JSGH Newsletter – Jan/Feb 2022

明けましておめでとうございます!  Happy New Year to you all!  2022 promises to be a very interesting year: the year that we finally can get out from underneath the shadow of COVID-19 and begin to embrace the ‘new normal’ that awaits us.  The Omikron surge is subsiding in Connecticut, and while we weren’t able to have our New Years party as planned, the newly elected board and I are very much looking forward to seeing you soon in-person.  

In February we’re going to have two events: a movie discussion group where we’ll be talking about Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば), and an in-person cooking class at the Farmington Public Library.  In March, we’re going to be having a group walk along the Trout Brook Trail in West Hartford, and release a video concert featuring Koto and Flute (Garrett Groesbeck and Noriyo Fukui).  I hope you all get the chance to enjoy these events, and are looking forward to the promising spring that lies ahead of us.  

Peter Watson 

President

Happy New Year everyone!  While we weren’t able to have our New Years party for another year running, we were able to collect some New Years Greetings from two of our local dignitaries: George Boyko and Consul General Ohmori.  Please take a look at the video: https://youtu.be/g557WavRNxs

JSGH Board Election Results

Thank you to everyone who voted in our recent board elections! Congratulations to the new JSGH board: Emma Oshiro, Atsuko Balon, Motoko Hunt, Ai Terada, Hiroe Vestergaard, Garret Groesbeck, and Sachiyo Langlois!   Mas Hongo, Mitsuko Yoo, and Peter Watson were re-elected as Secretary, Treasurer, and President respectively.  We’re all very excited to help make 2022 a great year for JSGH! 

Koto & Flute Video Concert

Coming in March! JSGH will be recording a beautiful music collaboration of Koto and Flute by Garrett Groesbeck and Noriyo Fukui.  Keep an eye on your inbox next month for the video concert premiere! 

Membership Renewal!

Have you renewed your JSGH membership for 2022? Please see our membership information and join/renew the membership or become our sponsor. We accept payment thru Paypal or please mail a check: https://www.jsofgh.org/membership/ 

JSGH Oral History Project

JSGH has an intern from CCSU working with us this Spring semester.  She’ll be starting an Oral History Project, so we can record our members’ experiences in the US and Connecticut.  If you, or a family member might be interested in sharing their story, please let us know at: contact@jsofgh.org

Farmington Public Library: Saturday Feb 26th, 2:30 – 3:30pm                           

We’re partnering with the Farmington Public Library to teach how to make onigiri later this month.  Seats are going fast!!  If you’d like to participate, please register on their website: https://www.farmingtonlibraries.org/events/onigiri-demonstration

Japanese Film Festival Online 2022

February 14th- 27th. The Japan Foundation is sponsoring the Japanese Film Festival, which will be online this month.  Check out some of the most cutting edge Japanese films and documentaries, all from the comfort of home!  For details: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2022/film-lineup/

JSGH Movie Discussion Group

Saturday March 5th, 7pm on Zoom

We’ll be meeting to discuss the Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば）Please watch the film before attending! You can find it streaming on HBO Max, or borrowed from the East Haddam, Guilford, Branford, Old Saybrook, or East Hampton public libraries.  Join us to talk about the movie, Shizuku’s flights of imagination, Seiji’s passion for violin making, and how they navigate life’s challenges.  

Japanese Online Language Classes

We are offering 4 levels of Japanese classes starting this March:

Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 & Beginners Japanese Plus 1

– Each level consists of 7 lessons, once a week from 6-7:30pm

– Registration ends on March 4th (Friday)

– Registration form: https://forms.gle/Jhh4cPs55kedT2pU6 

JSGH West Hartford Walk

Sunday March 27th,  1:30pm, Trout Brook Trail

Meet us at the corner of Boulevard & Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford CT to enjoy a nice walk along Trout Brook near Blue Back Square.  It’ll be a great chance to enjoy each other’s company and early spring after a long and cold winter!

Miyoshi America

Kooma Massage Therapy

Sotaihou/

操体法