Stuff contributed by vkm

A Yonsei's Reflections...

on Connections

Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

2007 was a year of change, revelations, and connections. I began the year writing the first in this column series about new beginnings and opportunities. My husband and I settled into our new home, we vacationed in New England for the first time (and ate a LOT of lobster!), and …

Japanese American National Museum Store Online

Oshogatsu Traditions in the United States

Susan ChenVicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

In the Western world, New Year’s Eve is a big day for parties to celebrate the end of a year and the fresh start of a new one. In Japan, the beginning of the New Year, or Oshogatsu, is when friends and family gather together for what is considered to …

A Yonsei's Reflections...

on returning to my JA bowling roots

Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

Today, basketball and golf are the sports of choice in Japanese American communities, at least it seems to be in Southern California. However, back in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, JA bowling leagues were all the rage. In it’s heyday, you almost had to be on a waiting list to …

A Yonsei's Reflections...

on Southern California Obon Festivals

Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

I feel very fortunate to live in an area that has so many Obon festivals that are relatively accessible if you’re willing to drive. There are three in the Little Tokyo area alone. In addition, I’ve attended or have heard of others at Gardena Buddhist Church, San Fernando Valley Hongwanji …

Seattle Japanese Garden

online exhibition
vkm

I visited the Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum during a visit with my relatives in July 2007. My cousin and I went in the afternoon. This collection …

Mitsuwa Natsu Matsuri 2007

online exhibition
vkm

My husband and I headed out to dinner tonight. On the way to the restaurant, we drove by Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance and saw that they were having a Natsu …

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About

I'm a Yonsei, occasional artist and writer, and full-time Communications Production Manager at the Japanese American National Museum. I was born in Los Angeles and have lived in Southern California almost my entire life.

I am fluent in English, can understand about 80% of conversational Japanese, and don't know any Spanish or Portuguese (although after having worked on Discover Nikkei for so long, would like to learn someday).

I love working in Little Tokyo and living in Gardena. Both areas give me wonderful access to Japanese/Nikkei food, community, and culture. I bowl in a Nikkei league once a week, and spend my free time eating, sleeping, playing on my phone and computer, going to Disneyland, rooting for the Dodgers, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

I love working on Discover Nikkei and learning about so many different Nikkei experiences around the world!

Nikkei interests

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

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