| | | | Children's Day Festival ~ 子供の日祭り 03 May 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Location: Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center, 1520 Verde Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 Join us for a fun-filled Children’s Day Festival on Saturday, May 3rd, at the PPUW Family Success Center from 10 AM to 12:30 PM! Please go to the Event page and Register to help us get a good head count so we can provide enough prizes for all! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~NEWSFLASH!~ Check Out the Performance Schedule! 10:00 am - Event opens ~ games, activities and soccer camp start! 10:15 am - JASSC ~ Welcome Address in Gym 11:25 am - Sun Mountain Taiko ~ Opening Performance 11:30 am - COS Kendo Kai ~ Kendo Demonstration 11:45 am - US Karate Academy ~ Karate Demonstration 12:05 am - Comment from Mr. Hiroyuki Okajima, Consul-General of Japan in Denver 12:10 pm - Denver Japanese School Children's Song 12:20 pm - Children's Fashion Show (show off your outfit!) 12:25 pm - Sun Mountain Taiko ~ Closing Performance 12:30 pm - JASSC ~ Closing remarks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Join the Soccer Camp!
We are excited to welcome Yosuke Hanya, player for the Colorado Switchbacks Soccer team, who will be leading a mini-soccer camp from 10 am - 10:50 am. Kids up to age 12 can participate in a short soccer camp experience with our favorite player - sign up here! 
(Photo Credit: ©︎IsaiahDowning and ©︎switchbacksFC) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We still need Volunteers! Tell a friend, or sign up today! We need volunteers beginning at 9 am on the day of the event.  Sign up to become a volunteer here! 
| | | History of Amache - Cultural Talk to follow Children's Day at 12:45-1:45pm - come learn about one of the most historic sites in Colorado, located in Granada Colorado. One of the Amache National Historic Site Park Rangers will come to talk about the history and significance of this place.
| | | Learn About Haiku Taught by Rachel Lenz Beginning Haiku classes The four week class is Mondays in May (05, 12, 19 & 26), from 6:00pm to 8:00 PM BEGINNING HAIKU — Cottonwood Center for the Arts Cottonwood Center for the Arts 427 E Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903 | | | | | Obi Tying Workshop (Pueblo) This workshop will be offered several times through the spring and summer at various locations in the Pueblo City-County Library District. 06 May 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM @ Barkman Library (1300 Jerry Murphy Rd, Pueblo, CO 81001) 13 May 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Pueblo West Library (298 S Joe Martinez Blvd, Pueblo West, CO 81007) 20 May 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM @ Lamb Library (2525 S Pueblo Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81005) 27 May 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Giodone Library (24655 US-50 BUS, Pueblo, CO 81006) ‘ 03 Jun 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Lucero Library at El Centro (1315 E 7th St, Pueblo, CO 81001) 10 Jun 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Greenhorn Valley Library (4801 Cibola Dr, Colorado City, CO 81019) 24 Jun 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM @ Rawlings Library (100 E Abriendo Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004) Have you ever wondered how some can tie their obi so beautifully? Come learn how to do it yourself, step-by-step with Brooke Johnson, our kimono expert from the 2024 Bazaar! JASSC is grateful to partner with the Pueblo City-County Library District to provide this workshop on Japan's beautiful, wearable art! Sometimes overshadowed by its gorgeous counterpart, the kimono, people often forget that the obi is what really ties it all together (literally)! Obi can be tied in a variety of ways, with different reasons for each. You can learn about the Time, Place, and Occasion of certain kimono and obi, and get hands-on experience with obi provided at the workshop. Register at the Pueblo City-County Library District's website here! | | | Conversation over Cookies At this event, Japanese speakers will stay in place at a table with a board/card game and English speakers will jump around where they want to play. We will try to speak in Japanese as much as possible! Any level of speakers are welcome! This event usually takes place at the CreateSpace at Library 21c (1175 Chapel Hills Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920). Saturday, May 10, 1:30pm to 3:00pm Saturday, June 21, 1:30pm to 3pm Saturday, July 12, 1:30pm to 3pm
See the Events page on our website for details and to register. | | | | | I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling Exhibit
Please join us on Friday May 16, 2025 for a special presentation about the U.S. Army's first traveling exhibit, the I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling Exhibit which highlights the extraordinary service of the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service. We will also share a story of a Nisei veteran from Colorado who will be featured in the exhibit. This is a multi-generation family event and is free to the public! Brunch and/or Dinner will be served depending on which time you join us. RSVP is needed by May 10. Please click here at this link to reserve your tickets. If you have questions, please email our Program Coordinator at jenny@nvnvets.org Event Schedule on Friday, May 16, 2025 Morning Meeting time 10:00am 0r Evening Meeting time 6:30pm Location: Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St, Arvada, CO 80003 Welcome Donna Fujimoto Cole Lynn Fuchigami Presenters Tammy Call, Director, National Museum of the United States Army Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Executive Director, National Veterans Network | | | 50th Annual Amache Pilgrimage 16 May 2025 – 18 May 2025 @ Granada, Colorado Pilgrimages to former WWII concentration camps for those of Japanese descent were started in the late 1960s. It took nearly a quarter century for former prisoners and their descendants to question why they had been imprisoned and begin searching for answers. The first formal pilgrimage to Amache was one of the official events commemorating the state of Colorado’s centennial from 1975-76. After pilgrims arrived at Amache, they cleaned the cemetery site. Since then, the annual Pilgrimage has taken place on the weekend before Memorial Day weekend for the past 50 years. It was originally limited to only Saturday, but in recent years it has grown to a longer event. Amache, also known as the Granada War Relocation Center, played a significant role in American history during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, it was one of the ten camps where over 7,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and incarcerated. Located in southeastern Colorado, Amache housed men, women, and children who were uprooted from their homes and communities, facing harsh conditions and loss of freedom. Despite these challenges, the internees formed a resilient community, establishing schools, farms, and other essential services within the camp. The history of Amache reminds us of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of remembering our past to build a more inclusive future. For the schedule and other details see our Event page. | | | | | Mini-Sakura Festival at Rainy Day Anime One of our sponsors will be hosting a festival on Saturday, May 24th from 12-4pm. We hope you can make it. The Sakura Festival will feature: - Local Artists
- An Activity Tent (Weather permitting)
- Photo Ops
- Giveaways!!! (While Supplies Last)
- 10% of In-store sales will go to the Japan America Society of Southern Colorado
| | | New members in April Welcome to our new and returning members who joined us in April! Caleb Hansberry Judith Rice-Jones Alexandra Hasui | | | | | | | | | | | | Hello, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Nanami from Lighthouse in Los Angeles. Our company is hosting an online university fair for Japanese universities actively promoting globalization. In recent years, as college tuition in the United States continues to increase annually, there has been an increase in students choosing to study at Japanese universities. We will provide the information about; - "English-based admission system", including the latest information for 2026 - "English-only course" - "Fall admission" process - Scholarship programs - Transfer options and more...
