A Yonsei's Reflections...
Vicky Murakami-Tsuda is the Communications Production Manager for the Japanese American National Museum. She is a “self-proclaimed” yonsei from Southern California who comes from a large extended family who loves working at JANM (especially Discover Nikkei), eating good food, spending time with family, playing on Facebook, reading, and used to be an artist who explored Japanese American culture and history through her artwork when she had more time and energy. This column includes various reflections on her life and the world around her.
Stories from this series
on Embracing Traditions
Dec. 25, 2009 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
The holidays are here! This year, at a time when we usually think about customs passed along through generations, I’ve been finding myself contemplating changing traditions. It’s hard to let go of what’s been ingrained as tradition year after year, especially when you enjoy it so much. Over the past few months though, I’ve been noticing an embracing of different cultures as part of our celebrations, a shift to a more multicultural holiday season. Growing up, the holidays meant food …
on Mixed Holidays
March 20, 2009 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Growing up, every year on the evening of March 16th, I would always make sure to wear something green to sleep. This was a self-preservation measure. If I didn’t—the moment I woke up—I would be mercilessly pinched by my mother, gleefully observing the St. Patrick’s Day tradition. I remember one year, my father, who is a gardener, came home from work wearing his usual work clothes. My mother was ready to pounce on him, but then he smiled broadly and …
on Memories of My First Visit to Hawai‘i
Feb. 13, 2009 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Set aside for acknowledging the loves and relationships in our lives, it’s a day celebrated for exchanging obvious gifts like chocolates, flowers, or other so-called romantic gifts. This Valentine’s Day though, I will be spending the day at the Japanese American National Museum with my husband celebrating the quiet strength and subtlety of everyday lives and love. Gokurosama: Contemporary Photographs of Nisei in Hawai‘i, featuring black and white photos by Brian Y. Sato, opens to the …
on Emerging from Hibernation
Jan. 7, 2009 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
I was awakened from a dream this morning by a phone call. In my dream I had deeply gouged my hand, but it wasn’t bleeding. I was calmly, yet urgently, getting gauze and tape from a medicine supply cabinet when I was jarred from slumber. Sometimes, I occasionally have very involved and detailed dreams. These stress-induced dreams tend to have recurring plotlines and even similar settings. I haven’t had them in a while, but I’ve had dreams in which I’m …
on Daruma, Dorama, and Hope
Dec. 4, 2008 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Daruma are popular Japanese symbols of perseverance. Often used as good luck charms to fulfill a special wish, it’s customary to paint in the right eye when the wish is made, then paint the other eye when the wish is fulfilled. It’s a traditional folk craft representing the 5th century Buddhist monk Bodhidharma who meditated so long that he lost the use of his arms and legs. Daruma dolls are often weighted on the bottom so that if tipped, they …
on What the Universe is Telling Me
Oct. 2, 2008 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
“Seek out the significance of your problem at this time. Try to understand.” —fortune from a recent cookie The universe is trying to tell me something. Lately, I’ve been getting these “signs” that are telling me that I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. After a crazy and hectic summer, chock full of things both in my professional and personal life, I’ve been noticing these little clues with more frequency. They offer a path away …
