All Things Japanese with John Ota John Ota

Origami requires only one material to perform – paper. Rooted in history, how did this art form became so prevalent in the lives of many beyond Japan? How does contemporary artists elevate this art form? In exploring these topics, John Ota is joined by special guests: Kathy Yamashita, co-curator of the exhibit, Origami: The Art of the Fold; Miya Turnbull, a visual artist living in Halifax, NS who primarily works with masks and self-portraits; Mui-Ling Teh, an artist, photographer, and p...

Valentine's Day - A day of chocolate, cards and romance is the norm in North America. But what about Japan? Is there Valentine’s Day in Japan? Is it the same as in North America? Join us in exploring the topic of love , evolving dating etiquette, and humanity's search for companionship whether in Canada or Japan. John Ota is joined by special guests: JCCC Executive Director, James Heron; JCCC new receptionist, Shino Ihara who was born and raised in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japa...

“Christmas morning broke on a beautiful white world. It had been a very mild December and people had looked forward to a green Christmas; but just enough snow fell softly in the night to transfigure Avonlea. Anne peeped out from her frosted gable window with delighted eyes.” Please join us for a special podcast episode on Anne of Green Gables and in Japan. Our special guests this episode are Mariko (Anne) Sasayama who led a cosmopolitan life and the wife of Consul-General Sasayama; Yuka ...

“Please,” It whispered. “Let me in.” Please join us for a special podcast episode on Horrors and Ghost Stories from Japan. Our special guest is Rui Umezawa - Toronto novelist, as well as a storyteller, essayist, children and YA writer. Rui is the author of Strange Light Afar: Tales of the Supernatural from Old Japan, selected for the CBC Best Books of the Year 2015. In this episode, John and Rui dissect scary folktales from Japan rooted in the Shinto tradition as well as why you should ...

Episode 9: Did you ever wonder, who are the samurai? What did they do? Who are these guys? Please join us for our latest podcast episode on The Story of Samurai. Our special guests will be Michael Wert, Professor of History at Marquette University and author of the book, “Samurai: A Concise History” and James Heron, Executive Director of the JCCC who will discuss the history of the samurai in Japan, their function and the international attraction to samurai films. This samura...

Episode 8: The 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games is here and we are excited! John Ota sits down with architect and judo sensei, Ken Fukushima to talk about judo, from the sport's philosophy to its introduction to the Olympic Games in 1964 when Japan hosted the Olympic Games for the first time. Ken also talks through the rising stars in the field this year including the first Olympian from the JCCC, Shady El Nahas.Check out Judo competition information: https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/...