Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language & Culture

The Thousand Cranes Project, jointly initiated by Randolph-Macon College and the University of Alaska Anchorage to commemorate two JET participants who lost their lives in the tsunami, Taylor Anderson and Montgomery Dickson, marks its fifth year this year. Once again, we dedicate this collage to Taylor and Monty. Thank you to all who participated in this project.

Tomorrow, March 11, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the passing of Monty (a former student of mine who majored in Japanese at the University of Alaska Anchorage) in the Great East Japan Earthquake. Last October, I visited Rikuzentakata with Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and the delegation to pay tribute to Monty. This photo was taken at the viewpoint atop the seawall overlooking Hirota Bay, which was constructed after the Tsunami.

The delegates are:
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance,
Dave Hemstreet, First Husband and P.E., State Foundation Engineer;
(hereafter, alphabetical order of last name)
Christopher Constant, Chair, Anchorage Assembly;
Annamarie Husa, Constituent Relations Director, Office of Mayor Lafrance;
Austin Mahan. Electrical EIT;
Takako Nanbu, Visit Anchorage Japan;
Alex Wang, Convention & Tourism Sales Manager

8/10/2025: Come out and join us at this Japanese Summer Festival hosted by the Japan Alaska Association (JAA)! Help celebrate our local Japanese community! Enjoy our Yakisoba, Yakisoba Dog, Teriyaki Beef Burger, Hot Dog, Ramune soda, Workshops, performances including Daiko Drums, and kids' games.

4/29/25: The LA Kimono team, which presented the Kimono Show at our JAPAN FES event last year, won the front and back cover and cover story parts of LAMOUR, Paris Fashion Magazine. Congratulations to Kimono Stylist and Photographer Kentaro Terauchi, Kimono Designer Sueko Oshimoto, the team, and Hayden Inman, who modeled for JAPAN FES and LAMOUR. おめでとうございます🎉

4/25/2025 The Tea Ceremony Class led by Tea Instructor Yuki Moore hosted the end-of-the-semester Tea Ceremony at the Japan Center's Monty's Tea Room. It was a beautiful and relaxing moment with a bowl of tea. Thank you, Moore Sensei and the students😊

春2025Tea Ceremony

4/25/2025: The Center will support this Noto Earthquake Recovery Support Event. Thank you, Tomodachi Daiko, for organizing this event!

3/21/2025: The Center co-hosted the second Cyberethics Conference

Today, March 11, marks the 14th anniversary of the 2011 March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami. Monty's memory lives on in me. Here is the One Thousand Origami Crane project we have been collaborating on annually with Randolph Macon College. Together, we honor Montgomery Dickson and Taylor Anderson, who lost their lives during the tsunami in Ishinomiaki.

2025.3.11 One Thousand Origami Cranes 折り紙千羽鶴プロジェクト 14th Year of Remembrance of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami東日本大震災14年：合同折り紙千羽鶴プロジェクトThis year marks the 14th year since two Americans perishe...

It is with deep sadness that we share that one of our longtime Advisory Board members, Dr. Paul Dunscumb, Professor of History at UAA, passed away unexpectedly. In addition to serving on our board, he was also a longtime board member of the Alaska World Affairs Council. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. Paul was larger than life and we will greatly miss him. Rest in Peace, Paul.

The Center supports this Meet the World event hosted by the Anchorage Bridge Builders. It's tomorrow!