GCC Japanese Culture Club

Hello everyone!

Here are some photos from our last meeting on 4/11/25. We talked about Japanese tea ceremonies and even got to try 4 teas as well! We even voted on which one we all liked most and matcha won, though it was a very close race!

Hi everyone!

Our next Japanese Culture Club meeting is this Friday, April 11th from 1:00PM-2:00 PM in LA 101!

We’ll be exploring the beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony (茶道 sadō); a peaceful tradition centered on harmony, respect, and tranquility 🍵✨ After learning a bit about it, we’ll enjoy some tea and mochi together!

We’ll also share info about a fun volunteer opportunity at the Japanese Friendship Garden for Children’s Day 🎏 and tell you about Slamnesty, an event hosted by Bridgette, the president of the Amnesty International Club 🎤🕊️

Bring your friends, sip some tea, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with us!

See you there~
Matcha you soon! 🍵🌸

Japanese Culture Club
Jannel & Stone
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

Yesterday at our club meeting, we took a look at the Japanese arts of calligraphy and sumi-e.

Our members got to practice these art styles by creating their own calligraphy and sumi-e art pieces.

We will be displaying these at our upcoming Japanese Festival at GCC on Tuesday April 1st from 1000am - 1:30pm in the Student Union, Room 104E. Hope to see you there!

Dear Japanese Culture Club Members & Interested Students,

We’re excited to invite you to our next club meeting this Friday, March 21st, from 1:00-2:00 PM in LA 101, where we’ll be exploring the elegant art of Japanese Calligraphy (Shodō) and Ink Painting (Sumie)!

This hands-on session will introduce you to the beauty of traditional Japanese brushwork, where simplicity and precision come together to create stunning expressions of art. No prior experience is necessary, just bring your creativity, and we’ll provide the materials!

But that’s not all! Mark your calendars for our upcoming events:

🎉 04/01 – Japanese Festival at GCC (Student Union, Room 104E, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
Our biggest event of the semester! Join us for a free-entry celebration of Japanese culture featuring:
✅ Kimono Booth – Try on and take photos in a traditional kimono!
✅ Manga Booth – Browse and discuss Japan’s iconic comic culture.
✅ Cosplay Contest – Show off your best cosplay for a chance to win prizes!
✅ And much more! Interactive booths, cultural exhibits, and fun activities await.

🍵 04/11 – Tea Ceremony
Experience the peaceful and meditative beauty of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony while learning its cultural significance. A perfect way to unwind!

🎊 04/25 – Ending Celebration
Join us for a fun-filled event to celebrate a fantastic semester together! Stay tuned for details.

Why You Should Join Us:
✔ Engage in hands-on cultural experiences.
✔ Meet fellow students who love Japanese culture.
✔ Learn something new while having fun!

We welcome all students, no prior knowledge of Japan or the Japanese language is needed. Bring your friends, and let’s enjoy Japanese art together!

See you this Friday at 1:00 PM in LA 101 for Calligraphy & Sumie!

Best,
Jannel Brito & Stone Cogswell
Japanese Culture Club President & Vice President
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

During our last meeting, we took a dive into Traditional Japanese Theater!

During this meeting, we got to create our own kabuki masks. Here are some images of the process from that session.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again on March 21st, where we will be looking into Calligraphy & Sumie!

Our first meeting this semester fell on February 14, so we explored how ❤️Valentine's Day❤️ was celebrated in Japan🇯🇵!

Here are some haiku relating to love that were written during the meeting.

As we prepare for the upcoming festival, we want to ensure that all participants have an enjoyable and safe experience while showcasing their incredible cosplays. Please remember that the festival is a family-friendly event, and all costumes must adhere to our dress code.

The guidelines below are in place to ensure compliance with venue regulations, local laws, and general safety. Failure to follow these rules may result in being asked to modify your outfit or, in extreme cases, removal from the event.

Please review the official cosplay dress code carefully before finalizing your outfit:

DRESS CODE

We admire and respect the hard work that goes into your art, but we also love not getting in trouble with the law, our venue, or angry parents of young attendees. So, regarding what you wear, please follow the rules listed below. Please don’t make us send you home.

* Cosplayers must be able to present reference images of their costumes recreating characters from Japanese anime, manga, games, etc. at any point before the cosplay contest.

Original characters will not be permitted;

However, art book variations and reinterpretations of existing characters (including gijinka) will be allowed with an accompanying reference.

GCC Japanese Festival abides by state laws for nudity and indecent exposure: A.R.S. §13-1402. All costumes and clothing must fall in a PG rating. Apparel should not depict vulgar or offensive images or text. The GCC Japanese Festival is family-oriented.

Coverage—Cosplay and costumes must cover the area of your body that universally acceptable swimwear (bikinis or trunks) would cover in all public situations. Cosplay with open and/or exposed backs is permitted.

Shirts, shoes, and pants/shorts must always be worn. This is both for your safety and by health code restrictions.

Examples of acceptable clothing as long as you are fully covered: are sports bras, muscle shirts, spandex, leggings, etc.

Dance Belts & Underwear—Please cover your bits (including the contours of your bits) to avoid an awkward conversation with our security team. Dance belts, underwear, and n**e body suits are highly recommended for cosplay, especially revealing costumes.

Inappropriate costumes or actions may result in a request from our staff to change aspects of your costume. Failure to do so may violate your credentials and result in removal from the event.

Shoes – Either shoes or adhesive foot coverings must protect the soles of your feet.

Shoes are required to be worn while in the festival space. If you'd like to, you can remove your shoes for photos, but they must be replaced directly after the photo is taken. Moving around any area of the event space without shoes is not permitted.

All attendees must wear proper footwear, and areas where bathing suits are worn must be covered. Any form of nudity is prohibited.


