Clark and Division - Book Club JASC YPC & JETAA Chicago

A new twist on an old favorite! The JETAA Chicago and Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC) YPC Book Club continues this October! Join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, October 18th, with a few special guests!

Our book club will focus on highlighting voices and stories with a strong connection to Japan. For our next meeting we have chosen Clark and Division. Written by Naomi Hirohara, set on the northside of Chicago in 1944, the story follows a young woman searching for the truth about her revered older sister’s death, bringing to focus the struggles of one Japanese American family released from mass incarceration at Manzanar during World War II.

Thanks to the efforts of the JASC, our discussion will be joined by representatives from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and organizers of the One Book One Village initiative, Catalina Shin and Neal Parker. To learn more about the Library’s programs, click here!

Be sure to pick up a copy of the book and then join us for an evening of casual discussion in a virtual space via Zoom! Registrations are limited, so grab a spot while you can!

Sign up here!

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@jetaachicago.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

"Virtual Stroll in Asakusa (Tokyo) With a Local Expert!” with the Japan America Society of Chicago

The Japan America Society of Chicago is hosting a dynamic virtual event this month featuring Lauren Shannon, GM & Partner, Arigato Travel on Thursday, August 30th from 8-9 pm CST. This event will include a live stream tour off the beaten track, where guests can discover hidden spots and tasty treats that most tourists will never find.

About the Event

Every guidebook and checklist will tell you that the Asakusa area is a “Must See!” But we know you want to get off the beaten track and discover hidden spots and tasty treats that most tourists will never find. Lauren, your local host, will bring you on a live tour and show you around the streets of this historical area, introduce you to her favorite shops, and share the beauty from a local’s perspective.

About the Speaker

Lauren is GM and a partner in Arigato Travel. She has degrees in education and art and a background in multicultural businesses. She is a lover of food, wine, travel, design and LIFE! Lauren has worked in Tourism in Japan for the last 7 years. She’s been living in Japan for more than 25 years and she loves to share her passion for the country.

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"The Flavors of Japan to Your Table" with the Japan America Society of Chicago

The Japan America Society of Chicago is hosting a dynamic virtual event this month featuring Moe, a former geisha turned founder of Kimono Mom (a YouTube channel with over a million followers in 192 countries), on Thursday, August 25th from 6-7 pm CST.

About the Event

This event is an opportunity to learn about Moe’s passion for spreading Japanese home cooking worldwide. She will talk about how she became where she is today, how she promotes Japanese home cooking, how she has built a community with her fans and her goals for the future.

About the Speaker

Moe spent her teenage years as a Geisha in Gion, Kyoto. After that, she worked and gained experience in various professions. She started her YouTube channel called Kimono Mom in 2020, showcasing the unique intersections of her identity and interests – kimono and cooking. What first started as a way to overcome her postpartum depression by connecting with others online, she gained over a million followers from 192 countries within two years. She and her husband founded ForSmiles to introduce Japanese home cooking and culture to an international audience and provide an environment where people outside of Japan can easily access Japanese cooking tools, sauces, spices, etc.

Sign up here!