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

Discovering the Deep with George Matsumoto at Monterey Bay

Discovering the Deep with George Matsumoto at Monterey Bay

by | Jul 14, 2022 | Classes & Events, Other News

 

Discovering the Deep Ocean with Monterey Bay Aquarium (Virtual)

Thursday, July 14, 6:30 pm

How deep and vast is the ocean with a great expanse to explore.  Join us for this special opportunity to hear about the deep sea from Dr. George Matsumoto, senior education and research specialist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Bringing together science and technology, MBARI is helping to transform the field of oceanography, making it possible to explore and understand our ocean–which covers more than 70 percent of our planet.

MBARI is working toward a future where the breathtaking majesty of our ocean is fully visible, a future where our home-grown technology is scaled globally to monitor and predict ecosystem changes, and a future where the most important frontier we have left is healthy and resilient. With engaging and informative short video clips, MBARI brings the deep ocean to us.

Please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “deep ocean” in the subject to receive the ZOOM link. Enjoy this program with the family, adults, kids, grandparents –  a multigenerational exploration!

 

Main photo: Scientists of Monterey Bay Aquarium, University of Hawaii, and Cal State Long Beach tag a young white shark as part of Project White Shark, a multi-institutional research collaboration. 2010 Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 1,100 volunteers help support its mission of inspiring ocean conservation. 2010 MBARI

Staff and volunteers engage with visitors at the Open House event.  2010 Monterey Bay Aquarium

The deep-sea crown jelly Atolla typically has one tentacle much longer than the rest. This trailing tentacle may help the jelly snag prey. 2019 Monterey Bay Aquarium

J-Sei Returning Classes – on Wednesdays

by | Jul 13, 2022 | Classes & Events

IN-PERSON

We welcome back the Japanese classes and Mah Jongg Club to J-Sei with a new day set for Wednesday afternoons, to begin on August 3rd. 

Japanese 1A (1-2 pm) & Japanese 1B (2:15-3:15 pm)

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.

Mah Jongg Club (1-3 pm)

Over the past two years, the J-Sei Mah Jongg Club members have continued to keep their minds sharp and enjoy the camaraderie with an online weekly game.  With hopes to renew friendships, Hiroshi Satake will offer hybrid Mah Jongg  to encourage in-person community interaction and maintain an online experience for those who choose not to gather.  

 

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.