J-Sei Book Club – Klara and the Sun

J-Sei Book Club – Klara and the Sun

by | Oct 9, 2022 | Classes & Events

Join J-Sei’s Virtual Book Club with it’s next pick “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro.  Through regular email prompts, book club members read at their own pace and post comments along the way.  As thoughts occur and questions are posed, the conversation is enriched by various perspectives and experiences shared.  Together, we read deeper between the lines and reflect on the stories and the wisdom they impart.  At the end of the 6-8 weeks, we meet virtually on ZOOM for a discussion.  For more info, click on the home page: Book Club

Interested in joining email jill@j-sei.org with “Klara” on the subject line.   You can order the book from Eastwind Books and receive a 10% discount by adding “JSei” in the coupon code. You can have it shipped to your home or ask for delivery to J-Sei,

In Klara and the Sun, his eighth novel and first since winning the Nobel Prize, author Kazuo Ishiguro takes readers to a vaguely futuristic, technologically advanced setting to present a moving parable about love, humanity, and science. Klara, the title character and narrator, is a solar-powered Friend (AF), a humanlike robot designed to be a child’s companion. When Klara is acquired to become AF to a bright fourteen-year-old named Josie who appears to be ailing, Klara is able to explore the wide world beyond the four walls of the retail store she’s been inhabiting. Written in Ishiguro’s characteristic spare and reserved prose, he creates an unforgettable protagonist in Klara, whose astute observations and utterly sincere behavior provide lessons for all humans to learn from.

“moving and beautiful”  – Los Angeles Times

“Klara and the Sun [is] a masterpiece that will make you think about life, mortality, the saving grace of love: in short, the all of it.” – NPR

Korean Kitchen – Palace-Style

Korean Kitchen – Palace-Style

by | Oct 9, 2022 | Classes & Events

Korean Kitchen with Sunnie (Hybrid)

Saturday, October 22, 11 am to 1 pm

Learn about Korean Palace Food, or Gungjung Eumsik, a popular array of delicacies, served to royalty during the Choseon Dynasty. The eight provinces were represented in turn each month by ingredients presented by their governors and elaborately presented to the King. We will have the chance to learn about the preparations for Sinsello, a soup filled with delicacies presented in a Mongolian hot pot. We will also experience Gujeolpan,  an array of eight fillings eaten wrapped in a small crepe.

Sunnie Youk is an avid home cook and the ultimate host who learned many of the dishes from her family.  RSVP for the ZOOM link by sending an email to jill@j-sei.org with Korean Kitchen in the subject line.  Suggested donation (in-person) $15.

Beyond the Fence, a reading by Mieko Walton

Beyond the Fence, a reading by Mieko Walton

by | Oct 9, 2022 | Classes & Events, Other News

Beyond the Fence, a reading by Mieko Anne Walden

Friday, October 21, 2022, 2:00pm

J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville (near Hollis St)

For many years, Mieko has been writing about her experiences of being adopted from an Okinawan orphanage by an American family who eventually brought her  to the U.S.  Her writings include nostalgic memories of Okinawa of the 1960s, sad memories of parting with a grandmother, confused memories of being adopted by an American family that provided material comfort but forced her to give up all of her connections to Okinawa, and unspeakable memories of abuse by the people she should have trusted the most.

Using writing as a tool to share her personal story, Mieko has discovered courage, healing, and support. We invite you to join us as she shares her deeply personal and moving story.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are required to show Proof of COVID vaccination and booster, and wear masks indoors.

Co-sponsored by J-Sei, Northern California Okinawa Kenjin Kai, and Beyond the Fence Collective. Please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Memoir 10/21” in the subject line.

Come to the River – A concert and exchange with Victor Kinjo

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Classes & Events

“Come to the River with guest artist Victor Kinjo” scheduled for September 10th has been cancelled due to personal family and travel reasons.  We plan to reschedule in 2023.

Hear the music and wisdom by guest artist Victor Kinjo and experience the Japanese and Okinawan diaspora.

Saturday, September 10, 4 pm

Victor Kinjo is an Asian-Brazilian singer, composer and researcher, nominated for Best Singer (regional music) at the 2018 Brazilian Music Awards. Born in São Paulo with Uchinanchu roots (one of the Indigenous Peoples of Ryukyu Islands/Okinawa), he started to sing in his childhood – Japanese music.

This event is co-presented by the Northern California Okinawa Kenjin Kai (NCOKK) and J-Sei.

J-Sei’s 11th Annual Family Festival – Sunday, Sept 25

J-Sei’s 11th Annual Family Festival – Sunday, Sept 25

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Classes & Events

J-Sei’s Family Festival

Sunday, Sept 25, 2022 

Take part in our intergenerational event in honor of Keiro no Hi, Respect for the Aged Day.

  • Invite your elders, family, neighbors, and friends to participate with you!
  • Join us for the Pre-Event Book Talk with Felicia Hoshino from 11 am to 12 pm.
  • Don’t miss the Pre-Order Bento.  Scroll down to see the menu. 
  • Enjoy our mini outdoor festival from 12 to 3 pm.
  • Festival parking at Fratellanza Club, 1149 66th St (1/2 block near San Pablo Ave).

