Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
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Japanese cultural events happening online in the Midwest and around the country
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A list of currently open Grants and Scholarships related to Japan
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This month we review the Japanese series "Samurai Gourmet"
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Important information and updates
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Take a look back at some of the important news from last month
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Interview with Lindsey Stirek, Assistant Director of Academic Programming at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Learn about the month of May in Japan
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Consular Office Hours
The Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago currently offers the following operating times for Consular Services:
- Consular Service windows will be open from Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 to 3:00 pm.
- The Consular Section’s phones will be available to call between 9:15 am and 12:15 pm, and again from 1:15 to 5:00 pm.
We do ask that all visitors cooperate with following necessary precautions:
- If you are feeling ill, please wait to come in until you are feeling completely well again.
- Please only come in to the Consulate for essential activities. If it can wait, please consider doing so.
- In accordance with CDC guidelines, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed in the waiting room. Be aware that you may need to wait outside the waiting room should more than 10 people be present.
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Holidays
The Consulate-General of Japan will be closed on May 31 for Memorial Day.
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Join us in welcoming in the spring and celebrating life at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden located in the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. We will be hosting a two month long event April - May with a variety of activities and events. From Arts and Crafts to Yoga and Art and Wine classes, we have a calendar of events for all ages! We will be kicking off this event April 10th with our Opening Day festival. With Three Trails Taiko drum group performing, Washburn's Sociology & Anthropology Department helping with activities throughout the day, a formal Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy presentation, Kimono and Samurai Armor display, Crane Sculpture debut, and a variety of vendors lining the Zoo, we have a multitude of activities to experience while you walk through and discover the beauty of our Japanese Garden.
FEATURED EVENTS
Kids Day - May 2, 10am - 2pm
Yoga in the Garden - May 4, 11, 18, 25 at 9:30am
Sponsored by Coffee Head
ZENfindel Art Class - May 13 and 27, 6-7pm
Sponsored by Nothing Bundt Cakes
RECURRING
Mondays: Early access, gate opens at 7:30am
Wednesdays: May 5 and 19
Arts and Crafts in the Kay McFarland Japanese Venue
LOCATION
Topeka Zoo & Conservations Center - Kay McFarland Japanese Garden
635 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, Kansas 66606
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In our busy world, the Japanese art of ikebana offers a moment of calm. Flower arrangement is an opportunity to practice mindfulness, connect with the natural world, and express your creativity. The Sogetsu school of ikebana emphasizes adaptability and self-expression, designed to be practiced by anyone, anywhere in the world. In this four-session course, you'll learn the fundamentals of Sogetsu-style ikebana, including how to select plant materials, basic techniques to create beautiful arrangements, and the philosophy behind the practice.
ONLINE COURSE
Tuesday, May 4, 11, 18, 25 at 6:30 pm (EDT)
Tuition for 4 lessons: $120/$96 members, seniors & students.
Participants will receive digital reference materials including diagrams, instructions and examples.
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Nerikiri were originally made to be served at Japanese tea ceremonies and are one style of Japanese sweets. Nerikiri is made by mixing and kneading white butter-bean paste and mochi rice dough.
In this workshop, you will make Sakura Nerikiri virtually alongside instructor, Toshiko Sugii Steffes, with supplies that can either be picked up at JASC, 4427 N. Clark, or mailed directly to your home (Continental U.S. only, please).
You will receive enough ingredients to make 6 pieces of Nerikiri and make a total of 4 pieces during the class.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
Friday, May 7 at 6 – 7:30 pm (CDT)
Non-members: $75 JASC Members: $65
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Cities around the world are increasingly looking to technology to help them better understand and serve their citizens. “Smart Cities” denotes the efforts to use electronics and data to analyze and improve a wide range of city services, from traffic and transportation, to waste management, utilities and services related to health, education, crime prevention and social services. This move has been driven by – and sparked the growth of – a vibrant group of companies and entrepreneurs eager to apply their technologies to improve daily living.
Scrum Ventures has established an initiative called SmartCityX that seeks to bring together a wide range of startups, investors, corporations and thought leaders with an interest in this space. Tak Miyata, General Partner of Scrum Ventures, and Michael Proman, Managing Director at Scrum Ventures will talk about how cities in Japan and the US are using technology to transform the lives of their citizens in the post-COVID world, how Japanese and US approaches differ and how Scrum’s Smart City initiative is driving innovation and cross-border technology transfer between Japan and the US.
Please join us for a program to discuss exciting new developments in this area.
VIRTUAL EVENT
U.S. — Monday, May 10 at 4:30 – 5:30pm (PDT)
JAPAN — Tuesday, May 11 at 8:30-9:30am (UTC +9)
FREE! (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)
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Ms. Cynthia Usui will draw from her personal journey “from mother to management” in order to inspire others on how they can rebuild their careers. Born and raised in the Philippines to Chinese parents, Ms. Usui moved to Japan to study at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Language and Studies. After graduation, she worked in advertising but quit her job to focus on being a mother. She spent the next 25 years overseas as the wife of a Japanese diplomat. Upon returning to Tokyo, Ms. Usui landed her first job as a part-timer at a Members Club for expats at the age of 52, and moved up the ranks to executive levels in hospitality.
Ms. Usui will lend her insight, offer advice, and take us on a journey of perseverance and empowerment.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Thursday, May 20 at 6:30-7:30 pm (CDT)
Free admission - Event will be held over Zoom
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Join the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC for teriyaki chicken and ichigo daifuku! Teriyaki chicken is a staple dish in Japanese home cooking. We will make our teriyaki sauce from scratch and show you some other dishes it can be used in. Ichigi daifuku are rice cakes filled with sweet beans and strawberries, and a favorite spring treat!
Check the ingredients list before registering. Once registered you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. We will send the recipe card a week before the class.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Friday, May 7 at 6:00 - 8:00 pm (EDT)
Non-member: $20 JASWDC member: $10
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Join the Celebrating Asian American Heritage Association for the 17th year of Plano AsiaFest. AsiaFest 2021 will showcase the rich cultures of Asia: Japan and Korea in the north; China, Taiwan, and the Philippines to the east; Vietnam and Malaysia in the south; and Bangladesh, India, and Nepal in the southeast. The numerous cultural demonstrations, performances, and vendors will provide a fun and engaging time for the entire family.
The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth will present Japanese children’s day, which is called “Kodomo no hi” and traditionally celebrated on May 5. The Japan-America Society’s video includes an introduction to the organization, information about the holiday, and a simple craft activity to make your own koinobori.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Saturday, May 8 at 11:00 am - 3:oo pm (CDT)
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The JSB Center for Language Studies is offering a Japanese workshop for kids!
Kids grades K-2 can learn hiragana (the Japnanese alphabet), hear a Japanese story, and do a craft with Hall-sensei.
The class will be conducted primarily in Japanese; take advantage of this unique opportunity for your kids to experience にほんご!
VIRTUAL EVENT
Tuesday, May 11 at 3:30 - 4:30 pm (EDT)
$25 - via Zoom
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Join Certified Sake Sommelier Akisa Fukuzawa on Friday, May 7th, for a virtual event that is certain to put a smile on your face! She will teach us about sake and the culture behind the drink. We will be tasting 3 types of sake - Sparkling (Mio brand), Daiginjo (Dassai brand), and Ginjo (Kikusui brand).
Please note this event is only for those at least 21 years of age.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Friday, May 7 at 5:00 -6:00 pm (EDT)
Free or $40 for a ticket that includes 3 types of Sake - via Zoom
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PERFORMANCES- virtual (programming available from Noon to 5 pm on May 16)
- New this year! Story Arts Journey, by Yasu Ishida – virtual story-telling, origami and magic
- Koto and Shamisen by Miyabi (from New York) – our featured performers
- Vocal selections by Elaina Robbins, Ko Kaiden and Geena Kam
- Japanese guitar music by Dr. Daniel Quinn
- Shakuhachi or flute music by Wolfgang Young
- Japanese music, “The Sea in Spring, by Akira Murotani (trumpet) with violin (Alex Murotani) and cello or piano (tbd)
- Tea Ceremony, as recorded live in 2019
ACTIVITIES -virtual
- Anime contest (not on-site): Go to http://www.acpl.info/calendar to get the complete information. Entries accepted from April 1 through April 30.
