Keisho Center 継承センター

お邪魔いたします！現在唐紅クラスのTAを務めさせていただいている二鼓（にこ）と申します。私が現在通っておりますジョージ・ワシントン大学にて、4月4日に第9回目のJapanFestを開催いたしますので、この場をお借りしてご案内させていただきます。

JapanFestは宮島校長先生のTokiya Japanを含めたDMV地域のアーティストやべンダーをキャンパスにお招きし、日本文化とDMVにおける日本人コミュニティを祝うイベントでございます。ベンダーの方々を含め、当日は継承センターでボランティアをなさっているニックさんの漫才や沖縄会の太鼓、Koto Societyのパフォーマンスなども予定されております。チケットにつきましては、Eventbriteのリンクよりご覧いただけます。お時間がございましたら、ぜひお立ち寄りください。お時間をいただき、誠にありがとうございました！

Hello everybody! My name is Niko, and I am a TA currently for the Karakurenai class. I am popping in today to advertise JapanFest, an annual celebration of Japanese culture, community and creativity in the DMV area, hosted by my school, George Washington University.

🎋Guests can experience live koto music with the GW Koto Society, taiko drumming with Okinawa Kai, cultural activities like calligraphy, a kendama booth hosted by Study Japanese in Arlington, and opportunities to learn and play Go with the National Go Club. Visitors can also try on a kimono with Tokiya, a kimono and Japanese arts business from Gifu Prefecture, and explore local Japanese DMV artists, craftspeople, and a thrift pop-up.

🍱 Enjoy festival foods like takoyaki, kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), make-your-own onigiri (rice balls), and matcha and hojicha lattes. Bento meals will be catered by Harmonious Kitchen, which also prepares custom bentos for Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

🌟 Ticket Options
Matsuri Grand Bento — $20: Includes entry and a full bento meal with your choice of tea or water
Matsuri Festival Plate — $15: Includes entry and 5 pieces of takoyaki and 2 onigiri with tea or water
Yatai Snack Pass — $10: Includes entry and your choice of 5 pieces of takoyaki or 2 onigiri
General Admission — $5: Includes entry to the festival, performances, cultural activities, and vendor area.

Ticket costs help cover catering and fairly compensate performers and cultural service providers, including kimono dressing and other experiences. They can be purchased through the eventbrite, linked below. Thank you for your time!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/japanfest-sakura-matsuri-japanese-festival-tickets-1984658366600?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Keisho Center will not have a tent at this year’s Sakura Matsuri however, we will still have a singing performance on Saturday, April 11th. See you then! 🌸🎙️

If you’re looking to get involved in volunteering at the festival, there are still other options available. Please see the message below from the Tachinomi Pavilion.

“Calling all Keisho parents!

The Tachinomi Pavilion at the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC’s Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is looking for friendly volunteers to help bring this special space to life. The Tachinomi Pavilion offers festival guests the chance to learn about and enjoy Japanese sake and other spirits, such as whiskey, beer, and shochu, in a lively, welcoming setting.

As you already know, Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival will take place on April 11–12 in downtown Washington, DC. Volunteer roles include greeting guests, checking tickets, assisting exhibitors, and helping the pavilion run smoothly. Shifts are approximately four hours or more, with flexible options throughout the day.

This is a wonderful way to support Japanese culture in our community and connect with other people excited about in Japanese spirits. If you’re interested, please visit www.sakuramatsuri.org/volunteer to sign up and select the Tachinomi Pavilion, and put my name in the comments – Marc Hitzig. We’d love to have you join us, and what a great way to share your love of Japan with people who want to learn more about the country.

More information about Tachinomi Pavilion - https://sakuramatsuri.org/izakaya/

Best regards,

Tachinomi Pavilion Chair

Marc Hitzig”

Tachinomi - Irashaimase, Welcome! The Tachinomi Pavilion is returning to the 2026 Sakura Matsuri, and in an even bigger format! The pavilion operates as a timed-ticketed "mini sake festival," meaning access is separate from general Matsuri admission and is organized into specific time slots to manage crowd flow...

Please consider joining the Japanese-English Toastmaster (JET) Club in D.C.'s Open House on Tuesday, March 10.

This is a great organization that gives people a chance to practice public speaking in Japanese and English.

RSVP: https://forms.gle/SjyVA7RWufYx6csK8

Please consider joining the Japanese-English Toastmaster Club in D.C.'s holiday potluck party on Tuesday, Dec 16. This is a great organization that gives people a chance to practice public speaking in Japanese and English.

Come join us for the Holiday Party on Dec 16th!

RSPV from here: https://forms.gle/X3qRUT28sr3iXm9y7

Join us for a webinar featuring professionals who have built exciting careers while living and working in Japan. The event is co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC), in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ).

Hear directly from speakers about their experiences, career paths, and the skills that are valued in today’s Japanese job market.

