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• Taking Shape with Juliane Shibata: Community Clay Workshops for 2026 Obon Festival Artwork (in-person)

  • Start
    2026-02-05
  •  
  • End
    2026-03-19
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Northern Clay Center 2424 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  This event has reached its registration capacity. The waiting list is now open.

  JASM is excited to partner with ceramic artist Juliane Shibata and Northern Clay Center (NCC) to offer two hands-on ceramic workshops! Join us in the NCC Handbuilding Studio to create beautiful artistic pieces inspired by Japanese culture!

  Help make ceramic pieces for 2026 Obon Festival artwork! All are welcome to join; the goal is to include and showcase a wide range of styles and individual perspectives. No previous art or clay experience is necessary (those under 18 yrs. old must be accompanied by adult).

  
  

  Project Overview

  • Participants will take part in two free hands-on ceramic workshops at Northern Clay Center.

  • A collaborative artwork created in the workshops will be displayed at JASM’s 2026 Obon Festival.

  • The installation will be featured in the Ordway Gardens at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

  • The project celebrates community connections and the unique identities of JASM members and friends.

  
  

  

  Workshop 1: Design & Make Clay Stamps

  Thursday, February 5, 2026
  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  

  Individuals will make 1-2 clay stamps that represent(s) an aspect or aspects of their identity. These stamps will be fired and used in workshop 2.

  (Right: Example of bisque stamp and impression on slab of clay)

  Workshop 2: Use Bisque Stamps to Make Installation Components

  

  Thursday, March 19, 2026
  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  

  The stamps from the first workshop will be used to transfer designs onto fresh slabs of clay. Participants will use cookie cutters shaped like cherry blossoms to create related installation components.

  
  

  (Right: Cherry blossom cookie cutter used to form the overall shape of the piece)

  
  

  Note: Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both workshops. However:

  • if individuals can’t attend the first workshop in February, they shouldn’t be dissuaded from signing up for the second workshop. Please email us at jasm@mn-japan.org if you are unable to attend one of the workshops.
  •  if participants attend the first workshop but can’t attend the second, they could have a friend or family member come in their place in March to finish the activity.

  
  

  Location
  Northern Clay Center (https://northernclaycenter.org/)
  2424 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406 (Google Maps)

  *Free parking is available in NCC’s West lot (off 24^th Ave.)

  *We will meet in Handbuilding Studio (Studio C)

  
  

  Important Details

  • Free to participate (Voluntary donations are welcome and help support JASM programming. To donate, please click here.)
  • Registration required
  • Workshop Capacity: Maximum 20 participants per session. First come, first served.

  • A waitlist will be generated if the workshops fill.

  • Material: Clay and tools will be provided. 

  • Age Policy: Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

  About the organizer of Taking Shape: 
  

  

  Juliane Shibata is a ceramic artist and educator based in Northfield, Minnesota. She was awarded a 2025 Center for Craft Teaching Artist Cohort Grant, a 2021 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists, and Artist Initiative grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Juliane received the Tile Heritage Prix Primo award at the 23rd Annual San Angelo National Ceramic Competition and first place in the 62nd Arrowhead Regional Biennial. She has been a resident artist at Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Starworks Center, Art Omi: Artists, The Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China, and the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory & Botanical Collection at the University of Minnesota. Her installations have been commissioned by, among others, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis.

  www.julianeshibata.com

  Juliane Shibata is a fiscal year 2026 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
  

                     
  

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• JASM Connects - with Sushi Avenue (In-Person)

  • When
    2026-02-11
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116
  • Spaces left
    39
  • Registered
    11 registrants

  Register

  The Quarterly JASM Social

  Presented by JASM Membership Committee 

  Please note that registration will close on February 9 at noon.

  
  

  

  We invite you to join us for the first informal get-together 2026 at JASM Connects!

  Wednesday, February 11 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

  Highland Park Community Center

  1978 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116 (Google Maps)

  JASM Connects is a relaxed opportunity to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and enjoy a casual conversation in any language. A sampling of hand rolled sushi will be generously provided by Sushi Avenue. There are no agendas, no formalities. Feel free to bring your meishi (business cards), though if you don’t have one, don’t worry — just come along and join the fun to mark Japan's holiday Feb. 11, National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi).

  
  

  Free for JASM members

  $10 for non-members — apply for membership now! Simply scan the QR code or click here to join. The $10 fee will be credited toward your membership.

  
  

  This event is brought to you by JASM, the bridge-building organization between Minnesota and Japan. We look forward to seeing you there!

   

  Sponsored by

  

  
  

  
  

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• J-Quiz 2026 (Online)

  • When
    2026-02-15
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  REGISTER TODAY!

  SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026 (ONLINE) - 10 AM to 1 PM CST

  An important mission of JASM is to support Americans who want to learn the Japanese language and learn more about Japan in general.  We know there are so many of you interested in Japanese topics, spending your time studying and reading about Japan. Our goal for J-Quiz is to encourage people to continue their study of Japanese language and culture and have a place to share with like-minded people.

  Anyone of any age is welcome, whether you're a novice or an expert in Japanese language and culture. Please join us!

  
  

  Image: J-Quiz Ambassador, Kana-chan

  
  

  This year’s J-Quiz features many questions inspired by Studio Ghibli films! Even if you’re unfamiliar with Ghibli movies, the quiz questions can be answered without prior Ghibli knowledge. We encourage everyone to join!

  

  Registration Closes February 12th at 11:59PM CST

  
  

  Registration Ticket Price

  • Regular Ticket: $8 (until Feb. 8)
  • JASM Members and Students: Free (Please check your email for the code or contact us at jasm@mn-japan.org with the subject "Request Code for J-Quiz" to receive it. Students: please provide your school's name, grade, and teacher's name.)
  • Late Ticket: $15 (from Feb 9-12)

  
  

  Program (subject to change) US Central Time

  9: 50 am (the site will open)

  10:00 am Opening ceremony

  10:30 am J-Quiz (approx. 45 min.)

  11:00 am - 2:00 pm Culture videos and College Fair are open

  11:45 am - 12: 45 pm Keynote Speaker Roy Harrison

  12:45 pm - 1:00 pm Closing ceremony and group photo

  
  

  

  Keynote Speaker: Roy Harrison

  
  

  Roy Harrison is the Chief Operating Officer at CSI Group, an automation and consulting firm in Lexington, Kentucky. Since returning from the JET Program where he served as an ALT (Saitama, 2004-2007), Roy has worked to strengthen the connection between US and Japanese manufacturing.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  What is J-Quiz?

  

  There will be 30 questions regarding Japan and Japanese language. The

  participants can join these fun quizzes to learn and grow their knowledge of Japan! 

  JASM will utilize an online platform for J-Quiz where participants can meet other Japan enthusiasts and network. There will also be information on colleges who offer Japanese classes, as well as cultural exhibition videos where experts will share their knowledge and skills with us!

  
  

  This quiz consists of 30 questions covering the following 10 categories

  • Current Events and News

  • History

  • Geography

  • Landmarks 

  • Vocabulary

  • Grammar 

  • Pop Culture

  • Industry

  • Customs/Traditions

  • Food 

  Each category has 3 questions at different difficulty levels:

  • Easy: Basic knowledge and simple facts
  • Medium: Requires understanding and application
  • Hard: Involves more detailed information

  
  

  Here is a 15 min video showcasing this fun event!

  Click the image below to take a look:

  

  
  

  Stay tuned for updates!

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• 2026 Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship

  • Start
    2026-02-28
  •  
    11:30 PM
  • End
    2026-03-01
  •  
    11:30 PM
  • Location
    TBD

  

  JASM will award the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship to a student enrolled in a Minnesota high school who wants to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.  The application deadline is now extended.

  Please click here to read the application details.

  2025 Timeline:

  • Start accepting applications: December 1, 2025
  • Deadline for applications: February 28, 2026
  • Finalists' interviews with scholarship committee members:  During March 2026
  • Winner of the Scholarship will be notified: Early April 2026

  
  

  Past winner:

  2025: Abdulla Abdulaziz and Pajtshiab Yang

  2024: Bennie Tornoe (Click here to read her report on Tsushin Nov. 2024 issue on page 4)

  2023: Walter Barlow (Click here to read his report on Tsushin Nov. 2023 issue on page 3)

  If you would like to make a contribution to the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship's endowment, please click here.
  

  Takuzo Ishida was a researcher, carpenter, chef, and bonsai enthusiast who served as President of JASM and Founder/Principal of the Minneapolis Japanese School. The Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by Mr. Ishida’s family and friends to recognize his contributions to the Japanese community in Minnesota and to support his passion for youth education. (To read a special edition of the Tsushin dedicated to Mr. Ishida, please click here. )

  
  

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• 2026 Annual Meeting (in-person)

  • When
    2026-12-10
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    1601 Utica Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55416
  • Spaces left
    50

  The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m. at our Corporate Member, Taiyo International, Inc.’s office (Google Maps).

  At the meeting, we will reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next. We’ll discuss new ways to further JASM’s mission and hold elections for board members.

  Registration priority will be given to voting members.
  If you wish to bring a guest, please contact jasm@mn-japan.org.

  
  

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  
  

  Parking information:

  Please use Lilac Drive S to enter the parking garage on the east side. If arriving from Utica Street, take the road in front of the Taiyo office building, which will lead you to Lilac Drive and the parking garage entrance. There is no charge for parking. (Click here for a sky view map and here for the street view image of the parking garage.)

  
  

  

  
  

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