Documenting the west coast Nikkei experience [and beyond] from the viewpoint of a hapa Nikkei graphic designer, editor, photographer, taiko player & teacher.
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A Photo Exhibition Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Canada and Japan
March 23 (Mon.) – April 4 (Sat.) Pendulum Gallery HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia, Vancouver, V6C3E
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed: 9:00-17:00/ Thurs, Fri: 9:00-21:00/ Sat: 9:00-17:00
Reception: March 26 (Thu.) 18:00-20:00 at Pendulum Gallery
Admission Free
The first Japanese [...]
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Nagata Shochu
On Wednesday, November 12 2008, a once in a lifetime event will take place at Kobayashi Hall as former members of Toronto Suwa Daiko (Toronto’s first taiko group 1982-1992), Yakudo, and Nagata Shachu join forces in a tribute concert to taiko pioneer Daihachi Oguchi. Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi was the founder of [...]
THE BEST OF ASIAN CULTURE ON DISPLAY AT ANNUAL TWO-DAY
ROAD TO ASIA FESTIVAL 2008
The Road to Asia Festival 2008 is a two-day festival, which promotes cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through artistic expression. The festival creates a thriving multicultural atmosphere by showcasing food, martial arts, dance, arts and crafts and music. On the Road to Asia, the Asian community celebrates the individuality of each culture within the context of the entire Asian region.
This year’s festival will feature a rich mix of cultures of several Asian counties including: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Japan.
Continue reading ROAD TO ASIA FESTIVAL 2008
Top: Alison Nishihara and Eileen Kage
Bottom, left to right: Chief Robert Joseph, Dr. Roy Miki, Jason De Couto, Cassandra Kobayashi
No, there is no Canadian Nikkei Day. Today is, however, the 20th Anniversary if the historic Redress settlement – signed this day on September 22, 1988. The conference and celebration that marked this significant occasion wrapped up yesterday at the National Nikkei Heritage Centre. The three-day event, held at the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall in Vancouver and the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre and the Alan Emmott Centre in Burnaby, featured plenary sessions, workshops, video screenings, panel discussions, performances and a celebration banquet. While I wasn’t able to attend the entire event, I attended enough to know that it was a success. The highlight for me was Kokoro Dance’s presentation of Ghosts on the roof of the Sunrise market at the corner of Powell and Gore on Friday evening. While there were many eloquent words over the past three days, Ghosts managed to convey, without words, the effects of the internment on the west coast Nikkei community. Another highlight was the keynote speech by Chief Robert Joseph at the Saturday night banquet. Speaking without note, he delivered an eloquent and passionate speech to the dinner guests that underlined the imortance of the Redress victory on many different levels.
The following is an edited version of my editorial from the September issue of The Bulletin:
When the Japanese Canadian Redress settlement was signed on September 22, 1988, I was 29 years old. Although the settlement had no direct impact on me, there was one way that I did benefit directly. A short time after the cheques were mailed out, I went on tour in Europe with Uzume Taiko and Kokoro Dance. As I was going to be overseas on my birthday, my mother gave me $310 in honour of the 31st birthday I’d be celebrating in Frankfurt. We never had much money to spare as I was growing up, and this represented the most cash my parents had ever been able to give me (not counting housing, clothing and feeding me for eighteen years of course). As someone struggling to subsist on a professional taiko player’s salary (i.e., very little), the money was much appreciated. I know I was touched that my mum would take a portion of her Redress cheque and share it with me. It may not seem like a huge amount now, but $300 went a lot further in those days.
Continue reading Happy Canadian Nikkei Day!
This weekend is the 20th Anniversary of the Japanese Canadian Redress agreement. A three day event is being held at the Vancouver Japanese language School & Japanese Hall (today) and at Nikkei Place (tomorrow and Sunday). I wasn’t able to make it down today, but managed to catch Kokoro Dance’s performance of Ghosts on [...]
Friday, June 27, 2008, 3:30-4:30pm Free. 6 to 12 years old. Must be accompanied by an adult. Oliver Samonte, known as “Dr. Recycle”, presents a recycling workshop for children. Children will be inspired by imaginative projects using reusable and recyclable materials. Please bring your own recyclable materials if possible. • Cereal boxes • Two [...]
Jazz and The Japanese Suite at Toronto’s Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre – May 23, 2008
In recognition of the 80th anniversary of Canada-Japan relations, a very special concert will be held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Three Canadian jazz and classical icons – James Campbell, Gene DiNovi, and Dave Young – will début [...]
Chibi Taiko, Tera Taiko and Dharnakasa are featured on this youtube clip . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_2Yw6TupTU. Thanks to Jacob at Uminari Taiko for passing this along.
Got a chance to play with Chibi Taiko at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival today – filling in for Brandon, who had to work and couldn’t make it for the first set. Chibi and Steveston Tera Taiko joined forces to open and close the Third Annual Cherry Jam at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Jam [...]
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