The 20th Asian Games, taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from Sept. 19 through Oct. 4, will be available to stream free in the U.S. and Canada. Willow Sports will provide approximately 700 hours of live coverage throughout the Games. In addition to its regular channel, Willow Sports will launch three temporary channels, Asian Games 1, Asian Games 2 and Asian Games 3, allowing viewers to choose among multiple events taking place at the same time. All four channels will be available on platforms including Fubo, Sling, Google TV, Xumo and Plex. Willow Sports will also be available on Prime Video, Roku, Samsung and other streaming platforms. Live coverage is expected to air approximately from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. ET, corresponding with competition times in Japan. More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions will compete across 43 sports.
The Northwest Tea Festival returns to Seattle Center on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. Now in its 16th year, the festival brings together more than 50 tea vendors and offers visitors opportunities to discover teas and tea cultures from around the world. The two-day event will feature tea tastings, workshops, stage presentations, and guided tastings at the Tea Bar. Sugimoto Tea, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, serves as the festival’s Platinum Sponsor. On Sunday, September 27, from 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM on Stage 2, Kyohei Sugimoto will present “The History of Japanese Tea.” The presentation will trace the origins and development of tea in Japan, its place in modern Japanese culture, and the history of the family-owned Sugimoto Tea Company.
Attendees standing in line to have their personally written lanterns placed on Green Lake in Seattle for the annual Hiroshima to Hope event. Photo credit: David Hatten.
Floating lanterns on Green Lake at night. Photo credit: David Hatten.
Placing attendees’ written lanterns on Green Lake. Photo credit: David Hatten.
A mikoshi (portable, mini shrine housing a god to ward off misfortune) was paraded around the park during the 50th annual Powell Street Festival.Photo credit: David Yamaguchi.
David and Roger Yamaguchi led a group of 12 travelers, mainly Japanese American, on an enjoyable multi-day visit from Seattle to the Vancouver area to meet the Japanese Canadian community and learn about its history.
The group started with a guided tour of the breathtakingly beautiful Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Center in Burnaby, led by the museum’s educational coordinator, Kimiko Yoshino (a Nikkei).
The museum contained an abundance of displays about the rich history of Canada’s Nikkei community including the earliest immigrants, the prejudice they faced in the early years, their harsh treatment during the Second World War and struggle for citizenship and redress, and their many contributions to Canada’s economy and culture. There was a great deal of information on the sad chapter of Canadian history—the internment of Japanese Canadians. It was interesting that the Canadians prefer to use the term “internment,” distinguishing their experience from the Japanese American “incarceration.” For example, the Canadian camps were not fenced and had no guard towers.
The group spent much of the next day visiting the historic village of Steveston, a community where Canadian Nikkei were heavily involved in fishing, boatbuilding, and cannery operations. The village included numerous preserved and restored historical buildings including the Brittania Shipyards Historic Site and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.
Vancouver residents, Aki Takeda and James Min led the group to various landmarks in downtown Vancouver including the city’s Japantown and Chinatown. An enjoyable highlight of the visit was time spent at the 50th annual Powell Street Festival, a joyous celebration of Japanese arts and culture. There were numerous food and craft vendors, music, dance, and martial arts performances, and a mikoshi (portable, mini shrine housing a god to ward off misfortune) was paraded around the park. Unfortunately, the group’s busy schedule did not allow time to watch or participate in the festival’s sumo tournament. A historic Buddhist temple was located next to the festival site. Nearby, the group enjoyed an informative, guided tour of the historic and beautifully preserved Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, led by Debbie Saimoto.
Afterward, the group visited the impressive Chinese Canadian Museum, which recounts the rich and varied history of Canada’s Chinese communities; and the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, a separate museum that takes visitors on a journey deep into the history of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Later, the group visited Stanley Park to view the solemn and impressive Japanese Canadian War Memorial. It was paid for by the Nikkei community and dedicated in 1920 to memorialize Nikkei Canadians who served and gave their lives in “the Great War.” Names of Japanese Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice in subsequent wars have been added to the monument.
The final stop of the tour was the Museum of Anthropology at University of British Columbia. Additionally, a few members of the group ventured out one evening to enjoy the popular Richmond Night Market, an international, outdoor food festival that sadly, will be discontinued after this year.
All in all, it was a meaningful and informative adventure. The strong sense of community among Vancouver’s Nikkei community was particularly impressive.
Minidoka: A Song Film by Kishi Bashi was shown in May as a free virtual event honoring the 25th anniversary of the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho.
Kishi Bashi (Kaoru Dill-Ishibashi), an American singer-songwriter and filmmaker, created and performed violin improvisations on the Minidoka historic campsite, using the history of the place as his inspiration. His goal was to create a visceral experience that connects history through music. One piece was done on farmland that the incarcerates had labored to make cultivable and productive.
“Though confined, they transformed the land.” *
Another composition was performed in front of the root cellar. A third piece was set on the baseball diamond where children (including Kishi Bashi’s father) had played amid the surrounding starkness.
The music was influenced by the 1901 Japanese song, Kojo no Tsuki, which Kishi Bashi felt the Japanese immigrants would have related to. It was quite beautiful and moving against the barren though picturesque backdrop, which was interspersed with archival black and white photos of camp life and internees. Ideally, the documentary would have been even more immersive on a 3D screen in a theater with surround sound rather than in 2D in one’s home with computer audio. The film ran for about 15 minutes, leaving the viewers wanting more.
The screening was followed by an interview and Q&A with Kishi Bashi. He considers himself a holistic and visionary artist and deeply values art created in difficult situations. Justin Taylor Smith, the film director who shot the footage, was unable to participate in this Zoom presentation. Robyn Achilles, executive director of Friends of Minidoka, graciously moderated the event. More than 200 guests logged on.
From Issei Hands to Yonsei Hearts: The Living Legacy of Sumida Farm, Vol.1
By Jessica Yamamoto NAP Contributor
Family walking through the Sumida Farm in Aiea, Hawaii. Photo credit: Jessica Yamamoto.
In an island landscape transformed by urban growth, one family farm has remained a steadfast reminder of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural roots. For nearly 100 years, the Sumidas have cultivated more than watercress—they have nurtured a legacy.
In 1928, Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate granted Makiyo and Moriichi Sumida a lease for five acres of land on Kalauao Springs. Nearly a century later, the Sumida ʻohana continues to uphold the tradition of growing watercress and the values instilled by their Issei (first-generation American immigrant) ancestors.
Today, Sumida Farm is one of the last watercress farms in Hawaiʻi producing about 70 percent of the state’s recorded crop. The farm sits at 98-160 Kamehameha Highway—a vibrant stretch of green wetland surrounded by Honolulu’s growing urban landscape.
The grass hale (traditional, Hawaiian, architectural building) and tall coconut tree that stand atop a small patch of lawn along the highway have become familiar landmarks for drivers who pass by each day.
Now in its fourth generation of family stewardship, the farm is managed by Emi Suzuki (née Sumida) and her husband, Kyle, who are in their eighth year as caretakers.
“My role is to carry on the legacy built by previous generations to ensure the farm and business can continue—hopefully, for more generations beyond me,” Emi said.
Workers cutting watercress on the Sumida Farm in Aiea, Hawaii. Photo credit: Jessica Yamamoto.
Issei: Establishing the Farm
Makiyo and Moriichi Sumida immigrated to Hawaiʻi from Hiroshima, Japan, in the early 1900s. Before finding their calling as watercress farmers, the Sumida family worked on a dairy farm, in the sugar mills, and on pineapple plantations, like so many immigrants seeking opportunity on the islands. Their path eventually led them to a five-acre parcel of land in ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi—a place that would become both their livelihood and their legacy.
At a time when the sugar and pineapple industries reigned supreme across Hawaiʻi, Makiyo and Moriichi chose a different crop. Watercress can thrive only in pure spring water, and in those days, the tiny, peppery greens were among the few fresh vegetables grown locally. Kalauao Springs proved to be the perfect setting. Located near the shores of Pearl Harbor, the area is nourished by two natural springs of cool, percolating water. In ancient times, these springs sustained loʻi kalo (taro terraces), nurtured rice paddies, and eventually, the delicate greens that would define the Sumida family’s story for generations.
Nisei: Protecting the Farm
In 1952, Masaru and Norma Sumida became the second generation to steward the farm. With a blend of dedication and innovation, they expanded the family’s five-acre operation to ten acres and introduced new agricultural techniques that improved both efficiency and crop health. Pebbles laid in the spring beds helped water from Kalauao Springs flow more evenly through the fields. Narrow pathways between plots allowed workers to move wheelbarrows with ease. Masaru even designed, built, and installed a vacuum cooling machine to extend the watercress’s freshness. A sprinkler system he implemented helped ward off the destructive diamondback moth.
Emi recalls that her grandfather’s greatest achievement and his self-proclaimed ikigai, or life’s mission, was protecting the farm from being erased by development. In a true David-versus-Goliath story that unfolded throughout the 1970s, Masaru Sumida went head-to-head with Pearlridge Shopping Center in a battle over urban expansion. Developers had proposed plugging the Kalauao Springs and paving over the farmland to make way for a parking lot.
For more than a decade, Masaru worked tirelessly alongside local farmers, legislators, and then-Hawai’i Governor John Burns to defend the land and preserve its agricultural use. His perseverance paid off. The Sumida family’s small, watercress-filled fields triumphed against overwhelming odds—a testament to the power of conviction and the enduring value of standing up for what you believe.
Sgt. Nagaji’s headstone at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Photo credit: Jeff Hall.
World War II brought fear, destruction, and unimaginable suffering to millions around the world. Yet in humanity’s darkest hour, an entire generation answered the call to serve. They asked for no recognition or reward yet history will forever remember them as heroes. Among the brave souls who went off to war and made the ultimate sacrifice was U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Grover Kazutomi Nagaji.
Nagaji was born on July 10, 1920, in Waipahu, Hawaiʻi, the son of Kichijiro and Shizuyo Nagaji, both Japanese immigrants who built their lives in the islands. He grew up in a close-knit family alongside his two brothers and sister. Raised with strong values of integrity, responsibility, and perseverance, he would go on to embody these principles throughout his life.
He was educated at Waipahu Elementary before attending McKinley High School where he graduated in 1939. A brilliant student, he then continued his studies at the University of Hawaiʻi. However, as the world moved closer to global conflict, Nagaji chose a different path. He left the university to serve with the Hawaiʻi Territorial Guard and later joined the Varsity Victory Volunteers where he distinguished himself through his skill in carpentry and dedication to service. In a moment meant to be, Nagaji fell in love with Betty Katano of Waipahu. They became engaged and dreamed of a future that the war would ultimately deny them.
Following the lifting of restrictions on Japanese American service in combat units and determined to play his part in the struggle for freedom, Nagaji joined the U.S. Army on March 25, 1943. He became a proud member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division, and trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. His determination carried him through the intensity of his instruction, preparing him for the harsh realities of combat overseas.
In 1944, Nagaji was deployed to Europe, where he saw action in Italy as part of the allied campaign against German forces. Thousands of miles from home, he fought near Suvereto in Tuscany, Italy, and displayed remarkable bravery under fire. Sadly, on June 26, 1944, during an assault on an enemy tank, he was mortally wounded when it exploded. He was only 23 years old.
News of his death brought profound grief to his family and community in Hawaiʻi. His parents, siblings, friends, and fiancée were left devastated by the loss of a young man with so much life still ahead of him. His father, Kichijiro, passed away in 1963, followed by his mother, Shizuyo, in 1965. Both were later laid to rest at Mililani Memorial Park in WaipahuHawai’i.
Today, Nagaji rests at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, where he is honored among fellow service members who also gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves. The cemetery stands in quiet stillness, a place of remembrance and reflection.
When service called, Nagaji fulfilled his duty with pride and dignity. Now it is our responsibility to honor and preserve his legacy, ensuring his sacrifice is never forgotten. His story exemplifies those of countless Japanese American heroes who fought for peace and liberty. At a time when their loyalty was questioned, they answered with unwavering courage, proving their devotion through their actions on distant battlefields. Their determination and sacrifice remain forever woven into the proud history of Japanese American military service.
Author John Dekhane is based in France and writes articles dedicated to fallen World War II heroes. “I do this work voluntarily with the sole goal of keeping these often-forgotten stories alive.”
Karl Kaoru Matsushita in front of bound copies of the Hokubei Mainichi. Photo credit: Rita Takahashi.
The following is an excerpt from Karl Kaoru Matsushita’s statement in accepting JARF Housing, Inc. Award presented at Nihonmachi Terrace’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in June:
It is my distinct honor to accept this Pioneer and Preserving Leadership Award from the Japanese American Religious Federation (JARF) Housing, Inc. They have been the Japanese American National Library’s (JANL) foundation for many of its 57 years existence (since 1969).
The idea for establishing this community-based library stemmed from the San Francisco State College (now University) 1968-1969 strike [in California]. I fully supported and participated in the movement that fought for inclusion of relevant ethnic and cultural content in the curricula. The success of this strike made this happen. Once we got what was demanded, we had to get to work to plan and provide what was needed for the newly established Ethnic Studies. A group of us, called the Center for Japanese American Studies, met frequently to address Japanese American books and historical materials needed for courses and historical preservation.
From these early beginnings, I became even more deeply committed to developing a wide base of Japanese American materials. I focused on acquiring as much as possible to enrich what was available to expand knowledge and information about Japanese American history, values, cultures, and experiences. While acquiring and assembling a treasure trove of Japanese American materials, the idea of establishing a library emerged. We needed more resources to develop courses. Other ethnic and cultural groups attempted to do the same but with lack of funding, most stopped operation after a short period.
I held on and further solidified my commitments to build a substantial Japanese American library. With meager resources, the only way to keep the library viable was to use my own money for the most part. I hung on for 57 years because I was bound and determined to make it work to build and maintain the ethnic and cultural institution that will survive the test of time. I kept going despite financial challenges. Once I started something very valuable that preserves Japanese American history, values, and cultures, I would not give up. I could not risk leaving and having such a valuable collection unattended or obliterated.
Initiation and Early Phase
When it started, the community-based ethnic library was called the Japanese American Library but on 28 March 1991, the board [of directors] submitted legal papers to the California secretary of state to change the name by adding one word: “National.” This change more accurately reflects the broad scope of its holdings, mission, purposes, and services. Renamed, it became the Japanese American National Library (JANL).
Initially, the library’s newly acquired materials were housed in my apartment and in the hallway of the house where I lived in San Francisco. JANL’s first organizational facility space materialized because of Yukio Sekino, who was in the 1970s the treasurer of JARF and president of Hokka Nichi Bei Kai. He offered the rent-free use of a room in the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai building located at 1759 Sutter Street, San Francisco.
