Cultural

JETAABC Yomi-Kai Feb 2021: What are we reading this time? We will start the year with a classic short story by Tanizaki Junichiro's debut work, "The Tattooer." This is Tanizaki's very first published short story and really sets the tone of his future writing styles and themes. Tanizaki is one of Japan's famous modern writers. His writing often challenged aesthetics and sexuality in an era where Japan was being introduced to "western" ideas. We will meet on Tuesday, February 23, […]

JETAABC Yomi-Kai Mar 2021: What are we reading this time? We are reading the Akutagawa Prize winning short story by Yoko Ogawa called "The Pregnancy Diary." Ogawa accumulates details to subtly yet expressively comment on the human psychology in her writing. What kind of meaning into the details of this short story can you gain? We will meet on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 7pm over Zoom. Registrants will receive a Zoom link through a Google calendar invite 3 days […]

JETAABC Yomi-Kai is excited to invite Author Grace Eiko Thomson to discuss her memoir, Chiru Sakura — Falling Cherry Blossoms: A Mother & Daughter's Journey through Racism, Internment and Oppression. Join us as we learn more about the Canadian Japanese History through Grace Eiko Thomson's powerful story of resilience in the face of racism, sexism, and internment.

After last year's success, JETAA Portland, JETAABC, and JETAAPNW are excited to present a second Bento Workshop with Amanda Oumiya from K&L Bentos on Sunday, June 6 at 11am PDT. This time the theme is Kyara-ben! For those who don’t know, Kyara-ben is short for Character Bento, the art of making cute, detailed box lunches that look like popular characters. This can sound daunting but Amanda is here to show us simple tips and tricks to make your next bento […]

JETAABC Yomi-Kai Jun 2021: What are we reading this time? Yomi-kai's next reading for June is from the Father of Japanese short stories himself, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke. We will be reading Rashomon. A classic short story that has often been referenced in Japanese and even North American pop culture. Bonus points if you have seen the film adaptations of this short story! We will meet on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 7pm over Zoom. Registrants will receive a Zoom link through […]