This is a great opportunity to learn about internships, bilingual job opportunities, and practical steps you can take toward a future in the Japan-sphere.

Featured Speakers:

Moderator: Shanti Shoji – Kizuna Across Cultures

Ginger Griggs – ACCJ | Excellence at Work

Kango Nakatake – ACCJ | en world Japan K.K.

Michael Omoto – Google / ACCJ

Christopher Campbell – Sumitomo Corporation

Mario J. DePeine – Certified Cicerone® (“Beer Sommelier”)

The webinar will be on Zoom on:

Friday, December 12, 2025, at 8:00–9:30 PM ET

Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00–11:30 AM JST

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pnPB6isdSeSKyzpUHznAGw #/registration

The US JET Alumni Association (USJETAA) is hosting an online panel discussion on exploring pathways into Japanese language education at 7 PM on December 9.

For more information and to register, visit https://usjetaa.wildapricot.org/event-6396054.

Searchlight Pictures has generously invited the Keisho Center community to join them for a special screening of a wonderful new film, RENTAL FAMILY, starring Brendan Fraser.

Set in modern-day Tokyo, RENTAL FAMILY follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection

This special screening is set for Wednesday, November 19 at Regal Majestic in Silver Spring, MD, and will include fun activities including a photo op, origami station, and the chance to win giveaways.

SCREENING DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Activities Start: 6:00pm
Screening: 7:00pm
Location: Regal Majestic | 900 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910

You must RSVP for admission passes. Link to redeem: https://forms.gle/XWSWouvSnMbyLG5LA

*Please note: As a free event, all screenings will be slightly overbooked. General admission entry is first-come first-serve and guests are recommended to arrive early.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16iGJKyREB/

Family understands each other. RENTAL FAMILY is only in theaters November 21st. Get tickets now. #RentalFamily https://searchlightpictures.com/rental-family

This is an incredible opportunity for teenagers! Ayusa is a long-established provider of quality language and cultural programming in Japan. Check it out!

Summer Camp in Japan 2025 | Ayusa 【Get $500 discount by December 25 th, 2024!】Learn or improve your Japanese and make lifelong friends through an unforgettable 3 weeks in Japan.

The Embassy of Japan in the U.S. will host a webinar about MEXT Scholarship on Monday, November 17th, from 8:00-9:30pm.

Register Today! cd62ec9a-b8cc-4ced-9820-bb147f602771@0dc5e4f8-620f-4f12-8279-913441704e15" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/cd62ec9a-b8cc-4ced-9820-bb147f602771@0dc5e4f8-620f-4f12-8279-913441704e15

Interested in studying abroad to take your Japanese courses? Curious about earning your Master’s or PhD in Japan? The MEXT Scholarship (or Monbukagakusho) is one of the perfect options for those looking to study in Japan.

Provided by the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, this webinar will cover the basics of what the MEXT scholarship is and how to apply.
We also have 3 panelists, all of whom are MEXT Scholarship Alumni, who will speak about their experiences and ways in which the MEXT Scholarship has affected their current careers. Please join us!

Japan Foundation Los Angeles is hosting an online lecture, "Onigiri: A Cultural Encounter" by Dr Gavin H. Whitelaw on Nov 13th at 7 PM (PST).

Keisho Center participate in Onigiri Action every year. It's a wonderful way to learn about Japanese culinary culture!

For more information and to register for the lecture, please go to:

[ONLINE] Onigiri: A Cultural Encounter - Lecture by Dr Gavin H. Whitelaw As a part of the Table For Two USA's 11th annual campaign, Dr Gavin H. Whitelaw, sociocultural anthropologist and Executive Director of Harvard’s Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, will discuss how the onigiri—a staple of Japanese convenience stores (konbini)—reflects the...

This is a great opportunity for those interested in Japanese universities.

11/18(Tue), 11/19(Wed) : Japanese College Fair 2025 FALL (Live Webinar・Free・Pre-Registration Required) Many Japanese universities welcome all students who are currently studying outside of Japan. They offer incentives such

🎶 Looking for a welcoming community where you can sing in both Japanese and English?🎵

The Japanese Choral Society of Washington (JCSW / ワシントンDC日本合唱団) is inviting new members to join!

🌸 Rehearsals: Tuesdays & Thursdays in Rockville, MD
🌸 Performances: Past venues include the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Japanese New Year Celebration Festival (DC), Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Carnegie Hall (NY), Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (VA), and more.
🌸 Community: Several Keisho families are already members. They'd love to see even more join!

Learn more about JCSW and how to get involved on their website: https://jchoral.wixsite.com/jcsw1

https://www.facebook.com/jchoral?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=EY3mfxsSdBMWnGbu&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F19vX2L5uBR%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr #

Japanese Choral Society of Washington The Japanese Choral Society of Washington has been performing in public since 2001 under the musical