Upcoming Obon Festivals this Weekend !

Get ready, this weekend their are two Obon Festivals going on in Little Tokyo! Nishi Hongwanji and Zenshuji are both having their annual Obon festival this weekend. There will be fun, food, dancing, games, and live performances so be sure to check them out.

Nishi Hongwanji located at 815 E. First Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90012 starts this Saturday the 11th at 3pm, and runs until Sunday. The Bon Odori starts at 7Pm Saturday and 6:30Pm on Sunday. There will be food, games, cultural exhibits as well as stage performers. Click here for Nishi's Obon Site where you can find more information as well as the entertainment schedule.

The Zenshuji Obon Carnival runs this Saturday & Sunday from 11am-8pm. Zenshuji Soto Mission is located at 123 South Hewitt St. Los Angeles Ca 90012. The Obon service begins a 1:30 on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be cultural activities, eating, shopping, as well as a wide variety of entertainment and performances. Click here for Zenshuji's Obon webpage, you can find a detailed schedule as well as information on parking.

Summer Obon Festivals

Summer is here and the annual Obon festivals in Little Tokyo are quickly approaching.

We will be posting information about the upcoming Obon festivals as the get closer. In case you've never been before, or are not quite sure what Obon is, here is a quick primer for you.

Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist festival which honors the spirits of ancestors who have passed away. This festival started in Japan for over 500 years ago, and continues today. Typically there is food and dancing at the festivals, the dancing is called Bon Odori. Bon Odori is a celebration at which time one should feel gratefulness toward their ancestors. Their are many different Bon Odori dances which vary from temple to temple and also many different versions of the dance. There are traditional songs which Bon Odori are danced to. Traditionally Kimonos and Yukata are worn to the festival. At some places Toro Nagashi takes place which is when people float small paper lanterns in the water to signify the spirit's return to the land of the dead.

Obon in Japanese American culture is very important. It it typically held in conjunction with a bazaar with games and sells cultural food. Sometimes their will be performances from Taiko groups. Also similar to Japan dances vary from temple to temple, and the festivals are held at different times at different places. Stay tuned for more information about Obon in Little Tokyo!

"Soon" has FINALLY Arrived

I was walking back to my office a few days ago, and noticed that the "Coming Soon" sign in front of MulTEEpurpose at Teramachi’s ground floor retail space was taken down...and that there were chairs and tables outside...and the doors were open!


The MulTEEpurpose "Concept Store and Cafe" is offering free coffee on Fridays from 5-8 PM for the month of July...they’re closed, unfortunately, this July 3rd for Independence Day. They're located at 269 S. San Pedro Street, and are open from 8 AM to 8 PM.

So what’s the shop about? Still not really sure. It is a cafe that provides free Wi-Fi while you sip your organic teas and coffees, but they’re really a custom T-shirt company with a focus on developing sustainable, socially-conscious billboard clothing. Their moto: "Welcome to Effortless Activism". Interesting idea, hope they can make some money now.

Robot Trifecta UPDATE!

From Jeff Liu @ Visual Communications:

Festivities begin at 7:30 pm with King Zarkon HAPPY HOUR - complimentary beers until 8:30 pm or until our free beer runs out (just drop KING ZARKON's name to the bartenders) otherwise it's $3 a beer. We'll also be giving away door prizes all night long.

Please join the JACCC and Visual Communications this Friday night at the JACCC Plaza (244 S. San Pedro St.) for an amazing night filled with food, free giveaways, Facebook friends and the friggin' baddest robots who rocked the pre-90's animation world — ASTRO BOY, GIGANTOR and the original unedited Japanese version of VOLTRON (a.k.a. Go Lion). Feel free to bring your lawn chair, blanket, beach ball, because this will be a FREE outdoor screening on the JACCC Plaza!

DJ's Refine, Rani D and Akaider will be slaying mad monsters by mixing live soundtracks to the VOLTRON episodes! Join them, Princess Allura and the Go Lion pilots as they protect Arus and all of us from the evil King Zarkon of planet Doom!

Come join the fun, our first outdoor screening this year!

FREE Outdoor screening on the JACCC Plaza! This Friday!

