Japan America Society of Minnesota

Transcription

1 Japan America Society of Minnesota 通信 The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota Lantern Lighting Festival Sunday, August 21st Taiko drums, martial arts, Ikebana, sushi, and other aspects of Japanese culture will be featured at the annual Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival, a familyfriendly event reminiscent of Japan s annual Obon holiday, on Sunday, August 21, 2011 on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. This year s theme will be Kizuna: Standing with Japan. Obon is an important Japanese cultural and family holiday at which ancestral spirits are said to revisit their families for three days. Families pay their respects at gravesites and put out offerings of food and drink on a tray before household altars. They also light lanterns or small fires outside the house to symbolically guide the souls to the home. On the last evening of Obon, lanterns again guide the spirits back to their resting places. The Lantern Lighting Festival encompasses Japanese tradition through music, dance, crafts, martial arts and lanterns. The gates open at 3:00 pm and live entertainment will begin A variety of volunteer activities are available Girl Scouts from Japan sang for festival goers at 3:30 pm. Entertainment will include several taiko drumming groups, koto (Japanese sitar), shakuhachi (bamboo flutes), as well as traditional and contemporary dance and singing. Martial arts, Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), origami demonstrations, and a host of other cultural exhibits and demonstrations will line several paths through the grounds. Japanese food and dozens of culturally-related items will be for sale. The day will culminate at dusk with the main event the lantern lighting and Minnesota Bon Odori Dance. Six stone lanterns and floating paper lanterns quietly drifting throughout the Japanese Garden pond and the Frog Pond will create a vision of peacefulness and harmony. JASM will be offering booths featuring J-Quiz, Yo- Yo Tsuri, Kingyo-Sukui (goldfish scooping), Shodo August 2011 VOL. 20, No. 8 (Calligraphy), Kamishibai (Japanese Storytelling), and a main booth. Volunteers are still needed to assist in set up, tear down, and running of the booths working in three shifts. All volunteers receive free entrance to the festival. Volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to wear yukata, happi coats, or other Japanese apparel. Those interested in volunteering should contact the volunteer coordinator Mimi Watanabe at or go to the JASM webpage For information on Como Park including the parking shuttle, go to Bring the whole family to join JASM for a Volunteer Social and Potluck on August 15th to learn about Lantern Lighting Opportunities and how to perform the Minnesota Bon Odori! Look for more information in the upcoming days in your inbox and at Great Turnout at JASM Day at Target Field The JASM Ballgame at Target Field happened on Tuesday July 5 th, with the Minnesota Twins playing the Tampa Bay Rays. Over 40 JASM members attended the game, mingling with others and cheering as the Twins beat the Rays, with a final score of 3-2. Twins beats the Rays 3-2 with JASM members cheering on The Twins started out strong with three runs within the first three innings, and Tampa gaining a run in the 4 th. The score held steady until the final inning when Tampa hit a homerun with the first batter. Tension mounted as fans waited for the three outs that would seal the Twins victory. After the Twins swapped pitchers, Tampa hit a fly ball that was caught, giving them their third out of the 9 th and winning the game for the Twins. JASM provided the JASM attendees with the lyrics to Take Me Out to the Ballgame translated into Japanese, allowing members to choose which language to sing in when the entire stadium sang during the final innings. The game provided an excellent opportunity for JASM members both those who regularly enjoy sports and those who do not to interact with each other, network and share their love of baseball, or at least their enjoyment of the atmosphere.

