ようこそ! Welcome to the Japan Fair Blog!

Starting this week, we would like to share last year's Japan Fair memories every Thursday. For this week, please revisit these beautiful kimono designs with us! Look forward to another fashion show we are hosting with Kimono Art at Japan Fair 2017!

For Japan Fair 2017, our theme is #Tanabata. It's a perfect opportunity to wear yukata/kimono to the event!

https://youtu.be/ve05pfLaxdk
　・Executive director Yu Ugawa/ 鵜川 有
　・Supported by KIMONO ART, NPO法人愛loveきもの幸の会

Our community friends Fran's Chocolates, Sogetsu Ikebana, Urasenke Tea Ceremony, and Urushi and Heiando America are collaborating to have a fantastic event on April 27-29!
You'll get to experience beautiful Ikebana, tea ceremony, and Japanese traditional lackers wear (exhibition and sale) at one of local's favorite chocolate place, Fran's chocolate! And it's
FREE ADMISSION!

We are also very happy to have them back to Japan Fair this year!

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Event: Senses from Japan 2017
Date/Time: April 27 – April 29
(Apr 27 at 1:30 PM to Apr 29 at 4 PM)
Place: Fran's Chocolates
5900 Airport Way S, Seattle, Washington 98108

Event Schedule:
1:30-2:00pm Tea ceremony
2:00-2:30pm Ikebana demonstration
2:30-3:00pm Tea ceremony
3:00-3:30pm Ikebana demonstration
3:30-4:00pm Tea ceremony

Event page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1814691218556505/
Event information on Evensi: https://www.evensi.us/senses-from-japan-2017-frans-chocolates/206209270

Sogetsu Ikebana: misogetsu.org
Urasenke Tea Ceremony: www.urasenke.or.jp/texte/
Urushi and Heiando America, Inc: heiandoamerica.com
fivesensesfoundation.org
Fran's Chocolates: www.franschocolates.com
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Congratulations to Mr. Thomas Brooke for his decoration (旭日双光章) from the Consulate General of Japan!
We are honored to be able to continue his legacy of bridging the Japanese and American cultures through Japan Fair 2016.

> Article on the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle website 在シアトル日本国領事館ウェブサイトの記事

As of November 3rd, the Japanese Government has announced they will confer Mr. Thomas Brooke with a decoration (旭日双光章) for his achievements in the bridging of Japan and America. As the president of the Eastside Nippon Matsuri Association (ENMA), he has contributed to the advancement of mutual understanding between Japan and America, as well as the introduction of Japanese culture to America.

☆ Decoration: 旭日双光章 (きょくじつそうこうしょう)
☆ Summary of Achievements: Advancement of mutual understanding between Japan and America, as well as the introduction of Japanese culture
☆ Career Background:
- President of the Eastside Nippon Matsuri Association (ENMA)
- President of the Japanese Garden Society of Seattle

【Obento Presale】~ 2ND DRAWING WINNERS! ~

Japan Fair is proud to announce our 2ND DRAWING WINNERS!

Autographed Merchandise Winners:

Order# 546231651
Order #545515309
Order #546073954
Order #546160898

Congratulations to all our winners!

We will be contacting you soon!

Thank you all for your support!

【SHIZU USAMI】- Arts & Culture Booth!

Calligrapher SHIZU USAMI

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, Shizu began calligraphy at age three under her mother’s guidance. After graduating from University of Teacher Education, Fukuoka (Program of Arts, Japanese Calligraphy Course), she studied the origins of KANJI (Chinese characters adopted into Japanese) at an institute in Kyoto run by Mr. Shizuka Shirakawa, the Japanese authority on kanji ideograms. In 2009, her studies brought her to Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of Arts London.

Shizu actively began holding solo exhibitions during her university years. Commissioned by various Japanese public offices and industries, Shizu has created and continues to create numerous calligraphic works. One of her specialties is the expression of social and environmental issues in the form of calligraphy, and her work has been used on the covers of protocols of the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties, Meeting of the Parties, and General Assembly. She also had great commercial success collaborating with a major Japanese brand, designing Yukata (lightweight summer kimono) patterns using calligraphy.

Shizu continues to give lectures and write about Japanese customs and the origins of KANJI. In the summer of 2016, she launched ArTshirtsBySHIZU to produce T-shirts with KANJI designs that express the essence of East Asia (Japan).

Shizu currently resides in the city of Bellevue with her husband and 18-month old daughter. She holds free calligraphy classes for children at the Bellevue Library once a month to give back to the community, and to give children an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Japanese language.

https://www.etsy.com/jp/shop/ArTshirtsBySHIZU?ref=hdr_shop_menu

http://shizuusami.com

【Market to Japan】~ Japan Fair Interview ~

Please check out our interview with Sachiko Akahori Miller, who established Market to Japan LLC: Interview

http://www.markettojapan.com

【Japan Fair 2016】~ Follow Live on Instagram & Twitter ~

Japan Fair will be updating live on our Instagram and Twitter!

Make sure to follow us and you can also participate with us using our hashtags:
#ジャパンフェア
#JapanFair

Follow us here:

Instagram
Twitter

【Obento Presale】~ 1ST DRAWING WINNERS! ~

Japan Fair is proud to announce our 1ST DRAWING WINNERS!

Hotel Package Winners:

Order #543531181
Order #545186350

Autographed Merchandise Winners:

Order #543149222
Order #544625476
Order #544478130
Order #542245890

Restaurant Gift Certificate for Naka Winner:

Order #545357472

Congratulations to all our winners!

We will be contacting you soon!

Thank you all for your support and we will be announcing the 2nd drawing winners soon!

Autographed prizes are still available so click here to order your obento and a chance to win: Obento Presale

【Wa-rousoku】~ Japan Fair Interview ~

Please check out our interview with Hirokazu Matsumoto, who is the 4th president for Wa-rousoku: Interview

http://www.warosoku.com/index.html

【New York Life Insurance Company】- Market Place Booth!

For more than 170 years, New York Life Insurance Company has been there to help make sure your family is taken care of. Now New York Life wants to help you give your family the gift of protection and security. 　

Japan Fair 2016 is New York Life’s way of giving back to the families we proudly serve in the Greater Seattle community.

If this is a Child ID event, all children accompanied by a parent or legal guardian will receive a free identification card, complete with their emergency contact information, a photograph, and fingerprints.

Bring your family and friends and come out to show your support for Japan Fair 2016.

http://www.newyorklife.com/