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 |
| Special Announcements |
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Highlighted
Cultural Events |
- Throughout May: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
- May 1: Opening of Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL
- May 2: Japanese Festival @ Wichita State
- May 2: Workshop with Nobuku Toyosawa @ Univ. of Chicago
- May 2: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration with Tsukasa Taiko @ Univ. of Chicago’s Assembly Hall
- May 8- June 8: M. Butterfly @ Court Theatre, Chicago, IL
- May 8: “Runaway Woman/Pirate Queen: Life on the Margins of the Japanese Empire” talk @ Univ. of Chicago
- May 9 - June 21: Redefining the Multiple: 13 Japanese Print makers @ Andrew Bae Gallery in Chicago, IL
- May 10: The Kizuna Project @ Olathe South H.S. Theatre, Olathe, KS
- May 10: "Around the World in One Night" with Yoko Reikano Kimura on koto @ McKinley Presbyterian Church in Champaign, IL
- May 16-18: Japanese martial arts, taiko, and dancing @ Scouting 500 event in Kansas City, MO/KS
- May 16-29: The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyzaki @ Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, IL
- May 18: Cherry Blossom Festival in Fort Wayne, IN
- May 18: A Celebration of Japanese Culture @ Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, MO
- May 25: Jellyfish Eyes lecture and film screening by Takashi Murakami @ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- May 25: "Spring Concert" with the New Chicago Japanese American Association
- May 27: General Meeting: Yayoi Shinoda, Travel in Japan @ Loose Park in Kansas City, MO/KS with the Heart of America Japan America Society
Please click through to our Events Calendar for a full list of events, as well as information about events in the coming months!
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| Economic News |
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| Political News |
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| JIC Library |
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| Fun Features |
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| Editor's Note |
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Satsuki, or the old name for May, means "rice sprout month." In rural areas, May is the month when farmers plant rice in paddies and when the crops begin to grow.
Golden Week in Japan starts at the end of April and lasts until May 5th. The days, as mentioned in the last issue, mark a week-long holiday for many Japanese. Many travel to visit family members or travel together with family members to new, exciting destinations.
Although Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day) is intended to commemorate both children and the mothers who birthed them, the second Sunday in May has more recently been celebrated as Mother’s Day. Speaking of Children's Day, have you ever tried making your own carp streamers to fly? The largest black or dark blue carp represents a family's father, the biggest red one is the mother, while a smaller light or medium blue one typically signifies the eldest son. Subsequent children in a family have other colorful carps!
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Carp streamers image courtesy
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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| Governor James R. Thompson Decoration - Order of the Rising Sun |
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Governor James R. Thompson
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On April 29, 2014 (Japan time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the Spring 2014 Imperial Decorations. Among the 55 foreign recipients is Governor James R. Thompson, former Governor of the State of Illinois and Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association. He has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. Congratulations Governor James R. Thompson!
Please refer to the Consulate's press release for more information on Governor James R. Thompson and the conferral of his decoration.
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| MEXT Japanese Government Scholarships due @ JIC Office May 27 |
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Monbukagakusho (MEXT), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology offers four different scholarships for non-Japanese nationals wishing to study in Japan. The application period is now open for the 1) Research, 2) Specialized Training for College Students, and 3) Undergraduate Students scholarships!
- Research
This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend 18 or 24 months conducting independent research under a Japanese professor. Any field of study is eligible for the scholarship, but applicants must find a Japanese professor willing to supervise their research. However, this does not guarantee that the applicant will be placed with that professor. Please click here for FAQs related to this scholarship.
- Specialized Training for College Students
This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend up to 3 years at a Japanese professional training school studying in one of several fields. Please click here for FAQs related to this scholarship.
- Undergraduate Students
This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend up to 5 years at a Japanese college or university as an undergraduate degree student in one of 2 fields of study: (1) Social Sciences and Humanities or (2) Natural Sciences. Please click here FAQs related to this scholarship.
Applications must be received by May 27, 2014. For more information and application materials, please visit the MEXT Scholarships page on our website.