2 A Letter from the President Congratulations Congratulations to the Japan Women s World Cup Soccer Team on their exciting victory. The success of the team, the first ever to lose a game in the tournament, and still win the championship must be a great source of pride for Japan. I was quite impressed by many American friends that told me they wanted Japan to win in order to get a moral boost to help in Japan s recovery. The Sounds of Summer I often think of the similarities of Japan and the USA, our cultures and our activities. This is most true in the summer. The whack of the bat as we play baseball and as golf clubs hit golf balls in my case it is often more likely the dull thud of my golf club digging up a divot. Children in both countries chase butterflies during the day and fireflies during the evening. On a peaceful summer evening we hear the sounds of children playing they want to stay outside just a little longer along with crickets and cicadas. While our two countries and cultures are quite different we are so alike in many ways. JASM s Summer Event August 21 st is the date for the Annual Como Lantern Lighting Festival. This is a fun, family event. Approximately 6,000 attendees enjoyed the many activities last year. JASM needs volunteers to staff booths for Shodo (calligraphy), Kingyo-Sukui (goldfish scooping), Yo-Yo Tsuri (Japanese yo-yos) and various other JASM activities and future events. Please plan to attend and contact the JASM Office if you can volunteer for a couple of hours. Tohoku Relief Many thanks to everyone for their financial contributions and/or for volunteering their time and talent to the Tohoku Relief efforts. The JASM Office continues to receive contributions for the relief efforts in Japan. The 36 Japan America Societies throughout the US have raised over $20 million for Tohoku Relief. Please see Ben van Lierop s article in this Tsushin on page 6 for more details. You Are The Boss As JASM President I work for you, the members of JASM. Let me know your suggestions, ideas and complaints. I can be reached by at LTCBDick@aol.com or by cell phone Dick Stahl New Millennium Japanese Ceramics: Rejecting Labels & Embracing Clay September 23 - November 6, 2011 Guest-curated by Daniel H. Rosen, this exhibition features objects by younger, emerging Japanese sculptors who work in clay, outside the tradition of functional Japanese ceramics. Participants include Chiho Aono (Linz, Austria), Makiko Hattori (Obu City, Aichi Prefecture), Takashi Hinoda (Kyotanabe City, Kyoto), Rina Hongo (Tajimi-shi, Gifu-ken), Naoto Nakada (Machida City, Tokyo), Kyoko Tokumaru (Tokyo), and Jumpei Ueda (Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico). The exhibition also includes a mix of artists not shown previously in this country, with those who have had some exposure here already. JASM Membership News Many thanks for your continued support to enable JASM to develop and expand programs that build bridges of understanding and cultural awareness. Please welcome the following new JASM members: Akiko Matsumoto and Karly Turner Thanks to the following renewing JASM members: Miyo Connolly, Larry & Chris Rossow, Helen Sauer, Bruce & Tomoko Drake, David & Susan Fink, Katharine & Richard Fournier, Kristen Mastel, Frank & Mitsue Shindo, Tomoko Fujiwara, John Omori, Laura Ullery, and Peter Shepherd Special thanks to the renewing Corporate members: Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lingren Ltd. Fredrikson & Byron, PA Hubbard Broadcasting St. Paul Saints Proto Labs, Inc. Happy to Announce New Corporate Member: Comcast Cable Another Special Thanks to Sakura Circle Members: Takuzo & Noriko Ishida Edson & Harriet Spencer Mirja & Sam Hanson Total Private Members: 239 Total Corporate Members: 52

