7 Potatoes: Nanaimo's Japanese Cultural Society

Sake Tasting Event

2012-02-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

We have just finalized the plans for another sake tasting event this spring and this year we are ramping up the event to make it bigger and better than ever. This time we are holding it in a presentation area specifically designed for these kinds of events and Masa Shiroki is coming back to give us another tasting tour of fine Japanese sake and the craft of sake brewing.

In addition to Mr. Shiroki's tasting tour, we will also have authentic Japanese snacks/tapas to accompany the sake made by our own Yoko West.

As a bonus, Jake West will be doing a performance of what he calls "multiball contact juggling".

Tickets are currently on sale at Lucky's Liquor, which in case you don't know, is the relatively new liquor store in front of Country Club Mall.

Seats are $40 but 7 Potatoes members will be reimbursed $5 at the event making it a $35 cost for them. Prices are plus HST.

There is limited seating and this event will be more widely publicized than the similar events have been in previous years. Although 7 Potatoes members are being offered a discount and slightly advance notice of the event the seats are being sold publicly so please don't hesitate if this event is of interest to you.

When: Sunday, April 1st, 1-3pm

Where: Lucky's Liquor, upstairs in the presentation area

Cost: $35 for members and $40 for everyone else

New Year's Party 2012

2011-12-07T16:08:00.001-08:00

Our annual new year's party is on its way and it's time for everyone to make a note on their calendar for the event.

This year we will be having it at the facility at Bowen Park as we have so many other years. It will be from 11:30-2pm on Sunday, January 8th 2012.

It is a potluck party, so please bring two dishes that are more than large enough to share. Two savoury dishes or one savoury and one sweet. If anyone can bring an extra main course dish to help out, as we do have some invited guests coming. If you plan to bring guests, there is an additional fee for them as they are not paying membership dues. But please either bring extra dishes of food to accommodate the extra numbers or have them bring dishes. The 7 Potatoes Society is pleased to provide tuna sashimi for the meal.

Local photgrapher Cam Wrigley will be giving a presentation featuring his recent trip to Japan during the aftermath of the tsunami. Cam’s presentation is called Black Wave.

Ryan Coffey will have just returned from Japan and will be giving a presentation about the martial art he studies there and teaches here known as Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. (武神館武道体術）

Once again, we will be doing traditional mochi tsuki.

We will be doing a 50/50 draw and a raffle. Please feel free to bring any wrapped items that you would like to donate for the raffle.

Members from previous years will know that this is when we collect membership fees for the society:

Family $25
Senior Family $15
Single $12
Guests $10

Fall Potluck 2011

2011-10-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Once again it is time for 7 Potatoes to have its fall themed potluck.

This year it will be held on October 29th at Christ Community Church (2221 Bowen Rd.) from 11:30am -2pm.

Please bring a fall themed dish big enough for sharing with other members.

In addition to gathering for food and conversation, we'll be viewing the short film "Minoru" which highlights the internment of Japanese Canadians during the second world war.

2011-06-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ramen Fundraiser!

2011-05-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Update:
We are asking that anyone who is planning on attending, please let us know that you are coming and how many people there are in your party. We don't want to buy too much food or too little either. Please email your response to Toshi: toshiis@hotmail.com

Also, you are welcome to bring non 7 Potatoes members to the event, but ramen is $10 a bowl for them. A small difference in price, we know, but this is primarily a charity event so we are hoping to maximize the amount of ramen sold.

And don't forget to bring your own ramen donburi (bowls).

See you there!

Original post:

Please make sure you can make it to the latest tsunami fundraising event on June 4th. This is the funraiser that we are putting on specifically as 7 Potatoes, so let's have a good turnout and raise some money for those affected in Japan.It's been a couple of months, but there is still so much to do!

Many people are working hard to make the most authentic ramen we can by collecting ingredients from sources all over the west coast. 7 Potatoes is paying for these ingredients out of pocket and will be donating all proceeds to tsunami relief efforts. So, the better the turnout, the more money we send.

