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  • The History of Taiko in the Japanese American Community

    Jul 20, 1997

    Lecture and discussion Just thirty years ago there was not a single taiko (Japanese drumming) group in the United States. Today nearly one hundred groups exist in North America and new groups continue to emerge. People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds enjoy listening to and performing taiko and it will continue to be an important element in the community. Join the Museum for a presentation and discussion of t...

  • Spotlight on Four Angelenos: Illuminating History Through Ordinary Lives

    Jul 19, 1997

    Performance and Discussion At the California African American Museum 600 State Drive at Exposition Park, Los Angeles (213) 744-7432 Second in a three-part series co-sponsored by the Playrights Project, the Angeles Plaza, California Afro American Museum, and the Japanese American National Museum. This project features professional theatre artists who will perform monologues based on the lives of Los Ange...

  • Fresh Off the Page Series presented by AT&T / East West Players

    Jul 17, 1997

    Thursday Evenings at the Museum Reading/Performance Writers from the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute read from their own works—the very latest selections from their new poetry and plays—and perform original monologues, songs, plus a special comic feature: Angry Haiku. Artists slated to appear include: Luisa Cariaga, Edgar Cayago, John Cho, Doug Cooney, Jason Fong, Leslie Ishii, Mark Jue, Soji Kashiwa...

  • Yasuo Kuniyoshi: Japanese American Artist

    Jul 13, 1997

    Lecture Featuring: Tom Wolf, Ph.D. Yasuo Kuniyoshi (1889–1953) began life in America like many other Issei (first generation of immigrant Japanese Americans). Following his arrival in 1906, he took on odd jobs in a Spokane railroad yard, a Seattle office building, and as an Imperial Valley farm worker. By the 1930s, he was a well-known, well-respected New York artist. How did this Issei become one of the most ...

  • "With Obligation to All" by George Ariyoshi

    Jul 12, 1997

    The Museum is pleased to present a very special book signing with former Governor of Hawai'i, George Ariyoshi. Mr. Ariyoshi had the distinction of being the first Japanese American lieutenant governor and governor in the nation and in his long political career, he has never lost an election. Join Mr. Ariyoshi as he talks about his biography, With Obligation to All and signs his books. Reservations required. Free wi...

  • Finding Your Own Voice

    Jul 12, 1997

    Performance Workshop Instructor: Nobuko Miyamoto, Great Leap, Inc. Performing artist Nobuko Miyamoto creates a safe, sacred space for a hands-on workshop designed to help participants bring out their own stories. Consisting of warm-up exercises using elements of dance, yoga, tai-chi, theatre games and meditation, the workshop prepares the participant for no-fail ways to bring out their own tales. Members $5, non-m...

  • AT&T East West Players New Voices Writers Gallery: "Leilani's Hibiscus" by John Shirota

    Jul 10, 1997

    Thursday Evenings at the Museum Play Reading Well-known Japanese American author and playwright Jon Shirota (Lucky Come Hawaii and Pineapple White) will read from Leilani’s Hibiscus, the sequel to his John F. Kennedy award-winning stage adaptation of Lucky Come Hawaii. Join us for an evening of comedy that plays upon the idea that home is where the heart is. This program is funded in part by AT&T. Reserv...

  • Obon and Bon Odori

    Jul 06, 1997

    Lecture and Demonstration Featuring Rev. Shuichi T. Kurai Obons (Buddhist temples’ observance for the deceased) and the festive bon odori (the dancing that follows) are observed in nearly every Japanese American community but do we truly understand the meaning behind these rituals? Reverend Shuichi Thomas Kurai of the Sozenji Buddhist Temple of Montebello will shed some light upon these important community traditi...

  • Japanese Americans in Sumo

    Jul 05, 1997

    From the 1930s to the 1950s, sumo wrestling emerged as a popular sport among the Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans), especially for those in Hawaii, Los Angeles, and the San Joaquin Valley. Join Brian Niiya, curator of the exhibition Sumo U.S.A.: Wrestling the Grand Tradition as he moderates a panel of Japanese American sumo wrestlers who participated in this fascinating sport prior to World War II and i...

  • Sumo U.S.A.

    Jul 03, 1997 - Nov 30, 1997

    Though known as the national sport of Japan, sumo has a long history in the United States. Prior to World War II, the story of sumo in the U.S. is a Japanese American one, where it played an important and largely forgotten role in many Japanese American communities in Hawai‘i and on the West Coast. This exhibition traces the history of sumo in Hawai‘i from its Japanese American roots to its current popularity and ...