Remember Astroboy, Gigantor and Voltron: Defender of the Universe? These three robots have been  protecting the universe over the last half century and now is your chance to see them!

If you remember them then this is just the event for you! If you don't this is the perfect time to get to know them!  

So bring your blankets and your appetite, there will be vendors such as Franken's Vegan Hot Dogs, All American Softy | Coffee and pretzels and Sushi Popper. 

This Robot Trifecta will be playing this Friday June 26th starting at 7:30PM at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo.   Located at: 44 South San Pedro Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets) Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012 (213) 628-2725

The event will also feature a  Live Soundtrack REMIX of VOLTRON by DJ's Rani D, Akaider and Refine!

The event looks like classic summertime fun, bring all your friends, blankets, get ready for the Robot Trifecta!

You can check out the trailers by following these links, or read a quick description below:

Astroboy

Gigantor

Voltron

ASTRO BOY (1963)
English version

The mother Japanese animation, Astro Boy was the first anime series to be broadcast on TV in Japan. The story follows the adventures of a heroic robot named Astro Boy which originated from the mangaof the same name, created by legendary Tezuka Osamu. ]

GIGANTOR (1964)
English version

Set in the "future" year of 2000, Gigantor is the story of a young boy named Jimmy Sparks who lives with his uncle Dr. Bob Brilliant on a remote island. With the help of a huge remote controlled robot named Gigantor, Jimmy fights crime around the world. Gigantor is the American adaptation of the Japanese anime and manga series Tetsujin 28-go by Mitsuteru Yokoyama. [

Appearance by Fred Ladd (original producer and writer for Astro Boy and Gigantor [U.S. Versions])

VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE (1984)
Original unedited Japanese version, with live soundtrack by DJ's Rani D and Akaider.

A team of five young pilots command five robot lions, which when combined form Voltron. In this undefined future era, the Voltron Force was in charge of protecting the planet Arus (ruled by Princess Allura) from the evil King Zarkon (from planet Doom), his son Lotor, and the witch Haggar, who would create huge Robeasts to terrorize the people of Arus.

Gold Line Safety Walk-Through

Yesterday, Kim Tachiki from US Representative Lucille Royball Allard's office arranged to have Little Tokyo Community Council members participate in a safety walk-through at the Metro Gold Line Little Tokyo / Arts District Station with Metro staff.

About five MTA representatives and engineers were on hand to field questions from a couple dozen community members about pedestrian safety and access around the Gold Line light rail station, which is slated for full operation sometime in August.

Upon walking up to the track crossing at the NE corner of 1st and Alameda, one is immediately struck at how "open" the crossing is, with little to keep a pedestrian from accidentally walking or falling over the tracks at an oncoming train (by the way, it's a $500 fine to walk on the tracks...but who reads signs when we're in a rush to catch a train or make the light?).

Many in the group were equally dismayed at the lack of barriers or gates to prevent an accident. MTA staff assured us, however, that gates are being evaluated, and that a study on the issue will be released in July or August...and there will be an opportunity for public comments.

The other questions that came up time and again were the lack of language-appropriate signage (some of the signs that were up did have Spanish translations). Many in the group expressed concerns over how local Japanese and Korean residents, most especially seniors, would be able to read the warnings. The MTA is also going to take into account the timing of pedestrian lights to enable seniors sufficient time to cross sidewalks.

Members in the group pointed out a lot of confusing designs and safety systems, so the walk-through was informative for both community members and the MTA staff. At the request of the participants, Metro representatives will be making presentations to the Little Tokyo Community Council and other groups, and will incorporate the comments and feedback from yesterday's meeting to the station's overall safety plan.

Celebrating 10 years of the Pavilion at JANM

It's hard to believe that it's already been ten years since we opened the Pavilion building with great festivities in 1999. In that time, there have been many, many community, art, and history exhibitions; countless public programs & events; and thousands of students and visitors who have learned about the Japanese American experience each year...and in so doing, hopefully have come to appreciate America's diversity a little more.

Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Pavilion with a special Open House. It's FREE all day. We'll have family fun activities, special Members' Coffee, tours, workshops, and a concert featuring Paul Dateh, TAIKOPROJECT, and Maceo Hernandez!