3 New Contributing Member: Japan Lifeline, Co Ltd. JASM would like to welcome and thank our newest Contributing Corporate Member: Japan Lifeline, Co. Ltd. Without the support of corporate members, we would not be able to offer the variety and volume of cultural, business, and social programs and initiatives that help JASM meet its goal of building bridges between Minnesota and Japan. Japan Lifeline, founded in 1981, focuses on Japanese cardiac treatment developments and in-field know-how, combined with a strong business as a cardio-vascular system related medical equipment specialist trading company. World-wide cases of heart related illness and cardiac disease are on the rise, especially in Japan, and rate as one of the three major causes of death along with cancer and cerebro-vascular disease. Moreover, the incidence of cardiac disease is growing, reflecting not only the aging of Japanese society but also the rising levels of stress and Keisuke Suzuki President and CEO the changing eating habits of the younger generations, all of which increase the risk of developing cardiac disease. Japan Lifeline works towards making advancements in treatment and early discovery techniques, striving to make everyday life as comfortable as possible for patients receiving treatment. Their guiding mission is to equip medical professionals with the most advanced means of restoring the health and enhancing the quality of life of cardiac patients in Japan. JASM is very pleased to welcome Japan Lifeline to the JASM family. Learn more about Japan Life Line at New Non-Profit Member: N-Dimensional Japan JASM would like to welcome and thank our newest Nonprofit Member: N- Dimensional Japan. N-Dimensional Japan (NDJ) is a non-profit registered student/scholar organization at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. They are devoted to the study, research, and promotion of Japanese culture on and off campus in order to contribute to cultural diversity in Minnesota through academic and educational activities. Past projects include poster presentations by University of Minnesota students and staff, workshops on traditional Japanese arts, and lectures on martial arts, kawaii (cute) culture, washi art, and many other topics. The group did exhaustive fundraising following the Tohoku Earthquake, including a T-shift sale and donations drive, and provided assistance in events like the JASM sponsored Kizuna music concert. NDJ is currently looking for speakers who would like to present and share topics related to Japan or Japanese culture. Presentations may be in English or Japanese. Anyone who is knowledgeable and passionate is welcome to be a speaker. There is an application available on their web page If you are interested in participating as a seminar lecturer, demonstrator/performer or poster presenter, or if you have any other question, please feel free to contact N-Dimensional Japan at ndj.umn@gmail.com. Learn more about N-Dimensional Japan at JASM Fundraising Campaign Update JASM would like to thank the following people for donating and helping us move closer to our 2011 fundraising goal: William Paterson, Miyo Connelly, Makiko & Eiji Ikeda, Tadako Pratt, Tomoko & Bruce Drake, Sakae Hinataya, Hisako Eppen, Teruyuki & Kyoko Morimura, Ben & Chris van Lierop, Anime Twin Cities There is still time to donate at or by calling Corporate Benefactor Members McQuay International, Inc. Delta Airlines, Inc. Corporate Sustaining Members 3M Company American Medical Systems, Inc. Anderson Corporation Boston Scientific Corporation Dorsey & Whitney, LLP DRC, Inc. Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, PC Hubbard Broadcasting Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd. Mall of America St. Jude Medical Taiyo International, Inc. Gray Plant Mooty Mooty & Bennett, PA Medtronic, Inc. Corporate Contributing Members Comcast Cable Compart Family Farms Deloitte Tax, LLP Electromed, Inc. Fish & Richardson, P.C. Fredrikson & Byron, PA Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd. Merchant & Gould, PC Lion Precision Proto Labs, Inc. Robin Manufacturing USA, Inc. Partners in Service 2K Consulting Dave Steffens Automotive & Conway Auto Clinic Fujiya Restaurant Genesis Business Centers, Ltd. Japanese Translation Consultants Kikugawa at Riverplace Kiku Enterprises Origami Restaurant St. Paul Saints Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar Satellite Industries Tomodachi Nonprofit Members Aikido of Minnesota BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Bloomington Sister City Organization JETAA Minnesota JETRO Chicago KCC Japan Education Exchange Macalester College Asian Language & Culture Department Minneapolis Japanese School Minnesota International Center Minnesota Trade Office Mu Performing Arts N-Dimensional Japan Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority U.S. China Business Connections Winona State Univ. Global Studies Dept.

