Emmy Award winning documentary film by Satsuki Ina, PhD
“True story of a young Japanese American couple whose shattered dreams and forsaken loyalties lead them to renounce their American citizenship while held in separate camps during WWII. They struggle to prove their innocence and fight deportation during a time of wartime hysteria and racial profiling.” (57 min.)
“From a Silk Cocoon…offers a cautionary tale of homeland security…compelling…stretches beyond the basic facts of the Japanese-American internment experience into the dark and thorny corners of ‘perceived military necessity’ that is just as frightening and relevant now as it was when it happened…An intimate portrait of a family under siege.”
“Powerful documentary that portrays the lingering personal impact of the WWII internment experience on Japanese Americans who typically have not talked openly about the humiliation and trauma of the internment experience. It is an emotionally riveting piece that tells a disturbing story of racism in America, while highlighting the incredibly enduring strengths and cultural resources of the internees as they embark on a journey of healing.” (57 min.)
This film will serve as a valuable tool for many individuals wanting to confront and understand the trauma and stress associated with their internment experience.”
An exuberant reception featuring Rocco, family, and friends: Mission Bay High School Gypsy Jazz Band, Genbu Daiko, freestyle dancing by Kanna Burch, with Live Painting, and special guests at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Inamori Pavilion. Sponsorship by San Diego Yokohama Sister City Society and Design Consignment Gallery. This reception kicks off Rocco’s American Life Tour and Gallery Exhibition; an art collection thought lost and forgotten being revealed for the first time in 28 years. As vibrant as the day they were painted, America’s largest collection of Satoshi Akiyama, a.k.a. “Rocco”, will be on display at Design Consignment Gallery from September 18 through October 18. Rocco will be an artist in residence and one of three featured artists from three San Diego sister cities coming together for the first time for public murals, workshops, and events throughout San Diego and Tijuana.
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The story behind “Rocco’s American Life” wouldn’t be complete without a reunion with Sister City muralist, Mario Torero of Chicano Park fame. It was Mr. Torero and fellow muralist Ruben Seja who together encouraged Yokohama-based Rocco to come to San Diego nearly 30 years ago for an Art Exchange. The body of work Rocco created is considered among his best work. Over 40 large format acrylic on canvas and 80 smaller works are represented in the exhibition. In the early 90s, Rocco and his team painted one of the largest murals in Chicano Park and an entire building at Albert Einstein Elementary School. A restoration of the mural by the original artists is one of many projects scheduled during Rocco’s Artist in Residence. Rocco also produced a large body of work in Tijuana, the third San Diego Sister City represented. Tijuana artist and border wall muralist, Mr. Enrique Chiu, will be participating in the exhibition side-by-side with Satoshi and Torero. The art exchange climaxes in Tijuana, with all three artists contributing to the US/Mexico border wall project “Mural de la Hermandad” or Mural of Brotherhood, the largest International border art project in the world. Together these artists represent the best of what of Sister City relationships are all about. With these new contributions to San Diego and Tijuana’s public art, they set an example of how an artistic legacy is established to the delight of future generations of artists and the public. A portion of gallery sales will be dedicated to the San Diego Yokohama Sister City Society.
Our latest sister city project was to raise awareness of environmental issues in Yokohama and San Diego. Over 400 students from San Diego elementary schools participated in drawing the posters. Below is a link of the posters that were submitted which was exhibited in Yokohama.
BY DIANE BELL COLUMNIST JAN. 29, 2018 3:20 PM PT
Thelma Press, 90, was unable to travel from San Diego to Japan to be honored by the emperor, so Japan’s Consul General in Los Angeles came here Wednesday to confer Japan’s Imperial decoration.
Press received “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” from Consul GeneralAkira Chibaat the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
“It is a ranked decoration and highly prestigious,” saidJennifer Usyak, the Japanese consulate’s adviser for political and community relations. “We look very carefully at the background of anyone under consideration.”
San Diego resident Thelma Press gets prestigious honor from Japanese government.
(Courtesy photo )
She explained the award recognizes people who promote friendship and good relations between the United States and Japan and who enhance Japanese culture in the United States.
Press’ contributions date back to 1959 when she was living in San Bernardino and co-founded the San Bernardino-Tachikawa Sister City program.
She was appointed as a California representative to Sister Cities International in 1972 and served as president of the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society from 2013-2015.
A Los Angeles woman also received the 2017 Imperial decoration in an earlier ceremony at the consul general’s home.
The emperor’s award requires the approval of his Cabinet. “It is equivalent to the Congressional Gold Medal in the United States or a knighthood in the UK,” Usyak said.
On Saturday, November 18, the BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SAN DIEGO will host a special community event focusing on Japanese American family dynamics. GROWING UP SANSEI centers on a live onstage reading of the comedy-drama “GARAGE DOOR OPENER (a JA Dysfunctional Family Play)” by SOJI KASHIWAGI.
Glenn and Sharon Tanaka’s parents have died, leaving the siblings with the daunting task of clearing out a garage filled with decades worth of dusty accumulations. They’re in for a bumpy ride. What they find will make them laugh, cry, shake their heads, gasp in surprise, and be amazed that there are still things to discover about their parents when they thought they knew it all.
The reading will be followed by a dialogue with the playwright facilitated by DR. SATSUKI INA. Dr. Ina’s counseling expertise is in JA family dynamics so the discussion will cover a lot of ground, including JA childrearing, cultural concepts of shame and endurance and how incarceration affected not only the Nisei but the subsequent generations. Learn how a uniquely JA upbringing comes not only with physical baggage left behind in a cluttered garage but with emotional baggage as well. With the discussion, Dr. Ina aims to help all of us with a decluttering catharsis.