Happy Tenth: Celebrate the Pavilion

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Japanese American National Museum

FREE all day!

Activities include:

• Family Fun Arts ‘n Crafts (All Day)
• Fighting for Democracy Exhibition (11 AM –2 PM)
• Children’s Storytime with Rodney Kageyama (12 PM)
• Family Tour of Common Ground: The Heart of Community (1 PM & 2 PM)
• Taiko for Families Workshop (1:30 PM)

• Performances by Paul Dateh, TAIKOPROJECT & Demon Drummer from East LA with CAVA (3:30–5:30 PM)

Just for members:
• Members’ Coffee & Architectural Tour with remarks by President/CEO Akemi Kikumura Yano (10–11 AM) *Reservations required; space limited.
• Upper-level Member Collections Tour & Tea (By Invitation) (2:30 PM)
• Members’ Raffle (1 FREE ticket per member; winners must be present to win)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: See the new kaeru frog design with a special t-shirt by Zolo Toys and a kaeru naming contest.

For updated info, visit:  http://www.janm.org/events/2009/06/#20

Little Tokyo Community Profiles

Working on the Discover Nikkei project of the Japanese American National Museum, I have the opportunity to work with many different organizations and individuals to share the diverse stories and voices of Nikkei around the world. Sometimes, people focus on the global aspects though and forget that our local stories are a vital part of that larger picture. A recent project has reinforced the potential for our project in sharing and connecting people with Little Tokyo's past and present.

This past spring, we had the opportunity to partner with Professor Morgan Pitelka of Occidental College on a meaningful community-based documentation project for a seminar titled "Japanophilia: Orientalism, Nationalism, Transnationalism." I've been wanting to partner with younger people to interview some of the long-time Little Tokyo businesses to share on DiscoverNikkei.org for a while now and was thrilled when Prof. Pitelka agreed to my suggestion.

My criteria in selecting businesses was that they would be family-owned businesses that had operated in Little Tokyo for a long time, but had not previously had much written about them before. I thought it would make it easier for the students to have access, but also because I wanted them to be able to get to know the people behind the businesses that they may have frequented before or might afterwards. The Little Tokyo Historical Society and staff at the Museum provided help in selecting and contacting the businesses. In the end, five businesses were selected and agreed to be interviewed: Aihara Insurance, Aoi Restaurant, Bunkado, Little Tokyo Cafe, and Uyeda Department Store.

Ten students worked in teams of two to interview the owners of the businesses. Each team created a Nikkei Album collection together to share photos and an overview of each business. In addition, each student wrote their own article sharing stories. Although I've visited many of the businesses for many, many years, I was delighted to find that I learned so much new about each business through this project.

We're posting the ten student articles one per week. So far six are online. At the end of each article is a link to the corresponding Nikkei Album collection. The articles can be accessed here: Little Tokyo Community Profiles series.

I'd really want to express my appreciation and gratitude to Prof. Pitelka and his students. They really embraced this project and I think they got a lot out of it. I'd love to continue to work with student, youth, and community groups to continue with this type of community documentation project. If you're interested, let us know!

Children's Day Festival and Basketball Tourney This Weekend

This weekend, thousands of people will descend on Little Tokyo to celebrate the 26th Annual Children's Day Festival, sponsored by JACCC. The event will feature the Chibi-K ("little person") kilometer run at 8 AM Saturday, a race for 4 to 12 year-olds (a sight to see). There will also be taiko drumming, an arts/crafts fair, a sushi-making workshop, and cultural performances.


For those of us saddened by the Lakers' recent dismal performances, immediately following the Chibi-K will be the San-tai-San ("3-on 3") basketball tournament on San Pedro Street for 3rd to 7th graders. The sports event started 11 years ago to help raise awareness about the need for a recreation center in Little Tokyo, which has recently been named Budokan of Los Angeles.

Hope you folks can come out and join us!

Busy day at JANM tomorrow

If you're in Little Tokyo tomorrow (Sat, May 9), stop by the Japanese American National Museum. There's the Target Free Family Saturday -- FREE admission all day!! -- with Hawaiian-themed craft activities, ukelele workshops and performance, and food tasting from Aloha Cafe.

