Anime Central

On May 17 through the 19, Anime Central (ACen) attracted thousands of Japanese anime, manga, and pop culture fans at the Hyatt Regency Hotel O’Hare and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The Japan Information Center (JIC) at the Consulate presented an information booth and provided a variety of cultural, people exchange, and tourism material. Over the weekend, hundreds of visitors to the Consulate booth enjoyed taking photographs of authentic Yoroi and Kabuto, and some even had opportunities to try them on.

This year, the JIC also presented a special lecture on Japanese culture in the afternoon of May 19. Professor Jason C. Jones, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, talked for an hour about the famous Japanese "Godzilla" films. Included in the audience were several avid fans of Godzilla. During Professor Jones' interactive lecture with his audio visual presentation, spectators enthusiastically asked questions.

Immediately after the film lecture, the JIC additionally hosted The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program information session for another hour. During the session, a JET Alumni JIC staff member also shared his first-hand experiences during his stay in Japan under the JET Program.






The first two photos show the JIC information booth at the Convention Center. The third photograph depicts the special lecture titled “Godzilla: Forever King of the Monsters” by Professor Jason C. Jones on May 19. The third image is of the JET program information session.

Japanese Food and Sake Tasting

On May 14, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and JETRO Chicago cosponsored an unprecedented tasting event to promote Japanese food and sake at Kendall College in Chicago. It targeted professionals in the local food business industry.

While the consulate had been involved in organizing such food promotion events in the past, this tasting event, which included a large number of vendors, was the first of its kind in the Midwest due to its massive scale. Besides featuring approximately 170 brands of Japanese sake, the event comprehensively introduced various Japanese cuisine items including seafood products, processed foods and seasonings as well as Japanese premium tea. A total of 49 exhibitors including kuramoto (sake makers), Japanese food manufacturers and wholesalers proudly promoted their own specialties. The event attracted nearly 280 local food professionals. It garnered positive acclamation by both participating Japanese vendors and local industry professionals.

In addition to the various tasting opportunities, the event also presented a Japanese traditional sweets-making demonstration by award-winning confectionery master, Mr. Shoji Nishizawa from Japan and a cooking demonstration by Chef Takashi Yagihashi, as well as a sake seminar. These special programs enabled audiences to fully appreciate the depth and the appeal of Japanese food culture.

While Japanese foods and sake are already prevalent here in the Chicago area, the Consulate, by closely working with collaborators, would like to continue to present these opportunities hoping that it further raises awareness on Japan.




The first photo depicts interested businessmen trying a sample of a vendor’s product. The second image is of a Japanese manufacturer representative offering his product to a restaurant owner. The final photograph shows confectionery master Nishizawa’s demonstration in front of a curious audience.

Japanese Tradition: Kimono ~Lecture and Demonstration~

On Wednesday, May 8 the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, in cooperation with the Japan America Society of Chicago, hosted a cultural event “Japanese Tradition: Kimono ～Lecture and Demonstration～” at the Japan Information Center. At the event, Kimiko Gunji, Associate Professor Emeritus and the former director of Japan House at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, spoke about traditional kimono. Then, Toshie Kasada, a lecturer from the prestigious Hakubi Kyoto School, showcased formal kimono and yukata (cotton kimono) for both sexes during the demonstration.

With the progression of time, Japanese traditional garments like kimono have gone through changes. Kimono are no longer worn as everyday attire, but there are opportunities to wear kimono for special events like weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and graduations. More recently, it seems that many young people are interested in learning the intricacies involved in fashion and kimono. For example, learning the distinctions between what colors and designs are acceptable for what seasons is a mandatory component to understanding kimono refinement.

Dressing oneself in kimono is a difficult task, but this event gave the audience a chance to learn more about kimono and enhanced their appreciation of Japanese culture.






The first shows Kasada-sensei tying an intricate obi on one of the female models. The second photograph depicts all three models with their completed kimono ensembles. The third image is of Gunji-sensei with two models after being dressed in kimono. The last photo is of Consul General Masaharu Yoshida with his wife, Gunji-sensei, and Kasada-sensei.