After the Nihonmachi Terrace was built, Sekino suggested that the JANL move from the one small room in Hokka Nichi Bei Kai to the garden-level, large room in Hinode Tower in the Nihonmachi Terrace complex. He said this was necessary because JANL had acquired so much in those early years that it was already splitting out at the seams.Sekino clearly said that he wanted a means to honor and preserve the rich Issei [(Japanese immigrants)] legacies for over 100 years. He firmly believed that the community needed and wanted a library that would serve as a resource center, be located in and readily accessible to the Japanese American communities and be firmly grounded with diverse Japanese American cultural and historical information. Sekino, who was actively engaged on the JARF as the board treasurer, helped negotiate low rental rates for the JANL. Until his death, Sekino also remained on the JANL board and committed to its purpose and mission. Because low rent was maintained through the years, JANL has been able to sustain itself in San Francisco’s Japantown. JANL has been pleased to have nice facility space in a prime Japantown location.
Development and Growth Phase
Through the years until around 2021, I was busy around the clock each day collecting, preserving, and maintaining probably the richest collection of Japanese American materials anywhere. I systematically acquired as many publications as I could via purchases and donations. I contacted authors and asked for a donated book of their new publications, and/or I looked online for archival, rare, and current materials. I attended events to acquire programs, information documents, and to meet possible donors. JANL also created and delivered a range of Japanese American ethnic, cultural and historical programs.
Maturation and Perpetuation Phase
I extend gratitude to JARF Housing, Inc., JANL board of directors, and to the community for their ongoing support, which allowed JANL to grow, mature, and survive over its 57-year history. JANL is grateful for the many volunteers who provided services and for the donors (from institutions, organizations, groups, families, and individuals) who helped build and enrich the JANL collections.
Support was also felt when the community came to JANL’s sponsored, open, public programs and participated as speakers and/or engaged as the audience. Our work and the JANL collections were validated, valued, and utilized. I have always wished JANL could do more if there were more resources to sufficiently staff JANL and to organize the holdings in one facility rather than in storage lockers.
I have had the honor and privilege of serving as director of JANL for 57 years. I am confident that JANL will exist in perpetuity doing what its Articles of Incorporation says and what JANL has been doing, to “. . . function as a resource center to acquire, catalog, and preserve books and other materials pertaining to the cultural and historical heritage of Japanese Americans; to promote the educational needs of the community through lectures, research, publications, and other media; to act as a communication and information link between the Japanese American ethnic community and the general public; and to promote a better understanding of Japan, the ancestral country.”
Sumo Sundays participants at the Powell Street Festival in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighborhood in Downtown Eastside. Photo credit: Kayla Isomura.
Revitalized as an inclusive martial art, sumo has made a comeback through grassroots clubs, like Sumo Sundays, reflecting a rich history of resilience and community.
Arriving with the first immigrants and nearly extinguished in the internment camps during the Second World War, sumo was the favorite sport of Vancouver’s Japanese Canadian community. Today, nearly 80 years after the war’s end, sumo has made a comeback in Vancouver, displaying the community’s resilience and forward-thinking nature.
Since 1877, laborers from Japan moved to Canada, working in the fishing, forestry, shipping, and railroad industries. They carried sumo with them to isolated logging camps, ports, and factories. It was a common pastime, rivaling baseball. Among Japanese manual laborers, sumo rings (dohyō, 土俵), were established in several Japanese cultural institutions around British Columbia. Japanese communities along the West Coast, as well as in Hawai’i and Alaska, celebrated New Year’s with sumo tournaments. It united the community across generational and social lines. Throughout the year, tournaments were frequent and well-attended, generating interest beyond the Japanese community. As early as 1905, The Vancouver Daily Province reported on a sumo tournament held at City Hall Auditorium:
“The battle consists in keeping feet on the mat, the opponents lean heavily on each other and toward the centre. This brings many feints and sidesteps into play that are unknown in American wrestling, for very often a man is defeated by the force of his own weight carrying him outside the line … The opponent was so heavy that nothing short of an earthquake or his own weight could budge him. So the nimbler man encouraged him to push hard, till the muscles of his fat sides stood out in rolls. Then something happened. The Nimble One jumped in the air while the heavy fellow fell like a log between his opponent’s feet. And how those Japanese did howl and yell ‘Banzai’ to the lucky boy who used his head.“
The somewhat amused tone of this observer reflects how sumo has generally been regarded in the West — as a slightly comical cultural curiosity. However, at the same time, the reporter manages to grasp the essential spirit of the sport: the importance of brains over brawn.
Under the bleak and primitive conditions of the World War II Japanese incarceration camps, sumo was practiced as a way to pass the time. Japanese Canadians’ properties were liquidated, destroying the wealth that the community had worked generations to build. After the war, they were not allowed to return to the Pacific Coast until 1949. Due to this extreme disruption and shattering of their community, businesses, and lives, it is estimated that approximately 25% of the Japanese Canadian pre-war population returned to British Columbia. Sumo went on a long hiatus.
Community Revival
Sumo wrestling at an internment camp on the Hope-Princeton Highway Project. Photograph taken in the Summer of 1942. Photo credit: University of British Columbia Library.
In 1977, the Japanese Canadian community association Tonari Gumi founded the Powell Street Festival to celebrate the spirit of Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighborhood (Paueru-gai, パウエル街), in the Downtown Eastside. This marked the beginning of the movement of Japanese Canadians to reclaim their cultural identity after decades of cultural assimilation and displacement. The festival was a means of reconnecting with Japanese arts and traditions as well as an opportunity to teach the next generation and the wider society. The festival also dovetailed with the redress movement which was gaining momentum with Japanese Canadians. It demanded a formal apology and compensation from the Canadian government for their internment, loss of property, and the violation of their rights as citizens. The movement led to the government officially apologizing and offering modest compensation in 1988. Held in the heart of what was formerly home to 8,000 Japanese Canadians, the Powell Street Festival has become a platform to celebrate Japanese Canadian culture and political activism.
Since the earliest days of the festival, one of the main events has been a friendly sumo competition organized by the Sumo Fun Club to challengers of all backgrounds and body sizes. Because of the community’s history and the festival’s presence in the current Downtown Eastside (one of the most economically marginalized neighborhoods in Vancouver), inclusivity has been an important theme of the festival. It reflects the values of the Japanese Canadian community. The Sumo Fun Club organized the sumo exhibition at the Powell Street Festival for more than 40 years before passing the torch in 2017 to organizers Shane Pecknold and Lydia Luk. Though the event had originally followed a traditional, exclusionary attitude towards women, within the last eight years it has gradually evolved to include women and non-binary competitors.
To offer a consistent space to practice sumo, Pecknold and Luk also went on to co-found the Sumo Sundays club in 2022 with Kayla Isomura, a regular participant of the sumo competition. Pecknold lived for several years in Japan where he developed a passion for sumo. Upon his return to Canada, he sought to reinvigorate Vancouver’s sumo tradition and “normalize sumo as just another wrestling style that anyone can play, regardless of size.” What makes Sumo Sundays unique and successful is its rigorous emphasis on openness and inclusivity. The club attracts a wide range of participants from all walks of life, not only Nikkei (Japanese Canadians) but also martial arts enthusiasts, members of the queer community, and many others. Newcomers are encouraged to practice techniques and breakfalls without feeling pressure to face an opponent, keeping injuries to a minimum, and allowing members of all skill levels to participate.
While the Powell Street Festival is held only once a year, Sumo Sundays take place regularly in a dohyō on the top floor of the historic Japanese Language School & Hall, (487 Alexander Street on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Alexander Street). It overlooks the Port of Vancouver, which was once bustling with Japanese workers. Established in 1906 but closed from 1941 to 1952, the school was the only property restored for the Japanese Canadian community after the war. It is now a powerful symbol of the community’s resilience.
Sumo Sundays’ website (https://sumosundays.ca) also acknowledges that training takes place within the former 100-mile exclusion zone that Japanese Canadians were forbidden to enter during the war as well as “on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.”
Sumo is inherently body positive. Sumo wrestlers need a combination of strength, agility, and flexibility which does not guarantee that one body type will always prevail. Indeed, smaller players who can skillfully use their opponents’ power against them are often victorious (as noted in the 1905 article from the Daily Province).
At Sumo Sundays, opponents are matched by weight irrespective of gender. In traditional sumo, women are considered to be “unclean” (kegare, 穢れ) and not allowed to enter the sacred dohyō. When the Mayor of Maizuru in the Kyoto Prefecture collapsed due to a medical emergency at a 2018 sumo event, female medical personnel in the audience rushed into the dohyō to perform CPR but were repeatedly asked by a referee to leave. Salt was then thrown around the ring to “purify” it after the female medics stepped out. The Japan Sumo Association later apologized for putting the mayor’s life at risk. In 2000, the female governor of Osaka Prefecture, Fusae Ota, was forced to present the Governor’s Trophy outside the sumo ring. As its popularity has grown, Sumo Sundays’ all-gender sumo tournaments have been subject to an online backlash. Some traditionalists claim that women fighting men offends the spirit of sumo, while others maintain that women are incapable of beating men although this is a frequent occurrence!
Women’s participation in sumo, however, is not a new phenomenon. The Nihon Shoki (Japan’s second-oldest book from the year 720) describes a match between two court ladies. From the Edo period (1603) until the 1950s, women’s sumo (onnazumo, 女相撲) was a popular event at shrines and temples. It was also folklore in many rural regions of Japan noting women’s sumo was a way to pray for rain. It seems that the cultural prohibition against women entering the dohyō began only in the Meiji era (1868–1912). Despite the historical evidence, only amateur sumo events are open to women today in Japan. Little Miss Sumo (2018), a Netflix documentary about a young woman fighting for women’s rights (both inside and outside the dohyō), has inspired interest in women’s sumo around the world.
The atmosphere of Sumo Sundays contrasts markedly with the machismo of many martial arts clubs. Partially because sumo is not an established martial art in Canada, it offers an unparalleled opportunity for crossover training. Practitioners of various grappling martial arts—Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, football, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu—can apply their knowledge and cross-pollinate with sumo techniques. Some people are even drawn to sumo specifically to test their skills against bigger and stronger opponents.
Shane Pecknold’s enthusiasm has led to a revitalization of Sumo Canada—a previously defunct sporting body. In September 2024, he represented the Canadian team at the Sumo World Championships in Poland along with two other participants of Sumo Sundays—Ryan Kimoto and Bryan Chan. Ironically, the Japanese women’s team earned more medals than the men’s.
Though sumo is Japan’s oldest sport, it is the most recent Japanese martial art to take root overseas. Today, sumo is increasing in popularity and being adapted into new forms, such as a beach sumo club.
The beauty of sumo is that physical size or strength does not always ensure victory. A determined, crafty player can succeed against a dominant, larger opponent. That is the story of Vancouver Sumo. Against the odds, a progressive sumo club is re-establishing traditions. It is forging a new martial arts culture in the heart of Pauerugai.
Another honor has been bestowed on the late attorney Minoru Yasui. Yasui’s lifelong commitment to civil rights, democracy, and justice for all earned him the honor of the first Oregonian to receive the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and have March 28th designated in perpetuity as Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon. The Minoru Yasui Legacy Project (MYLP) is proud to announce that the legacy of Yasui is featured in Power of Words, one of the signature storytelling installations at the Barack Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago.
Rising 88 feet through all four levels of the museum, Power of Words is a monumental, digital experience that explores the power of speeches, voices, poetry, music, and language to inspire, empower, and connect people in the pursuit of social progress. Through immersive storytelling, the installation features the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, alongside changemakers and everyday people, whose voices have shaped history and continue to inspire civic engagement.
The featured footage of Yasui comes from a 1986 guest lecture he delivered to students in an Asian American Studies course at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). It was one of the first courses of its kind in the U.S. In the footage, Yasui reflects on the responsibility of every citizen to stand against injustice:
“But this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, founded in liberty, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. And this was happening in our country. As an American citizen [and] as a lawyer, I felt that we owed at least the obligation AS A CITIZEN to tell our government THEY ARE WRONG. That is the sacred duty of every citizen because what is done to the least of us can be done to all of us. I KNEW that we had to protest it.”
The archival footage was originally featured in the documentary, Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the Fight for Justice. Working in collaboration with the foundation, the MYLP helped connect the foundation with retired UCSD Professor Jim Lin to obtain permission for the footage and clip featured in the exhibit.
“Min’s picture at the top of the Obama Presidential Center’s 88-foot exhibit brings tears of joy. It’s a powerful recognition that he was an extraordinary person willing to speak up and act on what is right, regardless of the personal cost,” said Peggy Nagae, co-founder of the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project. “As Min said, ‘When you suppress or oppress any group of people, you are really derogating the rights of all people.’ Min knew at a deep level that shaking up the status quo was necessary and he was willing to do just that. He knowingly put his personal liberty and professional career at risk. That’s extraordinary.”
Born in Hood River, Oregon, Yasui is known for his courageous stand on March 28,1942, against the wartime military curfew imposed under Executive Order 9066. It was a defining act of protest against the unconstitutional policies that led to the mass incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans and people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.
Yasui’s stand became a defining moment in the pursuit of constitutional rights and equal justice.
Yasui will continue to inspire people of all ages as visitors to the museum encounter him as one of the signature storytelling experiences. Elsewhere in the museum, Yasui is recognized among the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded during the Obama administration. Honoring his unwavering commitment to justice, President Obama posthumously awarded Yasui the Medal of Freedom in 2015, calling his life “a reminder of the power of one voice echoing for justice.”
About the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project
Founded to preserve and advance the legacy of Minoru Yasui, the mission of the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project (MYLP) is to defend civil rights and advance social justice through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Through educational programs, public events, community partnerships, the annual Min Yasui Day celebration, and the national Minoru Yasui Student Contest, MYLP shares Yasui’s story and the broader history of the Japanese American experience during World War II. It is to inspire people of all ages to uphold constitutional rights, defend our democracy, and recognize that the pursuit of justice remains the responsibility of every citizen. To learn more about the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project, visit: www.minoruyasuilegacy.org.
About The Barack Obama Foundation
The Barack Obama Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. That mission begins on the South Side of Chicago where the foundation built the Barack Obama Presidential Center. The center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American president and first lady. It is steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where, together, they made their home. Not only will the center generate billions of dollars of economic opportunity and help reconnect and revitalize Jackson Park, it will also serve as a reminder to young visitors from around the city and from around the world that their potential is limitless. To learn more about the Barack Obama Foundation and the Barack Obama Presidential Center, visit: www.obama.org.
Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims’
Interfaith Memorial Service
By Barbara Mizoguchi NAP Editor-in-Chief
Sangha (congregation) in the hondo (sanctuary) of the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple during the interfaith memorial service. Photo credit: Bruce Fleming.
