JAMAF Presenter / Performer Information
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Yoshimi Kurata JAMAF's guest of honor is a holder of the prestigious Shogakukan Award. Mr. Kurata is famous for his manga series Aji Ichimonme. Born in Japan's Akita Prefecture, he was an assistant to Tetsuya Chiba before debuting with Moe Izuru. Originally an artist for children comics, he joined the ranks of shonen Mangaka in 1986 with his work Kaiun Salesman Sugiyama Hitoshi-kun. He is a professor of manga at Otemae University in Hyogo-ken, Japan and also a member of MANGA JAPAN. Mr. Kurata serves as a judge for the International Manga Awards run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japanese Government, and also as a judge for Digital Canvas Match. Outside of creating comics he also actively participates in community projects catering to nurturing new creative artists. |
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Yukiko Yamagishi Originally from Takarazuka City in Hyogo Prefecture and a graduate of Otemae University, Ms. Yukiko Yamagishi is a manga artist and works on both manga and illustration projects. She currently works as an assistant to Mr. Yoshimi Kurata drawing manga and illustrating social games, producing both drafts and sketches. She has worked on projects involving the games Cyber Agent, Tenka Toitsu Chronicle (Unification Chronicle), Book Live and others. |
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Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle Meet Yoko Yanagimoto, Education/JET Program Advisor, and Lynn Shiori Miyauchi, Senior Specialist for Cultural Affairs. Learn about opportunities in Japan to study and work with the JET Program in addition to interesting magazines about Japanese culture and current trends. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of JAMAF, help make our Haiku Tree “bloom” by filling out a paper blossom with your personal haiku or message! |
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Okinawa Kenjin Kai Chijinshuu OKK Chijinshuu specializes in Okinawan folk dance and drumming. This exciting and enthusiastic group promotes friendship with the goal of handing down their cultural heritage by introducing the public to traditional music, dances, and folk crafts. |
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Ikebana in the Life of Megumi Bailey Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Megumi Bailey has studied Sogetsu Ikebana Sogetsu since 2008. She is certified teacher at Sogetsu school. She contributes to display Ikebana and performs demo in public such as art museums. By using multiple techniques, she expresses respect of life and moment in traditional and modern way. Sogetsu Ikebana is one of the Japanese flower arrangement style which focuses on space and energy of materials. |
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Zack Davission Zack Davisson is a translator, writer, and scholar of Japanese folklore, ghosts and manga. He is the author of Yurei - The Japanese Ghost (Chin Music Press), the translator of Satoshi Kon's Opus, Seraphim, and The Art of Satoshi Kon (Dark Horse) and Shigeru Mizuki's multiple Eisner and Harvey-nominated Showa: A History of Japan, and Hitler (Drawn & Quarterly). He contributes essays on Japanese culture to Wayward (Image), and is the creator of the popular Japanese folklore site https://hyakumonogatari.com. |
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Chie Lee presents... Yukata Booth! Yukata Booth is kindly brought to the JAMAF community by guest of honor Chie Lee. Lee-san is a third-generation Korean, born and raised in Osaka, Japan. She lived in Seattle for six years and now resides in Kakamigahara, Gifu prefecture, Japan. She is a teacher at the "Spreading Japanese National Clothes Culture Institute Inc." While giving English tours to visitors, she also does a kimono experience at Nakasendou Unumajuku, an old post station in Gifu. Here is a message from Chie-san.
"I was born and grew up in Osaka. Moved to Gifu 28 year ago and live there now. |
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Kodiak Games presents... At Last Alone: Canyon of Fires Kodiak Games is presenting an early build of their upcoming independent JRPG, At Last Alone: Canyon of Fires. The game combines an exciting fantasy story with 16-bit inspired graphics and gameplay. Try out the game before it officially launches on Windows PCs in July, 2019! |