Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Maurice Ferguson The Japanese Club aims to educate Sacramento State students on Japanese culture. Above, club member Ryota Suzuki demonstrates traditional Japanese calligraphy for students. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Maurice Ferguson [Click to enlarge]

Most Sacramento State students have grown up with some form of the Japanese culture seeping into their lives, unknowingly or not. "The Ninja Turtles," "Shogun" and the classic California sushi roll are all familiar to the average non-Japanese student. For the Sac State Japanese Club, its goal is to educate students about the Japanese culture without an American spin on things.

When exchange student and vice president of the Japanese Club, Sachiko Kobayshi, first arrived in America from Japan four years ago, she said she was pretty surprised how much of her native culture was immersed into ours.

Kobayshi, a communication studies major, joined the Japanese club where she and fellow club members practice the language and plan events to educate students about the culture.

Kobayshi said she is focusing her studies on intercultural communication, and plans on returning to Japan after she graduates. She said she would like to see more aspects of her culture acknowledged and understood at Sac State.

The Japanese Club is where she is trying to accomplish just that.

"Some people think the culture is just about sushi, ninjas and geishas, and that's all they know," Kobayshi said. "There is so much more than that."

Kobayshi said that the club focuses on what is truly, authentically Japanese: the art, language and customs, even the food, which she said is very much Americanized here. For instance, Mikuni's does not get the J-club's stamp of approval.

"I've never had sushi with avocado in it before I came here," she said.

President of the Japanese Club Chris Lamb has been studying Japanese for five years. Lamb said various aspects of the Japanese culture interest him, but what he really enjoys is just how different it is compared to American culture. Lamb said the club focuses on aspects of the Japanese culture that aren't widely known.

"(The Japanese Club) goes beyond anime and Nintendo - the pop culture side of Japanese culture," he said.

Lamb has visited Japan four times and even interned in a company in Tokyo for a summer.

'Hajimemashte' translated means 'nice to meet you.' That is probably what you heard if you were at the Hinde Auditiorium or the Japanese Club's Japan Culture Night.

Lamb said the J-club worked hard to put on the event and planning for it began last October.

"We intend for students to enjoy (the event), but to get a lot out of it as well," Lamb said.

The free event hosted the play, "Hajimemashte," or "Nice to Meet You," which was written by Koshi Kato and was performed by members of the Japanese Club.

Sharleen Morco, a senior photography major, said going to the different events the Japanese club has put on helped educate her on the Japanese culture.

Lamb said that due to the budget cuts the school will not be able to host as many cultural events as it had done in the past.

Japan Culture Night had traditional Japanese instruments and traditional dance performances. There were booths that showcased different aspects of the culture such as calligraphy and origami, but due to strict Associated Students Inc. regulations, Kobayshi said the club was unable to serve authentic Japanese cuisine.

But, if you are curious to try "real" Japanese dishes, Kobayshi said there are some restaurants in Sacramento that serve authentic Japanese food that seem more "home-made" to her. Futami on Freeport Street in Sacramento is a restaurant that she said serves the real stuff.

Lamb said students are encouraged to join the club anytime during the semester. The club meets every Wednesday, and Lamb said it is always a very relaxed environment.

For more information on the Japanese Club and its upcoming events, check out the online calendar at www.csus.edu/fl/japanese/JClub.

Adina Zerwig can be reached at azerwig@statehornet.com

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