Live from Japan: A Conversation with Naomi Umeki: Kokeshi Doll Maker
Live from Japan: A Conversation with Naomi Umeki: Kokeshi Doll Maker
“Live from Japan: A Conversation with Naomi Umeki: Kokeshi Doll Maker” delighted audience members on August 5 via Zoom. Our guest Naomi Umeki was interviewed live from her studio in Japan, where she showed us a large and varied collection of traditional Kokeshi dolls and demonstrated how she paints each doll by hand.
We learned a great deal about the origin of the dolls and the many differences in styles, including the types of wood used, depending on the region.
Though many of the dolls in her collection follow traditional styles, she has added some of her own designs, including cat dolls.
Someone asked: “What is the significance of the red color on so many of the dolls?” Umeki-san explained that red is used on many temples and shrines in Japan for the same reason it is used on Kokeshi dolls — red is a color that scares off evil spirits and encourages good luck.
Why have Kokeshi dolls remained popular in Japan for so many years? “Partly due the dolls’ simplicity, and their association with good luck,” Umeki-san explained.
Our audience members asked great questions, and our host and interpreter Teruko Nesbitt did a fabulous job making the event accessible to speakers of English and Japanese.
Ikebana Workshop – “Moribana” & “Freestyle”
Ikebana Workshop – “Moribana” & “Freestyle”
Our Spring Ikebana workshop provided a fun and fascinating introduction to a traditional style of Ikebana called “Moribana,” as well as the concept of “Freestyle.” The word Moribana (盛花、もりばな) means “piled up flowers.” This style shows naturalistic landscapes that are constructed in low dish-like vases. “Freestyle” ikebana allows complete freedom to choose the flowers that match the vase and arrange them in your interpretation.
Instructor Teruko Nesbitt created a total of 4 different arrangements using a combination of “found” materials (for example, Red Bud branches that had fallen to the ground on a windy day), cut flowers purchased locally, and interesting vases picked up inexpensively at local second-hand shops. Participants asked good questions and we all had a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Stay tuned for our Summer Ikebana workshop in August!
Don’t forget to follow us on social media!
We Completed Our Spring Japanese Cooking Class!
We Completed Our Spring Japanese Cooking Class!
Our Japanese Cooking series was off to a great start on Friday, April 9, with Teruko Nesbitt teaching us how to make Tempura, Carrot Salad, and Daikon & Prosciutto Mix via Zoom. We had a full class, and attendees asked lots of great questions. We learned important tips such as why we should use only ice-cold water when mixing up the Tempura batter, how to prepare raw shrimp before dipping them in the batter, and why it’s best to keep the oil as clean as possible during the cooking process. As you can see from the photo she took just after the class, the food looked delicious!
Please stay tuned for our Summer Japanese Cooking class, to be announced soon.
In the meantime, check out a list of our upcoming cultural events here.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media!
Sakura Tree Care Event – Saturday March 27 – Ault Park
Sakura Tree Care Event – Saturday March 27 – Ault Park
We are so pleased to report that more than 40 people attended our Sakura Grove Beautification event on Saturday, March 27, at Ault Park — the largest number of volunteers for this event in the past 10 years, according to Tokiko Freeman, event organizer and longtime friend of the JASGC. A number of JASGC and JACL (Japanese-American Citizens League) members attended, as well as a large group of student volunteers from the University of Cincinnati. “This was the first time I can recall having so many student volunteers at one time,” said Anne Golden, Executive Director of the JASGC. “We certainly appreciated the students, and everyone who attended.”
As in previous years, the Cincinnati Park Board provided mulch, wood chips, wheelbarrows, and hand tools, and arranged for several staff members to help guide the volunteers and assist with the project.
“The tree care project often takes two mornings, and we had so much help this year that we were able to finish it in one morning,” said Tokiko Freeman. “I am very happy with the results.”
The Ault Park Sakura Grove is expected to be in full bloom sometime this week, depending on the weather, so people are encouraged to pack a picnic to enjoy under the trees, in keeping with the classic Japanese “O-Hanami” (cherry blossom viewing) tradition.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media!
Hello Japan! An Original Educational Video Tour of Japan
Hello Japan!
An original educational video tour of Japan
Funded by a grant from the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership
Dear Members and Friends,
We are excited to announce the completion of a project that has kept us busy behind the scenes for the past few months. It’s “Hello Japan,” an original, educational video tour of Japan funded by a grant from the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership. To produce the video, our organization collaborated with Toko Shiiki, Michigan-based filmmaker, photographer, and musician.
The video includes several Cincinnati-area references designed to inspire people to learn more about local connections to Japan, including the Gifu Sister City relationship, and study abroad programs hosted by the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and Northern Kentucky University.
Though intended especially for kids, the video will be appealing to anyone interested in learning about Japan.
“Hello Japan” features original music from Shiiki’s composer husband, Erik Santos, who also appears in the video, sharing his experiences as a visitor to Japan. Also featured are original illustrations by COCORO, a cartoon artist in Japan with whom Shiiki collaborated to produce “The Story of Ikkyu,” also featured on our YouTube channel here.
“Hello Japan” is available on the JASGC’s YouTube channel here and will include an interactive study guide designed by the JASGC. “We realize that schools and libraries can’t offer many in-person cultural education programs right now, due to COVID, and we hope this video will be useful to librarians and teachers, especially in our region,” says Anne Golden, Executive Director of the JASGC. “We were extremely lucky to get a grant from the Japan Foundation, and we’re fortunate that Toko Shiiki was available for the project. We can’t wait to share it with members of our community. It’s one of a kind, and it gets to the heart of our mission — educating people in our region about Japan.”
Toko Shiiki
Born and raised in Japan, Toko Shiiki spent most of her life in Tokyo before moving to Michigan in 2005. Her pursuit of using photography as a narrative medium inspired her to explore documentary filmmaking, where she delights in meeting fascinating people and sharing their stories with the world. She exhibits her work nationally and internationally, and has earned multiple awards including The International Photography Award.
Erik Santos
Erik Santos is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer, who is active in many musical genres, from rock to classical, to electronic, world music, and music for theater and dance, installation, and film. A professor in two departments, Composition and Performing Arts and Technology, at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, he is also the co-founder of the bands October Babies, The Crossed Lines, and Man From Ham.