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| 2014-2015 Walter Mondale Scholarship Applications for MN students |
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Mr. Walter Mondale
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The Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) will award the Mondale Scholarship to Minnesota undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel. JASM will offer up to $3,000 in scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year. The selection committee has the discretion to award up to three $1,000 scholarships or two $1,500 scholarships. The awards are specifically to be used for travel to or within Japan before, during, or after the student’s specified term(s) of study.
The selection committee will review all applications and select finalists for interviews. These interviews will be held in the JASM office during June and July. Applicants unable to participate in the interview process may be disqualified by the selection committee.
Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Please click here to begin the Japan America Society of MN's online application form.
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| May 7: Tohoku Tomo film screening in Schaumburg, IL |
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The Japan America Society of Chicago will be hosting a film screening of the documentary Tohoku Tomo. Please visit their website to make a reservation.
Synopsis:
In the months after the March 11, 2011 disaster, countless volunteers rallied from around the world and came to Japan’s aid to help begin the long process of rebuilding. Whether by donating money, organizing events, or coming to volunteer, these individuals showed they truly care about Japan and about the people of Tohoku. This is their story.
In March 2013, Wesley Julian [Media Relations Coordinator at the JIC] launched and successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign to create Tohoku Tomo – a documentary film telling the story of true friendship and commitment to Japan’s recovery by the international community following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Julian and a small team traveled across the United States and Japan to interview individuals who have made and continue to make a difference in Tohoku. Many of these people dropped what they were doing and dedicated themselves to Japan’s recovery. Many of these them even took it upon themselves to establish non-profit organizations aimed at connecting with and rebuilding Tohoku and its communities.
At the core of all of these organizations are individuals. Many of these groups were founded by members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET Programme). What started as a love of Japan through teaching blossomed into a true friendship and commitment to the Tohoku region. These founders and many other volunteers have truly become friends of Tohoku. They are, in Japanese, Tohoku Tomo.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
May 7, 2014 (Wed)
6:00 - 8:00 PM |
Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts
201 Schaumburg Court
Schaumburg, IL 60193 |
Tohoku Tomo website
● Admission $5, free for children and students |
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| May 16-18: Anime Central @ Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, IL |
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Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. As part of its mission, ACen brings fans together with guests from the Japanese and US sectors of the anime and manga industry, as well as gaming, cinema, and Asian culture personalities.
Stop by the JIC's booth on Friday and Saturday to find out more on the JET Program and other exciting events and opportunities. The past two years, we had authentic kabuto and yoroi for guests to try on but this year, we'll add something else cool for you to try out! On Friday (5/16) from 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM, the JIC will have a JET Program information session followed by a presentation by Professor Jason Jones (Univ. of WI-Milwaukee) titled:
"Calling All Monster Fans: Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera and the Loss of Humanity in the Technological Age" - Monster films are spectacular but not all about spectacle. They are important mechanisms through which humans can rethink and reinterpret our place in the world, our relationships with nature, and our connections to ourselves. Join us on this visual exploration of the conflict between human spirituality and the development of the technologies employed to awaken and eliminate our favorite monsters.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
May 16-18, 2014 (Fri-Sun)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Consulate booth
Fri & Sat
Presentations
Fri 10:15 - 12:15 PM |
Hyatt Regency O'Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, IL 60018 |
ACen website
● ACen Facebook and Twitter pages |
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| May 22: Japan America Society of Indiana Annual Gala @ Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis, IN |
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Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae
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The Japan America Society of Indiana (JASI) annually holds a Gala celebration to gather support for its efforts to promote friendship, exchange, and cooperation between Japan and the State of Indiana. It is an exciting evening where corporate and community leaders throughout Indiana and the Midwest come together in order to fund raise for future JASI activities.
This year, His Excellency Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador to the United States of America, will be the Keynote Speaker and The Honorable Mike Pence, Governor of the State of Indiana, will be a Special Guest. The event will also welcome the new Director of the State of Indiana Japan Office, Mr. Toshikazu "Tony" Suzuki and a performance by Ms. Cathy Morris on the electric violin.
