Inaugural Newsletter - Bridging US and Japan in Maine: One Story at a Time

Welcome to the Japanese Cultural Association of Maine’s Inaugural Newsletter!

Did you know Maine and Japan are connected in ways that might surprise and inspire you? Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Japanese Cultural Association of Maine’s newsletter!

This is a space for stories of friendship, culture, and community that bridge our two worlds. When friends Yuko and Alex kept hearing about these remarkable connections, we realized they were too special to keep to ourselves. That’s how “Bridging US and Japan in Maine: One Story at a Time” was born.

Each newsletter will spotlight individuals whose lives have been enriched by the Maine-Japan ties and show how they continue to weave our cultures together. Kasei, a Bowdoin College student, has been helping us with interviews that will be featured in upcoming newsletters. We hope these stories inspire, delight, and maybe even spark a new connection for you. Have a story of Maine-Japan connections you would like to share? Or are you a student from Japan or a student studying Japanese who’d like to help with future interviews and blogs? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a note at jcaofmaine@gmail.com

Learn more

From the blog

Kathleen Goddu: Art of Shibori and Sashiko

Kathleen Goddu lives and creates her art in Brunswick, ME. She has been practicing the fabric arts of shibori and sashiko for almost two decades, and shows her work locally amidst the vibrant Maine art scene. Learn more about how Kathleen’s connection to Japan carved her path as a shibori and sashiko artist!

Toshio Hashimoto: From Oshima to Rumford

Toshio Hashimoto grew up on a small island of Oshima, not far from the city of Hiroshima. He moved to Maine in 1987. Many know him as a reputable foreign car mechanic, grower of sumptuous shiitake, a taiko drummer, and an avid hiker. Learn more about what brought Toshio to Maine and the full and interesting life he lives!

Japanese Language Table in Portland

Starting on March 4th, The Language Table will be launching a weekly Japanese language conversation table. Every Wednesday from the 4th onward, the Japanese Table will meet at the Aomori Kitchen + Market in Portland from 6-8PM for open conversation entirely in Japanese. The tables are free to attend, and all conversational skill levels are welcome! No RSVP required, but if you’d like to join the WhatsApp group for the table please email the organizer, Jud (jmwiding@gmail.com), to be added.

The Language Table is a Portland-based non-profit dedicated to building cross-cultural communities of language learners and native speakers through fun, relaxed weekly conversation tables. The Japanese Table will be The Language Table’s fifth such group, joining weekly conversation tables for Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian.

Friends of Aomori Virtual Information Session

Friends of Aomori is a Maine-based nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to fostering the sister-state relationship between Maine and Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1994, Friends of Aomori facilitates educational, cultural, and business exchanges, including school partnerships, and art programs. Join members of Friends of Aomori to learn more about upcoming initiatives and events and how you can be involved!

Friends of Aomori - 橋 Hashi Exhibition - at Portland Public Library

One of Friends of Aomori’s signature programs is the annual student print exchange, in which elementary school-aged artists in both Maine and Aomori create traditional Japanese block prints and exchange them as cultural “bridges” or hashi. Selections from past Hashi exchange will be on display at the Portland Public Library Community Gallery from April 9 - June 24.

On Friday, May 1, a small sakura (cherry blossom) festival will take place in front of the Portland City Hall at 4:30pm, followed by a First Friday reception at the Library. The celebration will feature a performance by Taiko Maine Dojo, along with remarks from Mayor Dion of the City of Portland and Consul Takahashi from the Consulate General of Japan in Boston.

Save the Date: Japan Day at Hadlock Field with the Portland Sea Dogs

Japan Day is back at Hadlock Field with the Portland Sea Dogs on Aug 23rd, 1pm game! We’ll share more details in upcoming newsletters, but for now, mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Maine - Japan connections while cheering on our beloved baseball team.

Last year’s inaugural “Japan Night” on July 29, 2025 was a huge hit, honoring Maine native Horace Wilson, who introduced baseball to Japan in the 1870s. Thanks to that success, this year’s Japan Day promises to be even better.

Come catch a great game, reconnect with friends, and make new ones, all while celebrating the unique bond between Maine and Japan!