As with the new year's party earlier this year, we will be holding the event at the Tamagawa Gakuen facility in Cedar.

When: June 4th, 12-3pm
Where: Tamagawa Gakuen Nanaimo Campus, 2677 Holden Corso Rd (map below)
Cost: $8 per bowl

Attendees are requested to bring their own bowls. Ramen bowls are bigger than our own soup bowls and so please bring a bowl that is big enough to hold all those noodles.　(See photo above.)
We are looking at additional ways to raise funds at the event. For example, we still have many origami cranes left over from earlier fundraising events and are planning on selling them for donation.

Also, we are expecting some guests who are visiting Nanaimo from Japan. Let's make them feel welcome with some warm Canadian hospitality.

7 Potatoes would like to thank Benkei Ramen in Vancouver for selling the noodles and stock at a reduced price and to Fujiya in Victoria for donating narutomaki. Incidentally, Fujiya is celebrating their 20th anniversary and having a sale from June 12-25th.

View Larger Map

Tsunami Fundraising Relief Update

2011-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

The people of Nanaimo have certainly been busy of late doing a great deal of fundraising. The first event where donations were collected in front of various stores around town (and was mostly organized by the staff of the Best Western Dorchester) raised over $10,000. Last weekend's garage sale event, raised $2000. Hundreds of dollars have also been raised by selling the "Support Japan" T-Shirts.

It bears mentioning that there are also a number of people both connected and not connected to 7 Potatoes who have put so much into organizing benefit luncheons, concerts, collecting donations at their place of business and surely countless more efforts. There are so many people doing so much that it's hard to give everyone the credit they deserve. Suffice to say that every little bit helps.

But... there is still SO MUCH to be done. There are so many affected people over there who still need our help now and the need will be ongoing. So, we're not done yet.

For example, if you want to send money to specific towns that have been affected in Japan, click on this link (in Japanese) to find out where to send it.

You can also buy the support Japan t-shirts by clicking here. All proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross.

We are currently organizing a ramen event for the afternoon of June 4th as both a get together and a fundraiser. It will be held at Tamagawa Gakuen. More details to follow closer to the date, but please make sure you don't miss this one as we our going out of our way to make the best ramen we possibly can and sending all proceeds will be sent to relief efforts in Japan via the Japanese Consulate.

Japan Earthquake Benefit Lunch

2011-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

In addition to the garage sale mentioned on the previous post, there will also be a Japan Earthquake Relief Benefit Lunch held at the Coast Bastion Hotel on TUESDAY the 19th. Don't forget to bring friends!

Details below. Click on the image of the poster to enlarge. Clicking below to pay ahead and reserve a spot via the multicultural society's website would be appreciated.

April 19^th, 2011 – 11:30a.m.-2:00p.m.

Coast Bastion Inn – 11 Bastion Street Nanaimo, BC

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Leonard Edwards – former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Former Deputy Minister for International Trade, former Canadian Ambassador to Japan (1998-2001).

On April 19^th, Mr. Edwards, will speak at a benefit luncheon at the Coast Bastion Inn giving some of his personal observations surrounding the Japan Earthquake and ensuing disasters. Net proceeds for the event will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross effort for Japan. Tickets can be purchased through the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society website: http://www.cvims.org/tickets_form.php.

Tsuanami Relief Fundraiser: Garage Sale April 16th and 17th

2011-04-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

When: April 16 (Sat.) and 17 (Sun.) from 8am until 1pm

Where: 3951 Hammond bay road

It may not be in the news quite as much these past few days but so many people in Japan still need our help.

A garage sale event is being organized where all proceeds will be donated to tsunami relief via the Canadian Red Cross.

7 Potatoes members and well, anyone really, are encouraged to donate items which will be sold at the garage sale. You can bring whatever you have that is still in reasonably usable condition to sell as part of the garage sale and you can also bring baked goods such as muffince or cookies to sell as well.

