Japan America Society of Minnesota The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota November 2014 VOL. 23, No. 11 On October 22 nd , JASM held its bi-monthly JASM Professional Group at Zen Box Izakaya in downtown Minneapolis. The committee members, Ryan Polzin, Elizabeth Fehrmann, and Rio Saito organized this amazing event, which drew such a wonderful turnout that there weren’t enough chairs! People mingled and told stories about their ties to Minnesota and Japan while eating delicious Japanese food at happy hour prices. This casual mixer is a great networking opportunity that fosters many friendships and builds connections. If you were unable to attend this month’s JASM Professional Group, please join us for our next gathering on November 22 nd at Saji-Ya in St. Paul! It promises to be just as fun! JASM Professional Group Builds Connections Career Day Prepares Future Japan Experts Join us for the 5 th annual Japan Career Day hosted by JASM in cooperation with the JET Alumni Association Minnesota! This event will take place in conjunction with a JASM Professional Group meeting following the career workshop. Be sure to bring your resume for critiquing (first come, first served) and your business cards! You can attend one or both of these events. Career Day When: Saturday, November 22 nd , 2014 Time: 2:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. Where: Macalester College, Kagin Commons, Alexander Hill Ballroom 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: $8; Non -members: $10 JASM Professional Group Meeting Time: From 5:30p.m. Where: Saji-Ya Restaurant, 695 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: Free; Non -members: $5 The JASM 17 th Annual Mondale Award Scholarship Dinner and Gala was held on Saturday, November 1 st under a beautiful autumn sky at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minnesota. This year’s event served as an occasion to celebrate the arts of Japan and pay tribute to the memory of the late Joan Mondale, who had passed away earlier this year, and who had been a strong champion of the arts of Japan. The attendance of over 180 guests, some wearing colorful kimonos, greeted one another as the reception began with the rhythmic sounds of koto provided by the Sakurakai Koto group. This year the Mondale Award for Japan- Minnesota Partnership was awarded to Warren MacKenzie, the revered master of pottery whose ceramic works have touched the lives of many around the world. The Mondale Award was presented by Honorary Consul General Mirja Hanson, who stepped in for the Honorable Walter Mondale, as he was called away to serve the intense election campaign in Northern Minnesota. In his place, William Mondale, the second son of Joan and Walter Mondale, introduced the keynote speaker Matthew Welch, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Asian Department at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. - Continued on Page 3 - Mondale Gala Shines as Tribute to Culture and the Arts Warren MacKenzie making his acceptance speech Emily Galusha gave the tribute to Joan Mondale
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Japan America Society of Minnesota
The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota
November 2014 VOL. 23, No. 11
On October 22nd, JASM held its bi-monthly JASM Professional Group at Zen Box Izakaya in downtown Minneapolis. The committee members, Ryan
Polzin, Elizabeth Fehrmann, and Rio Saito organized this amazing event, which drew such a wonderful turnout that there weren’t enough chairs! People mingled and told stories about their ties to Minnesota and Japan while eating delicious Japanese food at happy hour prices. This casual mixer is a great networking opportunity that fosters many friendships and builds connections. If you were unable to attend this month’s JASM Professional Group, please join us for our next gathering on November 22nd at Saji-Ya in St. Paul! It promises to be just as fun!
JASM Professional Group Builds Connections Career Day Prepares Future Japan Experts
Join us for the 5th annual Japan Career Day hosted by JASM in cooperation with the JET Alumni Association Minnesota! This event will take place in conjunction with a JASM Professional Group meeting following the career workshop. Be sure to bring your resume for critiquing (first come, first served) and your business cards! You can attend one or both of these events.
