Dear Friends:

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, Inc. and other organizations of a similar nature assist the Consulate General of Japan and me in doing our job of encouraging the growth of the Japan-U.S. relationship. Bringing Japanese and American people together at various events helps to promote long-lasting friendships and provides an opportunity for us to learn more about one another.

I am very pleased, at the suggestion of your President, Stephen Portnoy, to invite and encourage all of you to attend the Satsuki Matsuri (Japan May Festival) on Sunday, May 15th to celebrate the beginnings of the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin. This special, fun-filled event will be held at Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road, from 11:00am until 4:00pm in the afternoon. It will feature an afternoon of Japanese food, entertainment and fellowship with people, both Japanese and American, who are interested in and love my home country of Japan.

Please accept my sincere best wishes for a most successful and enjoyable day and my heartiest congratulations on the establishment of the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin.

Sincerely Yours,
Yoshi Kamo

グレーター・オースティン日米協会会員の皆様：

在ヒューストン日本総領事館の加茂でございます。グレーター・オースティン日米協会をはじめとする各地の日米協会やその他の日本関連団体は、日米関係の一層の強化に大変大きな役割を果たしており、皆様が主催する様々な行事の場に日米両国の市民が集まることによって、末永い友好関係が促進され、相互理解の機会がもたらされると考えております。

スティーブン・ポートノイ会長よりご提案を頂きましたので、この場をお借りして、そのような機会のひとつであるグレーター・オースティン日米協会の設立記念レセプションのご案内を申し上げたいと思います。レセプションは５月１５日、ジルカー植物園（Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road）にて午前１１時より午後４時まで行われ、楽しい企画が盛りだくさんに用意されています。日本の食べ物やエンターテイメント、そして日本に関心を持ち、日本を愛する日米両国の人々との語らいのひとときを楽しむために、是非多くの皆様がレセプションにご参加されることを心より願っております。

グレーター・オースティン日米協会の設立を心よりお祝い申し上げるとともに、設立記念レセプションが楽しく、また成功裏に終わることをお祈り申し上げます。

在ヒューストン日本国総領事
加茂佳彦

Experience Japanese culture in Austin!

JASGA invites community to Satsuki Matsuri on May 15

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin invites Central Texans to come and experience the many forms of Japanese culture thriving in the Capital City during Satsuki Matsuri or Japan May Festival, a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15, in Zilker Botanical Garden at 2220 Barton Springs Road.

Admission is free, so bring family and friends to sample Japanese refreshments and sway to primal drum rhythms by Austin Taiko. Learn to write your name in katakana under the tutelage of calligraphy masters or discover the beauty of traditional dances by Hanayagi Japanese Dance Academy. Bid in the silent auction for a round-trip ticket to Japan, courtesy of Continental Airlines, and enjoy demonstrations ranging from origami to aikido, judo and budo-taijutsu combat systems.

Sponsors helping make this day possible include Tasus Corp., Continental Airlines, Momoko Gift Shop & Tea Room, Taniguchi Architects, The Ikebana Study Group, the Austin Area Garden Center and Zilker Botanical Garden. Red Velvet Events Inc. is also helping volunteers to prepare for the festival.

This will be JASGA's first large-scale event and organizers hope the planned activities will draw potential members while helping to fulfill the society’s mission of bridging the cultures of Japan and Central Texas through educational and cultural programs. For more information, visit www.jasga.org.

Austin Taiko. Austin's own group of Taiko drummers will perform at the JASGA Satsuki Matsuri.

JASGA Events

Apr 29
Recent Changes in Japan's Education System: 6pm
Room 4.350, College of Business Administration
Speedway & 21st Street, University of Texas
This is a presentation by Ayako Maesawa, who works for Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. She is currently a student at the McCombs School of Business on an overseas fellowship with the Japanese government. A reception begins at 5:40pm for all those interested.

May 15
JASGA Satsuki Matsuri
Zilker Botanical Gardens
Join us for a day of food, entertainment, fun, and community to celebrate the official establishment of the JASGA! Learn more about the Japanese culture. Fun for you and the entire family. (Click on the above link for more details.)

Austin Events

Apr 15 - May 30
Kurumie and Kimekomi Ningyo
The Lakeway Activity Center
105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, TX
The center is hosting an exhibition of the works of Mrs. Masako Wetzel of Austin. Please call 261-1010 for more information.

Japan-America Society Events Around the State

Now - June 5
Taisho Chic
McNey Art Museum
600 N New Braunfels, San Antonio
An exhibit of Japanese modernity, Nostalgia, and Deco. This is an exhibit that really shouldn't be missed.

May 21 - 22
Viva Botanica: 9am - 5pm
San Antonio Botanical Gardens
555 Funston, San Antonio
This is the 25th anniversary celebration of the Botanical Gardens. Kumamoto En Garden is located in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. See the website for more information: http://www.sabot.org/Calendar/botanica.htm

Announcements

Anyone who missed previous JASGA Newsletters can view them here 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.