Please drop your items off at 3951 Hammond Bay road you can leave stuff in the carport or
4290 Uplands Park Drive in front of the main door.

Any questions call Mina 250-585-5624 or Yuko 250-751-1042

Please get involved in the event by spreading the word and donating whatever you can. Every little bit helps!

Also, we are in the process of planning a ramen event in early June which will also be a fundraiser. More info on that to come.

Japanese Art Exhibition

2011-03-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

ART 10 GALLERY FEATURE SHOW

By Keiko Bottomley

BLACK and WHITE

Japanese charcoal-ink works (sumi-e) by Keiko Bottomley

will be the featured exhibition at Art 10 Gallery, Nanaimo North Town Centre

(formerly Rutherford Mall), April 1-30, 2011.

Official opening will be held at the gallery from 1-4 p.m.April 4, with light refreshments served.

Keiko will be in attendance.

The artist will also sit at the gallery 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 11 and 25.

Tsunami Relief Update

2011-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

We had a great turnout last weekend for the tsunami fundraiser! Thank you everyone! All in all the effort has so far raised nearly $8000 which will be handled by Red Cross and used to fund rescue efforts in Japan. The organizers of the event, staff from The Best Western Dorchester, have been very appreicative of our support.

Fundraising will continue at multiple locations this weekend but we already have enough volunteers in place at the tables. (Apparently some of the locations have a limit on the number of people they want sitting at the tables in front of their stores.) If, however, you would like to come out and show your support by donating or stopping by to say "Hello", please do so.

Locations and times for the fundraising tables are as follows:

Rona
Sat. 10-3
Sun. 12-4

Country Grocer
Sat. 3-6:30

Walmart
Sat. 10-6
Sun. 12-4

Again, thank you so much everyone. Good luck to everyone's friends and families in Japan!

Tsunami Relief Fundraiser

2011-03-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Members and non members of 7 Potatoes alike are invited to join us, the staff of the Best Western Dorchester and the Red Cross in raising funds to aid those affected by the recent series of distasters in Japan.

Our goal is to fold 1,000 origami cranes (or more!) and sell them for donation funds which will be handled by the Red Cross.

We have secured a table in front of the Save On Foods at Country Club Mall for this Saturday and Sunday from 12-4pm. Please come and help us fold cranes and collect donations. If you don`t know how to fold an origami crane, don`t worry you will be taught. Paper will be supplied but if you have any actual origami paper you can contribute, it would be very much appreciated.

We won`t be in the rain, but we will be outside so please dress accordingly.

Anyone who is skilled at shodo may also consider joining us and showing off their skills and giving away the calligraphy in exchange for donations. You will need to bring your own supplies for this though.

We are also looking at holding a second round of this funraising in front of the Wal Mart the following weekend. Please keep an eye on this blog for more info.

To summarize...

What: Fundraiser for earthquake/tsunami relief
When: Sat. March 19th and Sun. March 20th 12-4 pm
Where: In front of Save On Foods at Country Club Mall

Please tell everyone you know!

Earthquake Info and Relief

2011-03-12T16:43:00.000-08:00

Dear 7 Potatoes members and friends,

Most of those connected to our society will no doubt have been affected directly or indrectly by the tragic events in Japan these past few days. We would like to extend our wishes of safety and support to anyone affected by the incident. It is times like this when being part of a society can play an role in reminding us that although we are across the ocean from Japan, we are still all connected.

7 Potatoes has not formalized a relief program but those wishing to contribute to relief efforts can donate money, not clothing or food, to experienced humanitarian organizations that can respond immediately to the crisis. Cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone.

Well-known Canadian organizations currently taking donations include the Canadian Red Cross Society, World Vision Canada, Doctors without Borders and Save the Children Canada. Information on how to donate money can be found on their websites. For a list of other relief effort organizations, and for more information on Canada’s response to the earthquake in Japan visit the Government of Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade web site.

