We greeted over 6,000 visitors to JANM on January 8, 2023 as we welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit with oodles of family-friendly activities. Families of all ages enjoyed the New Year festivities including hand-sculpted candy-making demonstrations to craft activities and mochi (rice cake) pounding performances.
The occasion brought together those with Japanese ancestry keen to pass on cultural traditions to their young ones and others who came to share a memorable experience.
This is the first hybrid JANM Oshogatsu Family Festival since the pandemic. The all-day festival featured a range of events such as the improv comedy performance by Cold Tofu, the nation’s longest running AsianAmerican improv group, and the dynamic, large-scale calligraphy performance by Kunihara Yoshida.
Enjoy some highlights from the 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival!
Photos (from top row, left to right): Mochitsuki demonstration by Kodama Taiko, Shan Ichiyanagi creating candy sculptures, koto performance by Yuki Yasuda, photo booth with Cre8tive Outlets, Cold Tofu improv performance, learning to play taiko with Hal Keimi, family craft activities, scavenger hunt and raffle, mochitsuki experience with Kodama Taiko. Photos by Daryl Kobayashi, Doug Mukai, Richard Watanabe, Tracy Kumono, and Tsuneo Takasugi.
Watch the highlights from the 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival! (available for a limited time only)
The 13th Annual Kokoro Craft Show is virtual again this year! Although the pandemic has prevented the in-person Kokoro Craft Show from occurring two years in a row, we are excited to showcase more than 60 vendors, many of whom are new to Kokoro.
Shoppers can begin viewing vendor’s products from November 1st for two weeks at our new website, www.kokorocraftshow.com. During this special shopping period, shoppers buy products from the vendor directly and write “Kokoro2021” on their orders. Kokoro2021 proceeds benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs.
VENDORS 6 Degrees of Hapa • Alohi Images Maui • Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics • Bansai8 Creations • BIZU • Boy Cherie Jewelry • Cato Crafts • Color Conscious • Creative Handcrafted Gifts • DaTojos • Designs by Eemabeth • Dr. Nancy’s Felted Pets • Emi Ink • Flying Plumtree Studio • Harvest Land • Hug a Sumo • imoriknits • JapaneseYa • Katherine M Ragghianti • Kayoko Designs • Kelley’s Kookies • Kiobi Designs • Kirei Cositas • Kotas Kreations • Laura Ann’s Jams • Ling-Yen Designs • Little Craft Shack • Madame Sakura Crafts • masako boissonnault • Mi So Happi • Nakashima Fine Arts • Nami Creations • Norman Lurie Pottery • Oak Street Design • orangeheat • Pomegranate Designs • Sakai Harts & Crafts • SalvagedHealing • Santa Barbara Soups • Sente • sewKimono • Silky Hut • Simmisu Paper Co • Simply Sown • Sixtyeightcolors • SOLSISS Jewelry • Some Mo Crafts • Stacy Wong • STORY SPARK • Studio Engravers • Sun & Lace • Susan Griffin Designs • Sushi Clock • Suzye Ogawa Designs • Tenuiya • Tierra Murra • TLC Quilting • Tome Ceramics •Whimsical Charm • Wilcox • Wong Creations • YellowRose Accessories • Zazu Faure/Los Angeles
Applications for the Virtual Kokoro2021 Craft Show are available now at kokorocraftshow.com/vendor. The Show will run from November 1 through November 15, 2021.
To apply, please complete the online form or download the application (PDF) and include five (5) product photos with your application. Please be sure to review the Vendor Guidelines and FAQs on the website before completing your form. Applications must be received (or postmarked) by Friday, August 13.
This is a juried show. Notification of acceptance will be communicated no later than Friday, August 27.Thank you for your support!
Photos are courtesy of ColorConscious.com and Simmisu Paper Co.
This online craft show, organized by JANM’s volunteers to support the Japanese American National Museum, returns on November 1 through November 15, 2021. The Vendor applications will be available beginning July 1 to August 13.
Applications will be accepted from local and regional artisans of handcrafted goods and food items. There are limited spaces available, so apply early to join our community of craft-makers. Your participation helps to support the Museum’s many cultural and educational programs!
Flip through the Vendor Catalog for more great gift ideas. You an also watch the Virtual Kokoro2020 video to see some of the vendors talking about their products (find links to all of the vendor’s websites/contacts below the video).
Make sure to write “Kokoro2020” on your orders this month so that your purchases will benefit JANM’s educational programs!
Thank you for your support of Kokoro2020 and JANM. The Kokoro Committee wishes your holidays are safe and most joyous.
Just in time for the holidays, Virtual Kokoro2020 offers a variety of gifts for the home. Holiday ornaments for your tree (Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics and Kirei Cositas), guava jam (Lileeku Jam), crocheted animals (Some Mo Crafts), decorative birdhouse (Simmisu), wall planters (Stacy Wong), artwork for your walls (Pomegranate Designs), tea towels for your kitchen (DaTojos), and coasters for your coffee table (Color Conscious)! Visit Virtual Kokoro2020 for gifts that bring warmth and joy to your home.