Many of us learned about or survived the U.S. aerial, atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively. The devastating destruction of the two cities took the lives of 150,000 to 246,000 people who were mostly civilians. Many Nikkei (Japanese Americans) had friends and relatives living in those areas. Eighty-one years later, the victims are still honored and remembered, thanks to the Seattle Hiroshima Club and the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple.
The two organizations have held a memorial service since 1975. Although it was initially attended by survivors and their families, today it also includes descendants and friends. In the second interfaith service which was held August 2, several local churches with messages of peace were invited to attend at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple: Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, Konko Church of Seattle, Nichiren Buddhist Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish, Wat Khemarak Pothiram Temple, and Seattle Koyasan Shingon Buddhist Temple. The theme was “Reflection on Peace.”
Rimban Kusunoki lowering the incense bowl for the boy to reach. Photo credit: Bruce Fleming.
As the bonsho (large bronze bell) rang from across the street, the sangha (congregation) gathered in the temple’s hondo (sanctuary). When entering, monto-shikisho (sashes) were available to wear, representing honor and respect of Buddha and the readiness to hear the Buddhist teachings. Onenju (Japanese mindfulness) beads were also available to use during gassho (joined palms). The many visitors were allowed to walk around before the service to learn about the incense burning, the beautiful new altar (refurbished after the fire), and even the area where only the Buddhist ministers can walk. The raised, gold altar at the front of the hondo represents the pure land. The inner area (exclusively for Buddhist ministers) is the naijin consisting of a large, gold butsudan with a gold Amida Buddha statue in the center. A hanging scroll on each side represents the founders and masters of Buddhism. On each side of the naijin are a few rows of elegant chairs where the ministers sit.When there is no temple service, the shoji screens are closed, covering the naijin.
Service began with kansho (bell ringing) and a moment of silence meant to calm the mind and to be present in the temple. The opening chanting was performed by Venerable So Anh Em of the Wat Khemarak Pothiram Temple. The sutra chanting “Juseige” was led by Rimban Katsuya Kusunoki of the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. Each church/organization representative then walked to the front center of the hondo, offering incense in the large, elaborate, bronze vessel which symbolizes the removal of impure thoughts and transiency of all existence.
Rev. Karen Yokota Love read an impactful prayer/poem written especially for the event. The congregation sang “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” composed by Michiko Pumpian. Afterwards, a message from Hiroshima governor Mika Yokota was read in Japanese by Dr. Tsukasa Namekata from the Seattle Hiroshima Club. Sharon Kosai from the same club read the message in English. Yokota mentioned how there is still not an international law of nuclear weapon disarmament. More research needs to be done on nuclear policies. In the meantime, we all must promote peace around the world.
Karyn Kubo Fleming, representative of St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish, offering incense during service at the front of the hondo (sanctuary) of the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple.Photo credit: Bruce Fleming.
Rev. Kusunoki delivered a poignant message, comparing dharma (the way of the Buddha teachings) with peace. 140,000 lives were lost in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki when Kusunoki’s father (then six years old) was living in Nagasaki. He climbed a tree to watch the cicadas when someone yelled that a bomb was exploding. He ran alone to a shelter area, terrified and crying.
In 2005 and 2015, Kusunoki’s temple members in Nagasaki wrote their memories, now published in books. The Seattle Hiroshima Club videotaped its survivor testimonies which can be viewed at: https://seahiro.org/interviews.
In 2010, Kusunoki came to the U.S. for his first assignment as a minister at the Buddhist Church of Lodi in California and to further study English. In 2017, he arrived at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. He was asked to write for the temple newsletter every month. That was when he made a personal commitment to write about the bombings. Some hibakusha (bomb survivor) memories include his father’s which were translated into English.
Kusunoki also mentioned Gene Fujita who passed away at 81 years old, wondering how many more wars there must be. He wanted the world to be at peace but the wars continued. The hopes and wishes of hibakushas have not been answered. Kusunoki was thinking about what he could do.Historically, religion can cause conflict and contribute to wars. Hiroshima has a peace park and Nagasaki has an interfaith friendship. Division can cause conflict but religion can promote peace. He encouraged the sangha to continue joining in the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We must kindle peace and shine in our community.
The closing prayer was by Rev. Robert Giulietti of the Konko Church of Seattle. Temple announcements were made by various individuals. The folded cranes displayed in front of the hondo were made by the community.. A thousand were folded by Blaine members. After the service, a display of the bombings and a video recording of hibakushas were shown downstairs of the temple. The hope is that more faiths will join the Seattle Hiroshima Club and the Buddhist temple in the future.
The Blaine congregation was treated to a tour of the temple. A fire had occurred on December 31, 2023, which reignited on January 2, 2024. There was no alarm. Smoke went up one of the crawl spaces from the basement to the hondo. All the library books were lost plus many articles. Items also started to mold from the ash and moisture. Densho along with over 125 volunteers helped with the archive recovery.
The new naijin was officially opened during the 2026 summer obon (Japanese Buddhist festival). After the fire, the hondo was full of smoke with soot covering every surface. A cleaning company came in but the naijin was ruined. It had to be disassembled and sent to Japan for repairs. In Japan, there are only two major companies that could do this type of restoration. It took two workers plus a dozen volunteers to dismantle it. A 40-foot truck was needed to move it and it took over a month to ship. Since there are no nails in the naijin, the pieces fit together like a puzzle causing a need for a spreadsheet listing each piece for re-assembling.
The electrical system was the old knob and tube wiring that had to be completely replaced and upgraded. This also provided an opportunity to install air conditioning. Since the original locked doors down the hallway were broken by firefighters (who needed to enter and ensure that no one else was in the building), new doors and electronic locks were installed. The lack of a sprinkler system was grandfathered in when the temple was built in 1941.
The next phase of the restoration will be to install an ADA (American Disabilty Act) elevator by removing one of the rooms. However, fundraising is needed. See Seattle Betsuin Arson Restoration & Building Fund at: https://seattlebetsuin.org/fire. For more information, contact: ArsonRestoration@SeattleBetsuin.org.
Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple
Established in 1901 Our temple has served as an important place of listening and sharing the message of the Buddha for over 100 years.
Services Join us for Sunday service at 10:00 a.m. in-person or online via YouTube!
The Seattle Hiroshima Club aims to engage with the greater Seattle area about our proud Hiroshima heritage, educating future generations of the devastation of the atomic bomb, and the promotion of peace. We promote the general welfare of the Japanese American community and encourage the relationship with the Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. We invite you to join us in our efforts!
Headaches, back pain, stiff shoulders, and aching knees are easy to dismiss especially when they do not seem serious enough to require immediate medical attention. Over time, however, many people simply grow accustomed to the discomfort without knowing what is causing it or what options are available. Dr. Koki Kobata, a Japanese and English-speaking chiropractor, has seen many such patients. He believes the first step is not necessarily choosing a particular treatment but finding out where the pain comes from.
Looking Beyond the Symptoms
“Chiropractors can help assess what may be contributing to the pain,” Dr. Kobata says.
An initial visit begins with a consultation, physical examination, and may include X-rays. He looks for possible causes such as muscle weakness, joint misalignment or nerve involvement. If the condition requires further evaluation, Dr. Kobata may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or refer the patient to another medical provider. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, laser therapy, spinal decompression or care from another medical specialist. This is particularly important for people who have endured pain for years or assumed surgery, injections or medication were their only choices.
One such option is computerized traction therapy known as nonsurgical spinal decompression. The equipment applies controlled traction to gently stretch the spine, with the goal of relieving pressure on compressed nerves and reducing pain and muscle tightness.
The clinic recently added a decompression device designed for the knee. Known as Acu-Knee, it uses computer-controlled technology to apply gentle traction to the joint. Dr. Kobata became interested in the device after experiencing knee pain himself. He says the treatment helped reduce the discomfort he felt when standing up from a seated position and allowed him to return to cycling and hiking.
The Experiences that Shaped His Career
Due to severe knee arthritis, he could not even walk downstairs without a cane, and his knee doctor recommended a total knee replacement. Dr. Kobata researched and introduced nonsurgical knee decompression to avoid surgery, and now he says he has fully recovered and enjoys bicycling and hiking without assistance.
Dr. Kobata’s interest in chiropractic care began when he was in high school and suffering from severe migraines. The headaches sometimes made it difficult for him to attend school. After visiting a chiropractor and continuing treatment, he says his symptoms gradually subsided. Years later, he experienced pain from a serious rear-end collision. The accident left him with herniated discs in his neck and lower back. He subsequently developed problems in both knees: his right knee became severely swollen while his left was diagnosed with moderate to advanced cartilage damage. At one point, even climbing stairs was difficult.
He says a combination of treatment and rehabilitation eventually allowed him to be more active. This gave him a better understanding of how long-term pain can affect not only mobility but also mood, energy, and concentration. “Many people become used to living with pain,” he says. “They may not realize how much stress is placed on the body.” Do not ignore changes in the body or assume that discomfort is something one must accept.
Koki Kobata, D.C.Dr. Kobata is a U.S.-licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. A graduate
of Parker University in Dallas, Texas. He has owned and operated WellnessOne of Eastgate for 25 years. In 2000, he worked as a chiropractor for the Seattle Sounders
Women.
The North American Post is offering Washington State Fair tickets (parking pass with two adults’ admissions—$65 total value) for those who buy a new NAP subscription ($50 for one year). Simply email a completed subscription form to https://napost.com/subscribe. This offer is available while supplies last.
The fair runs September 4-27 and is a crowd-pleaser for all who enjoy farm animals, people watching, and Fisher Fair Scones
When you visit the fair, stop by the Remembrance Gallery, which raises awareness of the World War II incarceration of 7,500 Japanese Americans on the fairgrounds during April-September 1942. It is located under the grandstand near the scone booth.
REMEMBER. CONNECT. LEARN. –Sep 4–27; closed every Tue & Sep 9. Visit the Puyallup Valley JACL Remembrance Gallery during the WA St Fair. Meet a “Puyallup Assembly Center” survivor. Hear her story and connect with her family on: Fri, Sep 11; 5–9:30 p.m. and Sun, Sep 13; 1–5 p.m. For more info, see: https://puyallupvalleyjacl.org/gallery/gallery-events/fall-fair-2026.
What’s the Story? exhibition– now-Sep 19; Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ArtX Contemporary Gallery, 512 1st Ave S, Seattle. Featuring contemporary narratives of home, identity, and connections by six PNW artists. Artists highlight thepower of art to preserve memory, reclaim histories, and shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Lauren Iida’s intricate, hand-cut paper artwork connect her Japanese American family’s heritage and WWII incarceration with contemporary social and political issues through the human figure. For more info, see: https://artxcontemporary.com/show/artx-contemporary-whats-the-story-contemporary-narratives-of-home-identity-connectionor: https://artxcontemporary.com/artist/lauren-iida.
Standing for Justice: The Japanese Americans Shaping Oregon –now-Oct 25; Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Mon-Tue. Japanese American Museum of Oregon, 411 NW Flanders St, Portland. (Entrance on NW 4th Ave at the corner of 4th and Flanders.) As Oregon commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary, learn about Japanese American contributions to democracy and those who have fought injustice with action. This exhibition features Elisa Dozono, Tiffany Koyama Lane, Bill Naito, Lynn Nakamoto, Mari Watanabe, and Minoru Yasui. For more info, see: https://jamo.org/standing-for-justice.
Transcendent: The Life and Work of Artist Takuichi Fujii – a new audio-visual digital tour exploring artistic journey of Japanese American artist Takuichi Fujii by Friends of Minidoka: https://beyondbarbedwire.org/tours/fujii/intro?blm_aid=23802. 20-minute tour combines paintings, ink drawings, watercolors, photographs, interviews, and family stories. Tracing Fujii’s journey from Hiroshima, Japan to Seattle where he rose from an unknown immigrant painter to one of the city’s most recognized artists of the 1930s. His work was exhibited across the West Coast and included in the First National Exhibition of American Art in New York City. For more info, see: www.minidoka.org or telephone at: 208-278-6066.
NHPI Research Study – You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by a doctoral student at National University in San Diego, California. The study explores experiences of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) employees within WA St government with a focus on advancement, promotion, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Participation involves:
•Use of a pseudonym in allreports and publications
Participating or not participating will have no impact on your employment or relationship with any organization. You may withdraw at any time without penalty. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Tuala Tuinei, doctoral student, at: ttuinei@outlook.com or 360-481-9070.
SEPTEMBER
Yoshi Nakagawa Opening Reception –Thu, Sep 3; 4-5:30 p.m. Seattle Japanese Garden, 1075 Lk WA Blvd E, Seattle. Tacoma-based artist exhibiting various printmaking techniques such as woodcutting, etching, letterpress, and more. Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments while observing the blending of Japanese aesthetics with motifs of the natural world. For more info, see: www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/events-calendar/2026/9/3/yoshi-nakagawa-reciprocal-opening
Japan on Beacon Hill: A Celebration of Japanese Culture & Community –Sat, Sep 12; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Plaza Roberto Maestras, 2601 – 17th Ave S, Seattle (between 16-17 Ave S & S Roberto Maestas Festival St.) Part of Beacon Arts Street Fair monthly series. Honoring Tazue and Yutaka Sasaki – 50 years sharing Japanese culture in the PNW. Music, cultural performances, traditional demos, hands-on activities, local food vendors, community market, raffle prizes, and more. Free, family-friendly, and open to the public. For more info, see: www.beacon-arts.org/street-fairs.
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival – Sun, Sep 13; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison, Seattle. In the Armory Food & Event Hall, Mural Amphitheatre, and Fisher Rooftop. The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. It is free and open to the public. Come for the entertainment, workshops, food, merchandise, and more! For more info, see: www.seattlelivealohafestival.com/vendors-.html.
Kisaragi-kai Guest Speaker Series– Sun, Sep 13; 12 p.m. Community organization dedicated to preserving Japanese culture and fostering intergenerational connections is launching a new series. The workshop will feature Yoko Kelleher, a certified picture book therapist. Participants will explore emotions through stories and share reflections. Free workshop will be conducted in Japanese, and pre-registration is required by September 8th. Lunch at 12 p.m. and workshop at 12:45 p.m. Bento boxes can be pre-ordered for $25 or participants are welcome to bring their own food. Contact kisaragikaiwa@gmail.com to register or for any questions.
Jazz Sundays Series –4-6 p.m. Cocoa Legato, 8420 Greenwood Ave N, Suite C, Seattle. Seattle Kobe-Sister City Association presents a series of six free concerts one Sunday a month through December, 2026:
Our Mr. Matsura film – Thu, Sep 24; 12:45 p.m. & Sat, Sep 26; 9:40 a.m.Gig Harbor Film Festival – Galaxy Theatres-Theatre 8, Uptown Gig Harbor, 4701 Point Fosdick Dr, Gig Harbor.Documentary film of photographer Frank Matsura who journeyed from his native Japan to live in rural Washington State in the early 1900s. For more info, see:https://gigharborfilm.org or telephone:253-682-9585 or contact: director@gigharborfilmfestival.org.
