The second weekend of the 2024 Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Aug. 17-18) included a festival in Little Tokyo’s JACCC Plaza.
Entertainment on Saturday included Ryushinjuku Aikido and Iaido, DJ Dohz, singer Stephanie Yanez, singer/guitarist EJ Chen, dancer Sumi Oshima, singer/musician Michael Murata, and Team Kawachi Ondo, which encouraged everyone to get up and dance. The 2024 Nisei Week Court was introduced. Actor Derek Mio served as emcee.
The all-taiko lineup on Sunday: Hanabi Taiko, Togetn Daiko, Kishin Daiko, Makoto Taiko, L.A. Taiko Ichiza, Taiko Effect, Seishun Taiko, Koshin Taiko, Crespi Taiko, Prota Taiko. Johnny Mori of Kinnara Taiko served as emcee.
Food/drink vendors included Guzzu Bento-ya, MoMo Paradise, Bachan’s Shave Ice, Takoyaki Tanota, Buttery Popcorn, Mume Farm, Tenkatori, Okayama Kobo Bakery, Koala Tea, Brewyard, Kirin, Pocari Truck, and Faith, Hope and Pastries.
Participating businesses, nonprofit organizations and artisans included Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Union Church, U.S. Bank, Keiro, Metro, Japan House, ABC7, Type Hayley, author/illustrator Sunny Seki, Zentoku Foundation, Anime Jungle, City Bible Church, Kawaii Craft Shop, Zentoku Foundation, Ski Club, Japan Airlines and Marubeni.
On Saturday, the Stamp Our Story Committee and the Veterans Memorial Court Alliance offered a commemorative card featuring the Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII stamp with a special U.S. Postal Service cancellation postmark: “Nisei Week Station, Aug. 17, 2024.” Tours were given of the Memorial Court, where Japanese Americans who were killed in action during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts are honored.
Activities inside the JACCC: John Y. Naka Memorial Bonsai Exhibition; Japanese calligraphy by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai; Japanese Community Pioneer Center sashiko demonstration, exhibit and sale; tea ceremony and dressing workshop by JCPC; Japanese dolls by Hirofumi Kai; noh mask exhibition by Shokei Noh Mask Gallery of Yokohama.
Photos by J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo