News from JASC

Happy Halloween!

Halloween season means it's time to embrace all things spooky! You may be familiar with the usual skeleton, zombie, or Frankenstein, but have you ever heard of Japanese yōkai?

Yōkai are supernatural beings and phenomena from Japanese folklore that include monsters, shapeshifters, tricksters, and more! Ghost stories became very popular during the Edo period and inspired centuries of art and literature that focused on the variety of creatures that lurked in the night.

The Legacy Center held a virtual program in 2021 entitled Yōkai Banzai!: Modern interpretations by three Chicagoland Japanese Americans, Watch the recording on JASC’s YouTube channel HERE for a discussion by three Chicagoland Japanese Americans about their creative work and their own interpretations of yōkai. The featured guests were author Jami Nakamura Lin, visual artist Cori Nakamura Lin, and needlefelt sculptor Kiyoshi Mino.

If you prefer reading a book, check out The Night Parade by Jami Nakamura Lin. In this memoir, Jami tackles the obstacles she faces with mental illness through the comfort she finds in the ghost stories she enjoyed as a child - the legends of yōkai. By combining elements from her Taiwanese and Japanese background, Jami’s memoir intertwines with the mysterious and often terrifying creatures of Japanese and Taiwanese legends to explore the human psyche. You can find Jami’s memoir HERE.

Spread the word! Tell your friends and family that Holiday Delight & Kodomo Matsuri is in December this year. You can download a flyer to share HERE.

Our food court this year will include some favorite grilled items. Our holiday wish is for someone to donate grills for us to use for Holiday Delight and other future events. Interested or know someone who might be? Contact Ruby at events@jasc-chicago.org or call the JASC office (ext. 229)

Other details are on our website.

Please join us in welcoming Ruby Grillier to the JASC Staff as our new Program Coordinator! She is excited to support the diverse JASC community in Chicago.

Ruby (she/her) has been passionate about Japanese language and culture for over a decade. She holds a double BA in Intercultural Communication and Japanese, as well as a Master’s in Japanese Translation. With a strong commitment to promoting cultural awareness and understanding, Ruby looks forward to inspiring others to explore Japan and its language, while fostering meaningful connections and experiences. She is always dreaming about her next vacation to Japan and plans to get lunch with her host mom at their favorite omurice restaurant.

You can contact Ruby at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org or call 773-275-0097 x 229

Applications for JASC Scholarships for the 2025-26 Academic Year are now available! Awards for undergraduate or graduate studies range from $1,000 - $5,000 awards. Click here for details, guidelines, and the application form. Applications are due by 5 pm on Thursday, April 1, 2025.

Email programs@jasc-chicago.org with any questions.

November Japanese Conversation Table –

Thursday, November 14, 2024

11月の日本語お話会は11月14日（木）です

開催日：11月14日（普通毎月第２木曜日）

開催時間：午後1:30から3:00まで

参加費：１人/１回5ドル

日本語で交流したい方へのお知らせです。（日本語の会話クラスではありません。）

普段あまりほかの方との交流のない方、一人でお住まいの方、思いっきり日本語でおしゃべりしてみませんか？

楽しい話題や暮らしのアイデアを分け合い、ちょっとした悩みや不安など、皆で話し合えば解決法がでてくるかも知れません。いろいろなことを日本語で話し合い、英語社会で溜まったストレスを解消しましょう。

このプログラムに興味のある方、参加したいと思われる方は、Eメールで川口ケイclasses@jasc-chicago.org

または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。

Calling all native Japanese speakers to our monthly gathering of fellowship and connection with other native Japanese speakers? Please note this is not a Japanese language class but rather a time for fellowship while speaking in fluent Japanese.

Date: Monthly, second Thursday, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Cost: $5 per person, per session

Temporary Location: Ravenswood Fellowship UMC, 4511 N Hermitage Ave

JASC's Conversation Table welcomes everyone to share their experiences, ideas, and stories through social interaction and offers an opportunity to expand their social networks with others in the local community.

If you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Kay Kawaguchi by email at classes@jasc-chicago.org or call her at 773-275-0097 x 226 and leave a message to RSVP. Kay can answer any questions about the program in Japanese or in English.

Calling all intermediate Japanese speakers! A new session starts next Thursday, October 31. This class is held in-person. All other classes are an online format at this time. Expanded in-person classes will return after the new building is open.

Interested in a class? Take a trial class any time at no cost. Contact Kay Kawaguchi for help in determining the best level for you. Reach her at the JASC office, (773) 275-0097, ext. 226, or by email classes@jasc-chicago.org. For full schedules and details click here.

Until our new building is ready, please note the following updates:

Our 4427 N. Clark St. office will be closed to the public. JASC staff will be working remotely. To reach us, you can email jascinfo@jasc-chicago.org.
Our mail will be forwarded to a P.O. Box 25380, Chicago, IL 60625
For questions about mailing checks & donations, please reach out to development@jasc-chicago.org

For updates on Programming, Adult Day Services, & Legacy Center, please go to our website.

Thank you for your patience and understanding! For any moving questions, please contact operations@jasc-chicago.org.

Click Here For Our Events Calendar

The Japanese Arts Foundation welcomes you to this special event coming up this fall:

Friday, November 1st: Godzilla Gala

REDUCTION 10 AND TAIKO LEGACY 21

December 14th & 15th | Edlis Neeson Theater and the MCA

Join us December 14 & 15 for our annual theatrical productions of taiko infused with traditional Japanese and contemporary musical experimentation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Reduction (December 14th at 7:00PM) presentation with special guests Hyakkyou Fukuhara from Tokyo, Nicole Mitchell, Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, Yoshinojo Fujima & Ikunojo Fujima of Shubukai alongside Tsukasa Taiko.

For Taiko Legacy 21 (December 15th at 2:00PM), Tsukasa Taiko is joined by Hyakkyou Fukuhara and Melody Takata and members of GenRyu Arts.

Tickets to be released in mid-October

airmw.org/taikolegacy

CHICAGO ASIAN AMERICAN JAZZ FESTIVAL

AIRMW presents the 29th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival (CAAJF) over the course of three days in the beginning of November.

Join us for two evenings at Elastic Arts and the final night at Arts & Public Life.

This year we features guests from San Francisco, Ann Arbor, and Champaign; and celebrate The MIYUMI Project on day 3.

November 1st | Elastic Arts | 8:30PM

3429 W Diversey Ave #208

Francis Wong Ensemble &

Chien-An Yuan + Naomi Columna

November 2nd | Elastic Arts | 8:30PM

3429 W Diversey Ave #208

Joy Yang Trio

(Joy Yang, Mitchell Maftean & Ori Sergel)

November 4th | Arts Public Life | 7:00PM

301 E Garfield Blvd

Tatsu Aoki's The MIYUMI Project

More info at airmw.org/aajazz

Bridge Dance Festival

November 8th and 9th | Links Hall | 7:00-8:30PM

3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

The Bridge Dance Festival began in 2018 as the culmination of four years of Japanese-focused programming at Links Hall, including the National Performance Network Asian Exchange, Beyond the Box, and Links to Japan.

In 2019, producers Links Hall and Asian Improv aRts Midwest with curator Yoshinojo Fujima (aka Rika Lin) worked together to maintain the mission of international cultural exchange and connection in the face of rising US nationalism and its aggressive political reality. The importance of global connections is inspired and supported by mutual respect for both cultural similarities and differences.

Now in its sixth year, Bridge Dance continues to establish its role facilitating AAPI Dancers from Chicago will present their own new experimental pieces, exploring the expression of 'self'.

Tickets for November 8th

Tickets for November 9th