J-Sei’s Virtual Harvest Day 2021

J-Sei’s Virtual Harvest Day 2021

by | Nov 3, 2021 | 50th Anniversary

J-Sei’s Virtual Harvest Day Celebration

Friday, November 12th, 1 pm

We are grateful, for the cultivation of the land, the bountiful food that nourishes and connects us.  Join us to honor the harvest, order now, and pick up a traditional turkey meal with all the fixings a la Chef Yuji and J-Sei kitchen crew.

Then, kick back and enjoy the smooth soulful sounds of Glen’s Jazz Trio, featuring Tim Wat (keyboard), Karen Horner (bass) and Glen Iwaoka (drums).  Hear reflections from Writing Our Stories, a class led moderated by Grace Morizawa.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Harvest 2021” in the subject line.

 

Harvest Lunch – limited available

Roast turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, spring mix salad with carrots & garbonzo beans.

Suggested donation: $12

Still interested?  Please call (510) 654-4000 to inquire.

 

MEDICARE: What Plans Work For You?

MEDICARE: What Plans Work For You?

by | Nov 3, 2021 | Classes & Events, Other News

MEDICARE : What Plans Work For You?

Tuesday, November 16th, 2 pm

So many $0 Premium Medicare Advantage Plans are available this year, but do they meet your needs?  If you are on Medicare, you are being inundated by mail, phone calls and TV commercials touting the low costs and rich benefits of these plans.  Learn how to evaluate all of your Medicare options including Medigap plans and Prescription Drug Plans to make sure you get the coverage that fits your needs.

OPEN ENROLLMENT is October 15 to December 7, 2021. Find out what will work best for you.

We are pleased to have Denise Lombard join us again at J-Sei.  For nearly 20 years, Denise Lombard has helped individuals and families find smart health insurance solutions with a mix of market savvy, financial know-how, and an unrelenting desire to give her clients genuine peace of mind. When Denise became Director of Marketing for Medicare for Blue Shield of CA  she discovered her true calling –– a passion for applying her financial acumen and understanding of the inner workings of the health insurance field to make a difference in people’s lives. Denise set off on her own in 2004, dedicated to giving her clients the kind of care and attention she seeks for her own family. Since then, she has helped hundreds of people find health insurance solutions tailor-made to fit their needs.

Interested?  Please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with Medicare in the subject line.

J-Sei’s Virtual Asian Artisan Craft Faire 2021

by | Nov 3, 2021 | 50th Anniversary, News

Come shop online with us at our Asian Artisan Craft Faire 2021. J-Sei encourages creative artists in our midst to share their inspired designs for gift giving and to spread the joy. 

LINK TO J-SEI ARTISAN STORE

MEET OUR ARTISANS

PatchworkChicken

After learning a “patchwork” of crafts from her mom and grandma, Carina Lee picked out knitting and sewing as her go-to crafts. She likes to create plushies that are fun, whimsical, and sometimes humorous. She likes to hang out at home with her husband, two kids, and her piles of yarn and fabric.

Etsuko Bram

Etsuko Bram was born and raised in Japan. Her parents gave her the name Etsuko, which means Joy child. She says, “I enjoy my life, and I enjoy doing pottery. I am pleased to share my joy of ceramics with everyone.”

bARTISANS

Amy Funabiki – Children’s Happi Jackets, Catch-All Bags

Anne Takizawa – Homemade Preserves

Carolyn Hayashida – Women’s Tops

Carrie Yoshida -Assorted Cards

Chiyeko Klarman – Hand-built Pottery, Shibori

Dawn Nakashima – Original Designs on Mugs, Assorted Cards

Eastwind Books – Asian American books

Etsuko Bram – Creative Ceramics

Harvest Land – Hand-screened Print T-shirts

Hikari Farms – Pickled Rakkyo and other fresh bites

Jane Yamashiro – Assorted Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Egg-Free Desserts

Jizake Quest – Imported Sake

Jun Hamamoto/San Quentin Origami – Handmade Cards

Koko Baker – Handwoven Scarves

Morita Arts – Pressed Floral Cards and Ribbon Fish

Mume Farm – Ume Products

Patchwork Chicken – Assorted playful knit shapes

Teri Lee – Functional Pottery

Tracy Takayanagi Hui – Happi Jacket, Face Masks & Jewelry

Wasabi Press – Original Linoleum and Letterpress Prints

And more to come!

 

 

 

Amy Funabiki

Sewing has always been a way of giving back. Whether it is sewing costumes to support the local ballet company that her granddaughter dances for, or craft items for the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple or J-Sei, Amy generously shares her talents to support community. All of the proceeds from her sales from the fair supports J-Sei.

San Quentin Origami

In 1984, 37 years ago, I was given a life sentence and I have been incarcerated since then.  For me, Origami is like an effortless meditation where I am not aware of time and yet experience real peace and true joy in turning a tiny piece of paper into an animal, a bird, a flower or a delicate box.

Origami has been my therapy, it helps me not to be impatient or self-absorbed. I have become more mindful and aware of my surroundings.  – Hau Chan, 2021

J-Sei Holiday Marketplace

Sunday, December 5, 2021

11 am to 2 pm

 The J-Sei Holiday Marketplace, an open air market to share some of the culinary delights from the kitchen and shops from friends of J-Sei, will be part of the festivities.  Come join in the holiday activity, order a bento from My Friend Yuji, browse the local treats, and share some good cheer with friends. 