- Browse original artwork from our previous winning artists!
Animal Crossing gaming (not on-site): Go to http://www.acpl.info/calendar to get the complete information. - Registration from May 1 and sessions on May 15 and 16.
- Cosplay (not on-site): Information will be made available on the 2021 Cherry Blossom Festival Event page at a later date
OTHER EVENTS & ITEMS OF INTEREST-virtual
- Presentation on Japanese Monster movies, by Brian Scherschel – Title to be determined
- Dedication of Cherry trees at the Downtown ACPL and Swinney Park
Children’s crafts to download
VENDORS – virtual (will offer online discount coupons)
- Ohio Kimonos
- Yamerpro
- Kona Shaved Ice
VIRTUAL EVENT
Sunday, May 16 at 12:oo - 5:00 pm (EDT)
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Kodomo no Hi is going virtual this year! Kodomo no Hi, also known as Children’s Day Festival, and hosted by the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington, is an annual event that encourages children and families to explore and learn about Japanese and Japanese American art, culture, history, food and music. The event is free and open to the public. We hope you can join us from the safety of your home at our “Virtual Kodomo no Hi”, which will include a new video every Sunday at noon (PDT) during the month of May, Japanese cultural booklets, and an activity pack that are free to download!
The new kid-friendly, educational videos will be available on the JCCCW’s YouTube Channel. Viewers can learn about Japanese and Japanese American history and culture including Sumo wrestling, Japanese language through Onomatopoeia, soramimi (mishearing) and Japanes slang, as well as Nikkei history. As a part of the program, we will also publish Japanese Spring Fun Book in April. In May, we will publish Japanese Summer Fun Book plus activity pack that includes templates for a game and craft making. These booklets and activity pack will all be free to download from our website, and in May we’ll open online ordering if people want to get hard copies of the three Japanese Fun Books, Spring, Summer and Winter, plus the activity pack!
We encourage you to invite your friends and family from across the country and around the world! The event is FREE to join!
VIRTUAL EVENT
Every Sunday in May at 12:00 pm (PDT)
Free to join + download Japanese Cultural Booklets & Activity Pack for free
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This virtual 3-part introductory workshop for Japanese Classical Dance, (Nihon Buyo) will provide basic history/origins of Japanese Classical Dance, introduction to the mai ougi (dance fan), walking, bowing, movement (male and female ), and pedagogy. Yukata, fans, and tabi are not required. Students should wear clean white socks, and comfortable exercise clothing. The class will introduce students to two dances, one male style, one female style. Each class will be 45~60min.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Sunday, May 2,9, and 23 at 12:30 - 1:30 pm (CDT)
$60 - A Zoom link to join will be provided after purchasing a ticket
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After six years of planning, a special exhibition of masterpieces from the Japanese painting collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) opened at the Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo on April 14, 2021. Despite rain, around 400 people attended the press preview the previous day.
Tokyo is the first of the four stops for the tour, organized by the Yomiuri Shimbun, which will bring the exhibition onward to Fukushima, Shiga, and Yamaguchi over the course of one year. The lead curator of the exhibition, Dr. Andreas Marks, the Mary Griggs Burke curator and head of the Japanese and Korean art department at Mia, will walk us through this exhibition on Thursday, May 20th at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
VIRTUAL EVENT
Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 - 7:00 pm (CDT)
Non-member: $8, via Zoom
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Join the Japan-America Society of Oregon for fascinating insight and conversation with one of Japan’s top contemporary thought-leaders in business, government, women’s issues, and in wider Japanese society today.
Izumi Kobayashi is currently Chair of the Board of Directors at Mizuho Financial Group, and serves as Board director at ANA, Mitsui & Co and OMRON.
Her previous leadership positions include Vice Chair of the Keizai Doyu Kai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives), Board Member with the Osaka Securities Exchange and Steering Committee member at NHK.
