by Jill Shiraki | Sep 28, 2023 | Classes & Events, Other News
Saturday, November 4, 2 pm
A concert by koto musician Shirley Muramoto,her students, with guest artist Bando Hiroshichiro
To honor musicians held in Japanese American prison camps who performed traditional instruments, musician Shirley Muramoto and her students will perform. Hear the music of newly restored koto and shamisen instruments that have not been played since the family departed Topaz camp, and a restored shakuhachi whose owner was interned in the Fort Lincoln Internment Camp in Bismarck, North Dakota. Kabuki dancer and teacher Bando Hiroshichiro will perform a Nihon Buyo traditional dance that was well known to the Issei generation. Made possible in part by Alliance for California Traditional Arts, California Arts Council, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Walter and Elise Haas Foundation. Presented by Friends of Topaz Museum and J-Sei.
Suggested donation: $10-$15. Limited seating available. RSVP at Eventbrite.
“Desert Winds & Strings: A Historical Exhibit” shares the story of Japanese traditional artists who performed in America’s concentration camps. The exhibit will be on display from November 1 to 17 in the J-Sei gallery. Gallery Hours: MWF 10-1, TuTh 1-5, and by appointment.
Photo: Koto, shamisen and shakuhachi performance, Topaz concentration camp. ca. 1944 Courtesy of Kent Nakamoto.
by Jill Shiraki | Sep 28, 2023 | Classes & Events
Documentary Screenings of:
Benkyodo: The Last Manju Shop in J-Town and
Atomic Cafe: The Noisiest Corner in J-Town
Sunday, November 12, 3 to 5 pm
Join us for a special screening of “BENKYODO: The Last Manju Shop in J-Town” and “ATOMIC CAFÉ: The Noisiest Corner in J-Town”. two seminal short documentaries that explore themes of gentrification, displacement, and community power with humor and heart, directed by Akira Boch and Tadashi Nakamura.
Come to the screening, hear from the filmmakers, and enjoy a light reception hosted by Chef Yuji Ishikata. Reserve your tickets now as space is limited. Suggested donation: $20/ticket
by Jill Shiraki | Aug 7, 2023 | Classes & Events
Okaeri Voices with Suzie and Ellen
Saturday, August 19, 2 pm
“Okaeri Voices” is an oral history project featuring LGBTQ+ and allied Japanese Americans over 60 who share their journeys of heartbreak, self-discovery, and triumph, inspiring us to believe in an inclusive future for our Nikkei LGBTQ+ community. Season One features George Takei, Mia Yamamoto, Bill Tashima, Harold & Ellen Kameya, Dean Goishi, Desiree Thompson, and Gary Hayashi. Check out bit.ly/OkaeriYoutube to watch all episodes!
Join the Okaeri-Northern Cal Watch Party to view an “Okaeri Voices” video featuring Suzie Endow and Ellen Tanouye, followed by a conversation. Suzie and Ellen met when their two sons were young. Their friendship continued through the years and they supported each other through many of life’s transitions. Despite all the obstacles, they fell in love and came out later in life. They remain best friends and life partners.
The program is co-sponsored by Okaeri-Northern Cal, J-Sei, and Berkeley JACL.
Please reserve a free ticket to receive a reminder and ZOOM link.
by Jill Shiraki | Aug 6, 2023 | Classes & Events, Other News
Haruko Obata: A Life of Flowers
Saturday, September 9, 2 pm — In-Person and Online
“If you know flower arranging you do not grow old, for it is eternal.” Haruko Obata
Haruko Obata (1892-1989) was a pioneering Bay Area ikebana sensei who began displaying her classic Japanese flower arrangements to Americans as early as 1915. Kimi Hill will share her grandmother’s story based on a 1986 oral history, exploring Haruko’s youth in Japan as well as her life as the wife of artist Chiura Obata and a mother of four children,
her forced incarceration at Topaz, and her long career as an artist in her own right. Assisting in this presentation will be Sogetsu Ikebana teacher Keiko Kubo and J-Sei ikebana students who will create ikebana arrangements to accompany the program. Presented by Friends of Topaz Museum and J-Sei.
Please reserve a free ticket to receive reminders and a ZOOM link.
by Jill Shiraki | Aug 3, 2023 | Classes & Events, Other News
J-Sei’s Family Festival
Sunday, September 24, 12-3 pm
J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville (btwn Hollis St & San Pablo Av)
Each year we celebrate “Keiro no Hi” respect for the aged day, a time to honor our elders and celebrate with our multigenerational families.
Pre-0rdersare now closed. The menu items will be available for walk-up sales at the festival.
Festival Schedule
11 am – Book Reading with Mystery Writer Naomi Hirahara on “Evergreen”
12 pm – Berkeley Buddhist Temple Taiko
12:30 pm – Cal Hawaii Club
1 pm – Book Signing with Naomi Hirahara, Eastwind Books booth
1 pm – Daruma no Gakko and J-Sei Intergen Choir
1:30 – Taiso Experience
1:45 – Let’s Groove
2:00 – Community Ukulele
Booths & Activities
Daruma no Gakko, Eastwind Books, Setsunai Snacks
Shared Cultures, Summer Scarves by Koko
Watercolor Meditations, paintings by Gerry Furuzawa, Karen Allen, and Wendy Kiniris (Gallery)
Senior Cuts by JR Studios and Chiha Hair (2nd floor) – by appointment
Festival Menu
Taco rice $16 – ground beef , lettuce, cheese, fresh salsa and avocado crema over koshihikari rice
Salmon Batayaki $18 – salmon marinated in butter hawaiian marinade, with sauteed mushrooms, onions with rice and mac salad
Katsu Dog $18 – pork katsu with savoy cabbage, tonkatsu aioli & pickled red onions in an Acme bun w/ a side of baby smashed potatoes
Korroke Dog $15 – vegetable croquette with savoy cabbage, tonkatsu aioli & pickled red onions in an Acme bun w/ a side of baby smashed potatoes
Vegetable Curry Rice $10
Kids bento $8 – chicken teri, broccoli and rice
Pre-order is now closed.
The above menu items will be available for walk-up sales. First come, first served. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.
Parking will be available (from 10 am-4 pm) at the Fratellanza Club, located 1/2 block up, next to McDonald’s. Look for the J-Sei Parking sign on the cyclone fence.
Featured Book Event with Naomi Hirahara
Evergreen, A Japantown Mystery
Sunday, September 24, 11 am (in-person & online)
With great anticipation, Evergreen, A Japantown Mystery continues the post-war resettlement story of Aki Ito who returns with her family from Manzanar to Chicago to Los Angeles. Meet dynamic mystery writer Naomi Hirahara as she shares her latest book that follows the award-winning Clark and Division. Come early and join us in the Atrium for the book talk.
“Hirahara humanizes the struggles of Japanese Americans rebuilding their lives from scratch. Her evocation of Little Tokyo haunts will bring a flood of memories for some Angelenos while introducing a new generation of readers to a pivotal period in L.A. history.” —Paula Woods, The Los Angeles Times
About the Book
A Japanese American nurse’s aide navigates the dangers of post-WWII and post-Manzanar life as she attempts to find justice for a broken family in this follow-up to the Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning Clark and Division.
About the Author
Naomi Hirahara is an Edgar Award-winning author of multiple traditional mystery series and noir short stories.
Nichi Bei Review: “Murder and Emotions Unravel in Post-War Little Tokyo Mystery”
Photo by Rafu Shimpo.