Nisei and children of their generation won’t be the only ones to recognize and find humor and meaning in these topics, as all of us must eventually tackle questions of mortality and the burdens and pride of heritage, as well as determining the legacy we are left with.
BTSD cordially invites you to attend this unique event. Please post and share the attached flier with your organization, family and friends.
We also ask you and your group RESERVE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE as we need to know how much food to provide.
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GROWING UP SANSEI: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017
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A delicious buffet lunch precedes the event at 12 noon. Tickets are $10.
The play reading begins at 1:00 pm. Tickets are $15.
Attend one or both! Group reservations welcome!
RESERVATIONS and questions: 619/239-0896 or info@btsd.net.
The House of Chammaro, China and Philippines present the 5th Taste of Asia and the Pacific, Saturday, Nov. 4, 12PM to 6PM at the International Cottages lawn of Balboa Park.
Food highlights include Chammaron style Chicken, Rice and cucumbers; Chinese Jian bing, bao and dumplings; and Filipino turror sweet bananas, Pancit and lumpia
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Join us this summer as the Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) and Buddhist Temple of San Diego host the annual Obon Festival! We are proud to continue the tradition of celebrating the circle of life together, as done each summer in Japan for generations, and welcome everyone to join our celebration.
For two days, you will be able enjoy a variety of merchants, engage in family friendly activities, treat yourselves to Japanese festival foods, a beer garden, a tea & dessert garden, and experience cultural performances throughout each day!
Each festival day will also be highlighted with traditional Obon practices. On August 4th, you’ll be able to make your own toro nagashi to either take home or send down the stream at the Japanese Friendship Garden. Lantern floating is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM at the lower garden.
On August 5th, the festival extends out to the Organ Pavilion at 4:00 PM where everyone will be invited to participate in the Bon Odori dance. The Organ Pavilion will be decorated with paper lanterns, Japanese folk tunes and taiko will fill the air, and dance leaders in traditional kimono will guide participants into a large dance circle! See below for the program schedule. Please note that JFG’s lower garden will be closed during this time
JFG Admission
General admission … $10
Students, military, seniors (65+) … $8
Explorer or Go passes; children 6 y/o and under … FREE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
SD-WISH invites you to come together to promote peace & harmony among all people, cultures, and nations. Our main purpose is to educate and inspire communities, kids, youth, families, and leaders for future generations on how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds. The International Peace & Humanity Day is free and open to the public – all ages are welcome
Part I: Ceremony
Saturday, August 5th – 4PM-5PM – Shelter IslandThe atomic bomb droppings on Hiroshima on August 6th and on Nagasaki on August 9th 1945 were the last live use of nuclear weapons in history. August 5th 2017 (August 6th in Japan time) will mark the 72nd anniversary of the bombings and hence 72 years of freedom from nuclear weapon usage.
SD-WISH invites you to join us on the beautiful Shelter Island for an afternoon of commemoration as we gong the Friendship Bell to celebrate this freedom and send our WISH for eternal peace. Community members and leaders share their messages of dedication to peace, understanding and tolerance.
Part II: Floating of Paper Lanterns
Friday, August 11th – 6:30PM-9PM – CoronadoAdopting a traditional Japanese ceremony tōrō nagashi (tōrō means “lantern” and nagashi means “cruise, flow”), we celebrate peace and humanity by floating paper lanterns with written messages to the world as a hope or WISH for global peace and well-being.
We invite guests to write messages on paper lanterns and enjoy a relaxing San Diego evening at the waterside Coronado City Council Chambers patio along with light food, refreshments, origami, exhibits, presentations, and live music – a wonderful experience to gather and celebrate with fellow community members and leaders. You can make and float your very own paper lantern (materials will be supplied for free) and you’re welcome to take it home with you at the end of the evening. Yukata are welcome!
Maya Nakanishi
The Paralympic Long Jump (F44) Asian Record Holder will be speaking to send a powerful message for resilience during the Floating of Paper Lanterns event.
Join us this summer as the Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) and Buddhist Temple of San Diego host the annual Obon Festival! We are proud to continue the tradition of celebrating the circle of life together, as done each summer in Japan for generations, and welcome everyone to join our celebration.
The atomic bomb droppings on Hiroshima on August 6th and on Nagasaki on August 9th 1945 were the last live use of nuclear weapons in history. August 5th 2017 (August 6th in Japan time) will mark the 72nd anniversary of the bombings and hence 72 years of freedom from nuclear weapon usage.
SD-WISH invites you to join us on the beautiful Shelter Island for an afternoon of commemoration as we gong the Friendship Bell to celebrate this freedom and send our WISH for eternal peace. Community members and leaders share their messages of dedication to peace, understanding and tolerance.
Adopting a traditional Japanese ceremony tōrō nagashi (tōrō means “lantern” and nagashi means “cruise, flow”), we celebrate peace and humanity by floating paper lanterns with written messages to the world as a hope or WISH for global peace and well-being.
We invite guests to write messages on paper lanterns and enjoy a relaxing San Diego evening at the waterside Coronado City Council Chambers patio along with light food, refreshments, origami, exhibits, presentations, and live music – a wonderful experience to gather and celebrate with fellow community members and leaders. You can make and float your very own paper lantern (materials will be supplied for free) and you’re welcome to take it home with you at the end of the evening. Yukata are welcome!