At 2pm, author John Christgau will talk about his new book Kokomo Joe which is about the first JA jockey in the U.S. who burst onto the American horse racing scene in the summer of 1941. Despite his success, or maybe spurred by it, he faced a lot of discrimination and racism from the other jockeys, trainers, and owners. After being sent to camp for 3 years, he returned but faced more racism, a career-ending injury, and eventually died of cancer.

This weekend is also Member Appreciation Days, so if you're a current member of the Museum, you can get 20% off at the Museum Store (and online at janmstore.com). If you still need to find a gift for Mother's Day, it's a great place to find unique cultural gifts. You can buy a meaningful present, save money, and support the work of the Museum...a trifecta of good karma!

For more details on these happenings, visit: http://www.janm.org/events/#09

Shojin, organic & natural

Just wanted to give a little plug to Shojin, the organic and natural Japanese fusion place in Little Tokyo, at Third and Alameda. I've been there a few times in the last year since it opened and read what the yelpers had to say. The portions are rather on the small side, but pretty tasty.

If you want vegetarian, vegan food, or you just want to eat something new and different or a little bit healthier, you should give it a try. And save some room for dessert --in fact, go with a friend and get a few of the desserts to sample, because they are yummy.

Lunch Special

Two Entree Bento Box 9.95
Happy Hour$7.95(11:30am - 12:00pm)

Two assorted vegetable dishes with your choice of two entrees
Add side dishes of brown rice, soup and salad ($1.50 each)
Choose any two entrees from below:
Crispy Seitan Cutlet
Barbequed Seitan
Garden Seitan Ball
Grilled Tempeh
Hamburg Steak
Tofu Steak
Pumpkin Croquette
Okara Cake
Fried Marinated Tempeh
Mushroom Sushi Roll

Shojin - organic & natural
333 S. Alameda St. 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-617-0305

Meeting about Parking in Little Tokyo

As anyone who lives, works, or plays in Little Tokyo knows, we've got a pretty wacky problem with parking in the neighborhood. Since the onslaught of new building developments and nearby civic center expansions, finding available and reasonably-priced parking in Little Tokyo is a joke. This problem impacts local businesses, community groups, and cultural events.

The Little Tokyo Community Advisory Committee, in collaboration with Little Tokyo Community Council, is conducting a parking needs study. The meeting will be open to the community, and any/all are welcomed to attend to provide input to the parking plan. Come to find out about existing parking conditions data, occupancy/turnover information, and develop/recommend parking management strategies.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009
Japanese American National Museum
369 E. FIRST STREET
REGISTRATION: 4:00 PM (come early to review data/maps)
PROGRAM 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
(Japanese language translation will be provided)

For more information contact Kumamoto Associates at (323) 223-6473

The Train in J-town

I was surprised to see a train coming down the First Street Bridge heading west on First Street in front of Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple about 8:35 am today. It was surreal, knowing that it's been decades since trains have run in Little Tokyo. I remember the old train tracks back in the early 70s when I was a child. This is the 2nd one I've seen, so it must be getting close to being ready, huh?

Program about the future of Kenjinkai at JANM this Saturday

The Discover Nikkei project at the Japanese American National Museum is presenting its latest public program this Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 2-4pm.  It will feature a panel discussion with members from four local Kenjinkai groups talking about the role of Kenjinkai now and in the future. 

For those not familiar with Kenjinkai, they are Japanese prefectural associations. Since the Japanese started coming to America, these groups have played important roles for new immigrants in assimilating into the larger society. In Southern California, there are 41 existing Kenjinkai groups. Most have gotten a lot smaller in recent years. The children and grandchildren aren't participating as much.

Members of Hiroken, Kagoshima Heritage Club, Mie Kenjinkai, and Yamaguchi Kenjinkai will talk about their respective groups and then participate in a discussion moderated by Professor Lane R. Hirabayashi of UCLA to explore what the Kenjinkai mean to younger generations and how they need to evolve in order for these associations to be relevant and continue to exist in the future.

