What is Nippon Club of the Triangle?
The Nippon Club of the Triangle was founded in 1990 as a nonprofit organization committed to providing intercultural programs and activities in the Triangle region (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) of North Carolina.
The Club’s major goal is to foster deeper cultural understandings between Japanese and Americans. To achieve this goal, the Club promotes US-Japan cultural exchange and conducts local service activities. The Club also aims to provide practical information for Japanese who live in this area. The Nippon Club warmly welcomes everyone, Japanese and non-Japanese, who support its goal.
To further promote this goal, the Club supports “Triangle Taiko” (Japanese Drumming Group), “Triangle Chanoyu Club” (traditional Japanese Tea club), “Triangle Choir Club” and Riichi Mahjong (Japanese variant of the Mahjong tile-based game) under its umbrella. Please visit the Culture Clubs webpage for more information.
Mission Statement
To foster, celebrate, and share Japanese culture with the Triangle Community through events.
Activities
Participate in International Festivals and other international events to introduce Japanese Culture, such as Taiko, Chanoyu, Origami, and Japanese cuisine. Please visit our Events and Programs webpage.
- Support schools and communities in the learning of Japan culture
- Conduct social events such as picnics, Mochi-tsuki, for Club members and local communities.
- Distribute announcements of local events and practical information about life in Triangle through E-mails
- Collaborate in cultural events with Japan-related organizations such as Japan American Society of North Carolina (JASNC), NC Japan Center and the Japanese Language School
- Participate in other activities that foster understandings between Japanese and Americans
Organization
The Club’s organization consists of a Board of Directors and Administrative Committee, that are formed by all volunteers. Club activities are planned by the Board, the Committee, and other members who are interested. The Club welcomes the direct participation of as many members as possible in the administration of its activities. To become a member, please visit the Membership webpage
The Directors meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month. An annual meeting is held once a year to elect new board members, review financials and budget, review club events and discuss future goals.
Current Board of Directors
Rocky Iwashima
Rocky (Tsuguyoshi) is retired from IBM Japan and his own consulting company. He and his wife founded Triangle Taiko in 2002 and they continue to introduce Japanese culture to the Triangle area.
Yoshiko Iwashima
Yoko moved to Raleigh in 1987 from Fujisawa City (where she enjoyed windsurfing) with her husband and four sons. Yoko loves meeting her six grandchildren online. She is a member of the Taiko, Chanoyu, and Bon Odori Culture Club, and enjoys seeing children’s sparkling eyes at school and community events.
Kimberly Sergent
Kimberly moved to Asheville, NC in 2001 and then to the Triangle area in 2005. She joined a local Japanese language group in 2009 which became the gateway to years of volunteering with Triangle Taiko, the Nippon Club, and Animazement. She looks forward to continuing to serve local communities.