Please register for the event by May 16, 2014 on JASI's event page (link below).
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
May 22, 2014 (Thurs)
Patrons' Reception 5:00 - 6:00 PM,
General Reception 6:00 - 6:30 PM,
Dinner & Program 6:30 - 8:30 PM |
Indiana Roof Ballroom
140 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
Event Details from JASI
● Please dress in business attire or
in traditional Japanese clothing. |
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| May 31 (Deadline): Eighth Annual International MANGA Award Application due @ JIC Office |
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The International MANGA Award was established in May 2007 upon the initiative of then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Taro Aso. It aims to award MANGA creators who contribute to the spread of MANGA culture overseas and international cultural exchange through MANGA. The award has been held every year since its establishment.
The best MANGA among submitted works will be awarded the Gold Award while the next three best MANGA will receive Silver Awards. Recipients will additionally be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend the award ceremony. During their stay in Japan, recipients will also exchange opinions with Japanese MANGA creators, make an excursion and visit publishing companies and other places.
If you are a manga artist or an aspiring artist in the Midwest, be sure to submit your work to the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago for us to pass along to Japan! Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affair's Eight International MANGA Award website to start your application today.
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| May 31: 12th Annual "CelebrAsian" Asian Heritage Festival @ Des Moines, IA |
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CelebrAsian is a one-day, free to the public event sponsored by the Iowa Asian Alliance that showcases different Asian and Asian-American communities and cultures present in the state of Iowa. The event will showcase the diverse cultural traditions of Asian and Asian-American communities residing in the State of Iowa. Each community is organized as a "Village" and showcases indigenous foods, culture, history, arts and crafts, and sports. This year, the Japan America Society of Iowa and the Consulate General of Japan will host a Japan booth at this event.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
May 31, 2014 (Sat)
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
State Capitol Complex
1007 E Grand Ave
East Campus
Des Moines, IA 50319 |
CelebrAsian website
● CelebrAsian Facebook and Twitter pages |
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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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This month, instead of featuring a book, I am going to focus on two periodicals that I recently discovered. While both are popular with our patrons, I, personally, had never explored either even though we have editions dating as far back as 2007!
The first, Monthly Origami Magazine (Call Number 13405X) is published by the Nippon Origami Association. Each edition has a centralized theme – for example in February it was ロシアの冬のオリンピック “The Olympic Winter Games in Russia” while the current April edition’s is お花見 “The cherry-blossom season.” All the included patterns (ten or so) are connected to this theme. Additionally, there are a variety of origami-related articles. One of my favorite features that appeared in several of the magazines that I looked at was 新オリガミツリー “New Origami Tree.” Each “tree” was designed to show how a basic fold at the “trunk” could evolve into totally different works of art by just a few modifications. I never knew how closely related a rocket and a fox face could be! While the majority of the text in Monthly Origami Magazine is in Japanese, each project is well documented with detailed diagrams and folds. Also included in each issue is 折り方の記号 “Symbols” which contains English descriptions for the diagrams of the basic folds. Anyone who is familiar with the basics of origami folding and who has a little bit of patience, should be able to follow the patterns. In fact, here at the JIC our most avid borrowers know absolutely no Japanese!
The second periodical I enjoyed this month is Ikebana International, a thrice-yearly publication by the organization of the same name. Personally, I had always assumed that the magazine was just a beautiful picture book of arrangements. However, closer inspection proved otherwise. Ikebana International (Call Number 1532XX) is not just for people interested in flower arranging – though there is a plethora of examples throughout! Instead it is also a guide to Japanese culture. Included in each edition are a number of essays spanning a wide variety of Japanese-related topics. Naturally, some of these sections are nature-geared, such as the “Floral Focus” column which features a specific plant followed by examples of it incorporated in flower arrangements. Others, though, highlight different aspects of Japanese culture such as the Doll Festival, Traditional Hair Ornaments, and the Japanese-style chest of drawers known as tansu. Ikebana International definitely proved me wrong – I never knew I could learn so much about Japan from a “flower” magazine!
