Welcome to JASGA

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Welcome to the website of the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin.  Please feel free to explore our calendar of events and newsletter information.

Stay informed about all Japan-America Society of Greater Austin programs and events.  Subscribe Now
 

Latest News

2021 Fall Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

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Register NOW for Fall 2021 Japanese Language, Kana workshop, Shodo Calligraphy Classes!

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fall 2021 classes will be held virtually.

Thank you for your interest in the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese calligraphy program. We currently offer Japanese language (emphasizing conversation, listening, reading, and writing) and Shodo Japanese calligraphy classes at various levels in Austin. 

Registration is now open!

At a glance:

  • Class location this Fall 2021: Virtual online classroom
  • The start date:  9/13 (Mon) ~ 9/18 (Sat), 9/21 (Tue)
  • Levels from total beginner to advanced and children & young teens, Japanese Business English, and Shodo Japanese calligraphy lessons with a certified, Japanese calligraphy teacher
  • in possession of a degree and professional native Japanese instructors
  • 12 or 10 meetings of 1-hour classes, once per week
  • Writing Kana (hiragana/katakana) workshop - selected date
  • Japanese Conversation Bootcamp (for those who completed Beginners level)
  • Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) preparatory course
  • Classes of 3 - 8 students
  • Tailored private tutoring class available (with qualified, native Japanese instructors)
  • Offers Corporate Program
  • Children and/or young teens class are avaialble
  • Registration Deadline: 9/11 (Sat)
  • For Japanese Conversation Beg/Intermediate, Register by 9/18.
  • No Classes:  11/22-27/2021 

Class Information

Reading Kana workshop 10/4, 10/18, or 11/8  7-8:00pm
Learn Impeccable Jp Stroke Order 9/27, 10/11, or 10/25 7-8:00pm
Beginning I -Austin 9/15 - 12/08     6:00-7:00pm
Beginning II - Austin  9/15 - 12/08     7:00-8:00pm
Beginning III - Austin 9/16 - 12/09     6:00-7:00pm
Jpn Conversation for Beg/Int 9/21 - 11/30     7:00-8:00pm
Intermediate I - Austin 9/16 - 12/09     7:00-8:00pm
Intermediate II-Austin 9/14 - 12/07     6:30-7:30pm
Intermediate III-Austin 9/17 - 12/10     7:30-8:30pm
Pre-Advanced I - Austin 9/16 - 12/09     6:30-7:30pm
Advanced I - Austin 9/16 - 12/09     7:30-8:30pm
Advanced IV - Austin 9/14 - 12/07     7:30-8:30pm
Advanced VI - Austin 9/16 - 12/09     6:30-7:30pm
Children /Young Teens 9/13 - 12/06     5:00-6:00pm 
Shodo Calligraphy I/II/III  9/18 - 11/20     2:00-3:00pm

Information

Language & Shodo class discounts are available to all Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) General Members and employees of Corporate Members.   Note that the benefit offers depends on the Corporate Membership Level.

[POSTPONED] Dharma Talk by Kūshu Damir Jamsek "How Did I Get Here"

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JASGA's August event POSTPONED due to rise in local COVID-19 cases.

We have to announce our August event, "Dharma Talk" scheduled for this coming Sunday 8/15 at 6:00 PM, is postponed for an ”indeterminate” period of time.

Join us for "Dharma Talk" with Kūshu Damir Jamsek on Sunday, August 15th at 6:00PM.

This event is part of a series of Japanese cultural and educational programs presented by the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA).

We are honored to invite Enshin Zenji, Kūshu Damir Jamsek, who became an ordained monk in September 2020. He will give a Dharma talk entitled "How Did I Get Here" to our community .

About Enshin Zenji, Kūshu Damir Jamsek

Kūshu is a priest in the Rinzai-shu Zen Studies Society, which is led by Shinge-shitsu Roshi of Syracuse, NY. Kūshu began Zen training directly under Roshi in 1988.

Kūshu is currently the Dojo-cho of Austin Aikikai, which has a three-fold practice: Aikido, Zazen, and Shinkage Ryu Heiho encompassing body, mind, and sword practice. He is also a Research staff member at IBM.

This talk will focus on Zen training in the Rinzai tradition but touch on the practices of Aikido as part of the United States Aikido Federation and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu under the 22nd headmaster, Yagyu Koichi Soke. 

Date/Time:  August 15, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Place:  Kinokuniya Austin

* This event is open to the public and free.  Your donation is greatly appreciated.  

** This will be a "hybrid event": both in-person and online. For those who would like to smeet the speaker Kushu-osho Damir Jamsek in person at Kinokuniya Austin, we request you to wear a mask. Kinokuniya Austin will also check your temperature at the front door. Those who have *not* yet been vaccinated, please stay home safely and register for the event via the link we provided here. We will send you a log-in link.
Let's take care of our health for each other!!!

We will offer you a live event but there will be no streaming video after the event.. 

             

JASGA Members Social Gathering

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Join us in celebrating tentative relief from the pandemic period. Participate in the mix and mingle with JASGA corporate and general members including JASGA board members. Enjoy traditional Japanese nibbles, desserts, and beverages in a casual setting at the patio owned by Fukumoto Sushi and Yakitori restaurant in dowtown Austin. Fukumoto is a JASGA corporate member. You will also enjoy comforting live music.

