The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves to be a useful, interesting, and exciting window for you to Japanese cultural activities happening throughout the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Amy Klouse, at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| This Month in Japan |
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The old name for the month of January, Mutsuki, means “month of harmony” or “month where friends and relatives gather.”
The most important and widely celebrated holiday in Japan - and a national holiday - is New Year's Day. Schools are typically closed for about 2 weeks, and many business are closed from December 29 through January 3 (including our Consulate!). This month, Japanese often enjoy visiting shrines and temples, eating special foods, sending and receiving nengajou (New Year cards), and, of course, spending time with family and friends. On average, January and February tend to be the coldest months in Japan. So during Mutsuki, activities with friends and family inside tend to be favored.
Coming-of-Age Day, observed on the second Monday of January, is another national holiday this month. On this day, municipal governments host special ceremonies for all 20-year-olds because it is the age of adulthood in Japan. Once 20, Japanese can legally vote, consume alcohol, and partake in other activities reserved for adults. To this ceremony, women wear an elaborate style of kimono called furisode while men typically wear formal suits.
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| TOHOKU Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers Exhibit @ JIC open until 2/7! |
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Driving off Sparrows, Kitsunezaka, Taiyu Village
Teisuke Chiba 1943
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Until February 7, the JIC will be hosting an exciting traveling exhibit featuring over 120 photographs from Tohoku. This exhibition, which was curated by Japanese photography critic Kotaro Iizawa to mark the second anniversary of the great earthquake, does not attempt to document the damage or recovery but instead uses photography to show the natural and cultural environment of Tohoku along with its people and their ways of life.
It is composed of the work of nine individual photographers and one photographers’ group who belong to a variety of generations and stylistic tendencies but are all from Tohoku. Photographs taken in the 1940s will be shown alongside images of the present. By presenting the viewpoints of highly individualistic photographers who represent the past, present, and future, this exhibition aims to introduce many fascinating aspects of Tohoku to the world.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
December 16, 2013 - February 7, 2014
M-F 9:15 AM - 5:00 PM
*January 11, 2014 (Sat): 11 AM - 5:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611
(Discount parking in the building. Bring ticket for validation.) |
Website
Flier
● Free admission |
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| Now Accepting Entries for the 2014 Japanese Language Speech Contest! (deadline 2/14) |
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Participants from the 2013 Speech Contest
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The Consulate is now accepting entries for the 28th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest to be held at the JIC on Saturday, March 22! The Contest is a fantastic opportunity for students studying Japanese to put their Japanese skills to the test and to demonstrate their perserverence in perfecting the language to the audience. It is also a great chance to win an assortment of great prizes, including a round-trip ticket to Japan.
Interested? Visit our Speech Contest page on our website to find out more details. Please note that this page WILL BE updated with more information periodically. The Consulate must receive all applications by Friday, February 14 for consideration.
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| 2014 JET Memorial Invitation Program Application process begins |
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Participants from the 2013 JET-MIP
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The Japan Foundation created JET-MIP immediately following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami disasters to commemorate the work of two former American JET Program assistant English language teachers who lost their lives on March 11, 2011. Taylor Anderson, who was in Ishinomaki City and Montgomery Dickson, who was in Rikuzentakada City will be forever remembered as cultural ambassadors representing the U.S. They had a positive influence on the people and communities they served. The program has three goals:
- Encourage American high school students to continue studying Japanese
- Encourage youth exchanges such as the JET program as an option for the future
- Create a network within participants of this program as well as individual networks between participants and people they meet in Japan (Bridge Building)
Please visit the Japan Foundation's JET-MIP page for application and eligibility information. Be sure to note that Japanese language teachers must register applicant for the 2014 National Japanese Exam by 2/8 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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 Every year, the Japan Foundation offers several grants and fellowships to support researchers, educators, scholars, and others doing work related to Japanese culture, language, politics, and more. These grants and fellowships are a great way to strengthen your organization's mission. The deadlines are quickly approaching this winter!
