Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC)

10/07/2023

Check out this recipe for yummy tonkatsu! 😋😋
//www.justonecookbook.com/tonkatsu/

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlets) is the best homemade recipe that my family loves!

10/06/2023

Where else to start but the beginning? Though there were pioneers that came before him, Fumio Nanri is known as one of the first major jazz acts to come out of Japan. His long career began in the 1920s, and after studying jazz in the US in the early 1930s Nanri came back to play in dance halls across Japan. Pictured here with the unmatched legend in jazz "Satchmo" Louis Armstrong, Nanri in many ways can be compared to this American counterpart. Both can be pointed to as the basic foundation of their nationwide jazz scene's popularity, with Armstrong even personally calling Nanri "the Satchmo of Japan" upon their meeting.

Also like Armstrong, Nanri largely stuck to the classic New Orleans-style, dixieland, early swing jazz genre even through his career into the 70s. Unfortunately, not nearly as many recordings of Nanri are available, but we are still able to hear a few gems which were recorded later in his career. His recordings of the jazz standards "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Indiana" off of the 1974 album "Farewell" show his catchy, dance band-inspired approach to melody and improvisation, along with other talented Japanese bandmates.

10/05/2023

🦌🦌🦌

10/03/2023

Introducing our brand-new English class this August II Term, Bridging Borders! The class is designed for Japanese business professionals seeking to enhance their cross-cultural communication skills. Classes will be held on Zoom with a certified ESL instructor. Sign up soon for a spot, the class begins in only two weeks!

If you haven't already, also be sure to sign up for the Ikebana lecture this Thursday, 10/3. We will be exploring this beautiful art form with a master on Zoom, and will later be holding a workshop.

Both of these events and even more goings-on can be found on our website, jaschicago.org. Be sure to visit for sign-up and more information!

10/02/2023

Happy Monday! Did you know that the city of Nagoya is the third largest in Japan? Nagoya has many famous tourist attractions like the Nagoya TV tower and Nagoya castle.

09/28/2023

Ikebana! Please join us for these exciting events coming up soon. Ikebana is the beautiful traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. Our featured speaker is a master of the artform and will lecture on Zoom about its history and importance. Later, we will host an in-person workshop where attendees will make their own arrangements! The first of these very special events begin in just a week! Make sure to register before then at jaschicago.org for your spot.

09/27/2023

Did you know this fun fact about Japanese chopsticks?

09/26/2023

Jazz music has a tradition in Japan going back to the very beginnings of the art form in the 1910s. While the sound of jazz evolved and was propelled out of the black community in the US, the Japanese lineage is also an inseparable element of its worldwide appeal and ability to forge intercultural communication. In this new social media series, we will be exploring different Japanese jazz musicians from across history and celebrating this rich cultural heritage. We hope you follow to keep up to date!

09/26/2023

Did you know that roughly 4/5 of Japan is covered in mountains?? The highest peak is Mount Fuji.

09/21/2023

Did you know? This coming weekend marks the autumn equinox. Mark your calendars!

09/20/2023

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a great place to enjoy natural beauty in Japan!

09/19/2023

Did you know? Since first arriving in Japan in 2004, cat cafés have become incredibly popular relaxation spots for tourists and Japanese workers alike. The cozy cafés often charge an hourly cover fee and often serve drinks and small food items. Partially due to many living in small apartments which don't allow pets, Tokyo alone has more than 50 cafés!



Featured picture: Cat Café Mocha, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

09/14/2023

The Japanese onsen tradition has been a major tourist attraction for hundreds of years. Guests can relax and soak away their stress in the hot mineral water, which some claim has health benefits. Hot zones like the one found in Beppu contain both batheable pools and those too hot to touch such as the famed "Eight Hells" (pictured partially in the following slides).

09/13/2023

Did you know that the longest running tv anime series is Sazae-san? An anime adaptation of the manga of the same name, Sazae-san has been running since October 5, 1969!

09/13/2023

Where are they now? Thank you Maria Garcia for all of your hard work!

09/11/2023

Did you know this fun fact about the Japanese train system?

09/08/2023

Looking for a yummy snack to try this Friday? Check out this recipe for omurice!

Chicken fried rice seasoned with ketchup and wrapped in a tender omelette, Omurice is a famous Western-style dish that‘s well loved in Japan.

