Image courtesy of JSNC & JapanCraft21.
Join Japan Society of Northern California for a direct experience of Japanese aesthetics, as seen in art, architecture, and gardens. From the refined rusticity of wabi-sabi to suggestive mystery, from freedom and spontaneity in artistic expression to elegance and courtliness in manner and ritual, the Japan Society of Northern California and special guest Steve Beimel will explore these concepts as well as framing, transition, color, and general presentation that has developed over 1000 years. Beimel and his team at JapanCraft21 are passionately committed to revitalizing traditional Japanese arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the foundations of Japanese beauty — reserve your spot today!
This event is FREE with registration. Click the button below to register:
Event Schedule:
7:00-7:05 PM Opening Remarks
7:05-7:45 PM Presentation by Steve Beimel
7:45-7:55 PM Moderated Discussion led by Steve Pollock
7:55-8:15 PM Q&A
8:05-8:10 PM Closing Remarks
About the Speakers:
Steve Beimel | Founder, JapanCraft21
Longtime Japanese resident Californian Steve Beimel has been involved with Japanese culture since the early 1970s. In 2018, he founded JapanCraft21 to identify viable but vulnerable traditional Japanese crafts and assist in their revitalization. They started Shinmachiya Juku, a free-of-charge school in Kyoto that teaches traditional construction skills to working carpenters and plasterers, and a program that supports apprenticeship in vulnerable craft genres. Additionally, they hold national contests in support of talented craftspeople. Their Craft Leader Program promotes the work of their 30 contest winners to date. Steve recently retired from Esprit Travel and Tours, a U.S.-based Japanese culture-focused tour company that he founded in 1992. At Esprit, he connected travelers from around the world with talented and gracious Japanese people, enabling them to encounter the richness and beauty of Japanese culture. Prior to that, Steve ran a large U.S.-based wholesale plant growing operation with Japanese partners, serving the landscape construction industry during California’s construction boom years. He holds an M.A. in Applied Counseling Psychology, and he currently lives in the Kyoto foothills with his wife of over 42 years, Ritsuko, an ikebana instructor.
Moderator – Steve Pollock | President, Japan Society of Northern California
Steve Pollock is the President of Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC). Apart from his management responsibilities, he is also an avid consumer of JSNC’s diverse programming on topics ranging from Japanese arts and culture, to business and innovation, healthcare, and policy and economics. Prior to leading JSNC, Steve worked for many years advising Japanese and US companies about cross-cultural business and market entry, while also traveling and reading widely about Japan. He has lived and worked in Japan with his family, and has a passion for sharing and discussing interesting Japan-related content with others.