Career Day When: Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 Time: 2:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. Where: Macalester College, Kagin Commons, Alexander Hill Ballroom 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: $8; Non-members: $10 JASM Professional Group Meeting Time: From 5:30p.m. Where: Saji-Ya Restaurant, 695 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN Cost: JASM Members: Free; Non-members: $5
The JASM 17th Annual Mondale Award Scholarship Dinner and Gala was held on Saturday, November 1st under a beautiful autumn sky at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minnesota. This year’s event served as an occasion to celebrate the arts of Japan and pay tribute to the memory of the late Joan Mondale, who had passed away earlier this year, and who had been a strong champion of the arts of Japan. The attendance of over 180 guests, some wearing colorful kimonos, greeted one another as
the reception began with the rhythmic sounds of koto provided by the Sakurakai Koto group. This year the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership was awarded to Warren MacKenzie, the revered master of pottery whose ceramic works have touched the lives of many around the world. The Mondale Award was presented by Honorary Consul General Mirja Hanson, who stepped in for the Honorable Walter Mondale, as he was called away to serve the intense election campaign in Northern Minnesota. In his place, William Mondale, the second son of Joan and Walter Mondale, introduced the keynote speaker Matthew Welch, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Asian Department at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. - Continued on Page 3 -
Mondale Gala Shines as Tribute to Culture and the Arts
Warren MacKenzie making his acceptance speech
Emily Galusha gave the tribute to Joan Mondale
Membership News
Thanks to the following New JASM Members:
Justin Brunette, Charles Daoheuang, Akihiko Ito, Youngki Kim, Youngsun Kim, Yuusuke Nozaki,
Mark Roberts, Karen Sandness
Thanks to the following Renewing JASM Members:
Yuko Miyamoto, David Mixon
Thanks to the following Renewing Corporate Members:
Winona State University
Thanks to the following New Corporate Member:
Jet Edge, Inc.
When I assumed the role of JASM President two years ago, I implemented a regular program to “Learn from Former JASM Presidents.” Following our bi-monthly JASM Executive Committee board meetings, we invite a former JASM President to share their insight, challenges and experience when they led the
organization. The Executive board is made up of the JASM President, Vice President, Treasurer and the Executive Director. The Executive Board meetings set the strategic direction of JASM as we do our best to serve the needs of our membership. The meetings with former JASM Presidents helped us understand the history and role of JASM as our organization continues to evolve and grow. One thread that ran throughout JASM history is the commitment and passion to support our mission of supporting and enhancing the relationship between Japan and Minnesota. Our meeting with former JASM President Mr. Takuzo Ishida highlighted the need to have programs that cater to our expanding Japanese expat community. Thus far we have held three “Nichibei” Japanese language programs covering a wide range of topics of interest. Former JASM President Ken Port shared his experiences about leading the organization at a time when the Twin Cities business community was entirely focused on China. Thanks to Ken’s firm leadership, JASM went from serious discussions of shuttering the organization during the depths of the financial crisis hit to solid footing as “Friends of JASM” stepped in to support the organization with generous individual donations to keep the organization afloat and moving forward. Former President Bill Deef reminded us how far we have come as an organization. During his tenure, he helped organize the Mondale Dinner Gala fundraiser following Mr. Mondale’s return to Minnesota after successfully completing his service as the US Ambassador to Japan. This year, JASM is celebrating the 17th year of the Mondale Award and Scholarship dinner. As an organization, former JASM Presidents remain supportive, engaged and regularly participate in programs and events. Their leadership and dedication is not forgotten and much appreciated.