Also, it is worth noting that for the upcoming week, Shaw Cable is offering free access to Japanese TV on channel 514. There are also online feeds such as this one which may or may not be up temporarily.

Again, good luck and best wishes to everyone!

2011 Shinnenkai (New Year's Party)

2010-11-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

Update: We have made arrangements for the Furusato Dancers to come up from Victoria and perform for us. They will also show everyone how to do the Tanko Bushi or Tokyo Ondo.

Once again, it's almost time for our new year's party. This year, however, it will be held at Tamagawa Gakuen in Cedar due to a budding relationship between Tamagawa Gakuen and the Seven Potatoes Society.

The party will be held on January 9th from 11:30 am until about 2pm at Tamagawa Gakuen which is at 2677 Holden Corso Rd. You can view their website if you like at www.tamagawa.ca
If you haven't been out there before, please refer to the Google map below. It's on the hidden part of Holden Corso which only those who venture out that way often will be familiar with. For those who have trouble getting out that far, rides can be arranged. Email Ryan Coffey if this is a concern for you.

The following map shows directions from Port Place to Tamagawa Gakuen. For those not familiar with Google maps, you can zoom in/out. For more options like printing or changing the "from" address, click on "view larger map".

View Larger Map

The party will feature the making of mochi (mochi tsuki), entertainment and a selection of sushi and sashimi will be provided.(Catered by Tamagawa Gakuen.)
As this is ultimately a potluck party, attendees are asked to bring something that will compliment the sushi and sashimi and that it be a big enough serving to share with the other guests.

We are also asking that people breing items for the raffle if they so choose.

Finally, it's worth reminding everyone that this is the time of year when we renew our membership dues:

Family $25
Senior Family $15
Single $12
Guests $10 (This price is for the New Year's party as it is catered, other events will have their own guest price.)

With the great facility and catering that is being provided this year, we are hoping for a great turnout. See you then!

Ryan

Fall Potluck 2010

2010-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

It's once again time for the annual fall potluck party.

It will be held at Christ Community Church
on Saturday, October 30th from 12-2pm.
Please bring a fall themed food for sharing.

Kay Bottomley will be demonstrating some shodo (artistic Japanese calligraphy) for us.

It's another opportunity for all of us to get together, enjoy each other's company and share various aspects of Japanese culture.

Japanese Cultural Fair in Victoria

2010-09-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

There is an upcoming event in Victoria which may be of interest to 7 Potatoes members. There is a link at the bottom if you would like to go directly to their site.

The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society presents
The 11th Annual (2010)
Japanese Cultural Fair
日本文化フェア
Saturday, October 23rd
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
10:00AM TO 4:00PM

Get more info by clicking here.

Art Event in Ladysmith July 9th

2010-06-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

ART JAM 2010 AT LADYSMITH WATERFRONT GALLERY

Five Japanese artists will be special guests of honor at an Art Jam hosted by The Art
Council of Ladysmith and District on July 9th, 2010. The visit is part of an intercultural
exchange.

The Ladysmith exhibition at the Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Drive, will feature five artists in Japan and on southern Vancouver Island.

The Japanese artists will host a collaborative show including well-known First
Nations carvers Luke and John Marston of Kuleet Bay and selected Ladysmith area
artists.

An opening reception will be held at the Waterfront Gallery Friday, July 9, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the official reception at 7 p.m.

The five artists from Japan are:

Hiroshi Sugimoto, a master’s degree in Japanese painting from the graduate school
of Tokyo University and a special adviser on cultural exchange to the Japanese
Government;

Toshiichi Suzuki, a master’s degree in pottery from the graduate school of Tokyo
National University of the Arts and an instructor at Meisei University, Yokohama College
of Art and Design;

Kojiro Ito, wood carver specializing in Buddhist statuary, from the School of Ogata
Kiyoji, Community College of Ikebukuro;

Nobuo Nakasho, a professional Noh theatre performer;

Shingo Nakasho, son of Nobuo, who appeared as a Noh performer at the age of 3 and
is an accomplished professional in that age-old Japanese performing art.

