themed street far in San Francisco’s Japantown. The day’s festivities will include a Harajuku Kawaii makeover pageant and performances by Japan’s hottest girl bands. The celebration will be accompanied by the grand opening of New People, a center of Japanese cinema, retail and art.
- Date: Saturday, August 15
- Time: 10 a.m. to midnight
- Place: New People, 1746 Post 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 Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 7.22.09
Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan America Society Roundup 7.22.09
Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies
The Berkeley Kite Festival — The JSNC is co-sponsoring this year’s kite festival, featuring multi-line competitions of the Bay Area Sport Kite League, as well as other events and competitions such as candy drops and rokkaku battles. Visitors also can enjoy the giant creature kite show of the Berkeley Kite Wranglers. Highlighting this year’s festival is a delegation from the Sode-cho Kite-Flying Society of Hamamatsu, Japan. Their traditional “Machijirushi” kites are indigenous to Hamamatsu and are made from fine paper and bamboo. This is a chance to meet Japan’s master kite builders and learn about their centuries-old traditional kite designs.
- Date: July 25 and 26
- Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Place: Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina
- For more information: http://www.highlinekites.com/Berkeley_Kite_Festival
- Sushi Workshop — Learn all the basic tricks and techniques of making your own sushi. You’ll learn about basic sauces and stocks, how to make sushi rice, how to handle each sushi fish and ingredients for preparation, how to make rolls and how to slice a fish to make sashimi. The cost is $30 per person with all ingredients and materials included, but you should bring your own knife. The reservation deadline is July 23. To make a reservation, email Eriko at JASGA-Events (at) jasga (dot) org.
- Date: Sunday, July 26
- Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Triangle Club House, 4700 Guadalupe St., Austin
- For more information, click here.
Riverbats Baseball Game in Louisville — Nothing like baseball to connect Japanese and Americans. Throw back a cold one and cheer on the Riverbats against Indianapolis. Free for JASK members.
- Date: Tuesday, August 18
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: Louisville Slugger Stadium
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Japan America Society Roundup 7.12.09
Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan America Society Roundup 7.12.09
Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies…
Japanese Ventriloquism Performance — Now here’s one form of entertainment most JET alumni probably missed during their stay in Japan. So don’t miss this chance to see it. The Japanese Language School of Greater Cincinnati and JASGC have teamed up to present “An Afternoon of Ventriloquism with Takeshi & Shu Ikeda.” Mr. Ikeda is chairman of the Japan Ventriloquists Association (JVA), and he and his wife, Shu, have toured all over Japan and the world, performing at public festivals, elementary schools, churches and conventions. They will be in Northern Kentucky for the Vent Haven International Ventriloquists Conference and have agreed to give two free performances in Japanese for the language school students and JASGC members and their families.
- Date: Saturday, July 18
- Time: First performance is 1:10 to 1:40 p.m. (Kindergarten – Third Grade). Second performance is 2:10 to 2:40 p.m. (Fourth Grade and up).
- Place: Northern Kentucky University, Eva G Farris Auditorium, Business-Education-Psychology Building, Room 200. (In the same building as the Japanese language school.)
- For more information, including maps and parking: http://www.jasgc.org/japaneseventriloquist.html
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
