Talk & Sip | Unmasking Japanese Folklore with Author Natalie Jacobsen

Presented by the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

Whether you’ve watched The Ring or Spirited Away, played Pokémon, seen episodes of Naruto or Sailor Moon, or walked into a Japanese restaurant with a maneki-neko (招き猫; “lucky, waving cat”) statue greeting you, chances are, you’re already familiar with Japanese folklore. But what is the real history behind the folklore?

Natalie Anna Jacobsen, local author of GHOST TRAIN, a historical fiction novel set in 1877 Kyoto, will present on Meiji-Era Japanese history and centuries-old folktales from across the country that still inspire lessons and stories today. She will share the folklore and the real historical events that became the basis for the story, all of which she learned while living in Japan for years.

Learn the facts from the fiction, and how Emperor Meiji changed the trajectory of Japanese culture, history, and storytelling – forever.

Join us following the talk to connect and nōryō (納涼; enjoy the cool of the evening) over sake!

(IDs will be checked at the door.)

began writing fiction in high school; after publishing her first newspaper article at age 13, she was invited to hone her craft in creative writing programs locally and overseas and write long-form books, for which she garnered media attention and appeared on CBS Early Show with Hattie Kauffman. In college, Jacobsen turned her interest in storytelling into journalistic endeavors. After graduating, she wrote and photographed for magazines, television and music studios in Japan, fostering her love of untold stories. In Virginia, she reported on civil rights and defended journalists’ rights in court. Her other passion is filmmaking; after attending the New York Film Academy at TOEI studios in Kyoto, she showed two projects at Film Festivals.

The award-winning journalist, writer and marketing director now devotes her time and talent to the public and nonprofit sector, inspiring others to take action and change the world. In her spare time, she can be found at music festivals, boarding planes, volunteering, and in greenhouses. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Jacobsen lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, a lawyer and fellow University of Oregon “Duck,” and their hundreds of plants – and books.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior. No admittance after 7:00 PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, 1150 18th Street Northwest, Washington, United States