Corporate Benefactor Members Daikin Applied Delta Airlines, Inc. Corporate Sustaining Members 3M Company Boston Scientific Corporation Bowman and Brooke, LLP Design Ready Controls, Inc. Dorsey & Whitney, LLP Fredrikson & Byron, PA Gray Plant Mooty Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, PC Hubbard Broadcasting Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd. Jet Egde Inc. Lion Precision Mall of America Medtronic, Inc Naigai Industries U.S.A. Inc. Proto Labs, Inc. St. Jude Medical Taiyo International, Inc. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Corporate Contributing Members Aveda Corporation Briggs and Morgan, P.A. Compart Family Farms Deloitte Tax, LLP Leonard, Street and Deinard Minnesota Orchestra Musicians Satellite Industries Sysco Asian Foods Wilson Learning Worldwide Partners in Service J&K Trading, LLC Kiku Enterprises Origami Restaurant Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar Saint Paul Saints Baseball Club Suishin Restaurant The Voyager Group Tiger Sushi Tomodachi Zen Healing Center
Nonprofit Members Aikido of Minnesota Anime Twin Cities, Inc. BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Concordia Language Villages JETAA Minnesota JETRO Chicago KCC–Japan Education Exchange Macalester College Asian Language & Culture Department Minneapolis Japanese School Minnesota International Center Minnesota Trade Office Mu Performing Arts U of MN Dept. of Asian Languages and Literatures, Japanese Language Program US-China Business Connections
Mondale Gala Recount - Continued from Page 1 -
- Continued from Page 1 - Program Emcee, Ron Leonhardt, introduced the Consul General of Japan at Chicago, the honorable Masaharu Yoshida, who praised the outstanding collection of Japanese art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA). He noted that the recent acquisition of Japanese art from the Clark collection in California has made the MIA one of the finest collections of Japanese art in the U.S. The keynote speaker, Matthew Welch , recounted the history of the MIA, sharing stories of the beginnings of the museum and mentioned that the MIA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015. He enthralled the audience with stories of Minnesota art collectors with deep appreciation of Japanese art have donated their works to the MIA to benefit the community. The silent auction, led by Marc Blehert, was also a great success. There were over 50 items for event-goers to bid on. These items ranged from beautiful Geisha dolls to local restaurant gift certificates. We would like to thank Marc, his team, and all of the various donors for their contributions. JASM is grateful for all of those who attended this event and donated money for the Mondale Scholarship fund. JASM would also like to thank the Mondale family, Matthew Welch, Warren MacKenzie, and all other sponsors for helping to make this event a great success.
Inspired by our past, creating value for the future With deep historical roots in both Japan and the Americas, the Mitsubishi UFG Financial
Group (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial organizations, recognized as a global systemically important financial institution. MUFG is one of the largest foreign banks operating in North America, the company’s primary overseas market, and has been in Latin America for more than 90 years. Our services include corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking, wealth management, investment banking, capital markets, personal and corporate trust, and transaction banking. In the Americas, our corporate banking activities cover territory from Vancouver to Santiago, with 21 offices in eight countries. Our Asian Corporate Banking and U.S. Corporate Banking operations serve clients with regional and global businesses. In addition, we have more than 400 retail banking branches, primarily on the West Coast, operating under the Union Bank brand. Our businesses are highly diversified and wide-ranging, serving industries including automobiles, oil and gas, power and utilities, healthcare, commodity finance, public finance, technology, food and beverage, media/telecom, general industries, financial institutions, and more. We have consistently ranked high in the project finance league tables, reaching #1 status for each of the past several years. MUFG currently is the #6 green bank in the world, based in large part on lending activity in the Americas. One theme runs throughout everything we do — achieving shared success with our clients through the power of teamwork. Understanding our customers’ industries as well as their financing needs enables us to build customized solutions, while operating our business in a responsible, sustainable manner that positions us to serve the next generation as well.
Contributed by Amy Courtright, a representative from MUFG
Corporate Membership Spotlight
An American Potter / Tom Haeg
Tokyo TDC
This October, the Twin Cities had a rare opportunity to view outstanding original pieces from the 2014
Tokyo Type Drector’s Club’s (Tokyo TDC) Exhibition, which recognizes today’s best Japanese and international graphic and typographic design work. Tokyo TDC is one of the most prestigious organizations in the fields of typography and graphic design. Its annual competition is a touchstone for the world’s leading art directors, designers, and typographic masters and it is unique among its peers. For the first time, the
Tokyo TDC exhibition traveled to the US and JASM was there to witness it. On October 15th, a presentation lecture and gallery reception were held at Concordia University Art Center. The auditorium was filled with local graphic designers and artists, all gathered to listen to Ryan Hageman, a graphic designer and founder of Gurafiku, and Jon Forss, a juror of the Tokyo TDC Exhibition 2014. JASM was very fortunate to have Ryan Hageman give us a private tour of the exhibition a day after the lecture. The gallery that was packed with people the night before was available just for us and we had a relaxing tour as Ryan talked about the pieces that were displayed in the gallery. This intimate tour was received very well by the participants and we would like to thank Ryan Hageman and Concordia University for making this happen.
