Starting May 4 at 7 p.m. for five consecutive Thursday evenings, the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling is partnering with The Japan Outreach Initiative (J.O.I.) at West Liberty University to present classes about Japanese culture.

The Japanese Outreach Initiative is a joint program of the Global Partnerships Department of the Japan Foundation in Japan and the Laurasian Institution, USA, that brings volunteer Japanese coordinators to regions of the United States where Japanese culture has been less accessible.

This two-year program provides JOI coordinators an opportunity to engage their American community in Japanese-theme programming; from lectures to hands-on elementary school activities to events focusing on traditional Japanese art forms.

West Liberty University, through the Rollie Williams International Center, has been selected as a host site for J.O.I. Program from 2022 through 2024.

In August 2022, Manami Kawazoe, who will serve as instructor for the People’s University series, arrived from Kyoto, Japan and will stay in West Liberty for two years. While in West Liberty, her mission is to promote awareness and understanding of Japan through activities and events for culture exchange.

In keeping with the mission of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library created

The People’s University, a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. The People’s University features courses–taught by experts in each subject–that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, philosophy, & literature.

The full schedule for the Japanese Culture series follows.

May 4, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 1-Basic Introduction to Japanese Culture with Yukata try-on

This interactive program will survey different aspects of Japanese culture, such as popular food, anime, travel destinations, and Japanese alphabets and language. It will feature a try-on of a Yukata, a type of Japanese traditional clothing that is lighter, more casual, and versatile than a standard kimono; a garment somewhere between breezy summer dress and robe.

May 11, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 2-The Art of Origami

Origami is the art of paper folding. In Japanese, “ori” means folding and “gami” means paper. Origami is more than just paper folding. It’s art. Origami can range from the super complex with realistic models to the simple models that are easier to fold.

May 18, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 3-Japanese Calligraphy

Japanese calligraphy is one of the most celebrated and revered forms of artistic expression with writing. The tradition of calligraphy was first brought to Japan by China in the 6th century A.D. Since then, a style and technique unique to Japan has formed, and it has been practiced by samurai, nobility, and ordinary people ever since.

May 25, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 4-The Japanese Tea Ceremony

Tea ceremony is a way of preparing and drinking green tea typically in a traditional tea room with a tatami (straw mat) floor. Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the main purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinct from the fast pace of everyday life.

June 1, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 5-Making Onigiri

Onigiri are a quick easy meal, much like sandwiches in the United States, eaten for lunch, dinner, a snack – even breakfast! Fillings can include fish, veggies, herbs – truly whatever you like. They are also an important comfort food, a symbol of love and caring, in Japan.