This event is hosted jointly by JASO's Business Speaker Series and Women's Leadership Council.
U.S.: Thursday, May 20 at 5:00 - 6:30 pm (PDT)
Japan: Friday, May 21 at 9:00 - 10:30 am (UTC +9)
$15 suggested donation
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Consul-General Okada Enjoys "Hanami" in Chicago
Consul-General Okada was delighted to visit Chicago's Jackson Park last month to enjoy "Hanami", which is the Japanese tradition of viewing cherry blossoms in the spring. Jackson Park is also home to a beautiful Japanese garden, revitalized with the help of the city of Osaka, Chicago's sister city in Japan and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation. The garden is located where the pavilion created by the Japanese government for the World's Colombian Exposition in 1893 once stood.
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Hideki Matsuyama wins the 85th Masters Tournament
Congratulations to Mr. Hideki Matsuyama for becoming the first Japanese golfer to win a major golf championship and The Masters! I enjoyed watching your moment and appreciate all the friends of Japan who rooted for him. - Consul-General Kenichi OKADA
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Consul-General Okada meets Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
On 4/23, Consul-General Okada met with Governor Laura Kelly to thank her for her continuous support toward Japanese businesses and the Japanese community. During this visit they were able to discuss the rise in Asian-American hate crimes as well as the active economic relationship between Japan and Kansas. While he was in Kansas, he was also able to visit Japanese businesses, the Kansas City Japanese School in Lenexa, and the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden in Topeka Zoo.
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Consul-General Okada visits Kansas City, Missouri
On 4/21, Consul-General Okada traveled to Kansas City to further the Japan-Missouri friendship. He met with Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McManus to discuss their efforts against Asian-American hate crimes and the 50th anniversary of their sister-city relationship with Kurashiki City. He met with the Kurashiki, Japan Committee for the Sister Cities Association and the Heart of America Japan America Society as well to show is appreciation for their continued efforts. He also had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Mary Eisenhower and Mr. Merill Eisenhower to thank them for their visit to Japan for the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-US Security Treaty.
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Grants to teachers, institutions, and students engaged in Japanese language, as well as arts and cultural programs.
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Students are welcome to apply to the local St. Louis JACL Scholarship that is separate from National JACL Scholarships. Any current or incoming undergraduates or graduate students at any college, trade school or graduate school may qualify. Preferred consideration will be given to students that participate in current in past events with the St. Louis JACL Chapter. However, the applicant does not need to be a member of the St. Louis JACL Chapter. Applicants must be active in issues of diversity, civil rights, and/or social justice. Applicants cannot apply if they have previously received a scholarship from a JACL Chapter.
The link below will take you to the webpage where you may enter in your scholarship application online. Applications must be completed and submitted by May 15, 2021.
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This month we interview Lindsey Stirek, the new Assistant Director of Academic Programming at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Read about her ongoing journey to learn and share the joys of Japanese aesthetics and Japanese studies.
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This month we are reviewing the Netflix original series, "Samurai Gourmet". A recent retiree embarks on a heartwarming and mouthwatering journey, along with his inner warrior, to find a new lease on life. Read the review to find out more!
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Two years ago, His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne on May 1st, ushering in a new Era. The Era is known as 令和 (Reiwa), meaning "Beautiful Harmony." The name was taken from wording in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology, completed more than 1,200 years ago.
Every year during the end of April and beginning of May, many people have lots of time off because of consecutive national holidays: Showa Day (4/29), Constitution Memorial Day (5/3), Greenery Day (5/4) and Children’s Day (5/5).
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Dear Subscribers,
We hope you are enjoying our new mailing system and the beautiful spring weather! We hope you can join some of the virtual springtime events we've shared to celebrate springtime from a safe distance this year.
This month's JIC Review is on the delightfully fun Netflix series, "Samurai Gourmet" which showcases some delicious Japanese cuisine with a heartwarming story. Our interview this month is with Lindsey Stirek of UIUC Japan House, who shares her passion of Japanese aesthetics.
As always, please stay healthy and safe this month!
Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu,
Japan Information Center
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