Perfis da comunidade Little Tokyo - 2010
Na primavera de 2010, o Discover Nikkei fez parceria com o professor Morgan Pitelka do Occidental College e seus alunos no seminário “Japanophilia: Orientalismo, Nacionalismo, Transnacionalismo” em um projeto significativo de documentação baseado na comunidade. Os estudantes entrevistaram proprietários de cinco empresas antigas de Little Tokyo para escrever dez artigos e criar cinco álbuns no Álbum Nikkei. Os artigos serão publicados um por semana, em segundas-feiras sucessivas.
Este projeto é uma continuação da série Little Tokyo Community Profiles de 2009 .
Stories from this series
Early History of the Rafu Shimpo
17 de Maio de 2010 • David Wagner
The Rafu Shimpo has been in print for over 100 years. During the course of that time, it has gone through many hardships caused by both economic and social troubles, yet still runs to this day. After an interview with Michael Komai and reading the Rafu Shimpo’s 90th anniversary issue, I have written a concise history of the Rafu Shimpo from its beginning up to its initial closing during World War II. Before the Rafu Shimpo had come to fruition …
Mitsuru Grill, 316 First Street
10 de Maio de 2010 • Stephanie Varela
Mamoru Hanamura sips his tall water glass full of hot, red tea, exhales slowly and says, “They used to teach me so many things. When I had a problem, I always had somebody.” Speaking of past friends, mentors and fellow members of the Issei generation, his gaze shifts towards the window that faces out onto First street as he mentions that many of his past customers and neighbors have passed away now. Yet Hanamura remains optimistic. After 34 years running …
Rafu Bussan Inc: A Long-Lasting Gift for Little Tokyo
3 de Maio de 2010 • Janelle Curtis
One of the most historical landmarks in Little Tokyo is Rafu Bussan Inc., a large, beautifully arranged store that stocks fine, embellished merchandise including grand vases, decorated kitchenware, traditional dolls, delicate hashi (chopsticks), and many other items that exemplify Japanese gifts. Located on 2nd Street in the district, the store has a rich history that displays the dedication and passion for serving the Little Tokyo community. Starting from peddler roots over 50 years ago, Yukio Tanaka and Junichi Onishi as …
Koraku Restaurant: Making it in America
26 de Abril de 2010 • Jacy Yoshimoto
Situated on East 2nd St. in Little Tokyo, Koraku Restaurant’s bright orange and white signs, with their bold, black letters and Japanese characters, are difficult to miss. While its first two characters are in hiragana, the last character of the restaurant’s name is the Japanese kanji symbol, which stands for “joy” or “relief”. In Japanese, the word “kouraku” itself means “outing” or “pleasure trip”. With its laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff, not to mention its delicious food, Koraku definitely lives …
