The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin invites all members and their families to a JASGA Bo-Nen-Kai or year-end party at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Sushi Sake Restaurant in North Austin.

Literally translated, bo-nen-kai means "forget-the-year gathering" and is a traditional occasion to party with friends before the end of the year. All JASGA members are invited to mix and mingle at this event. COST: $25 must be paid in cash at the registration table. Sushi-Sake does not accept credit cards for group events.

The restaurant is at 9503 Research Blvd. and the phone number is (512) 527-0888. RSVP by Monday, Dec. 4, to Tomoko Hall.

As 2006 draws to a close, plans are already underway for 2007. JASGA members and their families are invited to start the year off at a Family New Year Gathering from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Zilker Botanical Garden.

A new monthly program beginning in January is "Exploring Japanese Culture," and will be on the third Tuesday each month at the Yarborough Branch Library. (Read more about the series below.) And the 2007 Satsuki Matsuri (JASGA May Festival) is scheduled for the first Sunday in May, (May 6) so please mark it on your calendar.

These events and more will be featured in future JASGA newsletters and posted on the JASGA website. In addition, the JASGA website is being expanded to help JASGA better bridge the cultures of Japan and Central Texas by featuring local arts organizations, clubs and businesses connected with Japan.

Finally, the JASGA board of directors would like for JASGA members to know that your interest, your suggestions and your involvement are always welcome. The Board has set a goal for 2007 to ensure that JASGA member's expectations are known and met. All members of JASGA are invited to attend JASGA board meetings, and your feedback and/or input is always welcome. The JASGA website has a contact form under CONTACT US by which any member can send suggestions and/or feedback to the JASGA board. The board welcomes your interest, and anyone wanting to become more involved is most welcome.

At the most recent JASGA board meeting, we welcomed Morgan McCollough, our webmaster, to the board along with Jayne Willingham, Leya (Hiroe) Sugiyama and Nicholas Cotton. Without dedicated volunteers like these new board members, JASGA could not exist.

JASGA is happy to announce a new monthly event, "Exploring Japanese Culture." The series kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 16, and continues on the third Tuesday each month at the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library.

The series will explore a variety of topics pertaining to Japanese culture, including bonsai, haiku, Japanese gardening, aikido, ikebana, tea ceremony, bamboo, acupuncture, Japanese textile arts, architecture, netsuke, and many other topics. The events committee will send a schedule for the program to members in mid-December.

To recommend a topic or submit a proposal for the series, please contact Jayne Willingham. The Yarborough Library is located at 2200 Hancock (just west of Burnet Road), (512) 454-7208 (see http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ for a map.)

JASGA Events

Dec 7
7pm - 10pm
Year-end Party (Bo-Nen-Kai)
Sushi Sake Restaurant
9503 Research Blvd., (512) 527-0888.
All JASGA members are invited to party before the end of the year. COST: $25 must be paid in cash at the registration table. Sushi-Sake does not accept credit cards for group events. RSVP by Monday, Dec. 4, to Tomoko Hall.

Dec 7
5:30pm - 7pm
Board of Directors Meeting
Sushi Sake Restaurant
9503 Research Blvd., (512) 527-0888.
Members are welcome to attend this brief business meeting before the Bo-Nen-Kai.

Jan 7
1pm - 4pm
JASGA O-Shogatsu Party
Zilker Botanical Garden
All JASGA members and their families are invited to our first JASGA O-Shogatsu (New Years) celebration. Please join us for light New Year's refreshments and activities for the whole family, greet other JASGA members, and meet some of the participants from the upcoming "Exploring Japanese Culture" series.

Jan 16
6:30 pm - 8pm
Exploring Japanese Culture
Yarborough Branch, Austin Public Library
2200 Hancock (off Burnet)
Monthly series, open to JASGA members and visitors, will be on the third Tuesday each month. The library phone is (512) 454-7208. For directions, visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/. To suggest a topic, email Jayne Willingham.

Austin Events

Dec 15
7pm - 10pm
Uncertainty and Bounded Rationality:
Recent Developments in Behavioral Finance
Ventana Del Soul
1834 East Oltorf, (512) 707-7447
Shakaijin-Kai (Austin Japanese Business Group) hosts a panel discussion in Japanese by experts from the University of Texas.
Admission is $20 and includes a meal.
RSVP by Sunday, Dec. 10, to Michiko Miyata (512) 310-8578.

Dec 13
7pm - 9pm
Austin Bonsai Society
Assembly Room at Zilker Botanical Garden
Meets the second Wednesday each month. Visit www.main.org/bonsai for more information.

Dec 16
10am - 2pm
Texas Bamboo Society
Taniguchi Garden
Zilker Botanical Garden
Meets the third Saturday each month in the Taniguchi Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden. Visit www.texasbamboosociety.org or www.bamboocentral.net for more information.

Japan-America Society Events Around the State

Feb 17 - May 6

The Genius of Shibata Zeshin
Cowden Gallery, San Antonio Museum of Art
200 West Jones Ave., San Antonio
For the first time in more than twenty years, the artistry of Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), a Japanese lacquer and painting artist whose life and works spanned most of the 19th Century, can be seen in an exhibition devoted to his singular vision. San Antonio natives Catherine and Thomas Edson present 54 masterworks from their private collection. For more information, visit www.samuseum.org.

Announcements

JASGA Assists Austin Lyric Opera with "Butterfly's Garden"
JASGA helped put Austin Lyric Opera in touch with local cultural organizations, including the Hanayagi Japanese Dance Academy, Austin Taiko and Austin Kendo, all of whom participated in "Butterfly's Garden," a celebration of ALO's 20th anniversary and a fundraising event that preceded performances of Madame Butterfly. Attendees enjoyed a Japanese-style meal and cultural performances. JASGA extends a special thank you to the seven JASGA board members and volunteers who helped out at the event. They were able to distribute JASGA pamphlets and established a relationship with ALO. If you would like to help out at upcoming JASGA events, such as the Satsuki Matsuri on May 6 or the "Exploring Japanese Culture" series, please contact Jayne Willingham with the event committee.

Anyone who missed previous JASGA Newsletters can view them on our website.

If you're interested in participating in either a Japanese conversation club or a Japanese literature reading group, please contact Education Committee Chair Cecil Lawson.

Japanese

グレイター・オースティン日米協会は、日本と中部テキサスとの間の文化交流の懸け橋となるべ く、教育・文化プログラムを通じ、協会会員を始め、オ−スティン市民一般のために日米の友 好的な関係を促進する目的を持つ非営利団体です。

English

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, Inc. (JASGA) is a nonprofit organization bridging the cultures of Japan and central Texas by promoting friendly US-Japan relations through educational and cultural programs for its members and the Greater Austin community.