Japan America Society of Minnesota

The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota

November 2014 VOL. 23, No. 11

On October 22nd, JASM held its bi-monthly JASM Professional Group at Zen Box Izakaya in downtown Minneapolis. The committee members, Ryan

Polzin, Elizabeth Fehrmann, and Rio Saito organized this amazing event, which drew such a wonderful turnout that there weren’t enough chairs! People mingled and told stories about their ties to Minnesota and Japan while eating delicious Japanese food at happy hour prices. This casual mixer is a great networking opportunity that fosters many friendships and builds connections. If you were unable to attend this month’s JASM Professional Group, please join us for our next gathering on November 22nd at Saji-Ya in St. Paul! It promises to be just as fun!

JASM Professional Group Builds Connections Career Day Prepares Future Japan Experts

Join us for the 5th annual Japan Career Day hosted by JASM in cooperation with the JET Alumni Association Minnesota! This event will take place in conjunction with a JASM Professional Group meeting following the career workshop. Be sure to bring your resume for critiquing (first come, first served) and your business cards! You can attend one or both of these events.

Career Day When: Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 Time: 2:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. Where: Macalester College, Kagin Commons, Alexander Hill Ballroom 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: $8; Non-members: $10 JASM Professional Group Meeting Time: From 5:30p.m. Where: Saji-Ya Restaurant, 695 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: Free; Non-members: $5

The JASM 17th Annual Mondale Award Scholarship Dinner and Gala was held on Saturday, November 1st under a beautiful autumn sky at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minnesota. This year’s event served as an occasion to celebrate the arts of Japan and pay tribute to the memory of the late Joan Mondale, who had passed away earlier this year, and who had been a strong champion of the arts of Japan. The attendance of over 180 guests, some wearing colorful kimonos, greeted one another as

the reception began with the rhythmic sounds of koto provided by the Sakurakai Koto group. This year the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership was awarded to Warren MacKenzie, the revered master of pottery whose ceramic works have touched the lives of many around the world. The Mondale Award was presented by Honorary Consul General Mirja Hanson, who stepped in for the Honorable Walter Mondale, as he was called away to serve the intense election campaign in Northern Minnesota. In his place, William Mondale, the second son of Joan and Walter Mondale, introduced the keynote speaker Matthew Welch, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Asian Department at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. - Continued on Page 3 -

Mondale Gala Shines as Tribute to Culture and the Arts

Warren MacKenzie making his acceptance speech

Emily Galusha gave the tribute to Joan Mondale

Membership News

Thanks to the following New JASM Members:

Justin Brunette, Charles Daoheuang, Akihiko Ito, Youngki Kim, Youngsun Kim, Yuusuke Nozaki,

Mark Roberts, Karen Sandness

Thanks to the following Renewing JASM Members:

Yuko Miyamoto, David Mixon

Thanks to the following Renewing Corporate Members:

Winona State University

Thanks to the following New Corporate Member:

Jet Edge, Inc.

When I assumed the role of JASM President two years ago, I implemented a regular program to “Learn from Former JASM Presidents.” Following our bi-monthly JASM Executive Committee board meetings, we invite a former JASM President to share their insight, challenges and experience when they led the

organization. The Executive board is made up of the JASM President, Vice President, Treasurer and the Executive Director. The Executive Board meetings set the strategic direction of JASM as we do our best to serve the needs of our membership. The meetings with former JASM Presidents helped us understand the history and role of JASM as our organization continues to evolve and grow. One thread that ran throughout JASM history is the commitment and passion to support our mission of supporting and enhancing the relationship between Japan and Minnesota. Our meeting with former JASM President Mr. Takuzo Ishida highlighted the need to have programs that cater to our expanding Japanese expat community. Thus far we have held three “Nichibei” Japanese language programs covering a wide range of topics of interest. Former JASM President Ken Port shared his experiences about leading the organization at a time when the Twin Cities business community was entirely focused on China. Thanks to Ken’s firm leadership, JASM went from serious discussions of shuttering the organization during the depths of the financial crisis hit to solid footing as “Friends of JASM” stepped in to support the organization with generous individual donations to keep the organization afloat and moving forward. Former President Bill Deef reminded us how far we have come as an organization. During his tenure, he helped organize the Mondale Dinner Gala fundraiser following Mr. Mondale’s return to Minnesota after successfully completing his service as the US Ambassador to Japan. This year, JASM is celebrating the 17th year of the Mondale Award and Scholarship dinner. As an organization, former JASM Presidents remain supportive, engaged and regularly participate in programs and events. Their leadership and dedication is not forgotten and much appreciated.