The visitors will be accompanied by translator Nobuyoshi Fukuda, who for much of his
professional life was special assistant to Sony Corp. boss Akio Morito

Sake Tasting July 18th

2010-06-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

We will be having the second annual sake tasting event on Sunday July 18th starting at 12pm at Bistro Taiyo. (In the Heritage Mews off of Wesley St. which is across from the big church on the corner of Wesley St. and Fitzwilliam St.)

Once again, Mr. Masa Shiroki will be coming from Vancouver to share his deep knowledge of the manufacturing, tasting and food pairing of Sake.

Check out his website at http://artisansakemaker.com/

The cost will be $25 per person. This event is open to members of 7 Potatoes and their friends.

Seating is limited so please call Bistro Taiyo at 250-716-8861 to reserve your spot.

Two Upcoming Events: Art Workshop and Sake Tasting

2010-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Japanese Arts Demonstration in Port Alberni

During the first weeks of June 2010, 2 fantastic artists, Ms. Yoko Sekohira and Ms. Kimie Takee will be visiting Port Alberni from Japan, and will offer interested local people the unique opportunity to experience and learn about traditional Japanese art, for free!

Both women are directors and adjudicators of the Taiheiyo Art club in Tokyo, which is one of the oldest and most renowned art clubs in Japan.

Ms. Sekohira is a well known professional wood block print artist. She has yearly exhibitions throughout Japan. She has also had exhibitions in over 20 countries worldwide. She will demonstrate wood block printing techniques, along with some of her own artwork.

Ms.Takee has mastered the art of traditional Japanese fabric dyeing, and teaches the technique in Japan. On this occasion, she has offered to demonstrate how to create beautiful dye patterns using one of Japan’s most highly valued indigo dyes, called “Aizome”.

Everyone is invited to watch her demonstration and to try it themselves for free. Up to ten individuals may their own unique dyed scarf for the cost of $20. (in Japan, cost in excess of $100)

Date: June 4 (Friday) 2:00-4:30

Place: Echo Center ( Port Alberni)

If you are interested in participating in this event, Please call the Sunshine Club office in Port Alberni 250-720-2505 and sign up. Please indicate whether you just want to watch (free), of if you want to participate in making a scarf ( cost $20).

Please sign up by June 1 if possible so we can confirm details with the guest instructors.

If you have any question ask Ikuko Molander imolander(at)shaw.ca

Also, I would like to have helper if somebody is interested in this program! Please tell Ikuko!

Sake Tasting

Once again, Mr. Masa Shiroki will be coming from Vancouver to share his deep knowledge of the manufacturing, tasting and pairing of Sake.

Check out his website at http://artisansakemaker.com/

The cost will be $25 per person. This event is open to members of 7 Potatoes and their friends.

Seating is limited so please call Bistro Taiyo at (250) 716-8861 to reserve your spot.

Spring Lunch Get Together

2010-04-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

On April 24th we will be getting together and having a curry rice event at the Christ Community Church at 2221 Bowen from 11:30-2.

If you would like to join us, please bring your own bowl and a dessert for sharing.

Attendending will cost $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

If you are planning on attending please call Toshi at 250-758-2772 or email her at toshiis [at] hotmail.com before April 21st. Anyone who is willing and able to help prepare and clean up can also contact her there.

In addition, we are again planning on having a sake tasting event this summer. We are awaiting final confirmation, but it is planned to be held on Sunday July 18 at 12pm. Masa Shiroki (from www.artisansakemaker.com) will be coming over from Vancouver with some various tasty kinds of sake for us to taste and learn about. Much the same as last year. This year however, it will be held at Bistro Taiyo and will cost $25. The event will be for 7 Potatoes members and friends only, so this should be a very special event.

