Seattle Area Businesses Pool Resources, Talent to Launch Site Celebrating Japanese Culture

SEATTLE, January 15, 2008 - Three Seattle companies have pooled their resources and talent to launch a new site - JapanInfusion.com - which celebrates, introduces and explains Japanese culture. The site is aimed at online readers who would like to infuse their lives with the best of Japanese culture and aesthetics.

The site is the brainchild of Takumi Ono, president of Junglecity Network Inc., which runs Junglecity.com, an award-winning Japanese-language portal dedicated to providing extensive information on the Northwest.

Ono, a Japanese native and long-time Seattle resident, sought out the help of Bruce Rutledge of Chin Music Press, a small publisher in Seattle, and Taichi Kitamura, head chef and founder of Seattle sushi bars Chiso and Chiso Kappo, and together, the three developed a plan for JapanInfusion.com.

"We believe that there are many people who may have never even been to Japan but are attracted to the Japanese aesthetic or to the cuisine or to some element of the culture," said Ono." This site will help them learn about the culture and infuse aspects of that culture into their lives."

Some of the first articles on the site include an interview with one of Japan's greatest sushi chefs, octogenarian Jiro Ono; a profile of shamisen-playing rock stars, the Yoshida Brothers; and an interview with the leading non-Japanese expert on sake, John Gauntner.

Future articles will look at Japanese architecture, literature, handmade sweets, flower arrangements, textiles and much more. The site will also feature giveaways and contests such as a drawing for free Yoshida Brothers CDs that is running through January 31.

"We want to do for Japanese culture what Dwell magazine has done for modernism," said Rutledge, who has been appointed the site's editor in chief. "Japanese culture and aesthetics have seeped into our mindset in the West recently, and we thought it was about time to launch a site that would examine and illuminate that trend."

Sushi chef Kitamura concurs: "I have noticed over the years that the customers at my restaurants are more and more interested in different aspects of Japan. This site is meant for them."

The site will be updated monthly.

Media Contacts:
Takumi Ono, 206-285-2054, info@japaninfusion.com

Editorial Contacts:
Bruce Rutledge, 206-784-4700, editor@japaninfusion.com