Our Mr. Matsura film – Fri, Sep 25; 7-9 p.m. Port Townsend Film Festival, Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington St, Port Townsend. Documentary film of photographer Frank Matsura who journeyed from his native Japan to live in rural Washington State in the early 1900s. For more info, see: https://ptff2026.eventive.org/Festival_Schedule/6a4d40f151a3f9184a5fd225 or https://ourmrmatsura.com.
C-ID Night Market – Sat, Sep 26; 1-9 p.m. Seattle Chinatown-International District, 423 Maynard Ave S, Seattle.Annual street festival for all ages and free. Street vendors, food trucks, cultural performances, and more. For more info, see: www.seattlechinatownid.com/experiences/c-id-night-market
International Women in Jazz Concert –Sat, Sep 26; 2-4 p.m. The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S, Seattle. Featuring the winner of the Kobe Jazz Queen Competition, Kumiko Hisano, and local women jazz artists representing music from around the world. The program is sponsored by the Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association, 4Culture, and The Royal Room. Reservations required at: https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/international-women-in-jazz-2026.
30th Anniversary Gala: Legacy in Motion – Sat, Sep 26; 5-9 p.m. Sunset Club, 1021 University St, Seattle. Densho’s first in-person event since 2020! Celebration honoring decades-long journey, and the people and community who helped build the organization. Reception with taiko drumming and folk music by NW Minyo Kai. Premiere of new documentary short film. M.C. Harold Taniguchi with executive director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura and founding executive Director Tom Ikeda.Raising a glass to content director Brian Niiya as he retires. Evening includes drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Purchase tickets at: https://event.auctria.com/3293713d-d6c8-42d2-af1f-972fd7e39f12/a809178051b511. For more info, contact:maya.hayashi@densho.org.
Evergreen Glee Club (EGC) 20th Anniversary Concert – Sun, Sep 27; 2:30-5:30 p.m. Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway, Seattle. Join EGC for their 20th anniversary concert. We’ll sing a variety of EGC standards (all audience favorites!) in Japanese and English with a special guest performance from a Japanese women’s chorus, Cabin Choir. Admission is free (donations welcome); a reception with refreshments will follow. For more info, see: https://egcseattle.com.
18th Annual Sister City Female Jazz Vocalist Audition –Sun, Sep 27; 6 p.m.Doors open at 5 p.m., audition starts at 6 p.m., and evening ends at 9 p.m.The Triple Door, 216 Union St, Seattle.Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association (SKSCA) announces its annual Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition. SKSCA will select one female high school vocalist and one adult female jazz vocalist from the greater Seattle area to go to Kobe, Japan to perform at the Kobe Shinkaichi Music Street Festival in May 2027. Finalists will perform at this live audition. Featuring 2026 Kobe Jazz Queen Kumiko Hisano.Family, friends, and community members are encouraged to come and support the finalists. Proceeds support this and future Seattle-Kobe Jazz exchanges.Purchase tickets online at: https://tickets.thetripledoor.net/eventperformances.asp?evt=2274 or telephone at: 866-973-9612.
Community farewell party for the Iyoris (front left). Photo credit: Dale Watanabe.
Consul General of Japan in Seattle Makoto Iyori and his wife, Yuko Iyori, bid farewell to the community in a reception at their home on August 14 as their three-year stint here comes to an end.
Both of them gave poignant speeches about how the Japanese community made an impact during their stay in the U.S.
“I have been fortunate to work with so many people who care deeply about Japan and the friendship between our two countries,” said Consul General Iyori. Seattle “has become a place that we will always feel connected to.”
Mrs. Iyori said, “Learning about the history, the family stories, and the traditions that are woven into this community — and having the chance to experience a small part of everyday life with so many of you —- has touched me deeply. It’s something I’ll carry with me wherever I go … You are what made Seattle feel like home, and you are what makes leaving so hard.”
Guests at Con. Gen. and Mrs. Iyori’s farewell reception at their home in the garden. Photo credit: Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle staff.
On August 20 local Japanese organizations prepared a farewell party for the couple at Terry’s Kitchen in Bellevue. During the program, each participating organization greeted the Iyoris to say thank you, farewell, and give a small gift that could be easily packed for travelling back to Japan.
The highlight of the program was a gift from all the organizations collectively: framed artwork by Seattle artist Aki Sogabe.
Yuko and Con. Gen. Iyori receiving baseball-style hat with “UWNAA” on them. From the University of Washington Nikkei Alumni Association. Photo credit: Dale Watanabe.
Known for her paper cutouts, Sogabe created a mid-size scene with pink cherry blossoms in the corner foreground and fir trees in the mid-background. Behind it is a downtown scene of Seattle with the Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the furthest background.
After presenting flowers to Mrs. Iyori, a group photo was taken.
Con. Gen. and Mrs. Iyori’s last day in Seattle is August 28. Currently, it is not known who the next consul general for the region will be.
Moriguchi (in purple birthday happi coat and hat) with staff and friends (including the late Bruce Lee?) at his 90th birthday luncheon. Photo credit:Barbara Mizoguchi.
Moriguchi blowing out his birthday candles during his luncheon.Photo credit: Barbara Mizoguchi.
Perhaps, like many, I spend evenings perusing YouTube. Owing to this bad habit, I occasionally come across videos that are well worth watching.
One such film, now available for free viewing (with commercials), is “Minamata” (2020 with actors Johnny Depp and Hiroyuki Sanada, and singer Minami). As it was released in the U.S. in February 2022, its opening was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The tale reveals how the mercury poisoning of residents in Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan, in the early 1970s came to be known to the world. Many boomers (born 1946-1964) will recall seeing the arresting photographs in the pages of “Life” magazine. But until recently seeing “Minamata,” I did not know how that photograph essay came to be. The story would be of interest to anyone interested in the history of the environmental movement, in the power of photography to change the world, and in the U.S./Japan relationship, especially where “gai-atsu” (foreign pressure) — is the path forward.
Also of interest are the titular YouTube channels “Lost Salaryman in Japan” (102k subscribers, 13 videos) and “Tokyo Rental: Someone’s Girlfriend” (2.99k subscribers, three videos). I like both for the candid darkness they paint of life in present-day Tokyo for young, single working people and the artistic approaches that both anonymous creators have adopted to find their way.
Twenty-two community-led projects across Seattle will receive nearly $1 million from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). It is meant to help residents bring their ideas to life through neighborhood improvements, cultural celebrations, youth programs, and community-building initiatives.
“When neighbors come together to improve a park, organize a cultural festival, create opportunities for young people, or tackle a challenge in their community, they show what makes Seattle special,” says Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “The Neighborhood Matching Fund turns community ideas into action, proving that meaningful change starts with people who care enough to roll up their sleeves and make a difference together.”
Through the NMF, the city is investing $983,225 to support projects designed and led by people who know their neighborhoods best. Award recipients have committed more than $839,000 in matching contributions through volunteer time, donated materials, local fundraising, and in-kind professional services, demonstrating the power of community-driven investment. This is the first grant cycle of the 2026 fund.
“I’ve seen firsthand how communities can transform neighborhoods when they have the resources and support to bring their ideas to life. The Neighborhood Matching Fund is one of Seattle’s most powerful tools for investing in community leadership because it starts by trusting residents to know what their neighborhoods need,” says Quynh Pham, Director, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. “These projects reflect the creativity, resilience, and vision that already exists in our communities, and we’re proud to help support that work.”
Together, these investments demonstrate how neighbors and the city can work side-by-side to strengthen communities.
Beginning in 2024, the department re-instituted a community review process. For this round of awards, five community evaluators reviewed, evaluated, and provided recommendations for this round of grants. The department is grateful for their commitment to Seattle and all the communities.
2026 Cycle One Community Partnership Awards in the Seattle Chinatown-International District (C-ID):
$50,000 to Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Areafor the Win Some, Dim Sum C-ID World Record Attempt, a free, public cultural event celebrating the culinary heritage, small businesses, and community identity of Seattle’s C-ID. The project brought together local dim sum restaurants, residents, and visitors for a community-centered competition culminating in an official Guinness World Records-validated attempt. Community match: $36,150.
$50,000 to Theatre Off Jackson (TOJ) to strengthen safety and neighborhood confidence through architect-designed exterior improvements to its historic C-ID building. The full project includes front and rear security gate installations and entry alcove improvements (including signage and artwork representing neighborhood identity). This Phase I request focuses on constructing a new wood-framed entry alcove and custom metal folding gate at the primary (front) public entrance with improved lighting, repaired surfaces, and ADA-compliant egress. The project was developed in response to safety concerns by facility users/visitors. Developed with input from artists, audiences, and neighborhood residents and businesses, the design balances security with openness, signaling active stewardship rather than exclusion. In addressing security concerns, TOJ will create a safer, more welcoming cultural space serving neighborhood communities. Community match: $32,670.
About the Grants:
NMF grants are given to organizations committed to fostering and building community. The grants have two funds: the Community Partnership Fund which is currently offered twice a year with awards of up to $50,000; and the Small Sparks Fund which is offered on a rolling basis January-October with awards of up to $5,000.
Since its creation, more than 5,000 projects have been funded in partnership with the program. This investment in neighborhoods and communities can be seen across the city.
Since its founding in 1991, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has supported community-led projects and programs such as Neighborhood Matching Fund, P-Patch Gardening Program, Historic Preservation, and more. It strengthens connections, builds trust, and help neighbors shape the future of Seattle together.
Matsumoto wearing a happi coat and handing out samples at the Hachinohe Aomori Japan booth in Hachinohe. Undated. Photo credit:Yasuki Matsumoto.
Surrounded by figures who would become legends of the IT (Information Technology) world, Yasuki Matsumoto joined Microsoft headquarters as its first Japanese employee and played a key role in establishing the company’s Japanese subsidiary. For decades, he helped bring American software companies into the Japanese market through strategic investment and business development. Today, the same frontier spirit is guiding him toward a new mission: introducing outstanding Japanese products to the world. This feature looks back on a career spent building companies, mentoring startups and interns, and continuing to open new paths across borders.
Yasuki Matsumoto was born in 1953 in Mie Prefecture in Japan. He graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kansai University (Japan) and earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Portland State University (Oregon). In 1982, he joined Microsoft Corporation in the United States as a COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) systems engineer and later worked on the establishment of Microsoft’s Japanese subsidiary. Matsumoto also supported the launch of the company’s Korean and Taiwanese subsidiaries and served as a product development manager for the Far East region. He founded DBC Technology in 1991, EnCompass Group in 1995, and Encompass Japan Inc. in 2021. In addition to managing the businesses he founded, he currently serves as a special advisor to transcosmos Inc.
Roots Shaped by His Hometown and His Parents’ Example
Matsumoto grew up freely in the nature-rich city of Tsu, Mie Prefecture. As a child, he spent countless hours fishing in rivers and catching insects with his older brother who was four years his senior. His family ran Matsumoto Shoten, a wholesaler that mainly supplied soybeans to tofu shops. Because of the family business, their dining table was often filled with tofu and aburaage (deep-fried tofu) received from customers.
Matsumoto with his mother, Yoshiko, and his older brother, Hideki. Location and date unknown. Photo credit: Yasuki Matsumoto.
During summer vacations, Matsumoto rose early to help with deliveries, traveling across Mie Prefecture in a two-ton truck known as a Kurogane. Some routes covered roughly 180 kilometers (120 miles) round trip between Tsu and Owase. Watching his parents work from morning to night, carrying burlap sacks filled with soybeans that weighed as much as 60 kilograms (132 lbs.), gave him an early, firsthand understanding of how demanding work could be.
After graduating from high school, Matsumoto followed his father’s advice and entered Kansai University to study mechanical engineering. His older brother studied electrical engineering at the same university. Their father apparently hoped that one day, his two sons would help mechanize tofu production and expand the family business. Matsumoto himself had little interest in that path but during his university years he encountered something that would change the course of his life.
As a sophomore, he traveled to the United States through a program run by the International Youth Exchange Association. While staying in Boston, he lived with a professor who taught computer science at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. That experience sparked his interest in the field. After learning that the West Coast was at the forefront of computer science, Matsumoto persuaded his parents to let him study at Portland State University’s graduate school. Studying abroad was expensive at the time with the exchange rate 360 yen to the dollar. He covered his tuition by teaching at a Japanese school and working as a university teaching assistant. He completed his master’s program with strong academic results, an experience that gave him lasting confidence.
The First Japanese Programmer at Microsoft Headquarters
In 1979, Matsumoto joined a major Japanese electronics manufacturer as a software development engineer. Even then, his mind was occupied by developments in American computing. After learning about Microsoft in a specialized industry magazine, his desire to work in the United States as a programmer grew stronger. After roughly two years, he left the company, used up his savings, received support from his parents, and returned to Portland as an international student to look for work.
Soon after arriving in the United States, Matsumoto visited Microsoft headquarters with a resume in hand. He was unable to meet with anyone that day but a week later he received an invitation for an interview and advanced to a decisive second round. The people who appeared before him were industry figures who would later become legendary: Charles Simonyi, Paul Allen, and Steve Ballmer. Allen gave him a programming problem, which Matsumoto was able to solve thanks to his practical experience. He was later hired at an annual salary of $22,000. Although it meant taking a pay cut, he was filled with hope as the first Japanese employee hired at Microsoft headquarters. Looking back, Matsumoto modestly says he was fortunate.
At the time, Microsoft headquarters had only about 100 employees and was filled with the energy of a student dormitory. Matsumoto remembers occasions when the company rented out a movie theater so the entire staff could watch a film together. Everyone was highly motivated and spent their days absorbed in program development from morning to night. It was an environment where employees could speak openly to their supervisors, try new things, and take risks without fear of failure. Gates, too, was a leader who did not act superior but remained open and willing to debate with employees. Matsumoto threw himself into development every day determined not to fall behind the other programmers.
The Little-Known Story Behind the Founding of Microsoft Japan
Three years after Matsumoto joined Microsoft in December 1985, he was entrusted with the task of establishing Microsoft’s Japanese subsidiary. The mission was daunting with only three months from launch to incorporation. Matsumoto had found satisfaction in program development but he also wanted to seek work that only he could do. As one of three people tasked with leading the creation of the Japan office, he accepted the challenge.
From the mid-1980s into the 1990s, Japan’s personal computer industry was still developing with major electronics manufacturers selling their own proprietary hardware. At the time, Japan was one of Microsoft’s most important overseas markets second only to Germany. The sales channel was handled by ASCII Corporation, a publisher known for introducing and selling overseas software in Japan.
