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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Akihiro Omi, Volunteer Director

Japanese Art & Cultural Center

4334 Moorpark Ave., San Jose CA 95129

http://www.jpnarts.org

Email:   aki@omitrans.com

Phone:   (408)734-9212 [Home]  /  (408)505-4672 [Mobile]

 

Japanese Art & Cultural Center Coming to San Jose;  Open House Scheduled on May 1st & 2nd, 2010;  Japanese Jazz Vocalist, Saki Kono to Sing at the Opening

 

The Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC) will have its Grand Opening and Open House on May 1st & 2nd, 2010.  The Center offers classes in various traditional Japanese martial arts and fine arts.  The Open House on May 1st will feature Japanese Jazz vocalist, Saki Kono.

 

San Jose, California; April 10, 2010 -- The Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC) will open its doors in San Jose's Strawberry Park Shopping Center, an Asian-themed mall housing Mitsuwa and Kinokuniya, respectively the largest Japanese grocery and bookstore in Northern California, located on the corner of Moorpark Ave. and Saratoga Ave. just off I-280.

 

The Open House is scheduled from 11am until 7pm on both Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd.  During the Open House festivities, instructors, staff members and volunteers will be available to assist visitors by answering questions, providing consultations and offering free trial classes and demonstrations.  Free T-shirts will be given away to the first 75 visitors on each day.

 

On Saturday, May 1st, Bay Area-based Japanese Jazz vocalist, Saki Kono will perform from 7:30pm until 9:30pm, along with pianist Ben Stolorow and bassist Lorenzo Farrell.  Tickets will be available at the door for $20.  All proceeds will be donated to assist the Center's construction and initial operation.  More information can be found by visiting http://www.jpnarts.org or by calling (408)505-4672.

 

Established as a non-profit, charitable organization, the Center will host traditional Japanese martial art classes including karate, kendo (Japanese fencing), judo, aikido, kyudo (Japanese archery) and iaido (sword-draw).   The Center's fine arts offerings will include shodo (brush calligraphy), sa-do (tea ceremony), ka-do (flower arrangement), sumi-e (brush painting) and shakuhachi (bamboo flute).

 

In addition, the Center will offer zazen (sitting meditation), exercise and stretching classes such as yoga and pilates, Japanese language and additional fine art classes such as oil and pastel painting.  Classes catered to young children and family will also be available, including a class on how to draw Japanese anime and manga (cartoons).

 

"Profound arts and crafts, developed by the Samurai in ancient Japan, are manifestations of their Zen and martial arts trainings" said Akihiro Omi, one of JACC's volunteer directors.  "Japanese martial arts are unique in that they focus on helping students attain enhanced awareness and character development by defeating the enemies within, rather than combating against external enemies."

 

The Center offers free membership and a punch-card system which allows students to drop-in whenever they can and pay only for the classes they actually attend -- convenient for busy Silicon Valley professionals and their families.

 

About the Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC):

 

The Japanese Art & Culture Center (JACC) has been established as a non-profit, charitable organization to foster, develop and promote the traditional Japanese arts and culture, within the scope of the greater Asian culture.  It provides venues to research, train and exchange knowledge and experience in Zen, without specific religious connotations, including all arts, sports and cultural activities derived from it, as an educational tool to enhance individual integrity, compassionate character, profound awareness and self-actualization.

 

Japanese Art & Cultural Center

4334 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95129

Phone:   (408)505-4672

Email:    staff@jpnarts.org

Web:      http://www.jpnarts.org

The non-profit, charitable corporation status (IRS Code 501(c)(3)) is pending.

 

About Saki Kono:

Born in Japan, and graduated from Oakland's Laney College with a degree in music.  After spending nearly 30 years working as a financial adviser, Saki enrolled into The Jazz School in Berkeley to fulfill her life-long dream, where her talent was discovered.  Saki recently recorded a Jazz CD titled "Dream Forever," and now performs around Bay Area as well as in Japan.

 

Saki Kono

Email:    sakijazzed@gmail.com

Web:      http://www.myspace.com/sakijazzed  /

              http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sakikono