Warren MacKenzie: An American Potter; Lewis, David; Kodansha International, Inc., 1991; 192 pages. [revised text 2nd Edition 2007, photos by Peter Lee, Introduction by Robert Silberman with Afterword] The theme of this year’s JASM’s Mondale Gala on November 1st, 2014 is a celebration of Joan Mondale’s support of local artists influenced by Pacific Rim art designs. One of the finest examples of this genre is Warren MacKenzie, a long-time resident of Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. MacKenzie will be the recipient of the 2014 Mondale Award. Lewis’s An American Potter is part biography, part album and part paean of a local potter influenced by Japanese techniques and culture. It is a delightful, illustrated portrait of a humble man who was fortunate to find solace in his work. He then reflected this humility back onto his work products. MacKenzie was initially drawn, by odd circumstances, to an apprenticeship in England at the studio of the famous British potter, Bernard Leach. By his own admission, Leach traced his ceramic origins to Japan and the famous Japanese potter, Shoji Hamada. MacKenzie would then make several trips to Japan which included frequent visits to Hamada’s studio. Later, MacKenzie displayed Hamada’s work in galleries in the United States. Beyond An American Potter there are invaluable exchanges of letters in the 1960’s between Leach and MacKenzie. These letters are a must read, especially in this day of emails and texts, to gain a keener insight into their collaborations and Japanese influences. MacKenzie was particularly attracted to the Japanese mingei movement. This movement had an egalitarian or populist appeal, was produced inexpensively, showcased indigenous traits and was intended more for consumption than pedestal adoration. More subject d’art and less object d’art. Mingei literally translates ‘hand crafted art of ordinary people’ (think: Norman Rockwell). In Minnesota his style is affectionately referred to as ‘mingei-sota’. Joan, herself a potter, was a very close friend
and a protégé of MacKenzie even before her
husband’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to Japan
in the early 90’s.
- Tom Haeg’s Book Review Continued - Once in Tokyo, she catapulted his career by arranging to have MacKenzie’s work displayed at one of Tokyo’s top art galleries. But, let there be no mistake. MacKenzie adamantly insists he is not a Japanese potter. No, sir. He is proud to be recognized as an American potter who just happened to learn the discipline in his craft by absorbing Japanese attitudes of patience, respect and harmony in his work. Perhaps that is why he may have insisted that the book is titled American Potter, and not Japanese Potter.
-Tom Haeg, JASM Executive Secretary
JASM members observing the exhibit at Concordia University.
Ryan Hageman talking about posters for LaForet, high-end dept. store
A Big Thank You to the Many Sponsors of the Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala
Thank You!
The Japan America Society of Minnesota sincerely appreciates the efforts and contributions of these
individuals and organizations
We would also like to acknowledge the donors for their generous gifts toward the
silent and live auctions and for their generous support to fund the Mondale
Scholarship.
Corporate Sponsors Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Dorsey & Whitney, LLC Fredrikson & Bryon, P.A.
St. Jude Medical, Inc. Daikin Applied, Inc.
Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. Design Ready Controls, Inc.
Taiyo International, Inc. Satellite Industries, Inc.
Medtronic, Inc. 3M Company
Andersen Windows and Doors
Award Committee Mirja Hanson, John Babcock, William Strang Inkie Brons Co-Chairs Elizabeth Brailsford, David Smith Cuisine Tomoko Drake Emcee Ron Leonhardt Invitation & Program Shelby Fossell, Amanda Ritchie Ikebana Yoshie Babcock and friends Kimono Dressing Tomoko Silbert, Keiko Martin, Tomoko Stubbings Music Sakura Kai Koto Overall Coordination Ben van Lierop Videographer Jay Corrao Photographer Shelby Fossel Reservations Rio Saito, Amelia Maple, Christina Alongi Scholarship Committee David Smith, Michiko Kato Dressen, Takuzo Ishida, Chuck Chan Silent Auction Marc Blehert, Yuko Miyamoto, Shannon Meyer Richiko Kamata, Rio Saito, Alex Ehret Table Decorations Ikebana Sogetsu Group, Minnetonka Art Center Keiko Martin
For the latest JASM updates, visit our website at www.mn-japan.org, find us on our Facebook (Japan America Society of Minnesota), or follow us on Twitter (@MNJAPAN).
