Let's play taiko together  with Harisen Daiko via Zoom on Thursday, July 9th at 6 p.m.!

Taiko is a Japanese traditional drum that has a long history. We are lucky to be taught in this webinar by the wonderful instructor from Harisen Daiko, Ms. Julie Schramke. Ms. Schramke will demonstrate taiko and play the song "Raku", which is an open source work composed by Chabo-san of Shidara Taiko. We will learn how to play taiko by following her instructions.

This is a family-friendly event. No prior experience is necessary to participate.

You don't have taiko drum? Don't worry! Bring out your pillow/ cushion and spatulas/wooden spoons, and you will have instant taiko at home. 

Here is a quick introduction given  by Harisen Daiko.

Harisen Daiko is a group in Minnesota and promotes peace, joy, and community through the art of taiko. The instructor will offer unique performances that reflect the creative spirit of our members while honoring the long-standing tradition of taiko.

Julie Schramke is a K-8 general music teacher at Achieve Language Academy, a public charter school in St. Paul.  She also has been on staff at Concordia Language Villages Japanese camp for the past ten summers, teaching taiko to villagers in an immersion setting.

This is a great opportunity to experience and learn taiko. Please sign up today!
We are looking forward to seeing you there.

While this event is free to join, we would greatly appreciate your donation.

Join us for the event Bookbinding: Create your own one-sheet "Magic Book" on Thursday, July 23rd at 6 p.m.!

In this online session, Ms. Sheila Asato will share her art with us and talk about how book arts have allowed her to integrate her experiences of living in Japan, England and the United States. She will also talk about how she has used the arts as a healing force to help others who are having vivid dreams after challenging events such as the great earthquake and tsunami in Japan. 

After her presentation, she will lead us through some simple paperfolding exercises to create our own one-sheet “magic book”. 

Using only a single sheet of paper and scissors, we will learn how to make folded books with multiple pages that are fun and a delight to share with others. If you would like to try this, please have at hand several sheets of printer paper (8.5"×11") and a pair of scissors.

This is a great opportunity not only to learn about book art  but also to create your own "magic book". Please sign up today!

While this event is free to join, we would greatly appreciate your donation.

Ms. Sheila Asato, M.A. is a visual artist deeply influenced by dreams, Japan and the natural world. Her favorite media include drawing, watercolor, photography, Japanese calligraphy and virtual reality, which she combines to create unique handmade books, paintings and textile designs. Sheila teaches online, as well as at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. She also lectures on creativity, dreaming and health at the University of Minnesota. Bicultural and bilingual in English and Japanese, she returns annually to Japan to teach, reconnect with friends and meander along the back roads of cities and the countryside with her camera, gathering ideas and inspiration for new projects when she returns to Minnesota. Check  the website, Monkey Bridge Arts, to learn more.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Dear JASM friends,

We regret to inform you of the cancellation of the Obon Festival 2020. It has been officially cancelled due to the COVID-19 for everyone's safety. 

We understand that this change may cause great disappointment for you and we are also very sad about this news. We're looking forward to seeing you at the Obon Festival 2021.