4 MIA to Feature Woodblocks Prints The Minneapolis Institute of Art will be featuring two woodblock print exhibits; the first, featuring shore and seascapes, is already underway. Edo Pop, the second exhibition, will begin October 30th. Japanese Seascapes and Fishing Scenes Now Open until Oct. 23, 2011 Louis W. Hill Gallery (239) Free Exhibition Situated in a volcanic zone along the Pacific deeps, the Japanese archipelago is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, such as the disaster that struck Japan's northeast coast in March of this year. These are mountainous islands with jagged coastlines that afford breathtaking views. The small villages that historically dotted the shores were home to fishermen and their families, who made their living from the sea's bounty. The prints in this gallery show Japan's arresting coastal terrain and the boats and nets of the fishermen who pulled their daily catch from the innumerable inlets and bays. Most are from the series Famous Places of the Sixty-odd Provinces, designed by Utagawa Hiroshige ( ). In the hopes that the communities affected by the recent disaster will rebuild, and the placid beauty of Japan's northeast coast will return, this exhibition is dedicated to the victims of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Edo Pop Oct. 30, 2011-Jan. 8, 2012 Target Gallery (admission charged) Ticketed Exhibition The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is home to about 3,000 Japanese woodblock prints. These works, collectively known as ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," were produced during Japan's Edo period ( ). Reflecting the interests and activities of the newly emerging class of moneyed commoners, ukiyo-e prints first featured the reigning beauties of the pleasure quarters and the dashing actors of the Kabuki Theater--the pop stars of the time. Later, artists expanded their repertoires to include landscapes, floral studies, legendary heroes, and even ghoulish themes. The exhibition showcases 120 of the MIA's best prints by the genre's greatest artists, including Harunobu, Kiyonaga, Utamaro, Shunsho, Sharaku, Toyokuni, Hokusai, and Hiroshige. With their crisp outlines, unmodulated colors, and surprising vantage points, the images are as fresh and captivating as when they were produced. Sensuality, fashion, decadent entertainments and urban pastimes all reflect the popular tastes of young urban sophisticates of Japan's pre-modern era. Modern art inspired by woodblock prints will also be on display. Hiroshima & Nagasaki Time for Remembrance Commemoration Events In commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this August Minneapolis and Saint Paul, along with a number of Japanese and peace organizations, will be hosting several memorial events throughout the Twin Cities. Friday, August 5th 5:30-7:00 PM Lyndale Park Peace Garden, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis 5:30pm Recorder music by Arden Consort 6:00pm Commemorative Tea Ceremony Saturday, August 6th 7:30 AM 12:00 PM Lyndale Park Peace Garden, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis 7:30am Ceremony of the Cranes Quincy Powe, speaker KAIROS dance Greg Herriges, music SADAKO story 8:15am Moment of silence for Hiroshima 10:15am Walking the Pathway to Peace Begins at 40th & Bryant, led by Women in Black 11:00am Ceremony of 11 Bells Veterans for Peace Tuesday, August 9th, 7:00-8:00 PM Como Park Global Harmony Labyrinth, St. Paul 7:00pm Nagasaki Commemoration Jay Kvale, speaker Guests from Nagasaki Photos from the Global Harmony Labyrinth website. The Upper Mid-west Koi Club, one of the best in the country, will be hosting their 11th Annual Koi Show, featuring venders, koi judging, pond tours, and silent auction. The Koi are divided into classifications by recognized types and judged based on a standard for their classification. You will see some of the most amazing animals in the United States at this show - Minneapolis is actually home to a few national champions. You will be surprised at the beauty and diversity of these Japanese cultural treasures. Hours: Friday, August 5, 4:00-8:00pm Saturday, August 6, 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday, August 7, 10:00am - 2:00pm Admission: Free Location: Bachman s Garden Center 6010 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis, MN More information available at

