JANM’s Winter Wonderland-themedTarget Free Family Saturdays event on December 14, was jam-packed with holiday activities!
From taking pictures with Asian American Santa, decorating picture frames, making a cereal snack, taking a ride on a horse-drawn carriage, and enjoying a kamishibai winter-time story, our guests were able to get into the holiday spirit!
Check out these photos from December’s Target Free Family Saturday (click on the photos to see them larger):
Guests were able to create a tiny winter wonderland to fill with seasonal cheer.
The whole family comes to enjoy free holiday crafts and activities.
Guests learn how to fold paper into a reindeer in Ruthie’s Origami Corner.
Kidding Around the Kitchen provides ingredients to create your own healthy cereal mix.
Guests take a special tour of JANM’s newest exhibition, “Go For Broke” with Dr. Lily Anne Welty.
Children and parents pose for a holiday photo with Asian American Santa.
Our guests pose for a photo with their pictures with Asian American Santa.
Adding a personal touch to holiday pictures frames.
A horse-drawn carriage provided rides through the plaza!
“Star in a Glass Jar” is a winter-time story performed through kamishibai (paper drama), a Japanese art form of storytelling.
After watching “Star in a Glass Jar,” guests cut out their own puppet like the one used in the kamishibai.
Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Frontsis on view at JANM through March 2, 2014. For more details about the exhibition, visit: janm.org/goforbroke
If you like food, cultural activities, and entertainment, mark your calendar for JANM’s annual Oshogatsu Family Festival, coming up on Sunday,January 5, 2014 from 11AM – 5PM! It’s FREE ALL DAY!
Our next Target Free Family Saturdays event will be on be on February 8, 2014 from 11AM – 4PM. You won’t want to miss a day of making music with KoAloha Ukulele as they lead performances, workshops, crafts, and all things ukulele! For details, visit: janm.org/target
Photo Credits: Tsuneo Takasugi, Caroline Jung, and Esther Shin.
The exhibition chronicles the history of Japanese American Nisei soldiers from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service who served during World War II to prove their loyalty to the nation that had disowned them.
The Aratani Central Hall was packed for the reception and program with enthusiastic members and special guests. This preview included an informal gallery walkthrough given by curator, Eric Saul.
The program started with America the Beautiful performed by Keiko Kawashima; a welcome by Helen H. Ota, External Relations Officer at JANM; and a special keynote by Eric Saul.
It was a very intimate exhibition preview—it allowed guests to reflect on history, and to appreciate the efforts of Japanese American Nisei veterans before, during and even after World War II.
Check out these photos from the member’s preview!
Curator Eric Saul leads members through an informal gallery walkthrough, sharing insight on each photograph.
Keiko Kawashima, a professional singer, actress, and dancer, sings America the Beautiful.
Helen H. Ota, External Relations Officer at JANM welcomes members to the preview.
Curator Eric Saul is the keynote speaker at the Member’s Preview for Go For Broke.
The Aratani Central Hall is filled with members and special guests.
Cynthia Villasenor, Vice President of External Relations at JANM, and Curator Eric Saul exchange a few words in the lobby.
The gallery is filled with members, eager to view the extensive exhibition.
The exhibition is supplemented by artifacts from the Museum’s permanent collection.
Two members get a closer look at a photograph.
Photo Credits: Tsuneo Takasugi, Richard Murakami, and Richard Watanabe.
Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts is on view at JANM through March 2, 2014. For more details, visit: janm.org/goforbroke
Visit JANM for a winter-themedTarget FREE Family Saturdays event on December 14th, from 11AM to 4PM! All day activities include: decorating a holiday picture frame; constructing a tiny winter wonderland to fill with seasonal cheer, and folding a winter reindeer in Ruthie’s Origami Corner.
From 11AM to 2PM join Kidding Around the Kitchen for a simple, yet delicious, Winter Wonderland cereal mix that will make a delicious snack as well as a fun home-made present the kids will be so proud to give away to family, friends, and teachers alike.
From 12PM to 2PM take a picture with Asian American Santa Claus, and don’t forget to let him know what you want for Christmas!
From 1PM to 3PM enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn carriage that will be fun for the whole family!
At 1PM and 3PM don’t miss Star in a Glass Jar, a winter-time story performed through kamishibai (paper drama), a Japanese art form of storytelling. The story is about an incredible adventure of one child’s letter with no address which finds its way to the other side of the world. Paper character craft to follow performance.
Photos by Russell Kitagawa, Richard Murakami, Tsuneo Takasugi, and Caroline Jung.
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Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together.
On November 9, 2013, JANM celebrated autumn with many guests at Target Free Family Saturdays: Awesome Autumn!
The day was filled with free activities such as putting together a festive fall salad, banging on a drum in a drum circle, sitting in on a reading of Thanksgiving at Obaachan’s, decorating a furoshiki (wrapping cloth) for a mini omanju (traditional confection), and much more!