Because Microsoft’s products were often supplied through OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), arrangements under other companies’ brands, the Microsoft name was not yet widely recognized in Japan. Matsumoto and the team struggled to open an account at a major Tokyo bank to secure office space, eventually beginning operations from an office in Sanbancho district in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. One of the greatest challenges was recruiting talent. Matsumoto had been entrusted with creating a development division inside the Japan office, an unusual policy for a foreign company at the time. It reflected Bill Gates’ high regard for Japan’s technical capabilities. In the middle of Japan’s economic boom, however, attracting talented people to a relatively unknown foreign company was extremely difficult. In the end, the team approached 18 employees from ASCII which had been working closely with Microsoft and they agreed to join. Matsumoto remembers feeling deeply grateful that they were willing to step into the unknown challenge of launching Microsoft Japan together.
Matsumoto began by visiting customers every day and listening directly to what was happening in the field. Leading a young team, he often found himself moving between banks and manufacturers as a manager dispatched from headquarters. In the early days, Japan’s share of Microsoft’s overall sales was still small but with the arrival of Windows 95 the subsidiary entered a period of rapid growth. It eventually became the company’s second-largest market after the United States.
Matsumoto later helped establish Microsoft’s Korean and Taiwanese subsidiaries and contributed to the company’s expansion in Asia as a product development manager. Around the same time, Microsoft headquarters completed its IPO (Initial Public Offering) in the United States and began to emerge as a corporate giant.
By 1991, Microsoft had grown to more than 8,000 employees. As the company became larger, it was harder for Matsumoto to see the full picture and to pursue the work he most wanted to do. He even began to feel that he might not be able to compete with local talent in English or programming alone. Instead, Matsumoto wanted to build a company that would specialize in software localization into Japanese and use his strengths as a Japanese professional. It was not an easy decision because he felt indebted to Gates and the company that had helped him obtain permanent residency. Still, he chose to trust himself and became an entrepreneur.
When asked whether he felt anxious about leaving Microsoft, Matsumoto answered immediately, “No.” Confident in his ability to read the future of the industry, he began a new career as an investor and businessman.
A Key Figure in the Spree of Personal Computers in Japan
After leaving Microsoft, Matsumoto founded DBC Technology in Seattle with the goal of translating and selling American software for the Japanese market. His first major project was supporting Compaq, later acquired by Hewlett-Packard, as it brought IBM-compatible personal computers (PC) to Japan.
At the time, Japanese PC manufacturers sold software based on their own proprietary standards. To make products compatible, users often needed specialized knowledge and programming language skills which limited the reach of PCs. The arrival of IBM’s DOS/V operating system and compatible machines made it possible for software to work across PCs from different manufacturers. Compaq was the leading U.S. manufacturer in that field.
Matsumoto spent six months in Houston, where Compaq was headquartered, supporting the company’s entry into the Japanese market. The result was a sharp drop in PC prices across Japanese manufacturers and a surge of opportunities for a wide range of software developers. This development, known as the “Compaq Shock” sent tremors through Japan’s IT industry and helped lay the foundation for widespread PC adoption.
An Investor’s Career Dedicated to a New Business Model
DBC Technology sought to expand but financial constraints eventually led Matsumoto to consider mergers and acquisitions. Around that time, transcosmos, a major Japanese company in business process outsourcing, IT outsourcing, and help desk services approached him with a proposal. They wanted Matsumoto to establish an investment company as a joint venture with an affiliate of Nikko Securities. In July 1995, he founded EnCompass Group and began strategic investments in the U.S. IT companies, venture capital work, and business expansion into Asia. He later served as president of transcosmos USA, now transcosmos Investments & Business Development Inc., and as a vice president of transcosmos before moving more fully into the investment business as a special advisor.
Matsumoto’s venture capital (VC) model differed from the conventional approach which typically prioritizes investment returns above all else. His focus was on helping U.S. startups grow in the Japanese market. He provided end-to-end support including market entry, research, strategy, localization, product development, and partner development. This distinctive business-development-oriented investment model made collaboration with competing VC firms easier. His strong track record in Japan was highly valued, leading to many investment opportunities.
This was the Web 1.0 era, when technologies such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) lowered the barrier to creating websites. Netscape went public, Amazon was founded in 1995, and Google was established in 1998, marking the dawn of the digital revolution. As development costs fell, it became possible to create convenient new digital services quickly which also increased the possibility of acquisition by major companies. Active investment in the IT industry created opportunities for short-term returns but the low barrier to entry also made competition intense.
Understanding these characteristics, Matsumoto says that the survival path for IT startups is generally either acquisition by a major company or going public. In the past, many companies aimed to go public and become central players in their industry. With the remarkable growth of giant IT companies; however, acquisition by larger firms has become increasingly common. Because acquisition can allow investors and founders to recover capital faster than an IPO, business strategies built around selling the company from the outset have become more mainstream.
Through VC investing, Matsumoto came to understand the importance of a strategy that matches market needs, strong product development, and speed. He also experienced the difficulty of exit strategies but there were successes as well. One was investing in a company that was acquired by a major IT firm for $200 million.
Fran’s Chocolates founder Fran Bigelow with Matsumoto at the Fran’s Chocolates’ Georgetown store in 2015. It is the company’s current headquarters, main production, and retail location in Seattle. Matsumoto held a lacquerware experience event there with Bigelow and a lacquerware artisan from Japan. Photo credit: Yasuki Matsumoto.
Helping Japanese Products Find Their Way into the U.S. Market
After many years of helping American software companies enter Japan, Matsumoto is now applying that experience in the opposite direction. His current mission extends beyond IT by introducing Japanese foods and traditional crafts to the American market. Since founding Encompass Japan, Inc. in 2021, he has supported market development for products such as kumiko woodwork from Aomori and yoga mats made with tatami from Kumamoto, creating unique proposals that combine Japanese tradition with contemporary design.
At a food event held in collaboration with Aomori Prefecture, Matsumoto wore a happi coat printed with “Aomori Prefecture” and handed out samples himself as part of a Hachinohe anko (dessert) project he was developing with student interns. With its strong interest in Japanese culture and residents who are willing to spend on dining, Seattle is an ideal place for test marketing. Despite a distinguished career as an industry pioneer, Matsumoto has never forgotten the importance of standing at the front line with customers. That, more than anything, reflects his business philosophy.
Matsumoto is currently focusing on a project to introduce lacquerware to the United States in partnership with Yamada Heiando, a lacquerware company that serves the Imperial Household Agency. The project struggled to gain traction for more than five years. Through repeated trips around the United States and ongoing negotiations with manufacturers, its sales channels have steadily expanded. The lacquerware is now being used for lipstick containers by a cosmetics manufacturer in New York and is carried by the popular gallery shop KOBO in Seattle. When lacquerware was adopted by Seattle-based luxury chocolatier Fran’s Chocolates, Matsumoto says he was encouraged by the deep understanding and sympathy for Japanese craftsmanship shown by the company’s founder, Fran Bigelow. These experiences taught him that lacquerware may be more readily accepted in the United States not simply as a stand-alone object but as a vessel that enhances what it holds.
Serving as a Bridge to the Next Generation
One distinctive aspect of Matsumoto’s company is its active effort to provide interns with practical business experience. Behind this is his hope that young Japanese people and engineers will gain greater market value and social recognition, and that they will be willing to take the leap into the U.S. market. In the lacquerware project, interns once raised $30,000 through crowdfunding and helped publish an English-language book introducing the history and craftsmanship of urushi (tree sap for making lacquer).
Matsumoto says he wants young people to keep trying until they succeed even if they fail many times along the way. During Japan’s high-growth era and the early days of IT everything was trial and error, and failure was considered part of the process. In today’s mature economy, however young people face a different kind of pressure. Success is treated almost as the minimum requirement. Failure is often seen as unacceptable whether remaining inside a company or taking risks to start something new. They may appear fortunate but their choices can be limited. That is why when students tell him they are glad they had the chance to take on a challenge, Matsumoto feels compelled to create more opportunities for them.
He also expresses deep gratitude to ICC, the Japanese student organization, as well as the University of Washington and Bellevue College, for providing opportunities to support these students.
Matsumoto holds one quote especially close: Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” As if embodying that idea, he has continued to take on challenge after challenge with a resilient spirit that bends but does not break. Matsumoto’s story of investment, opportunity, and support for the next generation is still unfolding. That pioneering spirit will no doubt continue to connect with the innovations of the future.
The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation is delighted to announce five major awards to preserve and share Japanese American history and culture. Listed in alphabetical order, these organizations have been instrumental in the preservation, amplification, and dissemination of Japanese culture and the Japanese American experience:
Densho
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
National Japanese American Historical Society
Nichi Bei Foundation
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
These grants, totaling more than $8.5 million, recognize the ambitious and varying approaches of community-rooted organizations to ensure Japanese American history and culture is preserved and maintained, and inspire action in the future.
“Our partnership with the Takahashi Foundation has made it possible for Densho to think bigger about how Japanese American history can be preserved, shared, and connected in the digital age,” said Naomi Ostwald Kawamura, Executive Director of Densho. “Through this support, we are able to launch a first-of-its-kind effort to identify, map, and connect Japanese American archival materials across institutions and communities which will help ensure that these histories remain visible, accessible, and meaningful for generations to come.”
Larger than any of its previous grants, these awards mark a shift in the Takahashi Foundation’s grantmaking. The Takahashi Foundation will pivot from accepting applications for review to making grants directly to select nonprofit groups.
Going forward, the Takahashi Foundation will no longer accept unsolicited letters of inquiry, proposals, or nominations for grants. “The focus during this next phase is to ensure the grants we make will have a lasting impact on the preservation of Japanese and Japanese American history and culture,” said Masako Takahashi, president of the Takahashi Foundation. “It is our hope that these grants, as have many of the activities we have supported in the past, will resonate for generations to come.”
“At a time when sweeping budget cuts threaten our nation’s parks, archives, and public broadcasting networks, these extraordinary grants from the Takahashi Foundation affirm the importance of Japanese American communities interpreting, recording, and safeguarding our own history,” said Nancy Ukai, Board of Directors Chair of the Nichi Bei Foundation and director of the 50 Objects website.
“The Nichi Bei Foundation is deeply grateful for this generous grant, which will help us establish an endowment and continue preserving our community history through digitization.”
“Henri and Tomoye Takahashi and Martha Suzuki established their foundation to celebrate our rich Japanese cultural heritage and support the Japanese American community. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California is grateful for their continued support since 1971,” said Paul Osaki, Executive Director. “The most recent grant honors the legacy of those who paved the way before for us—by supporting programs that promote passing on our cultural heritage and advocate to sustain Japantown’s future and preserve its history.”
About the Takahashi Charitable Foundation
Established in 1986 by Henri and Tomoye Takahashi, together with Tomoye’s sister Martha Masako Suzuki, the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation is dedicated to honoring Japanese American culture and fostering understanding of Japan.
During World War II, over 125,000 people of Japanese heritage were imprisoned in incarceration camps throughout the country. The Takahashi family was sent to Topaz, Utah, where the current foundation president, Masako Takahashi, was born. The foundation has devoted the last 40 years to the truthful dissemination of that period of history as well as to the support of Japanese and Japanese American culture and traditions.
“We wish we could fund every project, but we cannot,” notes Masako Takahashi. “We thank the Japanese American community for carrying on the traditions and culture of our proud heritage, and we thank all those who support the unique traditions of Japanese culture.” To learn more, see: www.takahashifoundation.org.
Tule Lake Committee at Tule Lake in Newell, CA. Photo credit: Tule Lake Segregation Center.
The U.S. National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled its annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This year honors the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the self-evident truth that all people are created equal. To protect these historic places and enable their stories of equality to be shared for generations, all 11 sites will receive a one-time grant of $25,000 from the National Trust.
“Even as the American people prepare to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, consequential historic places are at risk—some through intentional erasure, others from short-sighted development plans, and still others from deterioration or neglect,” said Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “This year, we honor our Declaration of Independence and the living power of its aspirations. By highlighting at-risk sites where the fight for equality happened and by recognizing the heroes whose commitment, resilience, and moral courage can inspire us today to continue to build a more perfect union.”
Each site on this year’s list illustrates a different connection to the founding-era principle that all people are created equal. These historic places helped define or redefine the nation’s fundamental values of equal opportunity, religious freedom, self-governance and voting, immigration and citizenship, freedom of expression and assembly, and equal access to justice. Preservation of these sites is key to telling the full American story.
Over the coming year, each of the 11 sites will use the visibility created by this announcement as a catalyst for their own locally driven efforts to raise critical funding, rally public support, advocate for change, and permanently save these historic places. Grant awards from the National Trust will help kickstart this urgent work, supporting preservation-based planning and brick-and-mortar stabilization. Exact plans vary from site to site, but commonly include activities such as building and site repairs, the creation of new interpretive materials, and educational community events.
Since its debut in 1988, the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has galvanized support for more than 350 sites located across the country. The annual program has proven to be a highly effective tool for local advocates to raise national awareness and to highlight the threats facing some of the country’s most significant historic places. Through preservation, revitalization, investment, land protection, and activation, these places continue to share their stories, educate the public, and engage communities across the nation.
To learn more about the places on this year’s list and find out what you can do to help preserve and activate them, go to: www.SavingPlaces.org/11Most.
Two of the 2026 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places are:
Tule Lake Segregation Center (Modoc County, California)
The Tule Lake Segregation Center is a place which honors the brave contributions of Japanese Americans who fought to protect the rights of American citizenship. Once serving as a maximum-security prison for Japanese Americans who protested their unjust, race-based incarceration and deportation, the site is now a National Monument that is sacred to the survivors and descendants of those imprisoned there. Only a token 37 acres of the 1,100-acre site is protected with the major portion at risk of permanent alteration from a proposed airfield fence construction project. Advocacy efforts are needed to ensure Tule Lake can be protected. Its stories of resistance and resilience shared with future generations on this sacred site is where thousands of immigrants and American citizens bravely advocated for their rights.
Angel Island Immigration Station (Tiburon, California)
Angel Island Immigration Station was once the busiest immigration port on the West Coast. Many of those who passed through its doors, particularly immigrants from Asia and the Pacific seeking access to America’s promises of freedom, were instead subjected to unjust, race-based, mistreatment including detention, interrogation, and family separation. Today, Angel Island is endangered by physical, environmental, political, and economic factors. While several buildings have been restored and opened to the public, additional funding is needed for structural repairs, expanded programming, and increased awareness of this site and its significance to the nation.
About the U.S. National Trust for Historic Preservation
The U.S. National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities maintain and enhance the power of historic places. Chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949, partners, friends, and champions nationwide help preserve the places and stories that make communities unique. Through the stewardship and revitalization of historic sites, they help communities foster economic growth, create healthier environments, and build a stronger, shared sense of civic duty and belonging. For more information, see: SavingPlaces.org.