5 ミネソタ徒然 Tsurezure By Yuko Miyamoto お久しぶりです しばらく投稿できませんでしたが ようやくまたこの紙面をお借りしてとりとめもないことをお伝えします 今や 1 ドル =79 円代というレートで 日本に行くのが益々高くつく今日この頃 こうなってくると東日本大震災の影響どころかこれだけでもアメリカから日本へ旅する人が激減しますよね いつも帰国する度 あ こういうところへ友人を連れていきたいとか こういうことは結構 楽しんでもらえるんじゃないかとか いろいろと思うのですが ようこそ JAPAN と政府が宣伝しても なかなか人気は出ていないようです Each Machiya has been historically restored The exterior of a traditional Kyoto Townhouse or Machiya こんな中でも日本に行きたいと思っている方々 お薦めを一つ 日本人にも外国人にも人気の京都 その京都で伝統的な暮らしといえば 町家と言われる京都独特の家屋です その伝統的な町家に滞在できるというプランがウェブサイトで紹介されています 庵 という会社が経営するユニークなシステムです 再生保存した京都の古い町屋を現代的なタッチを加えて家ごと宿泊施設として貸し出しています このサイトでは滞在中のアクティビティのプランなども紹介し ユニークな体験ができるようになっています 伝統文化研修 体験プログラムで茶道や書道といった一般的なもの意外に能狂言 武道など日本の伝統文化を実際に学ぶ事が出来ます 日本人でも滅多に京都の町屋などに宿泊する機会はないものです 帰国時にこうした旅を体験してみるのも良いかも知れません お薦めです 最近 JR のパスが値上がりして一週間で 300 ドルを越したそうです もし旅行が長くなければ 例えば日本の旅行会社 JTB が主催する外国人向けのパッケージを利用すると意外にお得だったりします 新幹線のチケットとホテルや旅館がついて 東京から京都までだと 2 泊で一人日本円にして 3 万円くらいから 面倒がなくて簡単です 震災後原発事故も重なり放射能汚染などが心配され 日本の観光業界は海外からの集客に苦慮し 業界はあきらかに痛手を受けています こんなとき我々に出来る事 それが実は旅行先として日本を盛り上げることのように思います 東北地方へのボランティア旅行などがパッケージにもなっている日本 海外からも日本への訪問者が増えて欲しいと思います Iori( 庵 ):Kyoto Townhouse Stays Kyoto is popular place for tourist all over the world. And when it comes to traditional lifestyle in Kyoto is townhouse that is called Machiya. Iori is introducing the traditional Kyoto townhouse stays and it is possible to reserve from its Check out travel deals online website. This website is also offering activities in Kyoto, just like tea ceremony or Japanese calligraphy. And you can learn Nokyougen and martial arts, too. If you are planning to travel to Japan for many days, I recommend you check the JTB tour packages for foreigners. They have discounted tour packages for about $ for traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto with 2nights stay. This is a very convenient way to travel. Now the Japan tourist industry is facing the hard time because of the crash of nuclear plant and radiation effects. What Americans and Japanese people living in Minnesota can do is visit Japan as a tourist and cheer up Japan. I hope that more foreign tourists travel in Japan in the future. Translated by Kanna. Mudonna and the St Paul Saints Run for Japan Tsunami Recovery Mudonna (pictured right) will be running in the Twin Cities Marathon on October 2. She is going for the record for fastest time as a mascot! (Record currently held by Jefferson the Dog- 4:15:03). The St. Paul Saints are looking to raise money for some important charities that were affected by the recent disasters over in Japan. Convoy for Hope, and Tokiwagi Gakuen High School were affected by the disasters. Each of these charities have a Minnesota Connection. Donations can be made at: Convoy For Hope Convoy for Hope has worked with Feed My Starving Children previously to help Japan. They initially provided meals for the Japanese when the disaster struck. The goal of Convoy For Hope is to give families displaced by the quakes a place to live by providing temporary shelters with equipment to make a home. Feed My Starving Children is a Minnesota based non-profit organization. Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in Sendai Tokiwagi Gakuen High School was located in the hardest hit area of the disaster, with many students losing family members and friends. Tokiwagi Gakuen sends a girls soccer team every three years to the USA Cup held in Blaine, MN at the National Sports Center. St Paul Saints Director of International Relations, Seigo Masubuchi has worked with the team for many years and would like to help them as they suffered the loss of many homes during the tsunami. national anthem.