- David Smith, JASM President

Letter from the President: a JASM History Lesson

平成27年度ミネアポリス日本語補習授業校 生徒募集

対象年齢*は平成27年4月1日時点での年齢

ミネアポリス日本語補習授業校http://www.minneapolisjapaneseschool.org/ 参加をご希望の方は、ピーターソン

seito@minneapolisjapaneseschool.org までご連絡く

ださい。

Open House and Enrollment Interview at Minneapolis Japanese School

クラス 対象 年齢*

オープ

ン ハウス

試験/面接 募集期間

おひさま

組

満2歳 1月17日

(面接) 平成26年11月1日～ 平成26年12月13日

幼稚部 年少組

満3歳 1月10日 1月24日

(面接) 平成26年11月1日～ 平成26年12月6日

小学部 １年

満6歳 2月14日 2月28日

(試験/面

接)

平成26年11月1日～ 平成27年1月31日

Class Date of Birth

Applica-tion Deadline

Open House

Interview & Examination

Pre-school

4/2/2012 ~ 4/1/2013

12/13/2014

1/17/2015 (Interview only)

Kinder-garten

4/2/2011 ~ 4/1/2012

12/6/2014

1/10/2015

1/24/2015 (Interview only)

1st Grade 4/2/2008 ~ 4/1/2009

1/31/2015

2/14/2015

2/28/2015

Japanese School Open House and Interview

Please thank our members with your support!

Corporate Benefactor Members Daikin Applied Delta Airlines, Inc. Corporate Sustaining Members 3M Company Boston Scientific Corporation Bowman and Brooke, LLP Design Ready Controls, Inc. Dorsey & Whitney, LLP Fredrikson & Byron, PA Gray Plant Mooty Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, PC Hubbard Broadcasting Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd. Jet Egde Inc. Lion Precision Mall of America Medtronic, Inc Naigai Industries U.S.A. Inc. Proto Labs, Inc. St. Jude Medical Taiyo International, Inc. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Corporate Contributing Members Aveda Corporation Briggs and Morgan, P.A. Compart Family Farms Deloitte Tax, LLP Leonard, Street and Deinard Minnesota Orchestra Musicians Satellite Industries Sysco Asian Foods Wilson Learning Worldwide Partners in Service J&K Trading, LLC Kiku Enterprises Origami Restaurant Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar Saint Paul Saints Baseball Club Suishin Restaurant The Voyager Group Tiger Sushi Tomodachi Zen Healing Center

Nonprofit Members Aikido of Minnesota Anime Twin Cities, Inc. BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Concordia Language Villages JETAA Minnesota JETRO Chicago KCC–Japan Education Exchange Macalester College Asian Language & Culture Department Minneapolis Japanese School Minnesota International Center Minnesota Trade Office Mu Performing Arts U of MN Dept. of Asian Languages and Literatures, Japanese Language Program US-China Business Connections

Mondale Gala Recount - Continued from Page 1 -

- Continued from Page 1 - Program Emcee, Ron Leonhardt, introduced the Consul General of Japan at Chicago, the honorable Masaharu Yoshida, who praised the outstanding collection of Japanese art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA). He noted that the recent acquisition of Japanese art from the Clark collection in California has made the MIA one of the finest collections of Japanese art in the U.S. The keynote speaker, Matthew Welch , recounted the history of the MIA, sharing stories of the beginnings of the museum and mentioned that the MIA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015. He enthralled the audience with stories of Minnesota art collectors with deep appreciation of Japanese art have donated their works to the MIA to benefit the community. The silent auction, led by Marc Blehert, was also a great success. There were over 50 items for event-goers to bid on. These items ranged from beautiful Geisha dolls to local restaurant gift certificates. We would like to thank Marc, his team, and all of the various donors for their contributions. JASM is grateful for all of those who attended this event and donated money for the Mondale Scholarship fund. JASM would also like to thank the Mondale family, Matthew Welch, Warren MacKenzie, and all other sponsors for helping to make this event a great success.