Miyuki lives in Hakone, near Mt Fuji, with her parents and brother Kenji. The family is barely getting by selling black eggs as their forebears have done for hundreds of years. The eggs are colored by the hot springs and are reputed to add years to one’s life.
One day, Miyuki deceives her parents by taking a college entrance exam instead of helping with the eggs. Her brother Kenji goes instead and has a horrific accident burning one leg in the boiling water of the hot spring. Miyuki blames herself for not having gone in his stead. Her father, Takashi, appears to blame her as well. Hospital bills that the family can ill-afford begin to mount up.
In the meantime, Miyuki meets Masahiro, the son of a wealthy and well-known Kyoto lawyer. Masahiro buys all her eggs but only takes one, telling her to sell the remaining eggs. Masahiro’s tactics make Takashi very suspicious of him.
Meanwhile, the villagers discover that a mysterious developer is about to take over their village. Fear and dread take over the village. Miyuki and Masahiro are determined to fight the development. In the process of doing so, Masahiro discovers that it is his own father who is behind the development.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author made the characters seem real and the romance between Miyuki and Masahiro authentic. The book is available on Amazon, Abe Books, and Timeless Love Publishing.
Any new NAP subscriber will receive free tickets to the Washington State Fair September 4-27. It will include a parking pass and two adult tickets to indoor/outdoor food, shopping exhibits, rodeos, carnival rides, hobby and artwork displays, “meet the farm animals,” large vegetable crop displays, grandstand concerts, and more! Great for families and those in wheelchairs needing a paved, flat surface.
Inside the Pavilion building and near the Fisher Fair Scones stand, make sure to visit the Remembrance Gallery honoring the 7,500 Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated on the fairgrounds during World War II in 1942.
Washington State Fair is one of the top 10 fairs in the U.S. and the largest fair in Washington state with a million visitors annually and growing.
The Japanese American Museum of Oregon (JAMO) has been accepted as a Smithsonian Affiliate. The museum joins a network of more than 200 cultural, educational, and research organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Panama. JAMO is one of only four affiliate organizations in the state and the only affiliate in Portland. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, JAMO will collaborate on Smithsonian projects and programs that broaden efforts to preserve and honor the history and culture of Japanese Americans in Oregon.
“We are delighted to welcome JAMO to our network of Smithsonian Affiliate collaborators,” said Kara Blond, Director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations. “After a rigorous application review, it was clear that our missions align. We are eager to work together to share educational programs and offerings, and collaborate on national initiatives that amplify the voices of all communities.”
Becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate opens the door for JAMO to the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution. It includes traveling exhibitions, artifact loans, educational materials and research that connect local audiences to national and global perspectives.
“We look forward to strengthening JAMO’s national ties through the Smithsonian Affiliates program,” said Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, Executive Director of JAMO. “Additional access to educational programming and national collaborations will increase our ability to share the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon with a broader audience.”
By Helen Smith and WA Secretary of State Steve Hobbs NAP Contributors
Left to right: WA Sec. of St. Steve Hobbs presenting WA St. Certificate of Appreciation to U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass with WA St. Reps. Chris Corry and Sharon Tomiko Santos looking on during the ambassador reception for the WA Trade Mission delegation. Photo Credit: WA Secretary of State office.
In mid-May, Washington Secretary of State (SOS) Steve Hobbs led a trade mission to Japan seeking to strengthen existing business ties between both economies and to forge new ones.
Japan is the largest foreign investor in the United States with interests that align with major drivers of growth and economic activity in Washington state. The trade relationship between Japan and Washington alone is worth $11 billion.
Attendees included representatives from the Seattle Seahawks (including retired defensive-end Cliff Avril); representatives of the Washington gaming industry including Indipro Games, iQ Pictures, Lone Shark Games, Dream Compendium, Night Crew Games, Coin Flip Games, Monzee Games, Fun First Productions, and Zac Makes Games; Washington State Representatives Chris Corry (R-Yakima) andSharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle); representatives from the Washington Department of Commerce; Impact Washington; Boeing; Economic Alliance Snohomish County; and the Clallam Economic Development Council.
“As one of only five Japanese American elected members of the state legislature, I am thrilled to represent both the Nikkei community and the state of Washington on this mission to strengthen the bonds between our state and Japan. Washington state is one of the top ten states that depends on thriving trade relationships, so we prize our long-standing commercial ties to Japan—our third largest trading partner. In 2024, nearly 25,000 Washington jobs depended on this two-way trade relationship valued at $11.1 billion,” said WA St. Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos.
The goal at the state SOS office is to elevate local businesses onto the world stage. The success of homegrown businesses translates to the success of the local economy to benefit all Washingtonians.
On this trade mission, the SOS was able to represent a broad range of Washington state’s key industries. In the past, the focus was primarily on the Tokyo Game Market. This time the SOS was also able to make connections and open doors in other sectors, like aerospace and manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuel, agriculture, and sports.Japanese consumers have demonstrated interests in sectors that are major drivers of economic growth in Washington state. This includes wine, shellfish, and tabletop gaming in addition to the existing business relationships that bolster both economies. Boeing has a strong presence in both places and supports an industry of aerospace suppliers that employs more than a hundred thousand people in the state. Several other major companies have significant footprints in both places such as Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
The delegation was met with enthusiasm by Japanese investors. Japan committed to investing $550 billion in the U.S. economy in 2025 so the government actively looks for opportunities. The goal was to show that Washington state is the right place to invest. The delegation also met with senior leaders at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Subaru to reinforce the depth of the partnership between Washington’s and Japan’s aerospace industries.
Reinforcing Our Aerospace Ties At each company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Subaru, the critical role in Boeing’s global supply chain, was discussed. Their contributions including wings, engines, and other essential aircraft components are fundamental to Boeing aircraft. The conversations reaffirmed the strength of these longstanding relationships and their continued commitment to Washington state.
Also highlighted was Washington’s leadership in sustainable aviation fuel. Opportunities were explored for collaboration with Japanese industry partners to advance aviation sustainability and innovation. By 2030, Japan aims for at least 1/10th of its aerospace fuel to come from sustainable sources.
Connecting with Washington Sports Fans Across the Globe Representatives with the Seattle Seahawks joined the trip as ambassadors of Washington state sports and to connect with the “12” fans in Japan. The Seahawks and the Japan American Football Association (JAFA) expressed intent to continue their friendship into the future and explore any partnership opportunities that arise. JAFA was excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the Seattle Seahawks. It included opportunities for a future game in Japan and identifying how the Seahawks can support young athletes. This also includes a commitment by the Seahawks to help grow the sport of flag football among Japanese youth.
Elevating Washington’s CreativeEconomy At the Tokyo Game Market, the Washington tabletop game makers were able to showcase their products directly to Japanese fans. It was exciting returning to this market and continuing to build Washington’s reputation as a region with a world-class creative economy. Ten Washington tabletop game makers and distributors made the trip. This was their second time being at the Tokyo Game Market. Washington tabletop game makers are already forming relationships with distributors and game makers in Japan.
Looking Ahead to the Future Looking ahead, there is strong momentum to continue deepening the relationship between Washington State and Japan. A key takeaway from this mission was the clear eagerness and willingness from the Japanese government and business leaders to further explore opportunities in Washington. The 2025 agreement between the U.S. and Japan includes a promise to invest $550 billion in the U.S. economy. That gives confidence this will be an important relationship for the state in the long-term.
It was consistently reiterated during the trip that the success of the relationship is built on trust and sustained engagement with Japanese partners. Every conversation reinforced that positive outcomes on this scale are only possible by continuing to deepen relationships over time.
Going forward, the focus is on translating this goodwill into tangible opportunities. A key priority is to bring more Japanese partners and decision makers to Washington State. This will enable them to see firsthand the opportunities and positive business ecosystem that exist here.
Three chefs making sushi while talking with guests at the Panama Hotel. Photo credit: Dave Asahara.
The Panama Hotel in Nihonmachi (Japantown) in Seattle is a 1910 hotel built by the first Seattle Japanese American architect when Japanese individuals could not own property. It was mainly used for single Japanese men arriving to the U.S. looking for work. A hashidate-yu sento (Japanese-style public bathhouse) was built in the basement and today is the only intact Japanese-style bathhouse in North America.
During World War II, when Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans on the West Coast were forced into incarceration camps by the U.S. government, local families asked the hotel to store their belongings in the basement. After the war, many families did not return to the Seattle area and left their luggage, toys, furniture, clothing, books, etc. in the hotel.
Eighty years later, those items are still there. The current owner, Jan Johnson, is attempting to preserve their history along with the hotel building. All revenues from hotel guests are used for the preservation of the building. Johnson even received the Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation for her contributions to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. The building was also declared a National Historic Landmark (2006) and a National Treasure (2015) by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—one of only 60 in the U.S.
The Panama Hotel is a great place to meet friends, study, have meetings or simply relax and breathe in its history. It is also an easy place to meet new people or hotel guests. When asked how they found the hotel, many say they were looking for a small hotel or hotels with character and history or to stay near the Chinatown-International District. One such person is Kunihide Nakajima from New York, New York.
Left: Jan Johnson with guests. Photo credit: Barbara Mizoguchi.
Nakajima is an executive chef and partner of Nakaji sushi restaurant in New York which serves 14-course sushi omakase (gourmet dining where the chef decides on the menu with seasonal specialties) along with an assortment of appetizers. He is also a third generation edomae-style sushi chef from the Kanda neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan. When he first came to Seattle in 2025, his disciple Keiji Tsukasaki took him to the Panama Hotel cafe to show him the local Japanese American history. Nakajima now only stays at the Panama Hotel whenever he is in Seattle and helps Tsukasaki who is also an edomae-style sushi chef and restauranteur at Ltd Edition Sushi on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Tsukasaki prepares the most authentic and highest quality omakase. He says it is like “going back to his roots” in the coastal town of Fukui, Japan, where he was born. Today, Ltd Edition Sushi is one of the most coveted restaurants.
After learning about the financial struggles Johnson is having preserving the hotel, Nakajima wanted to do something to help. In January 2026, Nakajima and Tsukasaki held the first fundraiser for the hotel. Nakajima then asked his cousin Naritoshi Oyakata, a sushi chef from Yakko Sushi in Tokyo, to do a pop-up fundraiser with him and Tsukasaki at the hotel in May.
Tickets purchased in advance came with a set of sushi traditionally called Gokan Chanchiki. It consisted of five kinds of sushi and two small rolls–this time using bluefin tuna. Guests could take it home or enjoy the sushi in the hotel’s cafe with sake, cocktails, or a variety of teas. Due to the popularity, three afternoon times were scheduled as arrival times. It was a lively crowd even though guests were coming and going. Those in line were moving through the cafe with their drinks. At the bottom of the stairs to the lower level, the three chefs were quickly making sushi in front of the guests and visiting with them. Many stayed, socialized, and took photographs. Johnson enjoyed how the event brought the community closer and wished for more.
What a deeply kind gesture Nakajima, Tsukasaki, and Oyakata offered to Johnson for the Panama Hotel. Their hearts are certainly in the right place and Johnson has friends for life. She desperately needs funds and helping hands. If you can help, please drop by the hotel cafe or contact her.
Living Traditions, a New Multicultural Art Series Debuts at Bellevue Arts Fair
By Emily Parkhurst NAP Contributor
Inohi Taiko. Photo credit: Bellevue Arts Fair.
The Bellevue Arts Fair (BAF) announces the launch of Living Traditions, a new multicultural exhibition series celebrating the communities and artistic traditions woven into the creative life of the Pacific Northwest. Each iteration brings a single cultural community into focus. The hope is to build lasting connections between the people, history, and creative practices of our region.
The inaugural iteration, Living Traditions:Japanese Art and Resilience in the Pacific Northwest, celebrates Japanese artistic traditions not as artifacts but as living practices made and carried forward by the region’s communities. The online exhibition allows visitors to explore a growing archive of the region’s creative heritage. It features curatorial essays, links to historical archives, and an extensive cultural map. This will come to life with interactive programming throughout the Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend. Over the three days, July 24-26, visitors can encounter calligraphy, woodblock printing, ceramics, ikebana flower arrangement, taiko drumming, haiku poetry, and the Star Festival through demonstrations, workshops, and several live performances.
Living Traditions is guest-curated by Dr. Anna-Marie Moblard Meier, an art historian and printmaker specializing in European modernism, Japonisme, and Meiji-era art history with a doctorate from Bryn Mawr College and a Masters of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The series is co-curated by Shizu Usami, a master calligrapher and script historian. Usami began her U.S. practice in Bellevue and now works throughout Washington state. Her work has been trusted by distinguished Japanese government–affiliated cultural institutions. She is internationally recognized for her mindful brushwork and academic insights into East Asian characters. Her calligraphy has been commissioned for the United Nations and other international conferences as well as cultural institutions around the world.
Japanese mural artwork. Photo credit: Bellevue Arts Fair.
“This inaugural exhibit highlights the arts and traditions brought to Bellevue by the founding Japanese American farming families who cleared the land, grew the strawberries, and influenced the city’s identity. These art forms were carried through the incarceration of those 60 families and passed forward,” said Dr. Moblard Meier. “That is what resilience means in this title, and we are honored to celebrate it.”
Living Traditions reflects Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM)’s evolution as a community-embedded arts organization—bringing exhibitions, artist-led experiences, and cultural programming to audiences across the city. The series is designed to grow through community input and to build lasting connections between the BAF and the diverse communities of the Pacific Northwest.
“Living Traditions is exactly the kind of program that defines what BAM is becoming—collaborating with the expansive Japanese American community, and bringing the arts into spaces and celebrations that belong to everyone,” said Cassandra Johnston, CEO, BAM/BAF. “Japanese art and culture have shaped Bellevue’s identity for generations, and we are honored to celebrate that history and the living traditions that carry it forward.”
Online Exhibition and Curatorial Talk
The online exhibition includes curatorial essays on each artistic tradition and artist, historical context, and links to Nikkei (Japanese American) historical societies and archives. There is also an interactive cultural map of 145 locations representing Japanese and Japanese American art, culture, and community across the greater Seattle metro area. It includes public murals and gardens, taiko groups, chado practitioners, language schools, Hiroshima remembrance sites, and community institutions.
The website launches with a dual-language curatorial talk in English and Japanese. It was presented by curator Dr. Anna-Marie Moblard Meier and co-curator Shizu Usami at the Bellevue Public Library.
Extensive In-Person Programming July 24-26, 2026
The Living Traditions Community Celebration takes place at several downtown locations. Exact locations and programming can be found on the event website: www.bellevueartsfair.com/. Highlights include:
• Inochi Taiko opens the weekend on Friday, July 24 at 11 a.m. with a live performance on NE 6th Street joined by co-curator Shizu Usami in a live calligraphy performance.