Japanese Tea Ceremony: Chanoyu

The Consulate General of Japan, in cooperation with Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association and the Chicago Botanic Garden, sponsored a presentation of Japanese traditional tea ceremony on March 24th at the Botanic Garden. The tea ceremony (chanoyu), also known as the "Way of Tea" (chadō or sadō), is the ritualized preparation and serving of powdered green tea in the presence of guests. During the ceremony, the host engages his/her whole being in the creation of a special occasion designed to bring peace of mind and aesthetic, intellectual, and physical enjoyment to the guests.

At the event, Dr. Raffaelli, President of the Association, explained the traditions involved in Japanese tea ceremony and Mr. Omar Francis, Vice President of the Association, performed the tea ceremony presentation. At the Q&A session, Dr. Raffaelli and Ms. Joyce Kubose, one of the nstructors of the Association, responded to questions from the audience.






The first image shows Mr. Francis' presentation of chanoyu. The second photo is of Dr. Raffaelli and Ms. Kubose answering questions from the audience. The last picture depicts the audience, curious about tea making utensils, continuing to ask questions after the event.

27th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest in Chicago

This years speech contest was held on March 16, 2013 and featured 40 exceptional speeches from students of all ages. These individuals presented on an array of amusing and touching topics, ranging from raising levels of environmental consciousness to origami. Consul General Masaharu Yoshida opened the ceremony with remarks on the status of Japanese language instruction in the United States and the dedication these students must have to continue learning such a challenging, but important, language in world affairs.

The contestants’ presentations demonstrated their unwavering perseverance with mastering Japanese and showed to the audience the fruits of their labor. All students were praised for their efforts which made it a challenge for the judges to reach their final decisions regarding prizes. Among the prize winners, two students were awarded the Grand Prize and the Sister City Osaka Award. The Grand Prize was given to Mr. Wonwoo Choi of Washington University in St. Louis. The Sister City Osaka Award went to Ms. Lindsey Schultz.



The above photo depicts participants and judges from the competition.

Results from the competition

Kizuna II: The Bonds of Emotion

Two years have now passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. In observance of this tragedy, an opening ceremony was held for “Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion, Japan Earthquake Photo Exhibition” at the State of Illinois James R. Thompson Center. The exhibition was co-sponsored by the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, the Japan America Society of Chicago, and the Consulate General of Japan.

Opening Ceremony

The ceremony began with a performance by Tsukasa Taiko. Then, after one minute of silence, the Choir Futaba assembly sang a moving piece titled “Ue o Muie Arukou (I look up when I walk)” a.k.a. “Sukiyaki.” Both Japanese and Americans gave presentations. Consul General Masaharu Yoshida expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the huge funds and much-needed support from the United States and the Midwest.

Photo Exhibit

The exhibition was curated by Professor Jamason Chen at Loyola University Chicago, and honorarily co-chaired by Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It was divided into three parts. The first part, titled “Memory: Things We Should Never Forget,” featured photographs from the Nikkei collection that depict the current situation in Tohoku. The second part, titled “Chicago Connections,” presented personal accounts of and photographs taken by Chicagoans who were there that day or have volunteered in the relief effort. The final part, titled “Voices from Japan,” provided a collection of photographs taken by Japanese in Tohoku that show the current recovery.

Press Conference

The opening ceremony was followed by a reception and press conference.

Seminar

In addition to the photo exhibition, a seminar titled “Japan in Perspective: An Update on the Pace of Economic and Social Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake,” was held on March 13 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Consul General Yoshida presented an overview of the reconstruction effort and expressed Japan’s deep appreciation. Mr. Tatsuhiro Shindo, Chief Executive Director of JETRO Chicago, explained in detail about the recovery and his own visits to Tohoku. Mr. Greg Burns, Editorial Board Member of the Chicago Tribune, served as the moderator.

The photo exhibition and seminar demonstrate that the friendship between Japan and the Midwest is stronger than ever.

The first image depicts Tsukasa Taiko performing to a large crowd of spectators in the Kizuna II opening ceremony. The second photo shows Consul General Yoshida expressing his gratitude for support from the United States and the Midwest. The final photo is of Consul General Yoshida speaking at the press conference on the recovery effort in Tohoku.

Please refer to our 絆 Kizuna II Facebook Album to view more photos from the event.