Capturing Moments, featuring Pulitzer prize-winning duo Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer

Capturing Moments, featuring Pulitzer prize-winning duo Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer

by | Jun 5, 2025 | Classes & Events

CAPTURING MOMENTS

A Closing Program for the “Gambatte!” Exhibit with Photojournalists Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer

Saturday, July 19, 1 pm

Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from the Pulitzer Prize-winning duo Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer, whose photos capture the deep emotion held tight by their subjects and are amplified by their craft as photo journalists to tell the stories of the moment. Hear from this dynamic husband and wife duo, on the view from their lens and how these captured moments help bring people together to create change.

While Kitagaki’s “Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit” is currently on view at J-Sei, the program will highlight photos from his collection, covering Sports, including 10 Olympics, earthquakes and other World events throughout his career.

Byer’s “Living on a Dollar a Day” has documented individuals and families on the brink of survival, by visiting 10 countries on 4 continents.

We will be joined by media producer Wendy Hanamura as moderator for this conversation. Over her 30+-year career in the media, Wendy has reported and produced stories around the world for Time, CBS, World Monitor Television, NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Corporation), LinkTV and PBS. In 2014 she joined the Internet Archive—the world’s largest digital library– as the Director of Partnerships. Wendy began her career as a photo editor for Time Magazine in New York. Her 1983 thesis took her to Hiroshima to live with and photograph aging hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombing.

This event is the Closing Program for “Gambatte! Legacy of An Enduring Spirit” featuring contemporary photos by Paul Kitagaki, Jr that complement and mirror the original photographs of Lange and her counterparts and that reveal the strength and perseverance of his subjects. To learn more about the exhibit and book, click here.

RSVP for this free event.

Feature photo: Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer at “Open Your Eyes” exhibit in Zurich, 2023.

 

Track & Field, Fencing, Olympics 2012, Photos by Paul Kitagaki, Jr

Paul Kitagaki Jr. has traveled the world covering natural and human-caused disasters, documenting the lives of everyday Iraqis living under Saddam Hussein, Mexico City residents digging out of a deadly earthquake, Asian factory workers laboring for pennies to produce high-end athletic shoes for the U.S. and international athletes competing for gold at ten different Olympic Games. Kitagaki’s work has been honored with dozens of photo awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and been nominated for Emmys. He’s been published in news outlets worldwide, including National Geographic, Time, Smithsonian Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Stern, People, Mother Jones, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, as well as in his home paper, The Sacramento Bee.

 

Mother’s Love – Ghana, Child Herder – Bolivia, Photos by Renée C. Byer

Renée C. Byer is a catalyst for change. She is an award-winning documentary photojournalist, videographer and multimedia field producer best known for her in-depth work focusing on the disadvantaged and those who otherwise would not be heard. Her ability to produce photographs with profound emotional resonance and sensitivity earned her the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography in 2007 and dozens of national and international honors, including the World Understanding Award from Pictures of the Year International, and Pulitzer Finalist in 2013. Byer’s internationally acclaimed book, “Living on a Dollar a Day: The Lives and Faces of the World’s Poor,” illuminates the stories of people living on the brink of survival, and invites you to put an end to extreme poverty. The book won First Place Documentary Book from the International Photography Awards in 2014.

Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit, photo exhibit

Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit, photo exhibit

by | May 6, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Gambatte! Legacy

of an Enduring Spirit

Photographs by Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

Exhibit Extended to July 18, 2025

Gallery Hours: Mondays & Thursdays 10 am – 4 pm, and by appointment.

Presented by J-Sei & Friends of Topaz Museum, with support by Topaz Museum

Closing Program

CAPTURING MOMENTS with Photojournalists Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer

Saturday, July 19, 1 pm, Exhibit open 11-1

For more info on this free event.

BEHIND BARBED WIRE, The Search for Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII

The book Behind Barbed Wire is based on the nationally traveling exhibition “Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit.”

Hardcover 152 pages and 137 Illustrations

Published by CityPress Files

Retail Price: $55

Autographed books are now available for pick up at J-Sei. For delivery to your home add $10 shipping/handling. Use button below to place order.

Book Order

Many of the Issei and Nisei never shared their stories with their own families. As some of the subjects recounted their experiences, they were overcome with tears and emotion as long-forgotten memories returned. For many, this was the first time for them to publicly speak about what they endured. – Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

 Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit explores the legacy of an enduring spirit as Japanese Americans triumphed over adversity in the WWII incarceration camps.

As he was searching through photos at the National Archives in 1984, Kitagaki found a photo taken by famed documentary photographer Dorothea Lange of his grandparents and father preparing to board a bus in Oakland, Calif., enroute to a World War II incarceration camp. Through slow and painstaking research, Kitagaki has spent 15 years locating and winning the trust of the families who lived through the incarceration, documenting their stories of survival and inner strength to overcome injustice, racism, and wartime hysteria. 

Photographer and videographer Paul Kitagaki Jr. has traveled the world covering natural and human-caused disasters and international athletes competing for gold at ten different Olympic Games. Kitagaki’s work has been honored with dozens of photo awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and Emmy nominations. He’s been published in news outlets worldwide, including National Geographic, Time, Smithsonian Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Stern, People, Mother Jones, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, as well as in his home paper, The Sacramento Bee. 