The program will also include cultural performances by past Kenjinkai Kyogikai scholarship winners and brief remarks by Consul Hiroshi Furusawa. The program will be followed by a light reception sponsored by Lane R. Hirabayashi, George & Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair of Japanese American Internment, Redress, and Community, Asian American Studies Department, UCLA.

I'm really excited about this program. I think the issues that will be raised are relevant not only for Kenjinkai, but really all Japanese American organizations.  The program is free with Museum admission, but space is limited so RSVPs are required. 

RSVP: 

213.625.0414 ext. 2227

rsvp@janm.org (subject: Kenjinkai, March 28)

See more details >>

To learn more about Kenjinkai, here are some recent articles on Discover Nikkei:

- Kagoshima Heritage Club by Tim Asamen

- My Involvement in the Kenjinkai by Arlene Nakamura

Photo courtesy of Yamaguchi Kenjinkai

10 Years of Promoting Digital Inclusion

The DISKovery Center, a community technology program of the Little Tokyo Service Center that helps bring low income seniors, youth, and other adults up to speed on information technologies, will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary this Friday.

This is a pretty big milestone for the program, which had its humble beginnings in a classroom at the St. Francis Xavier Japanese Catholic Center (formerly known as Maryknoll). The idea started with our volunteer-run Technology Advisory Committee, which cobbled together about 20 donated computers, software, equipment, and cabling help. I started working there soon after it opened, and am pretty happy to have seen it grow and come this far.

The program has since moved to the historic Far East Building, with two additional sites in Echo Park and the Torrance/South Bay in partnership with the Japanese Cultural Institute. The DISKovery Center provides basic computer skills training to people who've never touched a keyboard, up to more advanced applications such as digital video production.

This Friday, we're going to unveil a new look for the Center, which'll feature new imacs and a few other nice changes.

Hope you can join us in this celebration. The event will be held at 11 AM at 353 E. 1st Street. Be sure to RSVP! 213.621.4158.

March 28 Sketch Comedy Show - East West Players

SketchComedyShow.com is returning to the East West Player Theater this March 28!  Fresh off of two major wins in 2008 at iOWest SketchMatch and the International Sketch Comedy Competition at the Laugh Factory, Projekt NewSpeak kicks off 2009 with its premiere event here in Little Tokyo.

SketchComedyShow.com will be showcasing its signature brand of improv, live sketches and filmed segments that Audrey magazine calls “hilarious” and “creative,” the sketch troupe that is “blowing away the competition.” There will be 90-minutes of all new material from the creators of the Bollywood Stripper, Toyo and the Anime Club, MC Tiny, and faux rockers Food Supply with the same comedic finesse and precision that Angelenos have come to love.

We have a great line-up of guests performers who include Derrick Jackson, a rising star of stand up, and DJ Phatrick (who has a great blog, btw) from the legendary Native Guns.  Singer Vudoo Soul will be performing at the show. MyNinja Clothing will have their t-shirts on hand. Ugly Doll and T-shirt giveaways! Do not pass up this evening of bright lights and roll-on-the-floor laughter.

Come support local art and artists.  Isn't it about time to find something to laugh about again?

Party it up afterwards at Origami Bistro (257 S. Spring). Free entrance with your wristband and $4 drink specials all night long!

Date: Saturday, March 28

Time: Doors open 6:30 P.M. | Show starts 7:00P.M.

Red Carpet: 6:00 P.M. - Be a Star on our red carpet!

Location:
East West Players Theater
120 N. Judge John Aiso St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Ticket Price: Discount Presale $15 | At the door $20

More Info OR How to Buy: www.projektnewspeak.com | www.sketchcomedyshow.com | www.myspace.com/projektnewspea

Ways to support JANM

Times are tough all around right now, but it's particularly a bad time to be a non-profit. Non-profits tend to be among the hardest hit, because people will usually cut back on donations before luxury items, and of course, essentials. An estimate at the end of last year predicted that at least 100,000 non-profits nationwide will disappear over the next two years due to the financial crisis.

There are less grants and corporate sponsorships available. Foundations and individuals are also giving less or not at all. It's pretty bleak out there. I work at the Japanese American National Museum where we've recently had to cut our public hours and some services because we've had to make drastic cuts to staffing. I've talked to people at other non-profits and I hear the same difficulties everywhere...everyone is struggling to survive right now, trying to figure out how to hang on until things improve.