Oversized Cosplay – If you have an exceptionally large costume or cosplay, you must have at least one handler to assist you in navigating the event. These are typically cosplay or costumes that involve wings, large pieces that extend beyond your arm’s reach, parts that are difficult to retract, or pieces that might impair your vision. Think of yourself as a titanic leash child – it’s for your safety too!

If your costume includes any item that covers or partially covers the face, especially if it is not easily removed, a committee member, security guard, or on-site police officer may request your ID and/or additional information upon request. Please be sure to keep your ID on you at all times.

Helmets, masks, and hoods should not severely limit or impair the wearer’s sight ability. If your costume includes an eyeless hood or other face covering, consider bringing a friend as your “handler” and guide you through crowded spaces.

Sharp Edges – No part of your cosplay or costume should be able to cause injury to someone who accidentally runs into you. Ensure all sharp edges and pointy bits have been capped, taped, or appropriately dulled!

Body Paint & Glitter – Is glitter pretty? Yes. Is glitter messy? Also, yes. Is glitter a curse? For the cleanup crew, it most definitely is. Any glitter or glitter spray used on your body, cosplay, or costume must be sealed to prevent incidental transfer or excess shedding.

Bo***ge – No accessories that attach two or more people together, even temporarily, are permitted. This includes but is not limited to: handcuffs, leashes, and ropes.

Official Personnel Uniforms – Cosplay or costumes that intentionally impersonate those of local law enforcement, safety personnel, venue personnel, staff, or security are strictly prohibited.

Things on Wheels – Skateboards, bikes, roller skates, roller blades, and unicycles are allowed in outdoor areas around the venue, but are not permitted at the Festival, this is due to safety reasons. Even if you’re wheeling around outside, you must stop and walk if there is not a clear and open pathway at least 4′ to either side of you.

Roller Skates/Blades or other wheeled items such as skateboards and hoverboards may not be brought, worn, or used at the Festival.

Posing for Photos – If you have an awesome cosplay or costume, you will likely be asked repeatedly for photos and to pose with others for pictures. When you pose for a photo, you MUST move out of the flow of foot traffic. Find an immediate open area to move to, so other attendees can move freely and you can pose safely! If there is no immediate open area, you must move to a position off to the side, preferably against a wall. Blocking hallways or walkways violates the fire safety regulations and nobody wants to deal with an angry fire marshal.

Laws & Regulations – All federal, state, city, and local laws/regulations must be followed in addition to the abovementioned rules. I

Right of Refusal – We reserve the right to refuse or restrict any cosplay or costume for any reason. This means that we may ask you at any time to change out of or put away parts of your cosplay or costume. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s for a good reason!

Failure to comply with this policy could result in your removal from the contest!

📌🗓Club Events this Spring 2025!🌸🇯🇵
We’re excited to invite you to our next Japanese Culture Club meeting March 21st, Friday, from 1:00-2:00 PM in LA 101, where we’ll be diving into Calligraphy & Sumie!

📜✨ In this hands-on session, you'll explore the beauty of shodō (Japanese calligraphy) and sumie (ink painting)—two traditional art forms that capture elegance through brushwork. No experience needed, just bring your creativity!

But that’s not all! Mark your calendars for our upcoming meetings and events:

🎉 04/01 – Japanese Festival at GCC (Student Union, Room 104E, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
Our biggest event of the semester! Join us for an exciting day filled with:
✅ Kimono Booth – Try on beautiful kimono & take stunning photos!
✅ Manga Booth – Immerse yourself in Japan’s vibrant comic culture.
✅ Cosplay Contest – Show off your best cosplay and compete for prizes!
✅ Interactive Cultural Booths – Experience traditional arts, games, and more!

🍵 04/11 – Tea Ceremony
Relax and immerse yourself in the peaceful, meditative beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony while learning about its cultural significance.

🎊 04/25 – Ending Celebration
Celebrate a fantastic semester with a fun gathering! Stay tuned for more details.

Why Join Us?
✔ Meet fellow students who share your passion for Japanese culture.
✔ Engage in fun, hands-on cultural experiences.
✔ No prior experience required, just come and enjoy!

We welcome all GCC students, bring your friends and let's create great memories together!

See you this Friday, March 21st at 1:00 PM in LA 101 for Calligraphy & Sumie! 🎨🖌

Last meeting, we had the wonderful opportunity to explore the Japanese art style of Sumi-e! Thank you to all those who attended and participated!

We can't wait to see everyone at our final meeting and celebration on November 15th!

Thank you to everyone that attended today's meeting where we got to work on some haiku and tanku!!

We hope to see everyone again on November 1st where we will learn about Sumie (Japanese black ink painting)!

We had fun making origami last week!

Our booth at the club fair!

The Matsuri is back! Please join us on Tuesday April 2nd in room 104E to learn more about Japanese culture! Snacks will be provided, we hope to see as many as we can of you there!

Hey guys! Hope you all had an amazing Winter Break and are refreshed and energized to be a part of Spring Semester’s Japanese Culture Club! Below I will attach the club schedule as well as the location, time, and Discord QR code in case you wanted to join our club Discord. Our first meeting will be on Seijin no Hi, the Coming of Age Day, we will introduce members, do origami and learn about the cultural significance of this day! Thank you all who attended the club fair, we hope to see everyone at our first meeting next Friday, 2/16, room LA 101 from 1-2pm!

What does a new semester mean? It means new faces and old faces alike performing the Soran Dance at our Fall Festival! I’m glad our members were able to enjoy this dance and then enjoy tea tasting the following Friday!🍵

For anyone who’s interested, please come to the Arizona Asian Cultural Festival on November 4th and the 5th! Here is the flier if you’re interested :)