January 16, 22 and 24, 2013: "Itadakimasu!" The Japan Foundation presents a series exploring Sustainable Food Systems and Mindful Eating

During the month of January, our friends at The Japan Foundation in Toronto are looking at an essential, universal topic: food. The series begins on Thursday, January 16 with a panel discussion on the relationships between food consumers and producers in Japan led by Dr. Motoki Akitsu, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Agricultural Sciences in the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University.

The following week (January 22 and 24), there will be screenings of two Japanese documentaries, "Eatrip", a contemporary Japanese food culture documentary, and "Red Persimmons", a classic ethnographic film about the production of hoshigaki (dried persimmons) in rural Yamagata prefecture.

For more information, including full details on individual events and contact information, please visit The Japan Foundation's website.  Registration for the panel discussion on January 16 will be required, which can be done through the website.

January 10, 2013: January IMK will take place *next* week!

Happy New Year, CJS friends! Chilly and snowy out there, isn't it? Then why not come in from the cold for some Japanese comfort food, drink and good company at January's Ichimoku-kai (IMK)? Normally, IMK would take place on the first Thursday of the month, but IMK will take place NEXT week on Thursday, January 10.

Ichimoku-kai literally means the "first Thursday meeting" and since 1995 it has been the Canada Japan Society of Toronto's monthly social event, naturally on the first Thursday of every month. (Or the second, on very rare occasions! ;)

It is a great place to make new friends, practice your English and/or Japanese, informally network, learn more about life in Canada and Japan, and most of all…have fun! Our attendees are usually around 50 percent Canadian and 50 percent Japanese, all with a common interest or connection with Japan.

At Ichimoku-kai you will receive special food and drink discounts, get to talk to lots of interesting people, and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes. Hope to see you there!

ICHIMOKUKAI

Thursday, January 10, 2013

6-10 pm

Manpuku

105 McCaul Street

Units 29-31 (in the Village by the Grange building, south of the Food Court)

There is a $5 cover charge for non-CJS members. Discounts are available for groups of three or more people.

The Canada-Japan Society's "Bonenkai" is SOLD OUT - thank you to everyone who RSVP'd!

Until December 12, 2012: The Travel Road of Kiso - Photographs by Jeff Kucharski

We are pleased to inform you about a photography event currently taking place at The Japan Foundation, "Travel Road of Kiso: Photographs by Jeff Kucharski."

The Nakasendo was one of the major travel roads in Japan, established during the governance of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Edo period (17th-19th century) which linked Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto via Kiso. Kucharski, a Canadian diplomat, lived almost alongside the Nakasendo when he and his wife Hideko were first married.

The Kucharskis lived in Itabashi, on the outskirts of Tokyo, which used to be one of the post towns on the Nakasendo route. Encountering many preserved signs and references to the Nakasendo in his neighbourhood, Kucharski developed an interest in various aspects of this travel road, such as transportation, culture, politics, trade, and commerce. He became especially fascinated by the Edo and Meiji eras, in particular, the opening of Japan in the 1850s and the subsequent arrival of foreigners who traveled and wrote about early modern Japan.

Over 50 photographs introduce the beauty of Kiso, where history, the nostalgia of the rural community, and the serene mountain scenery are all peacefully combined.

This exhibition is running until December 12, 2012. For more information, please visit The Japan Foundation website.

November 22, 2012: CJS Small Business Networking Event

CJS Members: Are you interested in starting your own small business? Do you currently operate your own business? If so, you know the challenges in finding clients, branding yourself, staying motivated, and keeping your business running.

The Canada Japan Society is proud to present our second Small Business Networking Event on Thursday, November 22nd. This event will feature two great speakers who will give their insights and advice on starting a small business and keeping it going. There will also be ample opportunity to ask questions, talk with your fellow attendees, and expand your business network.

Our featured speakers include:

Ken Bole - Canadian Study Tours Ltd. - Ken Bole is the owner of Canadian Study Tours Ltd. and has been managing high school study tours from Japan to Canada for over twenty years. He is a talented orator and relationship builder and he will speak about how to keep your business running smoothly and your clients loyal.

Janine Harris - Keyring Media Inc. - Janine Harris is a Producer, Director and Editor with over 15 years experience developing and producing for commercials, television series and documentaries. She brings broadcast skill and technique along with web and new media strategies to develop training and marketing videos for small, mid-sized and large organizations, helping them to tell their story and promote their business using video.

The cost of admission to this event is $10 for CJS members and $15 for non-members. Admission includes delicious Japanese food!

If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP to masayo@cjst.ca by Tuesday, November 20th.  Thank you.

CJS SMALL BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT
Thursday, November 22, 2012
6:15 to 9:00 pm
Manpuku Japanese Restaurant
105 McCaul Street, Units 29-31 (Village by the Grange Building, south of the food court)
Cost: $10 for CJS Members; $15 for non-members
Admission includes Japanese food
RSVP to masayo@cjst.ca by Tuesday, November 20