News Letter Vol 10, No4 Aug/2000

Vol. 10 , No.5 Nov/Dec 2000

Club News

International Festival

Chairman of 2000 Festival Committee
Hidetoshi Shoji

The 15th International Festival was held Friday, October 6, through Sunday, October 8, 2000 at the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center. Many countries were represented with a wide range of foods and art offerings. The Nippon Club offered the following activities:

(1) Sidewalk Cafe

This year, we sold “Yaki-soba,” “Maki-Sushi,” “Inari-Sushi,” and “Mugi-Cha” as we did last year. Due to the increasing number of attendance for the International Festival itself, we sold out of the stocked “Yaki-soba” during Saturday evening. In haste, we got the additional 30lb stock of “Yaki-soba” on Sunday morning, but that was only a drop in the bucket. We sold out by 3:00pm on that day. Thank you very much to “Toyo Shokuhin” for preparing the materials...etc., and to the volunteers in charge of cooking and selling. Let me tell you further that the income from “Sidewalk Cafe” and “Buzzar” in the International Festival will be donated to Japanese Language School and other organizations. Now the member of the Nippon Club committee are concentrating their energy and efforts towards putting it to good use.( by Takaaki Yamada)

2) International Bazaar

This year we sold origami goods, many small Japanese toys, yo-yos (water balloons with rubber bands attached), etc. There were 4 people working to make all the yo-yos to try and keep up with the high demand from children. However, all 1,000 were sold out by the second day. The origami shapes included roses, lilies, butterflies, greeting cards, and pinata-type shapes. As with the past few years, origami continues to rise in popularity, and almost all of the products were sold out. We would like to thank all who gave numerous hours of their time in order to make the festival a success, especially those who occasionally took extra showers throughout the day as the yo-yos burst! (by Hironori Nishie)

(3) Cultural Exhibit

This was the 3rd year of our origami class. We were excited to see that the popularity ranged throughout all age groups, as the booth was constantly crowded. In fact, there was so much interest in the class that the crowd surrounded around the exhibit, and overflowed into the Bazaar area! As people finished their origami, their faces lighted up with huge smiles. It seems as though origami may even be more popular than anime. The surprise of interest was overwhelming for the Japanese working there. We would like to thank all who worked hard and volunteered their time and efforts to bring smiles to the faces of so many.

4) Main Stage

This was the 10th year of performing as “Japan” for the International Festival Center Stage. Adult volunteers performed 3 dances. The Triangle area group of adults performed the dance “Sakura,” which means “cherry blossom.” The Okinawa group came from the Jacksonville and Fayetteville area performed “Nuchibana” with a okinawa's traditional kimono and instruments which call “Yotsudake”. The final dance was performed by the group Hana-Oogi and was called “Heisei Fureai Ondo,” which is “The friendship dance.” Children performances were filled with beautiful, colorful
summer kimonos. The dance called “Hana gasa”.

Successful International Festival

November2000 Vol. 12 Was performed by the group Hana-Oogi and was called “Heisei Fureai Ondo,” which is “The New
Friendship dance.” Children performances were filled With beautiful, colorful summer kimonos. The dance called “Hanagasa Ondo,” which stands for “Flower hats” was warmly received by the audience. The flower hats the children used added to the beauty and enjoyment of their dance. The audience showed great enthusiasm and were very impressed with the children. We would like to thank all who were involved and say that we greatly appreciate the support received at the festival. If you are interested in becoming a part of the festival dances for “Japan” in the future, please contact Ms. Eiko Goti at: (919) 787-0719 (Work) or (919) 463-0052 (Home).

All activities described above were well accepted a high popularity during the festival.
The International Festival is one of the largest events undertaken by the Nippon Club, and we must thank the committee members for their meticulous planning, as well as the individuals and groups who volunteered countless hours of their time. Special to the volunteers from Broughton High School, Enlow High School, and the Japanese American companies. The even could not have succeeded without all of your help more enjoyable and successful. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed. Please contact the Nippon Club.

Adopt-A-Highway

The Fall Clean-up for the Adopt-A-Highway program will take place on Saturday morning, December 9, 2000 at 9:30am. Nippon Club is inviting friends and family and co-workers to join in this project; many hands make light work for all. Expect to spend about 1.5-2.0 hours on the event. Nippon Club will supply the bright orange bags; you wear the comfortable shoes and clothes with gloves. Please plan to meet at Eatman's carpets near US Highway 70, and Glenwood Ave., which is the Nippon Club's stretch of roadway. Call Japan Center if you have any questions: 515-3450. We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 9th for thisworthwhile community project!.