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| December 31: Japan America Society of Iowa's End of Year Joya no Kane event |
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Children ringing bell image courtesy of
the Japan America Society of IA
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The Joya no Kane, or the "tolling bells ceremony," is a fun way to commemorate the coming of the New Year with friends and family. Buddhist priests ring large bronze bells 108 times in Japan to ward off evil desires that we suffer from on earth. Joya no Kane in Iowa observes the same traditions by using a special Japanese bell that was given to Iowa as a sign of appreciation by Yamanashi prefecture in 1962.
The Japan America Society of Iowa holds this event annually at 9 AM on December 31 because it corresponds to midnight on January 1 in Japan. All who attend are encouraged to watch and partake in the ceremony.
| Date and Time |
Location |
December 31 (Tues)
9 AM |
Iowa State Capital Building, by the bell
1007 E Grand Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50319 |
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| January 10: Special Lecture with TOHOKU exhibit curator Mr. Kotaro Iizawa @ Olympia Centre |
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Statue of Osawabutsu, Ourani Sanpou Koujin,
Dewa Sanzan
Masatoshi Naito 1981-82
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Mr. Kotaro Iizawa is a Japanese photography critic, historian of photography, and magazine editor from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. He is also the curator of our current TOHOKU Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers exhibit.
At this lecture, Iizawa will discuss the meaning of the exhibit as well as touch upon why he selected the works he did. He hopes this exhibit sheds light on the rich, diverse culture of the Tohoku region to those unfamiliar. This region does, after all, have a long history aside from the attention it has received in the context of the recent March 11, 2011 disasters.
Iizawa attended Nihon University and graduated with a degree in photography in 1977. He additionally obtained a doctorate from the University of Tsukuba. He founded a magazine titled Deja-vu in 1990 and was editor-in-chief until 1994. He also coedited a 41-volume series titled Nihon no Shashinka.
Please RSVP by January 8, 2014 to jic@cg.mofa.go.jp with your name and phone number.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
January 10, 2014 (Fri)
5:30 PM |
Olympia Centre - 20th Fl. Conference Rm.
737 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(Discount parking in the building. Bring ticket for validation.) |
Website
Flier
● Free admission |
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| January 11: TOHOKU Exhibit OPEN on Saturday for public viewing |
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On January 11, 2014, the JIC will be open on a weekend day to welcome those unable to visit during our regular hours of operation. However, until Feburary 7, 2014, the exhibit will continue to be open M-F from 9:15 AM - 5 PM.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
January 11, 2014 (Sat)
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Japan Information Center Hall
737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611
(Discount parking in the building. Bring ticket for validation.) |
Website
Flier
● Free admission |
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| January 18: JETAA Chicago Shinnenkai (New Year Party) |
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JETAA Chicago is proud to present the 11th annual New Year’s Shinnenkai Culture Festival! Join us as we celebrate the Year of the Horse! This celebration is for all ages and is a perfect opportunity to mingle with and meet others who are interested in Japan.
Come enjoy Japanese appetizers, beer, wine, and soft drinks. We will feature traditional arts and crafts including: calligraphy, origami, and ema (good luck) plaques. Challenge your friends in a trivia tournament or a game of karuta (picture matching game). Don’t forget about the $1 Janken Contest, where you can win the cash prize and be crowned the rock, paper, scissors Champion!
Raffle prizes include gift certificates to local businesses, Japanese themed treats and treasures and more! All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to charity.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
January 18, 2014 (Sat)
5:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611
(Discount parking in the building. Bring ticket for validation.) |
JETAA Chicago
● $15 for advanced tickets by PayPal
until January 17th
● $20 at the door
● $10 for children and volunteers
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| January 19-22: KAKEHASHI Project student presentations @ Robbinsdale Armstrong HS and Southwest HS in MN |
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KAKEHASHI students from Japan are visiting the Midwest again! This time, 20 boys and 3 girls from Kobe College of Technology in Hyogo Prefecture will come to connect with students from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, MN. Additionally, 18 girls and 5 boys from Izumi High School in Osaka will talk about Japan to students at Southwest High School in Minneapolis, MN.