<<Event Details>> Participating Universities; Aoyama Gakuin University, Chukyo University, Doshisha University The Institute for the Lineral Arts, iCLA at Yamanashi Gakuin University, International Christian University (ICU), Komazawa University, Ritsumeikan University, YokohamaNational University Date; Tuesday, May 20, Wednesday, May 21, Thursday May 22 (*US PDT) Time; Start at 5:30pm End at 7:30pm (*US PDT) Presentation Schedule; Please find the attached flyer. Registration; https://bit.ly/DAIGAKU25SPEN
This college fair represents an invaluable opportunity for those looking to expand their academic horizons and explore the dynamic world of higher education in Japan. We kindly ask for your support in sharing this invitation with your students and any other interested parties. We will present in both English and Japanese, and also provide "Individual consultation" with each university. Sincerely yours,
Nanami Yokoyama Lighthouse | | | | こんにちは。ロサンゼルスのライトハウス、横山と申します。
弊社では、グローバル化を積極的に推進する日本の大学による、オンライン大学進学フェアを開催します。近年アメリカの学費が年々高騰する中で、日本の大学へ進学する学生が増えています。英語での入試制度や英語で学べる学部（コース）、秋入学、海外生のための奨学金制度、
カレッジからの編入学など、大学の特色や取り組みに加え、2026年度入試に向けた最新情報をお届けします。
日本への進学を考える学生、保護者の皆様には、海外では普段なかなか知り得ない情報を入手するまたとない機会です。
フライヤーを添付させていただきますので、ぜひコミュニティの皆様へのお知らせにご協力いただけますと幸いです。
プレゼンテーションは、日本語と英語の両方でライブ配信します。各大学との個別相談（予約制）も可能です。
セミナー詳細：
参加予定大学（50音順）:
青山学院大学、国際基督教大学（ICU）、駒澤大学、中京大学、同志社大学 ILA、山梨学院大学国際リベラルアーツ学部、横浜国立大学、立命館大学
日程：2025年5月20日（火）、5月21日（水）、5月22日（木）
5:30pm～7:30pm（アメリカ西海岸時間）
※ハワイ時間－3時間、アメリカ中部時間＋2時間、アメリカ東海岸時間＋3時間、日本時間＋16時間
プレゼンテーションスケジュール：添付のフライヤーをご参照ください
お申し込み：https://bit.ly/DAIGAKU25SPJP
どうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。
---------------------------------------- 横山 ライトハウス運営事務局
Lighthouse / Takuyo Corporation E-Mail: seminar@us-lighthouse.com http://www.us-lighthouse.com/ | | |
| | | Other Interesting Organizations Want more news? Check out these other organizations supporting Asian Americans in Colorado and beyond!
- Golden Lotus Foundation - The GLF is working hard to build a botanical garden and tea house in Colorado Springs. They are always looking for volunteers, so sign up for their newsletter if you are interested!
- NAJAS - the National Association of Japan America Societies is the hub of all other JAS in the US.
- Japan America Society of Colorado (Denver) - JASC is our closest sibling organization, with most of their happenings located in Denver. They have a community e-bulletin which they send out monthly as well.
- El Pomar Foundation - Elevating Leadership Development Program. The ELD program is run by the El Pomar foundation and creates "greater access and support for people of color in Southern Colorado to tap into their leadership potential for the benefit of community." Their quarterly meetings are free to attend and convene advisory councils for the following groups: Asian / Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and Native American.
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- Asian Pacific Islander Business Community of Colorado Springs - this new organization is building better connections to and awareness of Asian-led businesses in Colorado Springs. The link is to their linktree, which includes a newsletter signup.
| | | | | About JASSC JASSC web site Send us your news! Let us know what you’d like to see in the next newsletter. Please email the editor, Rayna Lindsey
rayna@japanamerica.org Did you know that you can edit your own address, phone and email information right on the japanamerica.org website? Simply enter your email and password in the upper-right corner and click Login. Don't know your password? Click Forgot Password and the website will help you out. You will also find a secure password-protected online member directory. Use it to look up names, addresses, phone numbers and emails for other members.
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