General Meetings

General meetings are generally held the 4th Tuesday of the month in February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November. Check the website calendar for current offerings.

Meetings last about 60 to 90 minutes.  They consist of an opportunity to enjoy a Japanese culture focused enrichment presentation -  food, authors, art, history, language, etc. - and to socialize with members and visitors. 

November's meeting is the Annual Business meeting.  We review the events of the year, budget and members vote on the following year's board of directors.

Currently meetings are Zoom online or held in-person at various locations (Loose Park Garden Center, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse).

Meeting Recordings 

Click on photo to link to the video.

2024 General Meetings

May 2024 - Mugen Gaming & Level One Game Shop - Ai Namima-Davison

March 2024 - Uff Da! - Mark Saito and Jim Kanki 

2023 General Meetings

February 2023 - Ryan Takeo 

Ryan Takeo from KSHB 41 details his path to becoming a local TV reporter. While the award-winning journalist is used to telling the stories of others, he'll detail his own -- and will include lessons he learned along the way. Ryan was recently nominated for 4 Mid-America Emmy Awards.

March 2023 - Kimi Kitada and Rie Egawa

Charlotte Street Foundation curator, Kimi Kitada talks about contemporary Japanese-American artist.  Local artist, Rie Egawa joins Ms. Kitada for a conversation about her art and process.

April 2023 - Dr. Amber A. Logan

Dr. Amber A. Logan, novelist and instructor, discusses "Japan From the Outside: Writing The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn".

May 2023 - Noriko Ebersole

Artist Noriko Ebersole talks about her artistic journey and her work currently exhibited at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

June 2023 - Catherine Browder

Author Catherine Browder discusses her collection of stories, Resurrection City:  Stories From the Disaster Zone,  inspired by the Japan 3/11 disaster.