UMINARI TAIKO 2010 Classes & Workshops

2010-02-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Below is this year's schedule of upcoming and recent Uminari Taiko classes & workshops

held at Eurostudios, 3rd floor, 1821 Cook St. (and North Park St.)

NEW! Taiko Workshops to Share

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
Feb. 14, 2010

DRUM UP SOME ROMANCE!

Cost: $80 couple
(pay by Feb. 7, 2010)
Gift Certificates available!

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
May 9, 2010

TAIKO FOR MOM AND THE KIDS

Cost: Mom+child - $49

VNCS Member - $45

Additional Child - $15 per child
(pay by May 2, 2010)

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
June 20, 2010

TAIKO FOR DAD AND THE KIDS

Cost Dad+child - $49

VNCS Member - $45

Additional Child - $15 per child
(pay by June 13, 2010)

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Cost is $15 per participant. Location is at Eurostudios, 3rd floor, 1821 Cook St.(and North Park St.).

To register please contact us at info@uminaritaiko.com.

3 hour Beginner's Workshop

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
Feb. 7, 2010

Cost:
Regular - $49
Early Bird (pay by Jan. 24, 2010) - $45
VNCS Member - $45

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
Oct. 3, 2010

TAIKO FUN FOR FALL

Cost: Adult - $49 per adult

VNCS Member - $45 per adult

(pay by Sept. 26, 2010)

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Date:
2:30-5:30pm
Sunday
Oct. 31, 2010

Cost:
Regular - $49
Early Bird (pay by Oct. 24, 2010) - $45
VNCS Member - $45

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

6 week Taiko Class

Date:
2:15-3:45pm
Sunday
Feb.21 - Mar. 28, 2010

Cost:
Regular - $89
Early Bird (pay by Feb. 14/2009) - $79
VNCS Member - $79

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

Date:
2:15-3:45pm
Sunday
Aug. 22 – Sept. 26, 2010

50 OR BETTER: OBA-DAIKO

Cost: Regular - $89
Early Bird (pay by Aug. 22/2010) - $79
VNCS Member - $79

To Register:
(Next Page

Description:
(Below)

NEW! Taiko Workshops to Share Description:

In our three-hour taiko workshops to share, you and a friend, partner or family members will learn the basics of taiko stance, sticking and technique through fun games and simple taiko pieces. These shared workshops are tremendously fun and are particularly suitable for people with little or no drumming experience. Note: these workshops are not designed as pre-requisites for taking our 6-week class, but simply a way to experience taiko through play.

Beginner's Workshop Description:

In our three-hour introductory workshop you will be shown the basics of taiko stance and technique and will learn a simple taiko piece. The workshop is a tremendously fun and energetic way to experience what it's like to play a taiko drum and is particularly suitable for people with little or no drumming experience. Note: unless you have previous taiko experience, this workshop is a pre-requisite for taking our 6-week class.

Taiko Class Description:

Our 6-week beginners' course is geared to those who wish to take their knowledge of taiko to a higher level. In this course you will focus on learning the proper stance and technique, different taiko rhythms, the use of vocalizations, and the importance of movement in taiko. You will also learn to perform a more advanced taiko song as a member of an ensemble. Note: We require that you take our introductory workshop before trying this course, unless you have previous taiko experience. Oba-daiko is designed for participants 50 years old or better, who would like to try a kinder, gentler style of taiko. The group will work together to learn a taiko song.

In order to keep the student-to-teacher ratio high, we limit the number of participants in both the workshop and the course. Please register early to ensure we have sufficient room. Please note that participation in the workshop does not automatically guarantee space in the course which is limited to a smaller number of participants than the workshop.

