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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.

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Latest News

2022 Spring Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

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Registration for Spring 2022 Japanese Language and Shodo Japanese Calligraphy Classes is now closed.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Spring 2022 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 closed.

At a glance:

  • Class location this Spring 2022: Virtual online classroom
  • The start date:  1/18 (Tues) - 1/22 (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 BA/BS degree or above and professional, native Japanese instructors
  • 10 or 12 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 teens classes are avaialble
  • Registration Deadline: 1/14 (Fri)

Class Information

   
Beginning I -Austin 01/19 - 04/06    6:00-7:00pm 
Beginning II -Austin 01/19 - 04/06    7:00-8:00pm
Beginning III - Austin  01/20 - 04/07     6:00-7:00pm
Beginning IV - Austin 01/20 - 04/07     6:00-7:00pm
Jpn Conversation Intermeidate 01/18 - 04/05     7:00-8:00pm
Intermediate II - Austin 01/20 - 04/07     8:00-9:00pm
Intermediate III-Austin 01/18 - 04/05     6:00-7:00pm
Pre-Advanced II - Austin 01/20 - 04/07     6:00-7:00pm
Advanced II - Austin 01/20 - 04/07     7:00-8:00pm
Advanced IV - Austin 01/18 - 04/05     7:00-8:00pm
Advanced VI (JLPT N1 prep) 01/21 - 04/08     7:00-8:00pm
Children/Teens (Elem A1) 01/17 - 04/04     5:30-6:30pm
Children/Teens (Elem-A2) 01/18 - 04/05     5:30-6:30pm 
Shodo Calligraphy I/II/III  01/22 - 03/26     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.

15th JASGA's Akimatsuri Japan Fall Festival Success!

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Thank you for joining us for the 2021 Austin Japan Fall Festival - JASGA's 15th Aki Matsuri (秋祭り). It turned out to be a nice Sunday afternoon and the Akimatsuri was a blast, with many participants.

A big thank you to our friends, supporters, fans, and everyone who came out to share the time with our performers, presenters, vendors, volunteers and guests. We also greatly appreciate Vice Consul-General Sagawa at Consul-General of Japan in Houston, the representatives of JAL and ANA on our Board of Directors , and Concordia University Texas. Hope all of you had good time with us!

Enjoy photo albums 1 (Kenichi Ono) and 2 (Cat Gurinsky).

Check out the video of some highlights of the afternoon!

Takohachi Q Ensemble performances (Opening and the last part 1 and part 2)

Thank you again and we'd love to see you all at 2022 Aki Matsuri ~ 16th Japan Fall Festival!

The 2021 15th Aki Matsuri, Japan Fall Festival was made possible with support from Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), Japan Airlines (JAL), and our community partners, in cooperation with the Consulate-General Of Japan in Houston. 

Shamisen & Shinobue Live - An Evening with Takohachi Q Ensemble on the Eve of 2021 Japan Fall Festival

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Let's celebrate Adult Aki Matsuri in the evening on Saturday, 11/20.
Enjoy shamisen and shinobue live music on the rooftop of a brand new boutique hotel!

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) presents a shamisen and shinobue concert in Austin with four Japanese traditional music performers: the Takohachi Q Ensemble from Portland, Oregon on November 20 at 6:30 PM. This event is a part of JASGA's 15th Aki Matsuri, 2021 Japan Fall Festival.

Join us to mingle Saturday with live Japanese music!

When: November 20, 2021 6:30 pm
Where: East Austin Hotel Upside (1108 E 6th St. Austin, TX 78702)
Admission: Free (Donation will be gratefully accepted!)

Download or click on the poster above and spread the words!

Takohachi’s Q Ensemble

2021 Japan Fall Festival - JASGA's 15th Annual Aki Matsuri in Austin TX

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Join us to celebrate the 15th Aki Matsuri - Japan Fall Festival in Austin and Cetral Texas!

Japanese culture, performance, fashion, dance, music, food & more -- Traditional and Contemporary  -- Come Join Us and Have Fun!

2021 Austin Aki Matsuri 秋祭り
JASGA's 15th Annual Japan Fall Festival

Taiko drums, traditional musical instruments, Japanese classical buyo dance and festive dance,  Japanese Budo martial arts, Japanese cosplay contest -- all this will bring the esthetic gifts of Japanese culture to Austin and Central Texas during the 2021 Japan Fall Festival, JASGA's 15th Aki Matsuri.

Visitors will enjoy a range of Japanese food and sweets, a drink sampler, Japanese arts & games, anime goods, yukata photo booth, hands-on calligraphy and origami, and Japanese traditional & contemporary entertainment and music performance. In addition, there will be a Silent Auction for items such as airline mileage award travel & ticket to Japan, restaurants and massage/spa gift certificates, Japanese arts collections, books, anime & festive goods, games, kimono, yukata, obi sash, geta, accessories, door prizes, give away gifts, and much more!

Those who wear trendy Japanese fashions such as Tokyo street fashion, lolīta fashion, cosplay, and yukata and kimono participants are always welcome!  You may have a chance to win for a cosply fashion contest prize. Be a 2021 contest winner!

Date/Time: Sunday, November 21, 2021 12-4 PM
Place: Luther Park [see 'Ax' on map] @ Concordia University Texas
  (11400 Concordia University Dr. Austin, TX 78726)
Parking: Park @[B] Visitor Parking (available wheelchair accessible parking) [map]

Admission: Free (No admission fee)

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

[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