• A Mokuhanga woodblock printing workshop by Kathleen Hargrave and Yoshi Nakagawa on Saturday, July 25 followed by a hands-on workshop led by both artists on Sunday July 26.
• Ceramics artists Takako Mollicone and Cameron Yuki will present a live ceramics (Togei) demonstration on Saturday, July 25.
• Ikebana International Seattle presents a live group arrangement on Friday, July 24 with arrangements throughout the weekend at the museum, Avenue Bellevue, and the Westin including a single stem take-away for visitors.
• The Star Festival (Tanabata) installation surrounds the museum and NE 6th Street with hundreds of paper wishes written by students from Bennett Elementary and Japanese Dual Language preschools across Bellevue. Rainier Ginsha Haiku Club and Haiku Northwest poets join co-curator Shizu Usami at the Star Festival table all three days.
• A family tumbling doll (okiagari-koboshi) craft table inside the museum store is hosted by ParentMap. Free and open all three days. The BOOGIEREZ Japan Town galleries at Avenue Bellevue host an arts organization table where visitors can connect with Japanese arts groups and discover classes, workshops, and communities across the Pacific Northwest.
• A Community Hub inside the museum store will host a Japanese community organization information area for guests to learn more about cultural opportunities.
About Bellevue Arts Museum & Bellevue Arts Fair | bellevuearts.org
Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to connecting artists and audiences through culture, arts, and educational initiatives. It celebrates the creative vitality of the Bellevue community. BAM is proud to help carry forward this beloved city tradition, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the original Bellevue Arts Fair.
Earlier this year, BAM sold its Bellevue Way facility as part of a broader organizational evolution to strengthen its long-term sustainability and community impact. The organization remains committed to its mission of championing contemporary art, craft, and design. It is expanding partnerships and continues to lead signature programs, exhibitions, and events including Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend. For more info, see: www.bellevuearts.org.
10th Japan Week Public Day –Saturday, October 10. Donate gently used manga (no adult content) and Japanese items—accessories, décor, clothing, or tableware—to be sold at the Japan Market and Manga Swap. Donation drop-off: Aug 22; 10 a.m –2 p.m. & Aug.23; 1–5 p.m., Bellevue College parking lot #10. For more info and map, see: https://bit.ly/JapanWeekWebsite. We’re also seeking 220 volunteers for October. Volunteers receive an event T-shirt, snacks, and a volunteer certificate for service hours.Register at: https://bit.ly/JWBCVolunteer. Questions? JapanWeek@bellevuecollege.edu.
ONGOING
Behind the Shoji: Annual Summer Marketplace –Now-Sep 7; Wed-Mon, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tue, 12-5:30 p.m. Portland Japanese Garden, Pavilion Gallery, 611 SW Kingston, Portland.Annual show and sale of Japanese and Japanese-inspired wares. Purchase from a variety of curated items that even with a trip to Japan might be difficult to come across. This year, showcasing items from the islands of Okinawa. Collection of unique and handcrafted goods. For more info, see: https://japanesegarden.org/pjg-events/behind.
Woven Light: Washi Sculptures by Yuri Kinoshita –Now-Sep14; Wed-Mon, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tue, 12-5:30 p.m.Portland Japanese Garden, Tanabe Gallery, 611 SW Kingston, Portland.Seattle-based artist who artfully crafts floating landscapes of light through her sculptural lamps that bridge the art and design world.Carefully hand-woven and sculpted washi (Japanese handmade paper made from plant fibers), and soft light and shadow inspire a magical sense of place evoking the unique environment of the Pacific Northwest. For more info, see: https://japanesegarden.org/pjg-events/woven-light.
JULY
White River Buddhist Temple Bon Odori –Sat, Jul 25; 4-9:30 p.m. White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Wy N, Auburn.Join us for the festivities – bon dancing, taiko performances, food and more. Free and open to the public. For details and schedule, see www.wrbt.org./bonodori.
Bon Odori at Nikkei Manor – Sun, Jul 26; 1-4 p.m. Nikkei Manor, 700 6th Ave S, Seattle. Music, dance, food, and community. This year will feature special performances by Seattle Matsuri, Northwest Taiko, and Okinawa Kenjin Kai. Small selection of local vendors, traditional Bon Odori dancing, mahjong station, kid’s activities, and delicious poke available for purchase from the Nikkei Manor kitchen. For more info, contact: communications@keironw.org or 206-726-6460.
Ishigaki Wall and Accessible Pathway Project –Tue, Jul 28; 10 a.m.-7 p.m.Seattle Japanese Garden, 1075 Lk WA Blvd E, Seattle reopening. 15th generation master stone mason Suminori Awata leading a team of artisans from Japan and America in re-building the stone wall. Visitors can witness the unique process throughout the summer. For more info, see: www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/events-calendar/2026/7/28/garden-reopen.
Spirited Away – Studio Ghibli Festival 2026 –Tue, Jul 28; 5:30 p.m. Vashon Theatre, 17723 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon Island. Mukai Farm & Garden presents its 4th annual Studio Ghibli Festival in 2026. 5:30 p.m. Karaoke. 6:00 p.m. Spirited Away film. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at: https://vashontheatre.com/calendar.
AUGUST
Kimono Sale 2026 –Sat, Aug 1; 2-7 p.m. Oregon Buddhist Temple, 3720 SE 24th Ave, Portland. Vintage and new kimonos, yukatas, obis, happi coats, and kimono accessories. Pre-sale only: Jul 27 & 29, 7-9 p.m. during obon dance practice breaks and 30 minutes before practice. Closed during dancing. For more info, contact:mottainaicraftgroup24@gmail.com.
Obon Fest 2026 –Sat, Aug 1; 2-9 p.m.Oregon Buddhist Temple, 3720 SE 34th Ave, Portland. Free, all are welcome.Obon dance, food and beverages, kids activities, entertainment, and so much more!For more info, see: www.oregonuddhisttemple.com.
Tacoma Bon Odori –Wed, Aug 1; 4-8 p.m. Tacoma Buddhist Temple, 1717 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma. Open to everyone! Dancing in a large oval outside in front of the temple. Taiko drumming and other entertainment interspersed. Food includes teriyaki bowls, unagi bowls, somen noodles, shaved ice, and a beer garden.Candlelight memorial lasting all night.For more info, see: www.tacomabt.org/news-and-events.
KAIDAN: Japanese Ghost Stories –August 1-29 at various locations.KAIDAN (怪談) are traditional Japanese stories of ghosts (yūrei) and supernatural beings (yokai). Spooky tales are shared in the hottest months of the summer during the Obon season. It is believed to help people cool off by sending a shiver down their spine. The Kaidan tradition continues in live story telling, literature, Kabuki theatre, visual art, music, video games, manga and horror films. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Purchase tickets in advance at:ztpproductions.com or at the door.
From Hiroshima to Hope – Thu, Aug 6; 6-9 p.m.Green Lake, northwest shore near Bathhouse Theatre, Seattle. Annual remembrance of Hiroshima & Nagasaki atomic bombings. 1,000 candlelit lanterns floating on the lake. For more info, see: https://fromhiroshimatohope.org/event-2.
2026 Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance Event–Thu, Aug 6; 6-7 p.m. Japanese American Historical Plaza, NW Couch St. & Naito Parkway in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland. This year’s event, From Awareness to Action: Creating a Nuclear Weapons Free World, will feature keynote speaker, poetry, music, taiko, and performance. For more info, see: https://jamo.org/event/hiroshima-day-2026.
Crash Dancers Retirement & Reunion Celebration –Fri, Aug 7; 8-11 p.m. Terry’s Kitchen, 5625 – 119th Ave SE, Bellevue. Live music with The Justified Band. No-host food and beverages available. Suggested donation: $10 at the door (cash only). All current & former volunteers are honored guests – no cover charge; RSVP at: kcrashdance@gmail.com.
34th Annual Olympia Bon Odori Japanese Dance Festival – Sat, Aug 8; 5-9 p.m. New location – South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), Center for Student Success, Bldg 22, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia.Follow signs for parking. Presented by Olympia Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens’ League. 4 p.m. free dance practice for anyone. For more info, contact: Reiko Callner 360-791-3295 or Bob Nakamura 360-556-7562.
Kagoshima Club Annual Picnic –Sat, Aug 29; 11 a.m. Gene Coulon Park (North Shelter), 1201 Lk WA Blvd N, Renton. Please bring a side dish to share!Main dishes provided by the club. Members: Free. Non-Members: $25. RSVP by Saturday, August 8th. E-mail: krys6268@aol.com OR itashiki.yutaka@gmail.com.
Japanese Woodworking Festival – Sat, Aug 15; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend. First festival by Port Townsend School of Woodworking.Featuring Japanese woodworking, carpentry, sharpening, and hand tools.Lectures on techniques, tools, forestry, Japanese hand tool demonstrations, and participants using the tools.Japanese woodworkers guests including Yann Giguère, Jon Billing, Dale Brotherton, Karl Bareis, Brian Lam, Dave Burnard, and many more. For more info, see: www.ptwoodschool.org/japanese-woodworking-festival.
66th Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad – Wed-Fri, Oct 7-9. Participate online or in-person.We invite Japanese emigrants, Nikkei (people of Japanese descent), and those interested in Japanese migration, Nikkei people, and Nikkei communities around the world. Conference aims to bring together people of Japanese descent living around the world to Japan. It is meant to deepen mutual friendship, consider challenges facing the Nikkei community, and ways of cooperation among Nikkei communities and Japan. Promotional price until August 15 for in-person participation will be valid for registration. Register for online or in-person at: https://jadesas.or.jp/en/the-convention-knk/ or contact: taikai*jadesas.or.jp (When sending an email, please replace * with @.)
Karaoke Meetup –Thu, Aug 20; 6-8 p.m. Japanese Cultural & Community Center, 1414 S Weller St, Seattle. Welcome all Kenjinkai clubs, Nikkei organizations, and Nikkei community from Fukuoka kenjinkai. It’s a potluck event so please bring your favorite finger food, snacks, and beverages to share. Also, join us the same time & location on Sep 17. Questions? Contact: Christina Swadener at swadener8sea2fuk@yahoo.com.
Bon Odori, Summer Festival – Sat, Aug 22; 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Portland Japanese Garden, Tateuchi Courtyard, 611 SW Kingston, Portland.Highlight of summer festivals in Japan is bon odori (盆踊り/ Bon dance). Each region in Japan has their own version of the dance as well as different music. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, bon odori is a way to entertain and send off the spirits of our ancestors and celebrate life. Dancers circle the yagura, a high wooden bandstand for musicians and singers. For more info, see: https://japanesegarden.org/pjg-events/bon-odori.
Japan Festival – Sat, Aug 29; 1-5 p.m.Ober Park, 17130 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon Island. in anticipation of construction beginning soon at Mukai Farm & Garden and in collaboration with the Vashon Park District, Japan Festival will be held at Ober Park this year. See taiko drumming and sumo wrestling, local vendors offering unique goods, and hands-on activities including kimono demonstration and crafts. For more info, see: https://mukaifarmandgarden.org/japan-festival.
SEPTEMBER
Guest Speaker Series No. 1: “Picture Book Therapy for Adults” –Sun, Sep 13; lunch 12 p.m.; guest speaker series 12:45-1:30 p.m. 1414 S Weller St, Seattle, (1st floor in JCCCW building).Kisaragi-kaiis launching its Guest Speaker Series.The inaugural, interactive workshop features Yoko Kelleher, a certified picture book therapist with the Japan Ehon Therapist Association. As interest grows in picture books as a tool for emotional well-being, participants will explore their emotions through stories and share their reflections with one another. The workshop will be conducted in Japanese. Pre-registration is required by September 8. Free admission. Bring your own lunch or you can order a Makunouchi bento by Nu-Table for $25. Contact kisaragikaiwa@gmail.com to register. Registration is limited to the first 30 participants.
Ellen and Don Nakata. Location and date unknown. Photo courtesy of Susan Allen.
Bainbridge Island has long been subject to power outages during the winter months. The store purchased a small generator in the 1970s just enough to keep the lights going and run the cash registers. For refrigeration during power outages, store personnel would open the front and back doors of the store to let the cold air in then open the refrigerator doors. During such times, customers would often flee their cold houses to come to the store where they would be provided with free hot coffee, cookies, and water while supplies lasted. But the blizzard in 1990 topped them all. Some islanders were without power for a week! One customer later said, “I want to thank [the store] for going the extra mile when we need it most, for remaining open during storms and power outages, and for providing that warm cup of coffee, a place to gather and nourishment in every sense of the word.”
Meanwhile, Ballard Market in Seattle had hired a new produce manager whose job was to bring in the best produce possible to differentiate the store from others in the neighborhood. The new manager said, “A wholesaler said to me, ‘You just have to work for the Nakatas. They’re the best people on the planet.’” Noting that produce is the “last great commodity that is still exciting.” He went on to explain, “It’s susceptible to supply and demand swings, and is affected by the weather, soil conditions, and sunshine. If you don’t move it, it rots, and every season it’s a bit better or a bit worse.” Of course, what he said then is still true today.
In the early 1990s, two new stores joined the T&C brand: Shoreline Price Chopper and Greenwood Price Chopper in north Seattle. The Greenwood store, in particular, became part of the community as staffers learned to greet customers by name and pitched in to help local schools, churches and Little League teams. But Don had a much bigger plan in mind. He wanted to create a destination store.
In August 1995, Central Market opened in Poulsbo, Washington. Its 69,000 square feet easily made it the largest store in the T&C group. It was the first green commercial building in the state and, most likely, in the nation given its size and scale. The produce, meat, seafood, and natural food departments were larger and more open to interacting with the public. And there was a pizza and hot dog stand.
What happened to Poulsbo Market Place? The original plan had been to close it down once the new store opened. But there were still nine years left on the lease. Many older customers said they would not shop at the new store. So at least for the time being, it was left open.
Central Market eventually became a destination store for Kitsap and Jefferson County residents in Washington. It became known for its special events and promotions. For example, every year, a farmer who had harvested his corn just hours before was invited to sell corn on the cob from his truck. One year, a man showed up with his Volkswagen Beetle and said, “Fill it up with as much as you can.” He did not mean just the trunk.
Fishermen who had left their boats only a few hours before would also show up to sell their catch. The younger set were not left out either. Farmer Jo, a store meat cutter, would wear overalls and a straw hat to teach children about food safety, organic produce, and the food pyramid. He had a tractor to which a hay wagon was attached and would give the kids rides so their parents could shop in peace.
Not all was well in the T&C universe. The Shoreline store had never done well even after it evolved from a discount store into a full-service format. Shoreline was a growing community but the store was quite small. Furthermore, its neighbors in the shopping mall were leaving. Don decided to create another destination store. T&C was able to negotiate deals with the departing businesses to take over their spaces. The goal was not to simply recreate the Poulsbo Central Market. The planning team aimed to capitalize on their new slogan, “Celebrating Fresh.”
In January 2000, the new Central Market Shoreline opened. At 57,500 square feet, it was more than twice as large as the original store. There was a 10,000 square foot produce section, a food court featuring Asian and Mexican food, a 52-ft. long meat counter, demonstration kiosks, sushi bar, pizzeria, and deli. Customers were calling their friends urging them to come to the new store. Although, as with all stores, it took several months for the Shoreline store to find its footing. Don could rest easier knowing they had finally found the winning formula for that location.
Currently, Fletcher Bay Winery on Bainbridge Island, WA. Formerly location of the Nakata Eagle Harbor Market. Undated. Photo credit: Pamela Okano.
Shoreline joined its sister stores in sponsoring charitable and philanthropic activities. For Ellen, Don’s wife, finding a cure for breast cancer was a personal matter. She, Kay Jensen, and three employees assembled a team that walked or ran in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In September 2000, she and Don won the Komen Foundation’s Community Hero Award. In 2001, T&C’s team of 1,014 was the largest ever to participate in the race.
Don and Ellen’s elder daughter, Susan Allen, had joined T&C in 1993, several months after giving birth to her parents’ first granddaughter, Katy. When Katy was old enough to spend time with her grandfather, Don would babysit taking her to meetings and store visits. He was also beginning to think about retirement. He had had bypass surgery in June 2000 so retirement at the end of that year sounded like a good idea.
In early October 2000, Don and Ellen went on a vacation to Louisiana. On October 2, Don went to bed and never woke up. He had passed away from a massive stroke.
Don’s cousin, Larry Nakata, became T&C president. It was not a good time for the company. The teamwork and collaboration that had been the hallmark of Don’s business style was needed more than ever. Larry and the board of directors (his brother Ron, Susan Allen, Wayne Loverich, and Greg Johnson) provided it. As a result, 2001 turned out to be an excellent year financially.
Left to right: Katie Nakata Allen, Julie Nakata Bowman, Larry Nakata, Ron Nakata, and Susan Nakata Allen at the Middlefield farm with “Nakata” rock at its entrance, 2025. Photo courtesy: Pamela Okano.
In October 2001, T&C Markets purchased the original Nakata farm property from John and Mo’s sons to preserve the land. The company decided to return the farm to its roots—farming and the land was christened “Middlefield Farm.” (Middlefield is the English translation of “Nakata.”) Initially, zucchini, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, and tomatoes were grown in five greenhouses. The produce was brought to either the Winslow or the Poulsbo store for sale.
Change was in the air. In 2002, T&C brought its long association with the Thriftway marketing program to an end. The corporate name was changed to Town & Country Markets, Inc., to reflect the multiple stores under the T&C umbrella. The Ballard neighborhood had changed from retired Scandinavians to more upscale techies. Consequently, the Ballard store was significantly expanded to emphasize produce, seafood, meat, deli, and food service. The Greenwood store was also remodeled.
It was time to build another Central Market. Larry and the board had their sights set on Mill Creek in Washington. The thought was that the new Central Market could form part of a massive town center on city property. The Mill Creek City Council, however, knew little about T&C, the Nakatas, or the Loveriches. Larry made a presentation to the council. When he finished, an elderly gentleman on the council noted that when he was a boy, he used to go to a butcher shop on Bainbridge Island run by Larry’s uncle, John. The man said that John was one of the finest people he had ever met. He personally knew the Nakata and Loverich families, stating that “they are the best of the best.” It turned out that the gentleman had grown up across the street from the Nakatas.
Central Market Mill Creek opened in September 2004. The store’s special feature was its deli—–-one much larger than in other stores and filled with gourmet goodies.
By this time, the end was near for Poulsbo Market. Not only was the lease going to expire but a Walmart Supercenter was scheduled to open nearby. The North Kitsap Herald noted, “It is a store that gained itself a loyal following, evidenced by the large groups of shoppers and lunch-time gatherings still taking place one week from the final day.” On the last day of business, Susan Allen, Ron Nakata, and Wayne Loverich—T&C’s board, worked as checkers. The very first customer from 1974 showed up, wearing the same outfit she had worn then to share memories.
August 2007 marked the golden anniversary of T&C. Customers in all the stores were given strips of canvas and asked to decorate them as they chose. When returned, the strips were made into chains that were strung up in each store.
On Bainbridge Island, the celebration was even bigger. T&C rented a public park close to the store and served hot dogs, sodas, and cake to the community. The evening ended with fireworks over the harbor.
Big changes, however, were coming. Wayne Loverich retired in 2010 and Greg Johnson, another shareholder, sold his T&C shares to the Nakata family shareholders. Consequently, the Nakata family, alone, now owned the company. In addition, Larry was planning to retire in 2011. Neither Susan nor Ron Nakata, Larry’s younger brother, was interested in becoming the CEO. So Larry went back to Bill Weymer, who had acted as Don’s partner in the purchase of the Ballard and Overlake stores. Bill agreed to become CEO.
Sadly, in 2012, the Greenwood store lost its lease and a large Fred Meyer would end up in its place. After the last merchandise was sold on the store’s final day, 150 customers and employees came to have cake, coffee, and conversation. Ultimately, a significant number of customers switched their allegiance to the Ballard or Shoreline stores.
By 2014, it was clear that the original Bainbridge Island store was again ready for a much-needed remodel. There was some thought to building a new store on property owned by the Nakata family just outside of downtown Winslow. However, it seemed certain that if the store left Winslow, the town would be nothing but a tourist hub and only in good weather months. The company decided to stay. Not only that, but the decision was made to stay open during the massive remodel which lasted 19 months!
Because the remodel essentially meant building a new store on top of the old store, items had to be moved several times. One employee remembered, “One thing that will always stand out in my mind is the fact that our customers were more worried about how we were dealing with the stress of the remodel than they were bothered by things being moved.” In addition, T&C became the first private business in the nation to use a federal bond program for energy upgrades that won the LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. At the grand opening in September 2015, customers enjoyed free food and commemorative shopping bags. In 2024, the name “Central Market” came to an end and all stores became known as “Town & Country Market.”
Today, there are six T&C Markets: the original Bainbridge Island store and one each in Poulsbo, Seattle (Ballard), Bellevue (Lakemont), Mill Creek, and Shoreline. Over the years, approximately 25 Nakata family members have worked at one or more stores and nine are currently serving. The Mill Creek and Lakemont stores boasts an in-house restaurant and the Poulsbo store got one in early 2025.
Middlefield Farm has seen changes as well. In 2024, a new well was dug at Middlefield and zucchini, tomatoes, radishes, romaine, sunflowers and winter squash were grown outside the greenhouses for the first time. For logistical reasons, the fresh vegetables grown on the farm are only available at the Bainbridge and Poulsbo stores. In 2025, the farm expected to grow enough vegetables to supply the restaurants in the Poulsbo, Lakemont, and Mill Creek stores.
Thus, on July 6, 2024 the Nakata family had plenty to celebrate when, after a several-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they gathered for a family reunion at Middlefield Farm. Larry Nakata, Ron Nakata, and Brian McWhorter who has been the farm managers from the beginning of T&C’s ownership, all spoke. There was a slideshow of the history of the family and the farm. There is now a large rock at the entrance to the farm inscribed with the kanji (Japanese script) for “Nakata.”
A month before his unexpected death, Don Nakata penned a mission statement for the family with respect to Middlefield Farm: “To offer a sense of belonging, the pride of association, the comfort of connectedness and the power of idealistic purpose by encouraging and supporting each other in the special values of our family heritage.” Little did he know that 100 years after his grandfather had purchased the property, the family would gather together on the farm to celebrate a centennial of family ownership.
Community Leaders: Don Nakata was not only a business leader but was also a leader in the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC). In the 1970s, he, his cousin Ron Nakata (Larry’s younger brother), longtime friends Frank Kitamoto, Junkoh Harui, and John Sakai urged BIJAC to begin taking oral histories of Bainbridge Island Nisei. Although BIJAC had been formed many years before, primarily as a social club for island Japanese Americans (JAs), it was now well on its way to becoming an important repository for island JA history.
It was also Don’s idea to take the small family mochitsuki (rice-pounding) equipment that originated in the dry cleaning shop of his uncle, Phil Okano, to a higher level. The mochitscelebration had already graduated to a Bainbridge Island Japanese community event with a potluck dinner at the end. It would now be a fundraiser for BIJAC and open to the public. For over 30 years, the mochitsuki festival has been one of the island’s most popular events, drawing people from Seattle, Bellevue and the Kitsap Peninsula. Nowadays, there are two taiko (Japanese drum) performances, an origami (Japanese paper folding) class, Obon (Japanese Buddhist festival honoring ancestors) dance lessons, and historical displays about Bainbridge Island JAs. Everyone is welcome to help pound rice into mochi cakes. Although some of the rice is cooked in rice cookers in the kitchen, much of it is cooked the old-fashioned way—steamed over a fire. Omochi, both plain and filled with anko (sweetened bean paste), is available for sale. The number of visitors can range from 1500-3000 possibly making it the largest mochitsuki festival in the country.Don, Frank, and Junkoh also actively encouraged the Bainbridge Island School District to name a new middle school after an Issei—in this case, Sonoji Sakai, Kay Nakao’s father.
Don felt strongly that the legacy that the Issei left—their hard work and honesty—had rebounded to the benefit of their descendants. The three men were also behind the effort to build the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial located at the very site where in 1942, Bainbridge JAs (including Don and Frank) had walked onto the ferry to be transported to Manzanar Incarceration Camp in California. Over the last 20 years that memorial has gradually taken shape. By 2025, the ground was broken for the final phase, a Visitor Center. Sadly, none of the three lived to see the memorial’s completion.
T&C Values: For many years, T&C’s vision has been “Nourishing the Quality of Life.” The three components of this vision are food, people, and love. The food component embraces the stores’ commitment to quality, value, flavor, local producers, and culture. The people component reflects the friendliness, authenticity, respect, and sense of community shared by T&C staff, suppliers, and customers. Love is shown through these relationships.
Don also incorporated Japanese concepts of gaman, kaizen, and umami into his business philosophy—a philosophy that continues to guide the company to this day. Gaman stands for perseverance and patience. Kaizen means continuous improvement. And umami signifies the peak of perfection. Emblematic of these concepts is the sailboat that is part of the markets’ logo. The sailboat can sail in different seas and conditions requiring gaman and kaizen to bring it safely to shore. Umami reflects the goal of total customer satisfaction.
Follow-Up Story:
NAP readers may recall The Middlefield Farm Story by NAP contributor Pamela Okano in the May and June issues. She would like to extend a special thank you to Wayne and Judy Nakata, and Susan Nakata Allen for proofreading the articles. Also, for providing photographs.
Left to right: Con. Gen. Makoto Iyori; Yuko Iyori; and Allen Nakamoto, former NVC Commander carrying wreath to the Nisei war memorial monument. Photo credit: Christine Kendrickson.
On Memorial Day, the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) and NVC Foundation presented the 81st Annual Memorial Day Service bringing together veterans, community leaders and members, clergy, and representatives from various Japanese American organizations to honor those who served in the U.S. military. The event was hosted at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.
The ceremony began with a prelude by bagpiper Bruce Corns and opening remarks by Colleen Fukui-Sketchley who has been Master of Ceremonies for the event for over 20 years. The Boy Scout Troop 252 from the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple presented the colors,the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. Rev. Angeline Lau from the Seattle Japanese Baptist Church gave the invocation. The meditation was delivered by Rimban Katsuya Kusunoki from the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, and Rev. Ryozen Tateba and Ven. Taijo Imanaka from the Seattle Koyasan Buddhist Temple. The various prayers created a solemn and reflective atmosphere. The different religions provided a unique and meaningful experience.
The reflection which was presented by Reverend Lisa Ishihara and Reverend Karen Yokota-Love discussed the lasting consequences of the incarceration and the bravery of the Nisei (second generation Japanese American) veterans. They also talked about Ireichō, the project that created a book listing the name of every incarcerated person of Japanese ancestry. The book is styled after the Japanese tradition of Kakochō in which a book of names is placed on a Buddhist temple altar and brought out for memorial services. Viewers are also invited to place a stamp by each name as a way of acknowledging their struggles.
Boy Scouts Troop 252 Color Guard – Theo Kaku, Reese Tanabe, Ansel Ketcherside, Felix Kordich, Jasper Henley, and Rob Ketcherside – Scout Master. Photo credit: Christine Hendrickson.
The program’s welcome and guest speaker presentations highlighted the accomplishments of the Nisei veterans. Their service during World War II helped to redefine Japanese Americans in American society at the time. NVC Commander Dale Watanabe and NVC Foundation Vice President Dean Hoshizaki welcomed attendees. They spoke on the importance of the event and the effort that is put into it. Retired U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott as guest speaker, discussed his friendship with a past incarceree, how it connected him to the Japanese American community, and how he could see the injustice of the incarceration camps. Then Boeing executive Nyle Miyamoto spoke about the stories and experiences of his father who was a veteran and his accomplishments as a soldier in Italy during World War II. He also gave a personal story about his own trip to Italy to see the places where his father fought. Both speakers reflected on the courage and patriotism of the U.S. Army 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service who served bravely even while facing discrimination and the incarceration of their families.
Finally, the flower placement ceremony featured representatives from Gold Star families (spouses of U.S. military who died in the line of duty), veteran organizations, community groups, and cultural institutions. Including, Makoto Iyori, Consul General of Japan in Seattle and his wife Yuko; Josh Ishibashi and Greg Umeki of the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington; leaders from the Federation of Buddhist Churches of Seattle; the Japanese American Citizens League; the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington; the Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee; Keiro Northwest; and the American Legion Cathay Post 186. The variety of flowers created a beautiful display at the base of the Nisei War Memorial monument.
Though it did start to rain about halfway through the event, this only added to the solemnity and sincerity of the event. The ceremony concluded with a benediction by Rev. J. P. Kang, who spoke in both Japanese and English, the playing of taps by bugler Dan Roseen, the retiring of colors by Boy Scout Troop 252, and a closing performance of “Amazing Grace” by Bruce Corns. Through remembrance, reflection, and community participation, the NVC Memorial Day event demonstrated its commitment to honoring the legacy of Nisei veterans as well as preserving the history and values that they pass on to future generations.
Comment: A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of seeing and stamping the Ireichō at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. It was moving both to have this experience and to hear it discussed at the Memorial Day event. To me, it truly exemplified the deep connections within the Japanese American community, as well as the always-growing movement to remember and document the past.
Koki Kobata, D.C.
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