Awe of Japanese Magic with David Hirata

Sunday, February 27th, 6 pm

A virtual program with live and multimedia performance, held in conjunction with J-Sei’s 31st Annual Crab Feed

Intrigued by the beauty and illusion of classic feats of illusion and sleight of hand, David Hirata performs magic along with stories that weave in the history and influence of Japanese magic (wazuma) in America. In his solo show “Box Without A Bottom: Soko-nashi Bako,” Hirata introduced Namigoro Sumidagawa, the first Japanese to receive a passport to America, who traveled with the Imperial Troupe in 1866 and dazzled Victorian audiences with his stage magic. Sumidagawa’s most famous illusions included Soko-nashi Bako, which was notoriously appropriated by American magicians in yellowface and rechristened the “J*p Box,” and Ukare-no Cho, or “Paper Butterflies.”

Interspersing his own journey as a magician, Hirata also reveals the ingenious techniques of twentieth-century master magician Tenkai Ishida, known for Tenkai Palm and other card manipulation techniques.

Delightful and dexterous, David Hirata has amazed audiences throughout the Bay Area with theatrical magic and private shows. Previous shows include “Kanji by Starlight” at The Marsh, “American Wizards” at the California Magic Dinner Theater, and “A Box Without A Bottom” at the San Diego International Fringe Festival (2018) and The Marsh (SF & Berkeley 2019).

“The Gentleman Deceiver: the smooth and sophisticated magic of David Hirata is a joy to behold.” – Gerry Griffin, owner of the California Magic Dinner Theater

RSVP at Eventbrite for tickets or email jill@j-sei.org with “Magic” in the subject line.

Love in the Library – A Book Event with Maggie Tokuda Hall

Sat, April 2

• Author Talk with Maggie Tokuda Hall and special guest Wendy Tokuda – 1 pm
• Book Sales & Signing – 2 pm
• Pre-Event Bento – 11:30-12:30 pm pick up and picnic outdoors at J-Sei.

To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human-that was miraculous. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast elderly people, children, babies-now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before.

Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George-the author’s grandparents, Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall is the author of Also an Octopus, illustrated by Benji Davies, the novel The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea, and the graphic novel Squad. She lives in Oakland, California.

Yas Imamura is the illustrator of The Very Oldest Pear Tree by Nancy I. Sanders, Winged Wonders by Meeg Pincus, and other books for children. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Wendy Tokuda (Special Guest)  is an award-winning journalist who worked as a primetime anchor in local TV news for almost 40 years, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area.

PRE-ORDER BENTO

With the spring season, we thought it would be fun to have you join the community for Pre-Event lunch outdoors.

Order from MY FRIEND YUJI.

Love In The Library Menu

Kids Huli Chicken & Salmon Donburi – $8 

marinated huli chicken / salmon / macaroni salad / broccoli / rice

Order from MY FRIEND YUJI.

Instructions: Click “Order Now”. Select pick-up times of 11:30, 12:00 or 12:30. Choose menu item. Add item. View order. Then, continue to payment.

Pick up at J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville.  Enjoy lunch outdoors.