Community News

Local College Student from Japan Does Cultural Exchange

NCSU college student, Naho Nishida met with some local 7 & ( year olds in a local elementary school recently. She used some Japanese items loaned to her by the North Carolina Japan Center. They explored the charms of Origami. Ms. Nishida says the children enjoyed the cultural exchange. We are very fortunate to live in an area that offers cultural diversity.

First Thursday Club/ Hatsumoku-Kai

IKEBANA December 7th topic

The First Thursday Club/ Hatsumoku-Kai will meet Dec. 7th at 6:30pm at NC Japan Center. Japan Center is located at 5 Rosemary St., Raleigh, NC. Please note the starting time is 6:30pm; this is a little later than the usual start time.

Also, there will be no January Hatsumoku-Kai due to the New Year holiday. The January newsletter will announce the February speaker.December's speaker will feature Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging. Ms. Itsumi Ikko Yamamoto, of the Sogetsu Teachers' Association and the Sogetsu Overseas Teachers' Association, has more than twenty years experience as a student of the art and more than ten years of being a teacher of the artform. She shared her knowledge at local area gatherings, the most recent being the International Festival just held in October. Ms.Yamamoto has taken part in exhibitions in both Japan and the United States.

Return of "First Thursday"/ Hatsumoku-Kai

We are pleased to announce the return of Hatsumoku-Kai, or "First Thursday" Club at North Carolina Japan Center. The first speaker of the season will be Mr. James Alchediak, of North Carolina State University's Department
of Communications. His topic is entitled: "Video Taping Japan: Recording Scenes From Classical & Contemporary Japan". The location for Hatsumoku-Kai is Japan Center,

5 Rosemary St. in Raleigh. Phone # 515-3450; Mr. Alchediak's program will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The "First Thursday" Club meets the first Thursday of each month at NC Japan Center from 5:30-6:30; admission is free and open to all.

Upcoming Events

2001 will be an exciting year! Some of the upcoming events we look forward to enjoying will be a partnering with Exploris Museum(New museum in Raleigh downtown) in a cultural exchange event with Nippon Club. Also,We are already working hard to arrange an exciting offer for the 2001 International Festival by contacting Okinawa Taiko Drums as part of the entertainment. Rotary International will be making its visit to Japan in 2001.

ANIMAZEMENT is coming in May 25-27, 2001

If you are interested in signing up to attend this event, please contact their website: http://www.animazement.org

The Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center will be the location.
Phone: (919) 941-5050; Fax: (919) 941-2958, or visit http://www.sheratonrtp.com

The rates for attending ANIMAZEMENT are as follows:
12/16/2000-03/01/2001 $40
03/02/2001-05/01/2001 $45

At the door price will be decided by convention time. Save money and buy your tickets early.
Mail checks to: ANIMAZEMENT PO Box 1383 Cary, NC 27512-1383

Driver's Handbook

The Japan Center now has a free Japanese version of the Driver's Handbook available. If you are interested in taking a look at it, please feel free to stop by the Japan Center and ask for a personal copy. If you have questions, call the Japan Center at: 515-3450.

Coming 2001 Elections

We have the elections for the new Japan Club P resident, Board Members, and Committee members on January 2001. We will meet and talk about 2001 Japan club at the Japan Center on December 16th at 2pm. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Japan Club committee or board, or if you know of someone to recommend, please feel free to contact the Japan Club. We welcome all who are interested and hope to hear from you soon at: NC Japan Center; NC State University; Box 8112; Raleigh, NC 27695-8112; or email us at: nippon_club@geocities.co.jp

Community Service: Classifieds/Trading Post

Classifieds/Trading Post

For Sale: 1996 Chrysler Voyager SE minivan, V6
3.0L engine, $8,800, 44K miles, good condition,
Forest Green, dual airbags, fully equipped, including
power windows, roof rack. Tires & brakes were
changed this spring. New battery.
(919) 466-0418 or tiseki@suntory.com

Note: YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK BASIS.
You agree that NIPPON CLUB shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort
incurred as the result of any such dealings on the Service.

Editor's Corner

In the coming year, the Japan Club is interested in becoming involved in more social activities.
Our current ideas include activities such as: Sushi Club, Movie Club, Sports Club, etc. If you have any ideas that you would like to share with us, please feel free. We welcome your suggestions, as this is a way for us to further grow together in friendship. Please contact the Japan Club for further information or to share with us your ideas at: NC Japan Center NC State University Box 8112 Raleigh, NC 27695-8112 Or: nippon_club@geocities.co.jp

nippon_club@geocities.co.jp