Watch the Virtual Kokoro2020 video program (find links to all of the vendor’s websites/contacts below the video) and check out the vendor catalog. Some of the vendors mentioned above talk about their products in the video! Make sure to write “Kokoro2020” on your orders this month so that your purchases will benefit JANM’s educational programs!
It’s finally here! Watch the 40-minute video program below and then use this flipping book catalog to view the vendor’s products at your leisure and to point and click to quickly access your favorite vendor’s website or email address.
Virtual Kokoro2020 runs from November 14 to 30. Make sure to write “Kokoro2020” on your orders this month so that your purchases will benefit JANM’s educational programs!
The Kokoro program schedule with video time stamps and links to their websites/email addresses are below. No sign-in or registration is required.
38:15 – Thank you from Irene Nakagawa, Cochair 39:51 – Goodbye and Credits 40:54 – Catalogue
For more information, please refer to the Customer FAQ below or email us at kokorocraft@gmail.com.
Enjoy the video program! Have fun shopping for holiday gifts and for yourself!
KOKORO 2020 CUSTOMER FAQ
How do I let a vendor know this is a “Kokoro2020” purchase?
Vendors have a variety of methods for accepting sales. The vendors with websites sometimes have a spot where you can add a comment. This is where you can indicate the sale is due to the Kokoro2020 event. If the vendor has a shopping cart with no spot to add a comment, then please email the vendor to let them know you want your purchase tagged as a “Kokoro2020” sale.
If there is a problem with my order, can I contact Kokoro2020 or JANM?
You will contact the vendor directly to make your purchase and to resolve any problems. Please do not contact Kokoro2020 or JANM.
Is there a place to view all the vendors that were in the video?
A flipping book catalog of all the vendors, their products, and their website or email address is available to view and download here. Once the catalog opens, click anywhere on the page and you will be taken to the flipping book site.
How will my purchase help JANM?
Vendors will donate 10% of Kokoro2020-identified sales to JANM, which will benefit JANM’s education programs. While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily halted in-person programs for school groups, education programs have gone on-line and virtual visits are now available to virtual classrooms across the country. Visit janm.org/groupvisits to learn more!
Tired of the same face mask? Find a variety of new masks and other unique apparel at Virtual Kokoro2020, beginning November 14.
The online video program includes product photos and short videos provided by participating vendors that showcase their work and illuminate their creative processes.
At the end of the video program, check out the flip-page catalog featuring all 42 vendors. To view your favorite items, just point & click on the vendor website to shop or call/email your favorite vendors for assistance.
Do you like your jewelry fine and delicate, or bold and colorful? Kokoro2020 features many creative artisans who make jewelry from a variety of materials such as mosaics, recycled silver, Japanese fabric, ceramics, and hand-made beads. Links to vendor’s websites and email addresses will be available on November 14. Get ready to shop!
Participating Vendors 6 Degrees of Hapa • Acorn Works • Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics • Art Mina • BGK Gems • Bizu • Boy Cherie Jewelry • Charming Little Lotus • Color Conscious • Creative Handcrafted Gifts • DaTojos • Ecommshipments • Elua Crafters • Fugetsu-Do • Happyshirts • imoriknits • JKiyomi Designs • Joan Flax • Kelley’s Kookies • Kiobi Designs • Kirei Cositas • konodomazo • Lileeku Jams • Madame Sakura Craft • mi so happi • N & M Enterprises • Papermum Press • Parasol Paperworks • Pomegranate • Pontigo • Pulp X Stich • Raffi • sewKimono • Shibori Girl Studios • Simmisu Paper Co • SOLSISS • Some Mo Craft • Stacy Wong • Studio Engravers • Susan Facklam Jewelry • Suzye Ogawa Designs • TABFabric
The 12th Annual Kokoro Craft Boutique is going virtual this year! From November 14–30, shoppers can shop online or by phone with many familiar artisans and crafters, plus some new ones. Starting on Saturday, November 14, watch the video program that will be posted on YouTube.com/janmdotorg. It will feature interviews and videos from many of our talented vendors. The video program will display beautiful, hand-crafted products from all our participating vendors.
Shoppers’ purchases from November 14–30 will support JANM’s education programs. Buy products from vendors directly and write “Kokoro2020” on all of your orders. JANM will receive a portion from each purchase!
Participating Vendors 6 Degrees of Hapa • Acorn Works • Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics • Art Mina • BGK Gems • Bizu • Boy Cherie Jewelry • Charming Little Lotus • Color Conscious • Creative Handcrafted Gifts • DaTojos • Ecommshipments • Fugetsu-Do • Happyshirts • imoriknits • JKiyomi • Joan Flax • Kelley’s Kookies • Kiobi Designs • Kirei Cositas • Komodomazo • Lileeku • Madame Sakura Craft • Mi So Happi • N & M Enterprises • Papermum Press • Parasol Paperworks • Pomegranate • Pontigo • Pulp X Stitch • sewKimono • Shibori Girl Studios • Simmisu Paper Co • Solsiss • Some Mo Craft • Stacy Wong • Studio Engravers • Susan Facklam Jewelry • Suzye Ogawa Designs • TABFabric
