New Session for Japanese

by | Oct 9, 2022 | Classes & Events

J-Sei on Wednesdays

We are excited to see so many smiling faces and to hear the laughter from the classrooms.

Japanese 1B (1-2 pm) & Japanese 2B (2:15-3:15 pm) – New Session: Oct 12 – Dec 14

Learn the basics of Japanese conversation. Nobuko Satake taught Japanese language at El Cerrito High School and brings her experience and joy of teaching Japanese language and culture to J-Sei. With simple instruction and an engaging style, she encourages an ease in learning Japanese.  Japanese 1B continues the basic class for new and continuing students. Japanese 2B is for advanced beginners.  

Mah Jongg Club (Wed, 1-3 pm) – On-going

Over the past two years, the Mah Jong Club members have continued to keep their minds sharp and enjoy the camaraderie with online weekly games. Hiroshi Satake keeps busy with new participants joining on-site and an online game continuing each week.

Other Wed classes: Fall Prevention (Sept 21 to Nov 9), Sogetsu Ikebana (on-going)

 

All individuals who are interested in participating are required to pre-register online and show a Proof of Vaccination and Booster.  We require masks to be worn indoors at J-Sei and for participants to sign a daily COVID-19 health waiver upon entering the building. Thank you for helping us keep our J-Sei community safe.  To register.

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.