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...