For those who missed the chance to join our Tanabata celebration on July 7th, you can also make a wish, write it down on a slip of paper (tanzaku), hang it on a bamboo branch, and send it off into the sky at the JASGA members' social gathering.

Guests will also enjoy uniquely Japanese traditional food and a musical performance by a local musician.

Come join us for a fun evening.
Date/Time: Sunday, July 11, 2021 7:00-8:00 PM

Advance Reservation required.  Reserve by Fri, July 9, 2021

$10 for all JASGA members | $20 for General Public
Register Now!

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, founded in 2005, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to fostering ties between the people of the United States and Japan.

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) is a nonprofit organization that bridges the cultures of Japan and central Texas and works for friendly US-Japan relations. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the people of the U.S. and Japan in providing programs and events that help to expand knowledge, increase personal interaction, and facilitate discussion of important issues.

Are You a Member? ---- Join Today!
Please sign up for general and/or corporate members!

Hosted by Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) and in partnership with Fukumoto Sushi and Yakitori Izakaya restaurant.
(You can park free in front of the resaurant or on the streets on Sunday.)

Hope to see you all and let's enjoy meeting with JASGA members and friends!

Wearing a face mask is recommended. If adult participants have not been vaccinated, we'd like to ask that you help maintain safety for everyone.

Tanabata Star Festival, Origami, and Okinawan Cultural Exhibition

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Come Join the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) for a fun Tanabata Star celebration, Origami, tanabta dance, and Okinawan Art Exhibition at a garden/parking lot at Okinawa Arts Research Studies World Scene (OARS.WS) in Jonestown on July 7th at 7:00-8:30PM, cdt!

Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, celebrates the legend of Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the herder, lovers separated by the Milky Way who are allowed to meet just once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.

We will practice the ancient Tanabata ritual of tanzaku: You make a wish, write down on a slip of paper, hang it on a bamboo branch, and send it off into the sky. We will also make Tanabata decoration items with origami paper, as well as other origami ornaments

You will have a chance to receive a mask with a prizewinning design from Japan Foundation or a Sanrio mask from Kinokuniya!  Also you will have an Uchiwa (Japanese hand fun) from JAL and ANA!

Enjoy wearing your favorite yukata and dancing tanabata odori together at the Tanabata festival!

Date/time: July 7, 2021 at 7:00-8:30 pm, CDT
Place:  Okinawa Arts Research Studies World Scene
            18400 FM 1431, Jonestown, TX 78645 

Wearing a face mask is recommended. If adult participants have not been vaccinated, we'd like to ask that you help maintain safety for everyone.

This event is free and open to the public. Your donation is greatly appreciated!

    

Okinawa Arts Research Studies World Scene (OARS.WS) is a family non-profit cultural organization. We support various individuals and groups to bring attention to the communities about the different arts that are shared with Okinawa including music, dance, eisa (drumming), karate, textiles, pottery, and more.  We practice sanshin (three string snake skin covered lute), karate, and provide an area for other art exhibits, seminars, & workshops.

Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden Volunteer Workday

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Join us for JASGA's 13th, annual community service and friends of Taniguchi Japanese Garden on Sunday, June 6 at 10:00am-12:00pm for our workday in Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden. We need your help to keep Austin's authentic, beautiful Japanese garden clean and lively.

Check out the photo album!

Wearing face mask is recommended.  Wear closed toed shoes, a sunhat and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Small tools and disposable work gloves are available for all voluntees.

Last year, we worked the garden in October and December and the number of volunteers are limted to 10. There is still a restriction for the number of volunteers, but we can have upto 25 volunteers on June 6th this year!  If adult volunteers have not been vaccinated, we'd like to ask that you remain safe for everyones. 

Let's meet at Ten-Wa-Jin (天和人: Heaven-Harmony-People) Teahouse in front of the Lotus Pond in the Taniguchi Japanese Garden at 10:00am!

For all students, you will receive two volunteer credits from us (JASGA) and ZBG. Please bring the volunteer credit paper provided by your school.

Some of volunteers will have a chance to get a designer mask from Japan Foundation or Sanrio character mask (for kids) from Kinokuniya!

When: Sunday, June 6 at 10:00am - noon

2021 Summer Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

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Register Now for Summer 2021 Japanese Language, Shodo Calligraphy, and Japanese Business English Classes!  

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Summer 2021 classses will be held using Google Meet (G Suite/Workplace.)  

Thank you for your interest in the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese calligraphy program. We currently offer Japanese language (emphasizing conversation, listening, reading, and writing), Shodo Japanese calligraphy, Japanese Business English classes at various levels in Austin. 

Registration is now open!

At a glance:

  • Class location this Summer 2021: Virtual online classroom
  • The start date:  5/17 (Mon) ~ 5/22 (Sat)
  • Levels from total beginner to advanced and children & young teens, Japanese Business English, and Shodo Japanese calligraphy lessons with a certified, Japanese calligraphy teacher
  • in possession of a degree, qualified, and Native Japanese instructors
  • 10 meetings of 1-hour classes, once per week
  • Available Hiragana and Katakana Intensive classes
  • Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) preparatory course
  • Classes of 3 - 8 students
  • Tailored private tutoring class available (with qualified, native Japanese instructors)
  • Offers Corporate Program
  • Children and/or young teens class are avaialble
  • Registration Deadline: 5/14 (Fri)
  • No classes on 7/4 (Mon) - 7/8 (Thu)