JACL

The Renaissance Hotel in the heart of Hollywood is the setting where Nikei from all over America have gotten together!

Last Saturday the JACL, or Japanese American Citizens League dinner was open to Japanese-Americans from all over the country.

At the dinner, three people who have made major contributions to the rights and welfare of Asian Americans were awarded. One of which was Capt. Daniel Choi.

The JACL was founded in 1929 to protect the rights of the elderly. It is one of the nations oldest and largest civil rights groups for Asian Americans. This National Conventions is host to a series of business seminars over the course of four days and has been held every year for the purpose of network growth and unity.

The next convention will be held in July of next year in Seattle, WA.

Sweets Charity

In Torrance on July 10th a fundraising baking event was held. There were 800 slices of six different kinds of cakes available to the 140 people who attended. Participants enjoyed the cakes while learning things like the differences between American and Japanese baking and a few baking secrets.

This year the lecturers were three Japanese chefs from the winning team from the WPTC World Pastry Championship which is held in the United States once every two years.

The chefs had visited the disaster stricken areas of Japan to volunteer and distribute sweets before the event. Donations collected will be sent through The Federation of Japan Confectionary Association to support the affected areas.

Usagi Yojimbo

What if the Japanese samurai, Miyamoto Musashi was a rabbit?

That was the idea that gave birth to the popular comic “Usagi Yojimbo” Currently, Usagi Yojimbo is on exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. When open, you can see 55 of the original works and figures on display.

The creator of “Usagi Yojimbo” is third generation Japanese-American Stan Sakai. Sakai grew up reading American comics and also watching Japanese dramas. Over the past 27 years, Sakai has continued to draw over 200 comics that have been translated for distribution in 12 countries. One of the reasons for the popularity of its stories is it’s textbook faithfulness to the historical content.

Presenting Japanese history in surprising ways, “Usagi Yojimbo” will be on display at the Japanese American National Museum through to the end of October.

Little Tokyo Design Week

In each of these containers spread throughout Little Tokyo is a small art gallery. After over a year and a half of planning, Little Tokyo Design Week kicked off on July 13th.

Sixteen artists living in both Japan and LA are featured in the exhibition which runs from the Japanese American National Museum, through Little Tokyo to the JACCC building.

Artists used the latest in technology, material and visuals to represent the unique culture of Japan.

Opened for the first time this year, “Little Tokyo Design Week” is built around one singular concept. The town walk.

With so many people walking around Little Tokyo, they can become familiar with unique Japanese design while also being a part of the town’s revitalization plan.