The Go For Broke National Education Center also held an important event at their monument. 11 veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were reminded of France’s gratitude for their efforts during World War II and received the French Legion of Honor Medal. Words of remembrance and appreciation, followed by the pinning of the Medals were presented by Fabrice Maiolino, the Deputy Consul General of France in Los Angeles. Afterwards, exciting activities ensued at the Go For Broke Monument in honor of Veterans Day. Guests were able to view the monument, and enjoy various family-friendly activities as well.
It was an exciting Saturday to celebrate the season, and Veterans Day. Check out these photos from November’s Target Free Family Saturday!
With the help of parents, assembling crafts is easier and more fun!
Making your own owls can be fun, but it’s still a lot of work!
Assembling a festive fall salad using the best that fall harvest has to offer with Kidding Around the Kitchen
Coloring a Veterans Day related coloring page with the Go For Broke National Education Center.
Children and adults alike, enjoy the energetic drum circle.
Each drumming session was packed with guests!
Concentrating on decorating and assembling a custom-made owl.
A pair of JANM guests show off their autumn-themed crafts!
Father and son pose with a caricature of themselves.
Photos by Caroline Jung, Richard Murakami, Russell Kitagawa, and Tsuneo Takasugi
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Don’t miss our next Target Free Family Saturday, “Winter Wonderland” on Saturday, December 14th from 11AM – 4PM! It’s a Winter Wonderland of seasonal crafts & activities including photos with Asian American Santa, a horse-drawn carriage, and kamishibai story-telling! For more information, visit janm.org/target.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see it already, JANM’s newest exhibition, Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts is on view until March 2, 2014. For more information on the exhibition please visit janm.org/goforbroke.
Nisei civilians and soldiers worked in the translation and scanning sections, responsible for the translation of all Japanese documents which was vital to the success of the occupation. Photo: National Archives.
On Saturday, December 7th at 2pm author, professor, and M.I.S. veteranEdwin Nakasone will moderate a discussion with fellow veterans Bruce Kaji and Hitoshi Sameshima about their roles in the rebuilding of Japan after the end of World War II.
The M.I.S., or the Military Intelligence Service, was a United States military unit mostly comprised of Japanese American Nisei who provided translation, interpretation, and interrogation services in the Pacific during World War II.
Don’t miss this FREE and exciting opportunity to learn more about the M.I.S. from the veterans themselves!
Edwin “Bud” Nakasone (left) will moderate the discussion.
MIS veteran and JANM docent, Hitoshi Sameshima at JANM’s 2013 Gala Dinner.
Bruce Kaji, JANM founding president & MIS veteran, will take part in this special program.
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Tateuchi Public Program Series The Military Intelligence Service (M.I.S.) in Occupied Japan
Saturday, December 7, 2013 • 2PM
Tateuchi Democracy Forum
FREE EVENT
This public program is part of the Tateuchi Public Program Series. Organized in partnership between the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation and the Japanese American National Museum to develop presentations that explore the connections between Japan and the United States in the context of politics, art, music, and culture. For more information please visit: janm.org/events/tateuchi
The night began with a Members Gallery Talk that took place half an hour before the exhibition’s Preview Reception. The Members Gallery Talk allowed JANM members to take an exciting and intimate gallery tour with curator Jeff Yang.
The Preview Reception was free and open to the public with delicious food from Esaan Thai and free drinks throughout the night.
The evening continued with welcoming and opening remarks from the President & CEO of JANM, Dr. Greg Kimura; Chair of the JANM Board of Trustees, Mr. Gordon Yamate; YPN President, Kira Teshima; Office & Gallery Manager from NYU’sAsian Pacific American Institute, Ruby Gomez; and Marvels & Monsters curator, Jeff Yang.
The highlight of the night was Marvels & Monsters: Unbound—a showcase of short performances inspired by the new exhibition. The showcase commemorated the National Museum’s West Coast premiere of Marvels & Monsters by rethinking, subverting, deconstructing, or satirizing the eight Asian pop culture archetypes depicted in this exhibition.
Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986 is on display at JANM through February 9, 2014. For more information about the exhibition, visit janm.org/marvels-monsters.
Check out these photos from the Marvels & Monsters Preview Reception!
JANM President & CEO, Dr. Greg Kimura, welcomes guests to the “Marvels & Monsters” Preview Reception
Chair of the JANM Board of Trustees, Mr. Gordon Yamate, makes a few opening remarks.
Kira Teshima, President of the JANM Young Professionals Network Board, shares a few words about YPN, hosts for the Marvels & Monsters Preview Reception.
Office and Gallery Manager of NYU’s Asian Pacific American Institute, Ruby Gomez, shares a few words about Marvels & Monsters.
Monsters & Marvels curator Jeff Yang shares his excitement about the opening at JANM, and some insight into the exhibition itself.
Maritess Zurbano kicks off the showcase with “Magical Girl” – written and performed by Zurbano herself.
Carin Chea, Victor Chi, and Robert Covarrubias perform in “Jumper” – a performance written by Chea and inspired by the archetype, “The Alien”.
