2024-2025 Webinars 

Jan. 28, 7-8pm ET. Japanese, Russians and Ainu: Contacts before the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 with Dr. Viktor Shmagin. Join Dr. Viktor Shmagin for a fascinating look at interactions between Japanese, Russians and Ainu in Hokkaido prior to the 20th century. This webinar is part of the series of events commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Mass-Hokkaido Association. Register here.

Feb. 4, 7-8pm ET. Masked Hero, with authors Shan Woo Liu and Kaili Liu Gormley. "Meet Dr. Wu Lien-teh, defeater of the Manchurian plague—in a story authored by his great-granddaughter, an emergency physician who relied on his life-saving invention during a pandemic a century later." Join Dr. Wu's great-grandaughter, Shan Woo Liu, and his great-great-grandaughter, Kaili Liu Gormley, as they talk about their book Masked Hero, 2023 Freeman Book Award Honorable Mention. Register here.

Feb. 11, 7-8pm ET. Toilet Tales for Teachers: Japan Edition with Sharon Domier. You and your students can learn a lot about Japanese history and culture through toilets. Join Sharon Domier as she shares her passion for exploring the world of Japanese toilets. Register here.

Feb. 25, 7-8pm ET. Listening to Trees: George Nakashima, Woodworker, with author Holly Thompson. A poetic and moving picture book biography celebrating the life and work of the visionary Japanese American woodworker George Nakashima. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, George Nakashima began a love story with trees that grew throughout his remarkable life as an architect, designer and woodworker. Author Holly Thompson narrates Nakashima’s life using haibun, a combination of haiku and prose, which twines smoothly through Toshiki Nakamura’s earthy illustrations. Register here.

Feb. 27, 7-8pm ET. Mommy's Hometown with author Hope Lim. The Program for Teaching East Asia and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies offer a webinar with Hope Lim, author of Mommy’s Hometown. Through Hope Lim’s storytelling and Jaime Kim’s illustrations, this picture book takes the reader on a journey to the past and present in Daejeon, a city in central South Korea. In this webinar, Hope Lim will speak about her writing process, the powerful intricacies of picture books, and her observations of Daejeon over the years. Register here.