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- Who recently became the youngest winner in golf ever on the Japan LPGA tour?
- Japanese authorities believe they have discovered the original 1890 text of what historical document?
- The Google Cultural Institute has recently added works by which manga artist for free access?
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Congratulations to Olivia Pulphus, our winner from the April issue! Here are last month's answers: |
• Which popular Japanese anime is being redone and will be released in July on the streaming site NicoNico Douga?
Sailor Moon
• Which Company unveiled a disease-detecting breathalyzer?
Toshiba Corporation
• Which Japanese actress won the Silver Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival? And for what movie?
Haru Kuroki in The Little House
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 The Matsuri Times
The Matsuri Times details some of the most famous and fascinating matsuri events throughout Japan. Spring and summer are especially popular seasons for festivals, so I thought it would be a fitting website for this issue. Although the site is not completely up to date, it contains video and photo collections of some of the most historic and memorable matsuri that continue to be celebrated every year.
You can even specifically look up popular matsuri for each month. In May, Asakusa Sanja Matsuri and Mifune Matsuri are amongst the most well-known, but lesser known festivals in Aoi and Shigaraki are introduced. In Shigaraki, tons of tanuki—Japanese raccoon— statues are baked out of famous Shigaraki clay every year to be sold across Japan. The town holds a festival to attract potential tanuki figurine buyers and sells other artisan pottery annually this month!
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Happy May!
As always, there are activities galore this month and many are starting to take place outside now that the weather is becoming warmer. There are also Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day to look forward to at the beginning of the month in Japan during Golden Week. Greenery Day is similar to Earth Day in the US, but Greenery Day more reflects the reverence of nature that has long been a part of Japanese culture. Celebrations like o-hanami (cherry blossom viewing), o-tsukimi (moon viewing), and Umi no hi (Ocean Day) are some examples of how the appreciation of nature is a part of long-practiced customs. However, in Japan, Greenery Day did not become an official holiday until 1989.
Meanwhile, Earth Day in the US is also a relatively new holiday. It was first practiced in 1970 to honor emerging theories by scientists and policy-makers calling for protection of our planet and for world peace. When placed in the context of mounting concerns over global warming and other ecological challenges, a widespread respect for nature is important to keep humans and the world healthy. It is wonderful to see Japan, US, and global citizens collaborating across borders to care for natural environments and the Earth!
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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Green leaves 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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Satsuki, or the old name for May, means "rice sprout month." In rural areas, May is the month when farmers plant rice in paddies and when the crops begin to grow.
Monbukagakusho (MEXT), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology offers four different scholarships for non-Japanese nationals wishing to study in Japan. The application period is now open for the 1) Research, 2) Specialized Training for College Students, and 3) Undergraduate Students scholarships!
The Japan America Society of Chicago will be hosting a film screening of the documentary Tohoku Tomo. Please 
Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. As part of its mission, ACen brings fans together with guests from the Japanese and US sectors of the anime and manga industry, as well as gaming, cinema, and Asian culture personalities.
The International MANGA Award was established in May 2007 upon the initiative of then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Taro Aso. It aims to award MANGA creators who contribute to the spread of MANGA culture overseas and international cultural exchange through MANGA. The award has been held every year since its establishment.
CelebrAsian is a one-day, free to the public event sponsored by the Iowa Asian Alliance that showcases different Asian and Asian-American communities and cultures present in the state of Iowa. The event will showcase the diverse cultural traditions of Asian and Asian-American communities residing in the State of Iowa. Each community is organized as a "Village" and showcases indigenous foods, culture, history, arts and crafts, and sports. This year, the Japan America Society of Iowa and the Consulate General of Japan will host a Japan booth at this event.
This month, instead of featuring a book, I am going to focus on two periodicals that I recently discovered. While both are popular with our patrons, I, personally, had never explored either even though we have editions dating as far back as 2007!
The second periodical I enjoyed this month is Ikebana International, a thrice-yearly publication by 
