Every since I was a child, I've had a passive interest in Japan. I can't pinpoint where or why it started. Maybe because when I was young I thought ninjas were really cool. Or possibly, being a kid in the 80s and seeing those cool Japanese headbands that musicians made popular back then. No matter what planted the seed, Japan was on my radar.
In Prince's 1982 band for the album 1999, Dez Dickerson was rockin' the popular Japanese headband of the 80s.
In 2016 I finally took my first trip to the country. My hotel was in Kawasaki. I also spent a lot of time in Tokyo and Yokohama. Very quickly, that passive interest turned into an active one and I fell hard for the country and culture. Even with the anxiety of only knowing a handful of words, I felt comfortable. Actually, while I was still there on vacation, I got online and registered for Japanese classes at Edmonds Community College because I knew I would be back, and wanted to know more than konnichiwa and arigatou. After I returned home, I also wanted to keep learning more about the culture so I searched for events in the Seattle area to attend. I realized that it was time consuming going to a bunch of different websites, Facebook pages, signing up for various newsletters and more. So I decided to put it all in one place, and I called it Konnichiwa Seattle.
I ran it for a while but because life was getting hectic, I had to put it on hold for a while. After a year in storage, I brought it back in the fall of 2019. This version is going to be bigger and better than ever - YouTube channel, a documentary (the world's love affair with Japan and the history of Japanese culture in Seattle), airport transportation services, and also a traditional fused with modern Japanese dance company.
I ran it for a while but because life was getting hectic, I had to put it on hold for a while. After a year in storage, I brought it back in the fall of 2019. This version is going to be bigger and better than ever - YouTube channel, a documentary (the world's love affair with Japan and the history of Japanese culture in Seattle), airport transportation services, and also a traditional fused with modern Japanese dance company.
The inspiration for the future Konnichiwa Seattle Dance Company. From the movie Zatoichi (2003)
The Mission Of Konnichiwa Seattle
To be the central information hub for Japanese related events, movies, volunteer opportunities, organization/education resources, and more.
Learning the Japanese language? Konnichiwa Seattle can help you find others to practice your speaking skills with and think outside of a textbook.
Interested in Japanese culture? Konnichiwa Seattle is the place to find dozens of events all in one spot that can satisfy that interest.
あなたは日本人ですか？Konnichiwa Seattle is your gateway to organizations and the local community to help with whatever you need.
Learning the Japanese language? Konnichiwa Seattle can help you find others to practice your speaking skills with and think outside of a textbook.
Interested in Japanese culture? Konnichiwa Seattle is the place to find dozens of events all in one spot that can satisfy that interest.
あなたは日本人ですか？Konnichiwa Seattle is your gateway to organizations and the local community to help with whatever you need.