The American students already traveled to Japan in July 2013. You can read a little more about the students from Robbinsdale Armstrong High here!
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| January 26: Urasenke Chicago Tatezome - New Year tea ceremony @ JIC |
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Tatezome image courtesy of
David Rohde
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The JIC will be hosting the annual Urasenke Chicago Association's Tatezome tea ceremony event to celebrate 2014, the year of the Horse. Tea will be prepared in the JIC's beautiful tea room, which will be decorated to welcome the New Year. Everyone will be served a special new year sweet and a bowl of matcha, green tea powder.
Please RSVP by January 22, 2014 to Ms. Toshiko Uehara (847) 242-0224 and visit the Urasenke website.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
January 26, 2014 (Sun)
12:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611
(Discount parking in the building. Bring ticket for validation.) |
● $30.00 + $20.00 annual membership fee (for members)
● $35.00 only (for non-members) |
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The Consulate will be closed in observance of the New Year holiday from December 30, 2013-January 3,2014. Please visit our website to obtain our holiday schedule and hours.
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact our librarian directly at emily.toelcke@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| Highlighted Resources is a column written by JIC librarian Emily Toelcke that features notable library materials we offer per month. |
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Now that winter has officially arrived, it’s a perfect time to stay indoors and work on some Japanese-inspired crafts. Below are some great ideas available in the JIC library:
For those who enjoy making paper snowflakes, check out きりがみ by Toshie Takahama (Call Number 134023). Combining paper folding and cutting, Kirigami has patterns for more than just ice crystals. Learn how to make a balancing clown, a circle of a fish and a city scape – just to name a few. The designs range from two to twenty folds and include both two- and three-dimensional patterns. Once you have mastered the technique, the uses for the intricate designs are endless! Although, Kirigami is written in Japanese, the detailed pictures can be easily followed by anyone with “a head and fingers”!
Do you like kawaii characters? If so, then The Cute Book (Call Number 133044) and Cute Dolls (Call Number 133048) are for you! Written by character design company Aranzi Aronzo!, both books focus on making adorable stuffed toy versions of their popular mascots. The instructions in The Cute Book are for small felt dolls that can be easily turned into key rings, cellphone straps, hair ties, or any other object your imagination can conjure. Cute Dolls focuses on larger, more detailed toys made from jersey material. Both books are also noteworthy for their clever character dialogues and descriptions throughout.
If yarn is more your thing, then check out Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Amigurumi by Tomoko Takamori (Call Number 133046) or かんたん手作り帽子BOOK published by Nihon Vogue-sha. CO., LTD (Call Number 133042). Amigurumi (literally “knitted stuffed toy”) are cute crocheted characters which became famous in Japan about ten years ago. Now the popularity of the animals and whimsical anthropomorphic shapes has now spread to the United States. Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Amigurumi provides patterns for twenty characters ranging from Colorful Donkeys to Frogs on a Holiday to my personal favorite, the fuzzy White Seal. It should be noted that while the author’s stitching diagrams are easy to understand, they do not follow the typical system and may be a bit frustrating for the serious crotchetier. かんたん手作り帽子BOOK from the “Happy Knitting Time” series is designed for beginning knitters looking to make cozy and stylish caps. These knitted hats are sure to keep your fingers nimble and head warm! However, as the entire book is in Japanese and the diagrams have extremely detailed accompanying text, this book is recommended for either the knitter with a high level of Japanese proficiency or the one who is looking for an excuse to study and stitch!
Did you try a Japanese-inspired craft this winter? If so, send us a picture at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp with the subject line being “My Japanese Winter Craft.” We would love to see your creative projects and share them on our Facebook page!