To Register:

To register, fill out the appropriate registration form on the next page and mail it, together with your registration fee, to the address listed on the form:

If you need additional information, please contact us at info@uminaritaiko.com

Ms. Deborah Shepherd

Program Coordinator

English Language Centre

University of Victoria

PO Box 3030

Victoria, BC, Canada

V8W 3N6

Phone: 250-721-6185

Fax: 250-721-8774

Email: debshep@uvic.ca

http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc

New Year's Party

2009-12-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

It's time again for the biggest event of the year, the New Year's Party!

The shinnenkai party will be held on Sunday, January 10th from 11am until 2pm at the Bowen Park Complex. As usual, it will be a potluck party, so please bring 1 main course item and 1 dessert OR 2 main course items. The 7 Potatoes society will also be providing tuna sashimi.

Entertainment this year will be Uminari Taiko, who were so well received when they played for us last year that we were pleased to hire them again.
We will also be making mochi the old fashioned way. For those who are interested in making it the modern way at home, there will be a silent auction for a mochi making machine. Attendees are also encouraged to bring items to contribute as prizes for our annual raffle.

This is also the time when it is easiest to join the society or renew your membership for 2010.
Fees are as follows:

Family: $20
Senior Couple: $15
Individual: $10

We are also proud to announce that our President, Eiko Eby and her husband John, had the great pleasure of meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan on July 11th, 2009

at Government House in Victoria. The royal couple was on a Canadian tour to celebrate the 80 years of Japan Canada relations and their 50th wedding anniversary. A total of 29 people from BC and the Yukon were invited. The Eby's felt the royal couple were very warm and sincere as they had the opportunity to speak to each of them.

Temaki Sushi Night

2009-10-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

Temaki Sushi Night

Sushi will be the theme of this years fall potluck which will be held at on Saturday November 21^st at Christ Community Church starting at 5pm.

Temaki, the way of making small rolled sushi with just the hands, is sometimes served at home in the informal manner where everyone can put them together themselves as they eat. This gives diners the opportunity to choose from the variety of fillings that are at the table that will suit their individual tastes.

The 7 potatoes society will provide sushi rice, nori, wasabi, ginger and soy sauce.

Attendees will need to bring something to put inside the sushi, and as it is a potluck please bring enough to share with others.

For example:

Fish/Shellfish that is cooked or raw such as unagi, salmon, tuna, scallops, shrimp/prawns etc.
Cucumber
Tamago yaki (Japanese omelet.)
Japanese mayonnaise
Kampyo (cooked gourd)
Negi or thinly sliced green onions
Whatever sounds good to you

We’d also like to announce that the New Year’s Party will be held Jan10th, 2010, 11:00am to 3:00 pm at Bowen Park Auditorium.

Stories of the Internment Conference

2009-07-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sept. 25th 5pm ‐ 9 pm, 26th 9am ‐ 9pm, 27th 9am ‐12pm

A conference is being planned to pay tribute to the lives of Japanese Canadians who experienced racism, alienation, betrayal, restrictions, uprooting and loss during and after WWII. The conference will acknowledge the resilience and perseverance shown by the Japanese Canadians who not only endured but also prospered after the war.

The purpose of this conference is to hear the stories of survivors, learn from these experiences and support families in preserving these stories for future generations. This group will provide information and updates on the conference ‐ and also will provide a forum so that we can start the process of sharing stories in the form of words, photos, and videos.See old friends or reconnect with family and reminisce about your experiences from before, during and after the internment period.

Please know that your stories are important to us and for the following generations.

Refreshments, and lunch and dinner on Saturday will be provided.

Revised fees are:

Regular: $60

Students and Seniors to age 76: $20

Seniors 77 and up: FREE

For registration information please call the JCCA office at 604.777.5222 and leave your name and number or email the Human Rights Committee at gvjcca@shaw.ca

If you have Facebook, click on Facebook group: Honouring Our People ‐ Stories of the Internment

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=70283773607&ref=ts

Or on the web at

http://jccabulletin-geppo.ca/human-rights-committee/september-gathering/

Wanted: Information on Old Japanese Gardens in Canada

2009-06-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

We recently received the following request for information relating to Japanese Gardens, perhaps some of our members can help them out?