6 Building Bridges: Thank You for Tohoku Support It has been a little over four months since the tragic events of March 11 th in Tohoku, Japan. The impact on the people of Northern Japan continues to be a source of concern as volunteer agencies and the people of Japan grapple with the challenges of rebuilding what has been destroyed. The Great East Tohoku Earthquake, tsunami and the tragedy surrounding the nuclear power stations have caused concern by many around the world. The outpouring of compassion demonstrated by the many financial contributions of people in Minnesota has been truly moving. In the days following the earthquake the JASM office received numerous phone calls from people wanting to donate money, or offer to volunteer to help Japan at this time in the rebuilding process. People called to offer items to donate to the cause. An amusing story was shared recently by Mirja Hanson, Honorary Consul General of Japan in Minnesota, who said that someone called to say he had a collection of Pachinko machines and that he was willing to sell Pachinko machines and send the money to Japan to support the relief effort! Many JASM members joined in the giving of financial contributions to the relief efforts in Japan. Through the fundraising efforts by the Kizuna Hope and Unity event, generous members of Nihonjin-Kai, and many friends, more than $32,000 has been raised for Japan. The theme for the Como Park Lantern Lighting Festival this year will be Kizuna Standing with Japan. I believe this is appropriate as we consider the rebuilding efforts that Japan is undertaking in Northern Japan. Recently, I received a message from Peter Kelley, President of NAJAS (National Association of Japan America Societies), in which he attached a letter from Ambassador Yoshio Okawara, President of the America-Japan Society, Inc. thanking the members of NAJAS (36 societies) for their donations to the Tohoku Earthquake fund. Ambassador Okawara served as the Ambassador to the U.S. from 1980 to 1985 and he has been a strong advocate of U.S. Japan relations over the years. Ambassador Okawara offered deep thanks for the fundraising of Japan America Societies across the U.S. He mentions that more than $18 million has been raised and donated by members of NAJAS for those who have suffered, and to the rebuilding efforts in Northern Japan. Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden to Undergo Improvements The Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden will be breaking ground in late 2011 for a $2.5 million addition to the historic Marjorie McNeely Conservatory to create yearround viewing of the nationally-acclaimed Bonsai collection and Japanese garden. This new wing will feature a Bonsai Gallery, Full plans available on the Como Zoo website outdoor Bonsai Garden and Terrace, and realigned Pine Grove walk leading to the Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden. The new gradual slope to the garden will also make it handicap accessible. Donations are still needed to meet the $2.5 million construction costs before groundbreaking can begin. Help Como Zoo lock in on lower construction costs this fall, and invest in one of the Minnesota s most unique public spaces. Contribute at ミネソタ日本語図書館日本語図書館で 台所に立っていた私に勢い良く走ってきた 3 歳児が私を見上げて大発見を告げた あの子日本語話さないのよ! 図書館が幼稚園になってた様な瞬間だった 考えは訪日していたある日一緒に歩いていた弟が私に言った おめえの日本語はアメリカ人みたいだなー もう一つ 良く散歩姿で見かける日本人のお父さんが三輪車のわが子に英語で話している全く自然に もう一つ東洋仏教徒家族祖父の葬式 一時間半に 5-6 人が前に出て話していた アーメン と聞こえたので三十分は基督教牧師だったらしい 子の年齢者のスピーチには半分位のぎごちない英語だけ耳に入る 最後にマイクに立たされたのは高校生年齢の娘 My Grandpa s Memories 鮮やかな英語が飛び出して驚いた.90 歳で家族の鶴の一声だった彼とは 20 数年来お互いの言葉が話せなく. 祖父の座から眼で物を言い介助者が居た. 人間は環境の子である 此処は雑居家族国家 アメリカ合衆国なのだ. 日本語を話さない我が児を嘆いた私に大谷牧師は答えた 息子さんはアメリカ人なのですよ 昨日の Do you really read Japanese? と恐れ入った質問は只今自分がアメリカ人になって日本語が外国語の部に入ってしまっているのだとの感. 言葉は違っていても共通の人間性に生きている それで良いのでしょう I learned recently that the figure of total donations received by Japan America Societies has now risen to over $20 million. This outpouring of concern and generosity serves as an inspiring example of how compassion can serve as a bridge in building hope as Japan faces the challenges of the future. By Ben van Lierop, Executive Director

