Stuff contributed by Masaji

Japan Journal

Learning Japanese

Norm Masaji Ibuki

Aikido, reading, and learning Japanese are the main ways I try to understand the complicated cartography of being Nikkei. I’m now enrolled in the beginner Japanese class at the Miyagi International Association here in Sendai. We all seem to be “false” beginners since most of us can read hiragana, katakana, …

Japan Journal

The Joys of Eating Soba

Norm Masaji Ibuki

“Noodle dishes are very popular, as they make a delicious and filling simple meal. It’s all right to make slurping noises while eating them—the extra intake of oxygen is said to add to the taste.”     —Berlitz-Japanese Phrase Book and Dictionary

Japan Journal

Jazz in Sendai with Kei Akagi

Norm Masaji Ibuki

I recently met jazz pianist Kei Akagi quite by chance.

Kizuna: Nikkei Stories from the 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 3

Norm Masaji Ibuki

Read Part 2 >> THE NUMBER OF CLOTH LETTERS KEEP GROWING... In June 2011 Canadian Cloth Letters there were two large cloth letters (which were later divided into 3 cloth letters). By October 2011 at the Tokyo exhibition of Canada and Tohoku cloth letters there were 11.

Kizuna: Nikkei Stories from the 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 2

Norm Masaji Ibuki

Read Part 1 >> Can you briefly describe the work you did to link the Alaskan fishermen with those in Tohoku?In 2011, I helped the BC fishing industry identify two fishing communities to support with their direct donations. After seeing how slow donation money can flow, and hearing so many rumours …

Kizuna: Nikkei Stories from the 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 1

Norm Masaji Ibuki

It is important for the world to know that the recovery effort for the people of Tohoku is still an ongoing, painful process that is still years away from ever returning to “normal”.  Sadly, in a world where there are so many disasters competing for media attention, the survivors of …

Yellow Soul

Norm Masaji Ibuki

“There are many stories untold. Some are lost. Others will come up in the future.” (Excerpt from “Nodas in America” short story, Yokohama, California by Toshio Mori)

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About

*Sansei *Born in Toronto *Grandparents are from Shiga and Kumamoto kens* Families were interned in Kaslo, Bayfarm and on a Manitoba beet farm * Lived in Sendai, Japan from 1994 to 2004 * Teacher in Brampton, ON * Aikidoka * Writer for the Nikkei Voice for close to 20 years * Writer of "Canadian Nikkei series" which aims at preserving Canadian Nikkei stories. Future of the community? It depends on how successful we are in engaging our youth. The University of Victoria's (BC) Landscapes of Injustice project is a good one.... gambatte kudasai!

Nikkei interests

  • community history
  • family stories
  • festival/matsuri
  • Japanese/Nikkei food
  • Japantowns
  • taiko
  • aikido

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