Nikkei in Cuba: Reflections from Three U.S. Nikkei Groups
|
||
| Licensing | ||
Discover Nikkei presented "Nikkei in Cuba: Reflections from Three U.S. Nikkei Groups" on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Los Angeles, California.
Three U.S. groups: Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, Tsukimi Kai and Choodee Without Borders visited Nikkei communities in Cuba on different occasions in the name of international goodwill and culture exchange. There, they were greeted by a number of local people in the Nikkei community and learned about their history and together they bonded through shared cultural identity and immigrant experiences. The three groups shared accounts of their visits at this Discover Nikkei event. You can watch video of the panel presentations in this collection.
Learn more about the Nikkei in Cuba in the Discover Nikkei Wiki in a paper prepared by Steve Wake of Tsukimi Kai.
You can also read Lesley Chinen's account of the Choodee Without Borders trip in this four-part series:
Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins" - Worldwide Uchinanchu Join Cuba’s Okinawans in Celebrating Their Centennial
Slides in this album |
|
|
Shiisaa Lion DanceA cultural performance by Tsukimi Kai opened up the program held at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.
Okinawan Lion |
editor
|
Maki TanakaThe program was moderated by Maki Tanaka, a Ph.D. Candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at University of California, Berkeley.
Maki Tanaka |
|
Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redresspictured: Kathy Masaoka Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, formerly known as National Coalition for Redress / Reparations, actively participates in the defense of civil rights for all people as well as a continued commitment to redress for Japanese Americans and Japanese Latin Americans. NCRR sent a delegation of 18 …
Kathy Masaoka |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 1Kathy Masaoka Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress |
|
Jennifer Kuida |
|
Sandy Maeshiro |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 2Sandy Maeshiro Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress Jenny Kuida Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress |
|
Tsukimi Kaipictured: Grace Shimizu The word “tsukimi” suggests the circumstance of people divided by distance yet appreciating the beauty of the same bright moon. Tsukimi Kai is an intergenerational group of predominately Nikkei artists, performers, educators, and scholars who share a goal to explore and celebrate the parallel histories of Japanese …
Grace Shimizu |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 3Grace Shimizu Tsukimi Kai |
|
Mateo Reyes |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 4Mateo Reyes Tsukimi Kai |
|
Amanda Wake |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 5Amanda Wake Tsukimi Kai |
|
Steve Wake |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 6Steven Wake Tsukimi Kai |
|
Wesley Ueunten |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 7Wesley Ueunten Tsukimi Kai |
|
Choodee Without Borderspictured: Ken Tokunaga Choodee Without Borders was formed to connect together Okinawan people worldwide. (“Choodee” is the word for “sibling” in the Okinawan language.) A seven-person team from both the east and west coasts traveled to Cuba to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Cuba in October …
Ken Tokunaga |
|
Mariko Walton |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 8Ken Tokunaga Choodee Without Borders Mariko Walton Choodee Without Borders |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 9Ken Tokunaga Choodee Without Borders Veronica Calderon Choodee Without Borders |
|
Yuko Yamauchi |
|
VIDEO: Nikkei in Cuba - Part 10Yuko Yamauchi Choodee Without Borders |
|
Tanko BushiMembers of the audience along with panel members participate in the Tanko Bushi ondo - a traditional festival dance - as a symbol of kinship following the panel presentations.
Tanko Bushi |
|
Shamisen performanceThe program continued with a short cultural performance by local musicians. |
|
ReceptionAfter the program, guests mingle at the reception and snack on tasty Cuban pastries from Portos Bakery. |
|
Conversations |
|
Group shotNCRR, Tsukimi Kai and Choodee Without Borders pose for a group shot.
Group photo |
Discover Nikkei Illustrations by Roxsy Lin
ニマ会の伝統：祭り
ニマ会の伝統：こどもの日
ニマ会の伝統：ひな祭り
ニマ会の伝統：お正月
Nikkei Names: Writing Workshop in Gardena
Nikkei Names: Writing Workshop in Anaheim
Nikkei Names: Writing Workshop in San Jose
Nikkei Names: Writing Workshop in Seattle
Nikkei Names: Writing Workshop in Burnaby, BC
Journal feed
