Word of the Month: June
June: 揚げ幕 (agemaku) Maku are a vital part of Kabuki production. A number of different kinds of curtains, or maku, are used, including the traveler show curtain (joshiki maku or hiki maku), the drop...
Word of the Month: May
May: 奈落 (naraku) Naraku is the Japanese word for “Hell.” It refers to the area beneath the stage and hanamichi. The revolving stage (called mawari butai) and elevator traps (called seri) made it necessary...
Word of the Month: April
April: すっぽん (suppon) Suppon, meaning “snapping-turtle,” is a word used to describe a stage trap located at the place on the hanamichi called shichisan. It is used for the entrances and exits of ghosts,...
Word of the Month: March
March: 花道 (hanamichi) Hanamichi. The “Flower path” is a raised passageway that joins the stage on the audience’s left and passes straight through the auditorium. This is Kabuki’s most characteristic stage element. It is...
Cooking Class: Gyudon
JASWDC held a cooking class on Friday, February 10th, where attendees learned to make Japan’s favorite comfort food – gyudon (beef served over rice). It was one of our largest cooking classes ever! First...
Japan 360°: Matsukawaya Sweets
On Monday, February 13th, a wagashi master from Matsukawaya Sweets held a tea ceremony-style event at JASWDC. Guests learned about the history of Matsukawaya Sweets, which was founded in Nagoya over 75 years ago....
Setsubun Happy Hour
On Friday, February 3, JASW held a Setsubun Happy Hour in conjunction with the Washington Nomikai Group! The office was transformed into a bar with kirin beer, sake, and delicious Japanese snacks. Guests gathered...
Word of the Month: February
February: Yago たまや～ かぎや～ Yago.”Shop name.” Kabuki actors of the early Edo period were considered too lowly to be allowed surnames. Many, therefore, used a name derived from a sideline business in which they...
Azusa’s Dance Exercise Class
On Friday, January 27th, Azusa Hashizume, rookie cheerleader for the Redskins, taught her first class here at JASWDC. Azusa led the class in a series of exercises to the beat of music. Azusa’s class...
New Year’s Greeting from JASWDC
On behalf of the Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) and its Board of Trustees, I would like congratulate the Sakura Shimbun on their 10 years in the Washington DC community, and offer a...
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