09/07/2023

Did you know? Japanese denim products are today considered some of the best quality on the market. Coming out of American influence, denim factories began popping up in Japan throughout the 70s. At the same time, as industrial manufacturing techniques in other countries sped up, quality tended to go down- but Japanese brands defied this tendency. Instead, brands like Big John, Kurabo, Studio D'Artisan, Denime, Evisu and others began to produce selvedge denim with extremely high attention to detail and quality inspired by the artisan code of craftsmanship, a concept called "takumi." Today, most Japanese denim companies are based in either Osaka or the textile town of Kojima, and are prized as both hardy work pants and on the forefront of streetwear.

09/06/2023

Did you know this fun fact??

09/05/2023

There's not much more time to register! Please join us for nine different levels of Japanese classes on Zoom with our experienced teachers. Learners of all levels and backgrounds are welcome! Make sure to register soon at jaschicago.org for a spot.

09/01/2023

Looking for a sweet breakfast treat? Check out this recipe for fluffy Japanese Pancakes! 🥞🥞

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/fluffy-japanese-pancakes-3686850

Get Fluffy Japanese Pancakes Recipe from Food Network

08/31/2023

Did you know? While Americans might be more familiar with schoolchildren designs like the "Cool S" or drawing out the word "boy," there are common equivalents in the Japanese language! The face known as Henohenomoheji is made of the hiragana he へ no の he へ no の mo も he へ ji じ and has been drawn since the Edo period on homework, puppets, and scarecrows. There are many other variations as well!

08/31/2023

Did you know that the tallest building in Japan is the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower in Tokyo? It stands at 325.5m (1,068 ft) tall.

08/29/2023

We offer Japanese language classes! Please join us on Zoom with experienced teachers of classes at all levels. The coming Autumn I term begins in less than three weeks! Make sure to register before then at jaschicago.org for a spot.

08/28/2023

Did you know this fun fact about the Japanese 5 yen coin??

08/25/2023

There are still spots left for this very special in-person event held by Professor Kimiko Gunji at the Anderson Japanese Gardens! The tour will include a tea ceremony demonstration and a private tour of the gardens. There's only two days left until the event this Sunday, August 27th, so be sure to snag the remaining spots before they run out! Visit jaschicago.org for more info.

08/25/2023

Happy Friday! Here's a recipe for Oyakodon. This staple of Japanese cuisine consists of bite-sized chicken and cooked egg over a bowl of rice. Oyakodon is a popular restaurant dish, but is easy and quick to make yourself at home for a delicious meal!

08/24/2023

Please join us for this very special event celebrating the works of Michiko Itatani! Born in Osaka and moving to Chicago, her enchanting work explores human existence in the larger context of the universe. The talk will be held over Zoom on Thursday, August 31. Make sure to register by then on jaschicago.org for access!

08/23/2023

Did you know that Japan's national animal is the Japanese Macaque? Also known as the snow monkey, these cute animals live in the forests and mountains all across the country.

08/22/2023

The Japan America Society would like to honor Kailey Garcia as our August volunteer of the month! Thank you so much to Kailey for all of your hard work!

08/21/2023

There are 6 more days until the Beauty of Japan event on August 27th! To learn more check out the event on our website with this link: https://jaschicago.org/event/from-tea-ceremony-to-gardens/

08/18/2023

Kakigori is the perfect treat to round out these last warm summer months! Check out this link to see a recipe and make some for yourself: https://www.japanesecooking101.com/strawberry-and-milk-kakigori/

08/17/2023

Did you know? Bon is also celebrated by Japanese communities around the world!

08/16/2023

Have you ever tried a kotatsu??

08/15/2023

Only three more days to register! Our experienced ESL teachers will help English learners with conversation skills. Students will practice listening and speaking various topics in small groups. Our Autumn I term begins in less than a week!

Make sure to register at jaschicago.org/english-classes/ before the deadline this Friday, August 18th!

08/14/2023

Did you know that last Friday, August 14th, was Mountain Day in Japan? Japan's newest public holiday celebrates the country's many beautiful mountains like the Japanese Alps and Mount Fuji.

08/08/2023

🐈Have you ever heard of Japan's cat islands?? 🐈

08/04/2023

Happy Friday! Scan the QR code to learn how to make Kitsune Udon!

08/03/2023

Did you know that Japan is home to one of the world's longest suspension bridges? The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge links the city of Kobe to Awaji island and spans nearly 4 kilometers!

08/02/2023

Did you know 67% of Japan is covered in forests? In some areas of Japan, you can even see the beautiful scenery of the forests.