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| New Additions, also written by Emily Toelcke, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection. |
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- What musical celebrated its 15-year anniversary in Japan this month?
- What is the name of an initiative of French chefs in Japan who take gourmet meals to victims from the 3/11 tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear disasters?
- Which Studio Ghibli film is going to be made into a live-action film?
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Here are the answers from last month to some questions about current events in Japan.
There was no winner this time...maybe the questions were too challenging? Or maybe everyone was busy with the holidays! |
• When is construction for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games scheduled to begin?
Get ready for construction to start in 2015! The original article I had found that detailed development plans is actually no longer available, but from this article it can be deduced that construction will begin roughly in October of that year.
• Which fast food company is planning to expand the home delivery service option that is currently offered in Japan worldwide?
McDonald’s is jumping on the home delivery bandwagon in Japan. Other fast food businesses, like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Domino's pizza, and countless numbers of domestic fast food chains have already made home delivery a quick and easy option. Read more about it here
• What popular pin board-style content/photo-sharing social media service expanded to Japan this month?
In Japan, Pinterest, a major connect/photo-sharing social media application, has launched. The introduction came 18 months after Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten became an investor in Pinterest. Aside from Japan, Pinterest has recently expanded to Italy, UK, and France complete with customized content that reflects each culture specifically. You can read more about it right here!
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 Origami-Fun
Since Emily selected some crafty books from our library, I decided to chose an equally as crafty website to feature this month. When it is snowy and cold outside, sometimes the best way to pass time is by participating in fun indoor activities. Origami-Fun has instructions for all skill levels and provides easy to learn patterns from several different categories including animals, holidays, toys, and flowers. Not only do many of the origami patterns include step-by-step visual diagrams, but several also have instructional videos or downloadable PDFs you can print.
I especially want to try the owl pattern soon! Do you have any origami creations you'd like to share with us? If so, send us a picture at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp with the subject line being “My Japanese Winter Craft.” We would love to see your creative projects and share them on our Facebook page!
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Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year!
It is hard to believe that it is already 2014, but let us hope that this year brings good fortune, happiness, and health to all. Let us work to leave behind past worries and troubles and embrace this year with renewed ambitions and aspirations. Don’t break those New Year resolutions, either!
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2014 is the year of the horse. Chinese New Year is based on the same lunar calendar Japan followed until the late nineteenth century and continues to be celebrated for entertainment purposes in Japan as it is in the United States. It is said that those born this year as horses will grow up to be energetic, cheerful, outgoing, and extremely witty in nature. They will also be intelligent, fiercely independent, and able to adjust to new situations with ease.
Also, don’t forget to check out our special TOHOKU Photo Exhibit while it’s in Chicago! Hope to see you here soon.
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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Year of the Horse image courtesy
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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| You are receiving this email webletter because you have signed up to receive information about Japan and Japan-related events from our office. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please email the Japan Information Center at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp. |
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Official website for Consulate General of Japan at Chicago
www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp |
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The old name for the month of January, Mutsuki, means “month of harmony” or “month where friends and relatives gather.”
Every year, the Japan Foundation offers several grants and fellowships to support researchers, educators, scholars, and others doing work related to Japanese culture, language, politics, and more. These grants and fellowships are a great way to strengthen your organization's mission. The deadlines are quickly approaching this winter!
JETAA Chicago is proud to present the 11th annual New Year’s Shinnenkai Culture Festival! Join us as we celebrate the Year of the Horse! This celebration is for all ages and is a perfect opportunity to mingle with and meet others who are interested in Japan.
KAKEHASHI students from Japan are visiting the Midwest again! This time, 20 boys and 3 girls from Kobe College of Technology in Hyogo Prefecture will come to connect with students from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, MN. Additionally, 18 girls and 5 boys from Izumi High School in Osaka will talk about Japan to students at Southwest High School in Minneapolis, MN.