7 August Every Saturday August- NDJ Japanese Film Screenings at the Minnesota College of Art and Design, from 9 am to 1 pm, more information at N- Dimensional Japan Facebook Now through October- Japanese Seascapes and Fishing Scene Minneapolis Institute of Art, free admission, more information at 1st through 4th American Kyudo (Japanese Archery) Seminar hosted by Minnesota Kyudo Renmei in Northfield, MN. More information at Come see them at the Lantern Lighting Festival! 5th through 7th- Upper-Midwest Koi Show Free admission, Bachman s Garden Center 6010 Lyndale Ave S., More information available at 5th through 6th and 9th- Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration Events and times vary. See page 4 for details. 15th Volunteer Social and Pot Luck Details TBA 21st Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival Como Park, 3 to 8 PM, for more information see page 1 To list Japan-related events in the Tsushin, information by the 15th of the month to: jasm@us-japan.org Japanese Speaking Club The Japanese Speaking Club is an informal meeting place for those wishing to speak or practice Japanese. We encourage those just beginning the language as well as native speakers to gather at Espresso Royale Café in Downtown Minneapolis to meet new people, discuss experiences in Japan, or simply to speak Japanese. Come when you can, leave when you must. Date/Time: Every Saturday, any time after 3:00 p.m. Place: Espresso Royale Cafe 1229 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN Japan America Arts Forum This forum was started as a collaboration between Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) and the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM). We meet one Sunday a month. The purpose of this group is to bring people together who share an interest in Japanese arts. Event: Katazome Stencil Dying with Kit Eastman Date/Time: Sunday August 14, 2011, 2-4 PM Place: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN Cost: Non-Members $10, Members $5 RSVP: or Sheila Asato at sheilaasato@comcast.net Corrections Please report any inaccuracies you find in this publication to jasm.interns@gmail.com. We are always striving to provide our members with the best possible product and your input is important to us! Japan America Society of Minnesota O Membership Application O Change of Address O Tax-deductible Donation Name 8 月のおのお楽しみしみ会 8 月 8 日 Nihonjin-kai Pot Luck- 日本人会においで下さい 毎月第二月曜日お昼から持ち寄りの昼食会を行っております ミネソタ在住の日本人との交流を楽しむことができます 毎月第四日曜日一時からは お菓子と飲み物で素晴らしい名案を話し合いましょう 場所 4231 Bloomington Ave S. MPLS, MN ( 日本語図書館では 本 ビデオ DVD の貸し出しは無料です ) Please come along to the Nihonjin-kai Pot Luck! We are having a pot luck party the 2nd Monday of every month at noon. You can mix with Japanese people who are living in Minnesota. Every 4th Sunday of the month, join Nihonjin-kai for great discussion with snacks and beverages beginning at 1p.m. Location : 4231 Bloomington Ave S. MPLS, MN (Use of the Japanese Library is FREE and open to the public.) Name (2nd adult of a household membership) Address City State ZIP Phone I would like to make an additional taxdeductable donation of Amount Enclosed: (Please make checks payable to JASM) Japan America Society of Minnesota 43 Min Street SE Suite EH 131 Minneapolis, MN Individual Membership Patron $1,000+ Sustaining $500+ Contributing. $100+ Individual. $30 Student/Senior $20 Household... $50 (2 adults plus children under 18)

8 Japan America Society of Minnesota Riverplace EH Main Street SE Minneapolis, MN Tel: Fax: Tsūshin August 2011 The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a non-profit, non-political association engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and the United States closer together in mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Through programs and interchange, it endeavors to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. Membership in the society is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in furthering its programs. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. JASM is Redesigning Our Website and We Need Your Help! JASM Members enjoyed a Twins Baseball Game together at Target Field on July 5th Attendees sang Taken Me Out to the Ballgame in Japanese and English. Cheering on the Twins to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Rays! Check out the Community Calendar for More Fun Summer Events Over the next few months the JASM website will be undergoing a dramatic transformation to make it more approachable and appealing for you, our members. In order to make this plan a reality, JASM is in need of your help in the form of donations. We will also be providing more corporate recognition on our new website including opportunities to network and link with the Japanese community. Show your support today by donating on our current webpage at or by phone at