Interviews
Supporting art because it's essential
I think that for me, art is essential. It’s joy, it’s how…it’s definitely an expression and important for a culture, I think, to see itself. I think that’s what I love about the Japanese culture and I know that I see it in Sandra too, that there’s…her life is very artful and she expresses herself in delightful ways and I think that it reflects the Japanese culture, which incorporates the different subcultures – en, ken, tatami, all those things that have structure and have form and kind of bring art into your daily experience. I think to not support it – like what’s happening today, I think a lot of public schools are cutting art programs and children are kind of being denied that form of expression and I think it’s damaging. I think it’s not healthy and I think that’s why it’s important to support them.
Date: January 16, 2006
Location: California, US
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Not wanting to stand out as a foreigner
Sansei Japanese American living in Japan and Kendo practioner
Have compassion for all of humanity
(b. 1923) Nisei from Washington. Resisted draft during WWII.
Identity crisis (Spanish)
(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.
Never sang Enka outside the family
(b. 1981) Enka Singer
Both Japanese and American identities though Japanese dance
(1918-2023) Nisei Japanese kabuki dancer
Do my best as a professional dancer
(1918-2023) Nisei Japanese kabuki dancer
Results of being more American than Japanese
(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist
Trying to convey the meaning of the songs
(b. 1981) Enka Singer
Internship on a Native American reservation in Arizona
(b.1952) Master drummer, artistic director of the Taiko Center of the Pacific
Different tension between East Coast and Los Angeles
Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan
Japanese musical education
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.
Rewards of teaching
(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i
Differences between American and Japanese taiko
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.