ST. CLAIRSVILLE — St. Clairsville Public Library will host three presentations aimed at sharing Japanese culture.

Manami Kawazoe, a Japan outreach coordinator working for the International Center at West Liberty University, invites the public to participate in the Japanese Immersion program.

Kawazoe, of Kyoto, will share information about Japanese New Year as well as crafting and calligraphy at 6 p.m. Jan. 17. At 1 p.m. Feb. 15, she will demonstrate how to create onigiri rice balls while exploring other Japanese traditions. The final demonstration is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 27.

Emily Kessler, director of public outreach with the library, said this program will be interesting.

“The final program is going to be a family-based program, and she’s going to have some activities where they can try on the kimonos — the traditional dress — and then also do a chopstick challenge and other fun activities, too, with the kids. A couple different programs for all ages,” she said.

Kessler said Kawazoe first visited the library during last fall’s “How-to” festival for a demonstration of origami, or folding paper into various shapes. Kessler said Kawazoe’s demonstration proved popular.

“Everyone liked her with the origami. It was a great addition to the how-to fest,” she said. “People have definitely shown interest, so I think it’ll be a neat experience to bring her culture into the library program.”

Kessler said the public is excited.

“She’s got a lot of information to share, and she’s very kind and easygoing with all different ages. With the origami that she did, she was very welcoming and everybody had a nice time engaging and asking her questions. She was really open to answering all sorts of questions.”

Library Director Doug Walsh added that there is local interest in Japanese culture, particularly since the introduction and growing popularity of manga comics.

“It’s kind of a unique thing for libraries to grow their manga collections. It’s popular with kids today and a gateway to reading. It’s different. It comes from a different sensibility and a different culture that reads from back to front, for example, and it’s much more visual than American graphic novels.”

Kawazoe responded to a request for an interview by email.

“The focus of this program is to share Japanese culture with the locals who live in the places where there are not many Japanese people and little-known Japanese culture,” she wrote.

She added that she has had some experience in the United States.

“This is my second time coming to the U.S. First time in Ohio and West Virginia though. Last time I came to the US was back in 2016 and it was on a cultural exchange program hosted by the university I graduated from. It was in Oklahoma and I only stayed for one month there,” she wrote. “The difference between West Liberty and my hometown — a town in Kyoto — that I felt the most is transportation. In my hometown, I often used trains but I should drive to have a life here.”

She said visiting local libraries and schools for such activities are her main jobs while in this country.

Kawazoe said the origami presentation was well-received.

“I think they enjoyed it and one of them was a teacher and she invited me to her art class at her school the other day. People ask random things but I would say many people have asked me about food. What is the most popular/famous food and I always answer: ‘sushi.’

“Origami is always a hit but food-related workshops are also something they like. I have not only done sushi workshops but also mochi and noodles. The audience really liked them.”

She said she is eager to discuss Japanese New Year traditions.

“Also I had a meeting with library staff members and we decided to do an activity for kids too,” she wrote.

She said her favorite presentation is usually the origami workshops.

“Because we only need a piece of paper for each person and we can enjoy working together. It is also for everyone, no matter how old they are. We can help and cooperate with each other too,” she said.

She said these cultural events provide opportunities.

“Get out of your comfort zone sometimes. Knowing the other culture might let you find new adventures.”

The library is located at 108 West Main St. The phone number is 740-695-2062.