From Farm & Island Heritage

Always Aloha Shave Ice Co

Eastwind Books

El Chino Grande

Joodooboo Tofu

My Friend Yuji

Ox & Tiger

Shared Cultures

J-Sei Curry Rice with Hikari Farms bites

Learn about homemade miso and tofu products, and farm fresh Japanese produce.

Join in Hands-on Activities

Festival Schedule

Honor our elders and remember our early immigrants in farming and small businesses.

11 am

Join us for a Hybrid Book Event with illustrator Felicia Hoshino, sharing her latest books, “A Place for Harvest” and “Juna and Appa”.

12 to 3 pm

Enjoy performances by

Sakura Kai Taiko – 12:30 pm

Daruma no Gakko and J-Sei Sings – 1:00 pm

 Sentimental Strummers – 1:30 pm

 Book Event with Illustrator Felicia Hoshino

11 am – A Hybrid Event (in-person and online)

Felicia Hoshino was born in San Francisco, California where she continues to live with her family. She has a BFA in illustration from the California College of the Arts. Felicia’s prize-winning illustrations can now be seen in children’s books such as Juna and Appa,  Juna’s Jar, Sora and the Cloud, Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin, She also illustrated several historical fiction books such as A Place for Harvest, The Story of Kenny Higashi, the Jane Addams Peace Award winning A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, and My Dog Teny. 

A PLACE FOR HARVEST by Lauren R. Harris

The son of Japanese immigrants, Kenny Higashi works on his family’s vegetable farm near the town of Spearfish in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Kenny loves his family, their farm, and his hometown. He cheerfully volunteers for extra jobs. Then Japan attacks Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and everything changes.  Author Lauren R. Harris, who knew Kenny Higashi, transforms his memories of his hometown and the war into a story of community, hope, and determination. Illustrator Felicia Hoshino transports readers from the heartland of the United States to European battlefields.

JUNA AND APPA by Jane Bahk Park

Juna enjoys helping her father in their dry-cleaning shop on Saturdays. It’s their special time together. One day Juna sees a customer yelling at Appa about a lost jacket. Juna has never seen her father look so worried and becomes determined to help. She sets off on a magical journey in search of the jacket, and along the way meets remarkable animals that show her the different ways that fathers care for their young. Juna and Appa is a tender ode to fathers and to the many families working behind shop counters.

 

Reservations

For in-person attendance, participants must show Proof of Vaccination. Masks are required.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Felicia” in subject and indicate in-person or online ZOOM link.

Eastwind Books will host a book sale & signing to follow the presentation.  Illustrator Felicia Hoshino will be signing books part of the outdoor J-Sei Family Festival.  If you would like to order books in advance for pick up at the festival, please note in the comments at check out. Visit Eastwind Books website.

 

FAMILY FESTIVAL POP-UP MENU – Pre-order now open!

Ox + Tiger: Nasu Katsu – Japanese eggplant katsu, wok-seared seasonal bean salsa, Bronx grapes palapa, kyuri atchara pickles, Koda Farms heirloom rice – $18

Yuji Ishikata: Nikumaki Combo – Pork, beef and shrimp wrapped around mixed vegetables, tare and tsukemono with Koshihikari rice – $18

El Chino Grande: Pork Shrimp Toast – Berkshire pork, tiger prawn, brioche, shrimp head chili oil, yuzu mayo, cucumber relish – $18

Chef Collaboration: Lechon Kawali Nanbanzuke w/ Udon – Filipino fried pork belly, vinegar tare, tartar, jackfruit palapa slaw, chilled sesame udon – $18

Kid’s Bento – Chicken teriyaki, steamed broccoli, rice –  $9

J-Sei Curry – Homemade curry by Chef Yuji with a taste of Hikari Farms fresh condiments – $10

 

HOW TO ORDER

Click on the button below to order, you can choose 1, 2, 3 bento or more  from our local chefs.  You can also order J-Sei Curry Rice with Hikari Farms pickles for a quick bite. Indicate the quantity of items,  select a pick-up, add up the cost, and follow the payment link.

Pre-order by Wednesday, September 21, 8 pm.  Pick up between 12 – 3 pm at J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville (at Hollis St).

A limited number of bento may be available for walk-up sales at the festival.

Family Festival Bento Order

OX + TIGER

Filipino Japanese inspired pop-up by Hitomi Wada and EJ Macayan that intertwine their heritage and cultivate flavors that express their experiences.

YUJI ISHIKATA

Influenced by memories of his grandmother’s cooking and inspired by the community, Chef Yuji offers inventive dishes and a fresh take on Japanese food for the soul.

EL CHINO GRANDE

A casual pop-up concept by Chef Chris Yang and Marcelle Gonzalez Yang inspired by the street food culture of Taiwan, influenced by their travels of Asia & Hawaii, memories of their childhood & the importance of community.

From Farm and Island Heritage

visit their Pop-Up at the festival 12 to 3 pm