Here is the link for the official website of our organisation: www.transnational.org.uk , where you can find not only general information concerning the various projects that we have been doing, but also the info on the current project Forgotten Japonisme.

Jim, what we are interested at the moment is any information (photographs, texts such as books, articles, etc.) on Japanese or Japanese-style gardens in Canada. It does not matter if they still exist or not, it does not matter how big they are or whether they have been altered since their creation. What DOES matter is that they were created, reconstructed or expanded, etc. between 1918 and 1964.

Thank you very much again and feel free to pass my e-mail address on to the relevant people.

Sake Tasting April 25th

2009-04-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the last post we have been working to put together a social event that will be centered around the activity of Sake tasting.

All signs are go for having the event on Saturday April 25th from 4 - 7 pm. Mr. Shiroki, who is a sake expert living in Vancouver, will be making a trip to Nanaimo to share his expertise with those who are interested. There will be a variety of kinds of sake to taste, enjoy and learn about. There will also be some snacks served.

The cost is $30 per person and seating is limited to 20 people. Priority will be given to members of 7 Potatoes, so until April 18th, ONLY MEMBERS of 7 Potatoes will be permitted to sign up. After that, any seats left over will be available to non-members.

If you are interested call Toshi at 758-2772. If you have friends that would be interested in attending, it is recommended that you let Toshi know so that they can be put on the list for seats that will be opened after April 18th.

Those who have signed up and paid will be told the location of the event, which will be at a private residence. Attendees are asked to bring three wine glasses or sake glasses each so that they will be able to participate in tasting various kinds of sake side by side.

Family Potluck March 7th

2009-02-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

This year's next event for the Japanese Cultural Society known as 7 potatoes will be taking place on March 7th. We're having a family oriented potluck lunch so please bring the little ones, the big ones, yourself and some nice food to share. Seasonal Japanese fare is appreciated but not required.

The location will be at the Christ Community Church at 2221 Bowen Rd. and will start at 12pm and end at 3pm.

In other news we are currently working on putting together a sake tasting night where a sake expert would be coming to visit and sharing his knowledge with those of us who are interested. It is tentatively going to be held in late April but no plans are set yet as this project is still in its early stages of planning.

See you on the 7th!

Winter Newsletter 2008/09

2008-12-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

New Year's Party 2009, January 11th

Yes, it's winter already and it's time to start thinking about the shinnenkai (new year's party), and it looks like it's gearing up to be a good one.

As in previous years, it will be held at the Bowen Park complex. The date and time is January 11th from 11am until 2pm.

Please bring some dishes that are new year's themed for the potluck. That is, one main course and a dessert or 2 main courses. However, anyone who could bring additional main dishes for our entertainment guests would be greatly appreciated. More information below.

And of course, new year’s is when we take care of memberships and fees:

Family: $20
Senior Couple: $15
Individual: $10

As they say on TV: "But wait... there's more!" as there is more to the years biggest event than just eating!

There will be a Taiko (Japanese drumming) performance by Victoria's Taiko group "Uminari Taiko". Should be quite the show! You can visit their website by clicking here.

Also this year we have a special Guest: Dr. Henry Shimizu will be there to promote his new book:

"Images of Internment"

"In 1999, Dr. Shimizu created a series of oil paintings based
on his life in New Denver. As a teenager, he lived with his
family in the internment camp at New Denver from 1942 to
1946. Each of these 27 pictures are reproduced on a full
page, with a story on the facing page.
The book is 68 pages with a glossy soft cover, $22.95"

Dr. Shimizu will be there to answer questions and presumably sign copies of his already successful book.

You can learn a lot more about him and his work by clicking here. there are interviews in both text and video and a brief bio as well.

So, until January 11th... yoi otoshio!