Written by Joey Damiano, and performed by Greg Watanabe, “The Audition” was inspired by the archetype, “The Brute”.
Marcus Choi and Jon Jon Briones perform the musical number, “Evil is a Yellow Face” – a song written by Mark Brown that portrays “The Manipulator” archetype.
Grace Li and Steven Chan perform in “Overwrite”, a performance written by Robert Allison and inspired by the archetype, “The Brain”.
Harrison Pak performs in “X-Wings of Defeat,” written by Raymond Hui.
“Cute Asian Girl” is written and performed by Deanna Myers. This performance is inspired by the archetype, “The Temptress”
Maritess Zurbana closes out the showcase with her performance of “Tommy the Adequate”
After the showcase, the writers of the winning pieces sit down with Jeff Yang for a Q&A session.
The actors and actresses join the writers for the Q&A session.
Photo credits: Tsuneo Takasugi
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Our next exhibition opens next week. Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts chronicles the history of Japanese American Nisei soldiers from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service who served during World War II to prove their loyalty to the nation that had disowned them.
The exhibition opens next Tuesday, November 12, but if you’re a current JANM member, join us for a special Member Preview this Sunday, November 10, 2PM – 4PM. See the exhibition before it opens to the public and hear remarks by Eric Saul, Director, Japanese American Wartime History Project. To RSVP, contact specialevents@janm.org or 213.625.0414 x2222.
Earlier this week, la.cityvoter.com announced that the Japanese American National Museum was voted “Best Museum” on the 2013 Los Angeles Hot List. JANM was runner up for Best Museum in 2011 and 2012, but this year, LA voters placed JANM on top of 38 other great museums—including institutions like the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the L.A. County Museum of Art—for the number one spot!
Public Programs, such as October’s comics-themed Target Free Family Saturday, helped JANM reach the #1 spot on LA’s HOTLIST!
JANM was voted not only for its unique exhibitions, but for it’s public programs and exceptional staff and volunteers as well!
To all of those who voted for JANM, thank you so much! Also, thank you to our visitors, Museum members, staff, and dedicated volunteers for making JANM an amazing and vibrant institution!
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Fall is a great time to check out the Museum, be sure to view our exciting exhibitions and upcoming public programs:
Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986 is now open! Come view a selection of images from comic books representing four turbulent decades. This exhibition illustrates how evolving racial and cultural archetypes defined America’s perceptions of Asians. For more information please visit: janm.org/marvels-monsters
Mark your calendars for the upcoming exhibition, Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts, opening on November 12, 2013. This exhibition chronicles the resilience and bravery of WWII Nisei soldiers both on and off the battlefield. For more information and updates please visit: janm.org/goforbroke
Stop by the Museum for November’s Target Free Family Saturdays: Awesome Autumn from 11AM – 4PM on November 9th! We’ll have a variety of FREE activities including crafts, origami, a bounce house, a reading of Thanksgiving atObaachan’s with author Janet Mitsui Brown, and more! For details, please visit: janm.org/target
Young Nisei soldier who entered the Army before the war and his mother pose in their strawberry field in Northern California shortly before incarceration. Image credit: National Archives
The Nisei soldiers who fought in World War II embodied a particular set of values, passed down from generation to generation. Giri—sense of duty. Gambare—perseverance. And of course, go for broke—give it your all.
Go For Broke chronicles the resilience and bravery of these young men both on and off the battlefield. Japanese American soldiers fought in eight brutal campaigns across Europe, receiving thousands of medals for heroism even while suffering an astronomical casualty rate. Thousands more joined the Military Intelligence Service and operated throughout the Pacific Theater as language and intelligence specialists. Yet their battles were not finished when the war ended. The Nisei veterans returned to fight pervasive racism back home—and proved just as successful in this arena. With their help, hundreds of anti-Asian laws were struck down.
First displayed at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York, Go For Broke shows how instrumental these soldiers were in the Japanese American fight for justice both overseas and at home. The photographs in this exhibition are supplemented by a special Guide by Cell audio tour, with narration by curator Eric Saul and Nisei veterans.
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To celebrate the opening of this exhibition, we invite all JANM Members for a special preview of the exhibition before it opens to the public.
Member Preview Sunday, November 10th • 2-4PM
Members are invited to join us for an exclusive preview of Go For Broke with curator Eric Saul. To RSVP, contact specialevents@janm.org or 213.625-0414 ext. 2222 by Wednesday, November 6.
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Join us also for this special public program on December 7th presented in partnership with the Go For Broke National Educational Center:
The Military Intelligence Service (M.I.S.) in Occupied Japan Saturday, December 7th • 2PM
M.I.S. veterans, Edwin Nakasone, Bruce Kaji, and Hitoshi Sameshima, will discuss their roles in the rebuilding of Japan after the end of World War II. The MIS was a US military unit mostly comprised of Japanese American Nisei who provided translation, interpretation, and interrogation services during World War II. Presented as part of the Tateuchi Public Program Series.