The J-Sei Holiday Marketplace is scheduled to align with Asian Artisan Craft Faire pick-up. We look forward to greeting you at J-Sei.

MORE INFO TO COME. 

J-Sei’s 10th Annual Family Festival – Sunday, Sept 26

J-Sei’s 10th Annual Family Festival – Sunday, Sept 26

by | Sep 9, 2021 | Classes & Events

J-Sei’s Family Festival

Sunday, Sept 26 – Virtual Program

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!
  • Don’t miss our local Asian flair Pop-Up  [Details below].
  • Pick-up your bento & enjoy a short visit from 11 am – 2 pm.
  • Join us online for our Virtual Celebration at 3 pm.

Sunday, Sept 26th – 11 am – 2 pm

When you come for your pick-up, enjoy a short visit to get an extra treat from

Always Aloha Shaved Ice Co.

J-Sei Curry Rice with Hikari Farms Rakkyo – pickled Japanese scallions  $8

Pick up a Hikari Farms condiment jar to enjoy at home.

Listen to smooth tunes by Sentimental Strummers.

See a weaving demo by Koko Baker.

FEATURED SPECIAL

J-Sei Curry Rice with Hikari Farms Rakkyo  $8

(Order in advance or available at walk-up.)

HOW TO ORDER

Family Festival Pre-Order is now CLOSED.

Click on the button below to order, you can choose 1, 2, 3 bento or more of the noodle dishes from our local chefs at $18/bento.  You can also order J-Sei Curry Rice with Hikari Farms Rakkyo at $8 for a quick bite. Indicate the quantity of items,  select a pick-up, add up the cost, and follow the payment link.

Pick up between 11 am – 2 pm at J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville (at Hollis St).

Virtual Family Festival – WATCH NOW!

Virtual FAMILY FEST – 3 pm

In celebration of J-Sei’s 50th Anniversary, the online program continues the theme of “Our Community, Our Legacies”.

Learn about Hikari Farms and a visit by chefs Yuji Ishikata and Brian Ishii.

Meet artists Kay Sekimachi and Lucy Arai as they chat about art and legacy, and the current exhibition “Geometries – Kay Sekimachi” at BAMPFA on view through October.

Hear from the great grandchildren of Issei writers from “Our Recollections”, translated essays produced by the East Bay Japanese for Action in 1986.

Enjoy performances by Minyo no Odori, J-Sei Sings, Daruma no Gakko, and Sentimental Strummers.

 

Don’t miss ALWAYS ALOHA SHAVE ICE

Sun, Sept 26, 11 am to 2 pm

J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville

 

FAMILY FESTIVAL POP-UP MENU – Pre-order Sales is CLOSED

MY FRIEND YUJI

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

Pork Tsukemen $18

Futomen Noodles, Bone Broth, Chashu, Bonito, Ajitsuke Tamago, Nori

OX + TIGER

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

Mentaiko Pansit  $18

 Garlic Noodles, Spicy Cod Roe, Shiitake, Nori Sarsa, Annatto Crumb, Onsen Tamago

 

EL CHINO GRANDE

Christopher Yang and Marcelle Gonzales Yang offer a casual pop-up influenced by the street food of Taiwan and travels to  Asia and Hawaii.

Taiwanese Beef Noodles  $18

Red Braised Beef, Egg Noodles, Sichuan Chili XO, marinated Gailan

Kay Sekimachi: Geometries at BAMPFA

Kay Sekimachi: Geometries at BAMPFA

by | Sep 9, 2021 | Classes & Events

Fri, Oct 8, 1pm – Kay Sekimachi:Geometries – J-Sei group tour

Join us for a group visit to see “Kay Sekimachi: Geometries” exhibit at BAMPFA, the UC Berkeley Pacific Film Archive Museum. We will meet at BAMPFA, 2155 Center Street (at Oxford St), easily accessible by BART. The group ticket price is $8  Please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Kay Sekimachi tour” in the subject line.

“Kay Sekimachi: Geometries” includes more than fifty objects that highlight the artist’s material and formal innovations across her career. First recognized for her woven monofilament sculptures, made between 1964 and 1974, Sekimachi has since used linear, pliable elements—monofilament, thread, and paper, among other materials—to create experimental objects that fold together art and craft, found and made, and Japanese and American artistic traditions.

Born in San Francisco and growing up in Berkeley, Kay Sekimachi studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1946 to 1949. In 1949 she took up weaving on the loom and became so adept at the labor-intensive process that she is often referred to as a “weaver’s weaver.” Today, almost fifty years after she began to work in fiber, Sekimachi is recognized as a pioneer in resurrecting it as a medium of artistic expression.

Sekimachi uses the loom to construct three-dimensional sculptural forms. In the early 1970s she used nylon monofilament to create hanging quadruple tubular woven forms to explore ideas of space, transparency, and movement. Inspired by her ancestral homeland of Japan, Sekimachi repeatedly returns to that ancient culture for ideas.

“Sekimachi eschews color in order to reinforce the sculptural qualities of her forms and emphasize the natural properties of her chosen materials. Enamored with antique Japanese paper, she has created a series of standing geometric postlike forms that suggest ancient totemic figures.” –Smithsonian American Art Museum