We are delighted to announce a special partnership for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). During the month of May, 50% of profits from all tuttlepublishing.com website sales will be donated to the Japan America Society of Vermont (JASV).
Tuttle and the JASV have deep roots in our shared state of founding, and have been working together for more than 20 years to promote understanding of and interest in Japanese culture. Throughout the month of May, we will be celebrating APAHM across our website and social media, with author Instagram takeovers, special giveaways, children’s book read alouds, and stories from our many AAPI authors.
Most people are surprised to learn that the world's largest publisher of books on Asia is located in Rutland, Vermont. The company's modern founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing—but WWII brought him to a new career in Japan.
He was tasked with helping to revive the Japanese publishing industry in post-war Japan, where he also imported American books to sell to the millions of GIs stationed there. By 1949, Tuttle's business was thriving, and he opened Tokyo's first English-language bookstore, to great success. Two years later, he began publishing books to fulfill the growing interest in the West for all things Asia, officially establishing Tuttle Publishing in its current form. By the time of his death in 1993, he had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history, and art.
JASV was founded in 1983 and is one of more than 40 Japan-America societies across the country. The society seeks to improve cross-cultural understanding and mutually beneficial interaction among Japanese and Vermont individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. Membership is open to anyone seeking better understanding and interaction between Japanese and Americans.
The JASV sponsors activities such as a Matsuri festival, business and cultural presentations, demonstrations, language courses, and other programs, as funding allows. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and provides referral, orientation, and translation services.
COVID-19 has severely impacted JASV’s fundraising efforts and opportunities for community engagement. We hope this donation will help them to reestablish their presence and continue their important work in a post-pandemic world.