Imagine Nikkei Village Cinema

by | May 2, 2025 | Classes & Events

Imagine Nikkei Village Cinema presents

The Boy and the Heron

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli (2023), PG-13

Saturday, July 26, 4 to 7 pm

J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville

Imagine a space to come to with family and friends. Watch a movie, join a conversation, and participate in a hands-on activity with people of all ages – children, youth, adults, elders.  We invite you to be a part of Imagine Nikkei Village Cinema, a new intergenerational mix at J-Sei.

Our first program will feature, The Boy and the Heron (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka, “How Do You Live?), is written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Studio Ghibli.  A boy named Mahito Maki moves to the countryside after his mother’s death during WWII, discovers an abandoned tower near his new home, and enters a fantastical world with a talking grey heron. Winner of the Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy of Awards, the BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards and the Japanese Film Academy.

This program is supported by K/T Foundation.

RSVP for the Free Event

SUMMARY

From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) comes a new critically-acclaimed fantasy adventure. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself.

THEMES

The Boy and the Heron has autobiographical features. The protagonist, Mahito Maki, mirrors Miyazaki’s childhood. Miyazaki’s father, like Mahito’s father, was employed by a company involved in the manufacturing of fighter plane components. Additionally, Miyazaki’s family had to evacuate from the city to the countryside during the war. The hospital fire at the beginning of the film evokes personal parallels with Miyazaki’s loss of his mother, who was known for her strong opinions and is believed to have been a source of inspiration for several of the director’s female characters. Mahito’s emotional connection with his mother parallels Miyazaki’s love for his mother.

Japanese Movie Night – May 2025

Japanese Movie Night – May 2025

by | May 1, 2025 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, May 9, 6:30 pm

J-Sei Movie Night is dedicated to the wonderful and fascinating world of Japanese cinema, as well as Japanese American and AAPI films!

Join us on Friday, May 9, to watch and discuss the final film in Yamada Yōji‘s award-winning Samurai Trilogy: LOVE AND HONOR / 武士の一分 (2006) starring megastar Kimura Takuya (Blade of the Immortal; La Grande Maison Tokyo) and, in her big-screen debut, Dan Rei (Kābee; Vivant) as a low-ranking samurai and his wife whose quiet life together is tragically upended. Winner for Best Cinematography, Lighting, and Supporting Actor (Sasano Takashi) at the Japan Academy Awards, this is the last of Yamada’s films in the samurai genre, graced with the filmmaker’s steadfast sense of humanism, period detail, and scenes of natural beauty.

If you would like to join us, please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “May movie night” in the subject line to receive Zoom info prior to the event.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

Chef Yuji is offering a choice of Makunouchi Bento and a special sushi dish for this month’s movie night bento!
Makunuochi Bento (fish) – $25

Onigiri, grilled saba, fried shrimp, spring pea potato salad, kyuri sunomono and simmered kabocha

Makunuochi Bento (chicken) – $25

Crispy chicken, soboro (ground chicken) over koshihikari, spring pea potato salad, kyuri sunomono and simmered kabocha

Makunuochi Bento (beef) – $25

Onigiri, braised shortrib, menchikatsu, spring pea potato salad, kyuri sunomono and simmered kabocha

Deep fried spicy tuna sushi – $20

Deep fried spicy tuna maki and tare

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji Tock webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click on an item and select the number you want to order, then click “Add”; repeat with other items if desired. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order, then click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies is in its Eighth Year! We look forward to more creative programming with educational and inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We love having a growing and enthusiastic audience. We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.

Boro Inspired Collage with Sashiko – Spring 2025

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Boro Inspired Collage with Sashiko Stitching

Mondays, June 2 & 9, 10 to 12 – The class is full. Sign up for a future session

In this two- day workshop we will create patchwork placemats or a table runner. You will be introduced to various methods to create the collage patchwork from boro-inspired with sashiko hand stitching to quilting methods. Participants will be encouraged to explore their individual style, preferences and methods.

In the spirit of Boro, you can repurpose what you may already have at home. Textile artist Chiyeko Klarman has personally cut up unwanted clothing, pulled out my fabric stash, dyed small pieces of white cloth with tea, coffee, onion skins. Upon registration you will be provided with a materials list of sewing tools and suggested fabric sources.  

Workshop fee: $15  RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Boro” in the subject line.  Space is limited. the class is full. Sign up for early notice of the next session.

                  

 

We Are Not Strangers, Josh Tuininga with guest Flora Ninomiya

by | Apr 23, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

 

We Are Not Strangers book talk

with Josh Tuininga and guest speaker Flora Ninomiya

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 11 am

 

Jewish Arts & Bookfest

UC Berkeley Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life

2121 Allston Way, Berkeley

 

Author Josh Tuininga traces his family’s Sephardic roots as they flee their home in Turkey, discover opportunities in America, and forge a new community in the multicultural neighborhood of the Seattle Central District. Through a visually rich presentation, Tuininga will share his creative process and research, weaving together narratives of Jewish and Japanese communities united by resilience and allyship during the turbulence of wartime.

Tuininga will be joined by special guest speaker Flora Ninomiya, who will share her powerful family history—from the hardships they faced during World War II and their incarceration, to the extraordinary support they received from a neighbor, who maintained their greenhouse in their absence which allowed the family to rebuild their floral business after the war.

This program is presented in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.For more information, visit the Jewish Arts & BookFest page on the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life website.