Inspired by our past, creating value for the future With deep historical roots in both Japan and the Americas, the Mitsubishi UFG Financial

Group (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial organizations, recognized as a global systemically important financial institution. MUFG is one of the largest foreign banks operating in North America, the company’s primary overseas market, and has been in Latin America for more than 90 years. Our services include corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking, wealth management, investment banking, capital markets, personal and corporate trust, and transaction banking. In the Americas, our corporate banking activities cover territory from Vancouver to Santiago, with 21 offices in eight countries. Our Asian Corporate Banking and U.S. Corporate Banking operations serve clients with regional and global businesses. In addition, we have more than 400 retail banking branches, primarily on the West Coast, operating under the Union Bank brand. Our businesses are highly diversified and wide-ranging, serving industries including automobiles, oil and gas, power and utilities, healthcare, commodity finance, public finance, technology, food and beverage, media/telecom, general industries, financial institutions, and more. We have consistently ranked high in the project finance league tables, reaching #1 status for each of the past several years. MUFG currently is the #6 green bank in the world, based in large part on lending activity in the Americas. One theme runs throughout everything we do — achieving shared success with our clients through the power of teamwork. Understanding our customers’ industries as well as their financing needs enables us to build customized solutions, while operating our business in a responsible, sustainable manner that positions us to serve the next generation as well.

Contributed by Amy Courtright, a representative from MUFG

Corporate Membership Spotlight

An American Potter / Tom Haeg

Tokyo TDC

This October, the Twin Cities had a rare opportunity to view outstanding original pieces from the 2014

Tokyo Type Drector’s Club’s (Tokyo TDC) Exhibition, which recognizes today’s best Japanese and international graphic and typographic design work. Tokyo TDC is one of the most prestigious organizations in the fields of typography and graphic design. Its annual competition is a touchstone for the world’s leading art directors, designers, and typographic masters and it is unique among its peers. For the first time, the

Tokyo TDC exhibition traveled to the US and JASM was there to witness it. On October 15th, a presentation lecture and gallery reception were held at Concordia University Art Center. The auditorium was filled with local graphic designers and artists, all gathered to listen to Ryan Hageman, a graphic designer and founder of Gurafiku, and Jon Forss, a juror of the Tokyo TDC Exhibition 2014. JASM was very fortunate to have Ryan Hageman give us a private tour of the exhibition a day after the lecture. The gallery that was packed with people the night before was available just for us and we had a relaxing tour as Ryan talked about the pieces that were displayed in the gallery. This intimate tour was received very well by the participants and we would like to thank Ryan Hageman and Concordia University for making this happen.

Warren MacKenzie: An American Potter; Lewis, David; Kodansha International, Inc., 1991; 192 pages. [revised text 2nd Edition 2007, photos by Peter Lee, Introduction by Robert Silberman with Afterword] The theme of this year’s JASM’s Mondale Gala on November 1st, 2014 is a celebration of Joan Mondale’s support of local artists influenced by Pacific Rim art designs. One of the finest examples of this genre is Warren MacKenzie, a long-time resident of Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. MacKenzie will be the recipient of the 2014 Mondale Award. Lewis’s An American Potter is part biography, part album and part paean of a local potter influenced by Japanese techniques and culture. It is a delightful, illustrated portrait of a humble man who was fortunate to find solace in his work. He then reflected this humility back onto his work products. MacKenzie was initially drawn, by odd circumstances, to an apprenticeship in England at the studio of the famous British potter, Bernard Leach. By his own admission, Leach traced his ceramic origins to Japan and the famous Japanese potter, Shoji Hamada. MacKenzie would then make several trips to Japan which included frequent visits to Hamada’s studio. Later, MacKenzie displayed Hamada’s work in galleries in the United States. Beyond An American Potter there are invaluable exchanges of letters in the 1960’s between Leach and MacKenzie. These letters are a must read, especially in this day of emails and texts, to gain a keener insight into their collaborations and Japanese influences. MacKenzie was particularly attracted to the Japanese mingei movement. This movement had an egalitarian or populist appeal, was produced inexpensively, showcased indigenous traits and was intended more for consumption than pedestal adoration. More subject d’art and less object d’art. Mingei literally translates ‘hand crafted art of ordinary people’ (think: Norman Rockwell). In Minnesota his style is affectionately referred to as ‘mingei-sota’. Joan, herself a potter, was a very close friend

and a protégé of MacKenzie even before her

husband’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to Japan

in the early 90’s.

- Tom Haeg’s Book Review Continued - Once in Tokyo, she catapulted his career by arranging to have MacKenzie’s work displayed at one of Tokyo’s top art galleries. But, let there be no mistake. MacKenzie adamantly insists he is not a Japanese potter. No, sir. He is proud to be recognized as an American potter who just happened to learn the discipline in his craft by absorbing Japanese attitudes of patience, respect and harmony in his work. Perhaps that is why he may have insisted that the book is titled American Potter, and not Japanese Potter.