I've worked at JANM now for almost 14 years. When I started, we only had the Historic Nishi Hongwanji building. The space where the Pavilion building is now was just a parking lot. I was there when we opened the Pavilion in January 1999. I can't believe it's already been 10 years! I am so very proud of what we have accomplished in that time...over 25,000 students visit us every year and learn about the JA experience--from the struggles of the pioneering Issei, through the WWII years of camp and the 442/100/MIS, and into resettlement and redress. So many educators have attended workshops that extend the messages of diversity as an integral part of democracy. Exhibitions and public programs, our collections, our websites, and so much more...I really fear losing all of this.

The majority of our funding each year comes from individual gifts, both large and small. Although we do get grants to support special projects, they generally won't fund much staffing or things like utilities and basic operating costs. So, memberships, donations, special events like our Annual Gala Dinner, and other forms of giving are what keeps us running.

If you support the work of the Japanese American National Museum, and want to help ensure that we are able to continue the work that we do (school tours, exhibitions, public programs, conferences, educator workshops and programs, preservation and access to our vast collection--the largest of its kind in the world, our resource center, our web projects, and so much more), we really, really, REALLY need your support now.

Ways you can help:

Lexus tickets

On Sat, April 25, at our Annual Dinner, we will be selecting the winner for a Lexus Opportunity Drawing. This year, you can win a 2009 Lexus GS 450h. It's a very nice looking hybrid, so also saves on gas too! (I'm not a car person, so won't attempt to present details...go to the Lexus site: http://www.lexus.com/models/GSh/). Lexus tickets are $25 each, or 5 for $100 (buy 4, get 1 free!).

If you're interested in purchasing Lexus tickets, go to the Museum's front desk or go to http://www.janm.org/events/2009/dinner and download the order form and mail it in. If you want to be nice to me, write my name on the form (Vicky Murakami-Tsuda) so I can get credit. =)

Other ways to help

Not interested in winning a Lexus? There are other ways you can help, some even don't require you to open up your pocketbook! Some examples are using GoodSearch.com and programs like eSCRIP. Another is a special limited offer gift of a poster of Giant Robot Issue 57 featuring artwork of President Barack Obama on the cover on donations of $40 or more.

We're always in need of volunteers. Our many dedicated volunteers are what have enabled us to accomplish all that we do. They work as docents and greeters. They help out in the Store (both in the front and behind-the-scenes). They help us with our collections and in our resource center. They help with maintaining our facilities, mailings, public programs, and a myriad of other tasks. They help us with our websites and support so many of our projects. With the cuts to our staffing, our volunteers are even more critical than ever.

Visit http://www.janm.org/ways-to-help/ for info on these and other ways to help.

Don't forget to support your other favorite Little Tokyo non-profits too!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The Little Tokyo Recreation Center has just release some renderings of it's vision for a multi-purpose, multi-use facility in the community.

The images were created by the Ishou Keikaku Corporation of Tokyo and were coordinated through the Rec Center's Design Architect, Mr. Hayahiko Takase. The renderings were created to help potential donors, supporters and community members envision how the project will look once completed.

The rooftop will feature solar panels, a garden path, and a skylight to illuminate the interior.



It's unlikely that we'll actually see kendo classes and a basketball game simultaneously happening on the same floor, but you get the picture.

Tama the Cat saves Japanese town

Last year a creative campaign helped raise $10 million tourism dollars for Kishikawa in Wakayama, Japan. Maybe we can "copycat" this idea for Little Tokyo!

A film about Toyo's Camera

"Toyo's Camera: Japanese American History during WWII" is a documentary film by Junichi Suzuki that looks at the Japanese internment experience through the lens of Toyo Miyatake's camera.

Miyatake handmade a camera with a smuggled lens to visually document the lives of those who were forcibly placed in the Manzanar camp. The original camera is now a permanent monument in front of the Japanese American National Museum. Bobby posted a blog about Toyo's camera here.

March 15, 2009
JACCC Aratani Theater
244 S. San Pedro St. LA, CA 90012,
213-680-3700
www.toyoscamera.com