Otomisan: Making History in Boyle Heights

Otomisan: Making History in Boyle Heights

About two miles east of Little Tokyo in the community of Boyle Heights, a tiny café…

Nancy Uyemura: A Life of Love Connected to Others

Nancy Uyemura: A Life of Love Connected to Others

When people describe Nancy Uyemura, the word they use is “humble”…

Remembering the L.A. Retail Fish Association

Remembering the L.A. Retail Fish Association

Sixty years ago to this day, twenty-one fishmen posed…

Reina Asami: Balancing the Scales of Tradition and Innovation Through Tattoos

Reina Asami: Balancing the Scales of Tradition and Innovation Through Tattoos

In a private tattoo studio in Los Angeles…

Dani and Mary Iwami: Molding the Resilience and Persistence of Heritage into a Multi-Generational Artistic Vision

Dani and Mary Iwami: Molding the Resilience and Persistence of Heritage into a Multi-Generational Artistic Vision

“She’s graceful, resilient, and passionate.”

David Yamahata: From Studying Dentistry to Being the First Japanese American Fire Captain

David Yamahata: From Studying Dentistry to Being the First Japanese American Fire Captain

In the eyes of many Nisei parents, being “successful” in life meant…

Hawaii’s UTA-Sanshin Master Grant “Masanduu” Sadami Murata:

Hawaii’s UTA-Sanshin Master Grant “Masanduu” Sadami Murata:

An Incredible Story About Identity…

Bob Furuike: Creator of Delite-ful Pies at Gardena’s Pie Kitchen

Bob Furuike: Creator of Delite-ful Pies at Gardena’s Pie Kitchen

Some of my favorite memories of childhood were of eating a slice of Citrus Delite pie…

Muriel Miura: Trailblazer of Hawai’i Regional Cuisine

Muriel Miura: Trailblazer of Hawai’i Regional Cuisine

Author of nearly 30 cookbooks and host of two of the first TV shows…

Rob Tsuyuki and ShoyuDrip - Influenced by the Japanese Culture

Rob Tsuyuki and ShoyuDrip - Influenced by the Japanese Culture

ShoyuDrip, an internet apparel company featuring modern-day fashion…

‘Sparking that musical appreciation:’ Family traditions bring community together through music

‘Sparking that musical appreciation:’ Family traditions bring community together through music

Lisa Joe was a natural musician from a young age…

PLAY, PRINT, EAT

PLAY, PRINT, EAT

Step into the shop of gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) artist Naoki Hayashi…

The Stellar Life of Stella Otsuka

The Stellar Life of Stella Otsuka

“Progress! Things gotta keep moving!” Stella Otsuka said with energy and optimism as Huell Howser...

Soji Kashiwagi and the Grace of a Traveling Theater Company

Soji Kashiwagi and the Grace of a Traveling Theater Company

Soji Kashiwagi was 13 years old when the idea hit him…

Nancy Oda: From Tule Lake to Tuna Canyon

Nancy Oda: From Tule Lake to Tuna Canyon

Sometime during the 1970s, Nancy Kyoko Oda and her father Tatsuo Inouye visited…

The Mentoring From a Queen, Leslie Kawai

The Mentoring From a Queen, Leslie Kawai

The brains behind Nisei Week’s coronation production and the mentor…

“Nancy” Iwasaki Saiki: Building Community at Camp 5 Sugar Plantation

“Nancy” Iwasaki Saiki: Building Community at Camp 5 Sugar Plantation

This is her story. It is told through her written memoir and my own recollections…

Noel Okimoto: Rhythmic Roots

Noel Okimoto: Rhythmic Roots

Noel Okimoto is a world renowned jazz musician from Honolulu, Hawaii …

Roy Sakuma: Laughter, Love and Hope

Roy Sakuma: Laughter, Love and Hope

His name is synonymous with the ukulele,…

KILAUEA: THE POWER OF NATURE

KILAUEA: THE POWER OF NATURE

Bruce Omori's Passion for Photographing “This Incredible Living and Breathing Planet”

THE ARTS AS “FIRST-RESPONSE” TO OUR LIFE NOW

THE ARTS AS “FIRST-RESPONSE” TO OUR LIFE NOW

Yukie Shiroma Blends Okinawan, Modern and Experimental Dance to Create “Your (Own) Ballet”

Norman Sagara: Baseballer with a Samurai Spirit

Norman Sagara: Baseballer with a Samurai Spirit

The Sagara family’s immigration story began in Japan in the late 19th century….

Digitizing Deliciousness: Jennifer Hasegawa Honors Community “Aunties” by Reviving Old Hawaiʻi Cookbooks

Digitizing Deliciousness: Jennifer Hasegawa Honors Community “Aunties” by Reviving Old Hawaiʻi Cookbooks

Jennifer Hasegawa seems an unlikely preserver of simple community…

Loryce Hashimoto: The Soul of an Artist

Loryce Hashimoto: The Soul of an Artist

Loryce Hashimoto is bubbly and enthusiastic,…

Asato Family: The Legendary Waffle Dog and the Japanese American Family Behind It

Asato Family: The Legendary Waffle Dog and the Japanese American Family Behind It

What is a waffle dog? In Hawaii,…

Tetsu Tanimoto: A Pioneer of Japanese American Basketball

Tetsu Tanimoto: A Pioneer of Japanese American Basketball

If there was a last shot, a game-winning buzzer…

Herbert Yaka: Racehorse photographer

Herbert Yaka: Racehorse photographer

It’s been decades, but whenever JoAnn Jamora smells cigars,…

Nostalgic and Fun Flour-Sack Towels

Nostalgic and Fun Flour-Sack Towels

Hawaii family draws on Japanese roots and island plantation life…

Hungry for Laughs: Female Trailblazers of Cold Tofu

Hungry for Laughs: Female Trailblazers of Cold Tofu

In the 1980s, with so few opportunities in a competitive market of actors,…

We’re writing the stories for future generations.

We help share inspiring memories about the japanese american culture.

Explore more stories here!

Thank you for visiting!