-Tom Haeg, JASM Executive Secretary

JASM members observing the exhibit at Concordia University.

Ryan Hageman talking about posters for LaForet, high-end dept. store

A Big Thank You to the Many Sponsors of the Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala

Thank You!

The Japan America Society of Minnesota sincerely appreciates the efforts and contributions of these

individuals and organizations

We would also like to acknowledge the donors for their generous gifts toward the

silent and live auctions and for their generous support to fund the Mondale

Scholarship.

Corporate Sponsors Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Dorsey & Whitney, LLC Fredrikson & Bryon, P.A.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. Daikin Applied, Inc.

Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. Design Ready Controls, Inc.

Taiyo International, Inc. Satellite Industries, Inc.

Medtronic, Inc. 3M Company

Andersen Windows and Doors

Award Committee Mirja Hanson, John Babcock, William Strang Inkie Brons Co-Chairs Elizabeth Brailsford, David Smith Cuisine Tomoko Drake Emcee Ron Leonhardt Invitation & Program Shelby Fossell, Amanda Ritchie Ikebana Yoshie Babcock and friends Kimono Dressing Tomoko Silbert, Keiko Martin, Tomoko Stubbings Music Sakura Kai Koto Overall Coordination Ben van Lierop Videographer Jay Corrao Photographer Shelby Fossel Reservations Rio Saito, Amelia Maple, Christina Alongi Scholarship Committee David Smith, Michiko Kato Dressen, Takuzo Ishida, Chuck Chan Silent Auction Marc Blehert, Yuko Miyamoto, Shannon Meyer Richiko Kamata, Rio Saito, Alex Ehret Table Decorations Ikebana Sogetsu Group, Minnetonka Art Center Keiko Martin

For the latest JASM updates, visit our website at www.mn-japan.org, find us on our Facebook (Japan America Society of Minnesota), or follow us on Twitter (@MNJAPAN).

Give to the Max Day 2014

With Thanksgiving coming up, November is an important time to reflect and be thankful for what we have. JASM is grateful for opportunities to host amazing events and programs that strengthen Japan/Minnesota relations, such as the Lantern Lightning Festival, J-Quiz, JASM Professional Group, and Corporate Roundtable, just to name a few. These events run on the generous donations

made by JASM’s members and friends. We would like to encourage the next donation you make to be on November 13th, 2014, on the 6th Annual Give to the Max Day. Give to the Max is held by GiveMN, a fellow nonprofit organization that makes searching for and donating to schools and other nonprofits easy through their website. Give to the Max Day is a 24-hour event where

people are encouraged to donate through GiveMN to any and all organizations that they support. Last year, over 52,000 Minnesotans raised $17.1 million for more than 4,400 nonprofits across the state. This year, GiveMN is hoping to beat that record. In addition to individual donations given by Minnesotans, GiveMN also gives out two Golden Tickets per hour on November 13th, 2014 (for a total of 48 “tickets”). They pull a random drawing from all the donations coming in, and add an addition $1,000 to that donation, wherever it goes. At the end of the day they hold the Super-Sized Golden Ticket drawing, which is worth $10,000. JASM’s goal for Give to the Max Day is $5,000, and we need your help! We’re asking everyone to wear green on November 13th, 2014, to show your support for JASM, and to donate to our nonprofit organization. Please help us reach our goal!

Yoko Breckenridge B-952-431-9811 M-612-839-0008 E-mail– Yoko@yoko4home.com

ミネソタ日本語図書館 10周年 満州からの引揚船の甲板で拾った小さな新聞の端切れを隠し

たのは13歳の晩秋だった博多湾外に10日停泊してDDTを電

動噴霧器で消毒された手のまま掴んで麦と薯に米粒の見える

握り飯を食べた．ソ連軍襲撃で家を飛びだす時に母が持ち出

した家族写真、父が毎晩使った経本まで没収され母子家族7

人は船底で帰日を眼前にしていた20日間だった日本人の船員

が只今日本で流行しています唄ったのが「リンゴの歌」67年

後父母兄弟は一人ずつ彼の世へ去り生き残りの私は81歳半で

ミネソタに住んで52年になった「諸行無常爾如来」と父の後

に座ってお勤めを聞かされた家族は逝ってしまった．あの頃

からの活字への餓えと小学校5年生で中断された勉強への羨

望が本への執着となって「日本語図書館」になった数冊ずつ

寄贈された塵も積もれば山となり奉仕者の手によって図書館

は期待以上の在庫になった「皆さん有難う感謝感激です」図

書館は月例の日本人会や沖縄三線グループも集まります只今

は頂いたVHSをDVDにコピーする仕事中です本やビデヲに

興味をお持ちの方はお手伝い下さい．ミネソタ日本語図書館

は何ご方でも日本語を読める方には無料24/7でご利用できま

す．

ご希望の方は下記へ ご連絡ください

Lantern Lighting Festival, 2011, sponsored in part by JASM

Japanese Speaking Club

The Japanese Speaking Club is an informal meet-ing place for those wishing to practice Japanese. We encourage those just begin-ning the language as well as native speakers to gather at the Espresso Royale Café in Downtown Minneapolis to meet new people, discuss experiences in Japan, or simply to speak Japanese. Come when you can, leave when you must. Date/Time: Every Saturday, any time after 3:00 p.m. Place: Espresso Royale Cafe 1229 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403

Japan America Society Calendar

Become a JASM Member online! Support our mission and become a

member! 1. Go to mn-japan.org 2. Click on ‘Membership’ at the top 3. Select your membership type and read the

benefits and instructions.

毎月日本語図書館で日本人会の昼食会（Monthly Nihonjin-

kai ）を行っています。電話などでお誘い合わせの上、お

友達やお知り合いとご一緒においで下さい。可能の方は

どうぞ料理を1品ご持参願います。ミネソタ州在住の日本

人達で良い事を考え、ご馳走と日本語で楽しい時間を持

ちましょう。

日程：毎月第2月曜日正午より

場所：日本語図書館

(4231 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407)

また、毎週土曜日午後2時からは、日本語図書館のお手伝

いしてくださる方の集まりがあります。是非ご参加くだ

さい。この図書館には、漫画や宗教誌約25000冊や約2500

本のビデオDVDがあり、希望者にはセルフサービスで日

本人会と同じく無料で貸出しています。お問い合わせは

下記までどうぞ。 Yoko Breckenridge Cell phone: (612) 839-0008 E-mail: Yoko@yoko4home.com Nihonjin-kai monthly meeting on 2nd Monday, at noon, at 4231 Bloomington Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407

Japan America Society of Minnesota O Membership Application O Change of Address

O Tax-deductible Donation

_____________________________________________________

Name

_____________________________________________________

Name (2nd adult of a household membership)

_____________________________________________________

Address

_____________________________________________________

City State ZIP

___________________________

E-mail

___________________________

Phone I would like to make an additional tax- deductable donation of Amount Enclosed:____________

(Please make checks payable to JASM)

Japan America Society of Minnesota 43 Main Street SE Suite EH—131

Minneapolis, MN 55414

Individual Membership Patron…………………… $1,000+ Sustaining……………… $500+ Contributing……………. $100+ Individual ………………. $30 Student/Senior ………… $20 Household ……………... $50 (2 adults plus children under 18)

月例日本人会のお知らせ

November

Japan Business Roundtable Rochester - November 20th

Career Day - November 22nd

December

Corporate Roundtable - December 3rd *If you would like to let JASM know about an

upcoming event, e-mail us at jasm.interns@gmail.com*

Ad production and design available in both

Japanese and English for an additional charge.

Deadline for completed ads and classifieds is the

20th of every month.

Questions? Contact the JASM Office

Tel: 612-627-9357 jasm@us-japan.org

Advertisement Rates Style Size Cost/issue

1/4 page 5 x 3.5 in $50.00

1/2 page 5 x 7.5 in $90.00

Full page 10 x 7.5 in $150.00

Classified 80 character line $10/ line

(min. 2 lines)

Advertise in the Tsushin!

Japan America Society of Minnesota

Riverplace EH-131 43 Main Street SE

Minneapolis, MN 55414-1031

Tel: 612-627-9357 Fax: 612-379-2393 jasm@us-japan.org www.mn-japan.org

Tsūshin November 2014 The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a non-profit, non-political association engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and the United States closer together in mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Through programs and interchange, it endeavors to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. Membership in the society is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in furthering its programs. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. (Please report any inaccuracies you find in this publication to jasm.interns@gmail.com)

Photos from the 17th Annual Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala