City Hall Plaza, which welcomes visitors to the main entrance of Portland’s City Hall, is known for its many spectacular cherry trees. They bloom once a year and are simply beautiful. To celebrate their splendor, JASM members and friends are encouraged to join us on EARTH DAY, Friday, April 22, from 11:45am to 1:00pm to celebrate “CHERRY FEST” at Portland City Hall. …
JASM Spring Feast
Miyake restaurant will present a wonderful ‘welcome spring’ meal for only $40 per person for JASM members, $50 for non-members. (Please bring cash or a check made payable to “JASM” to the restaurant). So come join JASM for an afternoon of fun, laughter and delicious food. RSVP REQUIRED no later than Tuesday, March 29 (RSVP now) …
Yamato Taiko Drummers
Bay Chamber Concerts is thrilled to bring back the Yamato Taiko Drummers. The last appearance of this dymanic and spectacular concert was presented in 2007 to a standing room only audience. The show will engage audience members of all ages as the performance is as much dance as it is music and percussion. Yamato Taiko …
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Learn the history and philosophy behind the Japanese Tea Ceremony, a traditional Japanese art, with Yuko Eguchi ‘03, while enjoying Japanese tea and sweets. Experience peace and selflessness through the making and sharing of one bowl of tea. Free and open to the public. This event is part of Harumatsuri (Japanese Spring Festival), sponsored by …
Traditional Music & Dance – Arts of the Geisha – A Lecture-Demonstration
Yuko Eguchi ’03 is a native of Tokyo, Japan and holds a degree in Music (composition) from Bates College. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at the University of Pittsburgh. As the gei in the word geisha stands for arts in Japanese, geisha devote their lives to mastering various Japanese traditional music and dance …
TAO: “Seventeen Samurai”
*Tickets already on sale* Presented by Portland Ovations at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Remarkable athleticism and fabulous costumes meet explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography in an awe-inspiring theatrical experience. JASM is currently holding 10 tickets that we acquired at a group rate in the 6th row center of the 2nd balcony with a lovely …
2016 Oshogatsu Celebration
Our annual New Year Celebration, Oshogatsu, is planned for January 23rd, 2016 (with a snow date of January 30th), at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Ave, Portland, from 4:00-9:00pm. Please join us for mochi making, live taiko drumming, a potluck dinner (please bring something to share), great Japanese treasures for little money, a live auction, and …
JASM Bonenkai, End-of-the-Year Feast
Cost Per Person: $35 for members, $40 for non-members JASM will cover gratuity. Drinks are not included. In Japan, a year-end party, known as Bonenkai, invites one to forget the woes and troubles of the past year, and to look hopefully to the coming year. With this in mind, JASM invites you to join us in celebration for …
JASM Bakemono Costume Party and Contest
The Japanese America Society of Maine is sponsoring a Halloween youkai costume party at Weekend Anime on Sunday 10/25 at 1:00pm. Youkai (ayakashi, bakemono) are the mythical creatures the prowl the streets of Japan and are featured on numerous manga and anime stories. These strange, wondrous creatures range from fuzzy woodland animals, to common household …
Walk in US, Talk on Japan
“Walk in the US, Talk on Japan” program to be held at USM Portland, ME — On October 15th, Portland will host five Japanese delegates sent by the Japanese government to enhance mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. through a program titled “Walk in the US, Talk on Japan.” The delegates to Portland are …