Japanese American Museum of San Jose is OPENING!

The Japanese American Museum of San Jose is opening October 16, 2010.  There will be a ceremony at 1pm and then the museum will open at 2pm.  Just for Saturday they request people to sign up if they want to see the museum.   There is no fee for admission the opening weekend.

Memorial wall honors displaced Japanese-Americans

In Seattle, Washington, a Memorial wall is being created to honor displaced Japanese-Americans due to the internment.  In Los Angeles, California at the Japanese-American National Museum on the steps as you enter the museum, there are engraved names.  Many of my relatives children's names are now engraved on those steps.  I think it is a cool legacy.  At the time the steps were being built the children were babies, but now the older ones are in high school.  I think one day when they get older, they will realize the signaficance.

Nisei Week Japanese Festival - August 14-22, 2010

In Los Angeles, Little Tokyo, the annual Nisei Week Festival is going on.   It's the 70th year of the festival. My mom grew up in LA and Nisei week was always a really fun festival to go to when I was growing up. We went sometimes if we were in LA for vacation. Tons of Japanese food, music, games, dancing. One of the highlights, is the selection of the Nisei week Queen. My mom told me my Aunt, her younger sister, was asked to run for Nisei week Queen years ago, but my Grandfather wouldn't allow it. My sisters and I would tease my mom, that she wasn't asked, and she would just laugh and laugh. I have such fond memories of going to that festival.

Possible Movie about the 442nd Regiment directed by Ken Watanabe!

I remember my parents telling me about the 442nd when I was in elementary school and I was fascinated to learn about the 442nd as this was never covered in my regular schooling.  The 442nd Regiment was comprised of Japanese Americans who fought in Europe during World War II.  The families of many of its soldiers were in internment camps in America. The motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was “go for broke.” The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service, in the entire history of the U.S. Military!  In total, about 14,000 men served, earning 9,486 Purple Hearts , 21 Medals of Honor and eight Presidential Unit Citations.

I have such admiration for the 442nd. They suffered huge casualties fighting in a war for a country that had interned their families.  They brought honor to their families.

There is buzz that Ken Watanabe, the actor, may be directing his first movie about the 442nd.  I think this story would be a great movie.

Picture: Go For Broke National Education Center

Japanese American National Museum

There is a great Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California that has a wealth of information about the history of Japanese Americans. Right down the street is Fugetso-Do, a Japanese confectionary store, that has been there for over 100 years. It has been run by the same family for 3 generations!