Give to the Max Day 2014
With Thanksgiving coming up, November is an important time to reflect and be thankful for what we have. JASM is grateful for opportunities to host amazing events and programs that strengthen Japan/Minnesota relations, such as the Lantern Lightning Festival, J-Quiz, JASM Professional Group, and Corporate Roundtable, just to name a few. These events run on the generous donations
made by JASM’s members and friends. We would like to encourage the next donation you make to be on November 13th, 2014, on the 6th Annual Give to the Max Day. Give to the Max is held by GiveMN, a fellow nonprofit organization that makes searching for and donating to schools and other nonprofits easy through their website. Give to the Max Day is a 24-hour event where
people are encouraged to donate through GiveMN to any and all organizations that they support. Last year, over 52,000 Minnesotans raised $17.1 million for more than 4,400 nonprofits across the state. This year, GiveMN is hoping to beat that record. In addition to individual donations given by Minnesotans, GiveMN also gives out two Golden Tickets per hour on November 13th, 2014 (for a total of 48 “tickets”). They pull a random drawing from all the donations coming in, and add an addition $1,000 to that donation, wherever it goes. At the end of the day they hold the Super-Sized Golden Ticket drawing, which is worth $10,000. JASM’s goal for Give to the Max Day is $5,000, and we need your help! We’re asking everyone to wear green on November 13th, 2014, to show your support for JASM, and to donate to our nonprofit organization. Please help us reach our goal!
Lantern Lighting Festival, 2011, sponsored in part by JASM
Japanese Speaking Club
The Japanese Speaking Club is an informal meet-ing place for those wishing to practice Japanese. We encourage those just begin-ning the language as well as native speakers to gather at the Espresso Royale Café in Downtown Minneapolis to meet new people, discuss experiences in Japan, or simply to speak Japanese. Come when you can, leave when you must. Date/Time: Every Saturday, any time after 3:00 p.m. Place: Espresso Royale Cafe 1229 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Japan America Society Calendar
Become a JASM Member online! Support our mission and become a
member! 1. Go to mn-japan.org 2. Click on ‘Membership’ at the top 3. Select your membership type and read the
benefits and instructions.
毎月日本語図書館で日本人会の昼食会(Monthly Nihonjin-
kai )を行っています。電話などでお誘い合わせの上、お
友達やお知り合いとご一緒においで下さい。可能の方は
どうぞ料理を1品ご持参願います。ミネソタ州在住の日本
人達で良い事を考え、ご馳走と日本語で楽しい時間を持
ちましょう。
日程:毎月第2月曜日正午より
場所:日本語図書館
(4231 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407)
また、毎週土曜日午後2時からは、日本語図書館のお手伝
いしてくださる方の集まりがあります。是非ご参加くだ
さい。この図書館には、漫画や宗教誌約25000冊や約2500
本のビデオDVDがあり、希望者にはセルフサービスで日
本人会と同じく無料で貸出しています。お問い合わせは
下記までどうぞ。 Yoko Breckenridge Cell phone: (612) 839-0008 E-mail: [email protected] Nihonjin-kai monthly meeting on 2nd Monday, at noon, at 4231 Bloomington Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407
Japan America Society of Minnesota O Membership Application O Change of Address
Tsūshin November 2014 The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a non-profit, non-political association engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and the United States closer together in mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Through programs and interchange, it endeavors to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. Membership in the society is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in furthering its programs. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. (Please report any inaccuracies you find in this publication to [email protected])
Photos from the 17th Annual Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala