Discover Nikkei Logo

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/882/

Defining "Lifestyle"

I think at the time, a word that was used a lot was “lifestyle.” We were searching, looking for alternative lifestyles. I think in that search was included drugs—LSD for me. LSD and marijuana and mushrooms and all sorts of things like that. But also meditation and yoga and tai chi. It was all part and parcel of the times. Happenings. Going to love-ins in the park. I started playing bamboo flutes at the park in those days, which is something I still do. I go down to 39th and Western to a little park called Martin Luther King Park. I play with conga players. I’ve been doing that since those days. It’s drinking wine and smoking marijuana by the merry-go-round at Griffith Park; and/or up at Berkeley in Spall(?) Square; or in North Beach near the stands where the sailboats used to the races and things like that. It was the period—Haight-Ashbury and flower children and all that.


1960s 1970s lifestyles

Date: December 10, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Art Hansen, Sojin Kim

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

George Abe (b. 1944), renowned taiko and flute performer, was born at Manzanar concentration camp. He was one year old when his family relocated to Los Angeles, California. His mother was kibei, born in the city of Orange, California, moved to Japan when she was about nine years old, and returned to Los Angeles at about 26 years of age. His father was an Issei.

George grew up among artists and musicians, often attending biwa (lute) recitals with his mother. He played multiple instruments in his school band, including the clarinet, saxophone and oboe. As an adult, George remained fascinated with music, and learned to play the shakuhachi and fue, traditional Japanese flute-like instruments.

George was a founding member of Kinnara Taiko, a taiko group based at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, and remains associated with them today. Kinnara Taiko was one of the first taiko groups to form in North America, second only to Sensei Seichi Tanaka’s San Francisco Taiko Dojo. George believes in the influential power of art and the energizing effects of taiko. He uses his art to bring cultural, spiritual and community awareness to others. (December 10, 2004)

Discover Nikkei Updates

NIKKEI NAMES 2
Vote for Nima-kai Favorite!
Read the stories and give a star to the ones you like the most! Help select our Community Favorite.
NIMA VOICES
Episode 17
November 12
5pm PDT | 7pm PET
Featured Nima:
Graciela Nakachi
Guest Host:
Enrique Higa

Presented in Spanish
NEW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
We’re on Instagram!
Follow us @discovernikkei for new site content, program announcements, and more!