Week 6: Arts & Spiritual

On the set of NBC Bay Area

Monday was a great way to start off Arts and Spiritual Week!  Our first stop was at KNTV NBC Channel 11 to meet with Mike Inouye.  It was really great to walk around the studio and stand on the set of the newscast (we even got to wave and say hi!).  We liked how they keep the halls dark to conserve energy and Kelly especially liked the control room since she has a similar job on campus. What we really found interesting was the fact that Mr.Inouye uses his influences as a newscaster to promote Japanese American and Asian American awareness.  For example, he told us that he encouraged the TV station to run their piece on the 442nd because it is an important part of history for both Japanese Americans and the nation as a whole.

Aztec Dance Class

In the afternoon, we met with Tamara Alvarado, Director of Community Access & Engagement at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Having both taken Spanish language in the past, it was really interesting for us to see the different classes and children's programs they have going on at the center.  Part of NCI is not only getting a feel for Japantown, but also the other areas of the city that have an impact on Nihonmachi.  For example, San Jose Taiko has performed at the Heritage Plaza, and since both Jtown and the Plaza  represent minority groups, they have something in common. We expecially enjoyed talking with the Aztec dance instructor. She expressed the importance of teaching kids their own culture and like her idea that once they are secure with their own cultural identity, it is easier for them to see commonalities rather than just differences between other cultures.

Tuesday we met with Wisa Uemura, the Executive Director of San Jose Taiko (SJT).  She told us about her interest in non-profit work in taiko.  Wisa, a recent graduate of Stanford, she auditioned for SJT along with her future husband Franco Imperial.  She played taiko in college and she entered SJT knowing that it would provide her with the knowledge and education to perform taiko at a profesional level and run a non-profit organization. She also explained the transition period of Roy and PJ stepping down from their positions as Executive and Artistic Directors of San Jose Taiko and passing the power to Wisa and Franco.  The process took a couple of years, but Wisa kept stressing that the transition went smoothly because of Roy and PJ’s encouragement.

In the afternoon, the two of us prepared for the Japantown Disaster Preparedness Town Hall Meeting.  We were thrilled with the turnout and we were happy that so many people came out to our event! Check our previous blog post for more details on that!

With Ken Matsumoto at his gallery

At the Buddhist Butsuin
with Reverend Sakamoto

On Wednesday we talked with Rev. Sakamoto at the San Jose Buddhist Temple. He discussed the history of the temple, how it has changed over time, and how he came to San Jose.  It was funny how he said he was partially drawn to this location because he really liked computers and the temple happened to have some! In the afternoon, we stopped by the Art Gallery on 5th street and met Ken Matsumoto.  We had a great time looking around at all of the pieces!  They’re all so creative; we really liked the one that looks like moving water behind translucent glass.  

Thursday morning started at JAMSJ with Mrs. Iwanaga and Komo Gauvreau.  Ms. Gauvreau plans the public programs that JAMSJ provides.  She told us about the different films that JAMSJ is showing throughout the year and that JAMSJ tries to show one film each month.  

Adrian Avila of De-Bug

The next stop was Silicon Valley De-Bug where we met with Adrian Avila.  Adrian has been with De-Bug for 12 years and has even created his own printing business.  He gave us a tour of the building and told us about the work that De-Bug provides for the community.  Not only do they provide printing, but they also provide case work and help people shave off time from their sentences.  Adrian even took us to the basement and showed us his printers.  He rents out his equipment and he gives lessons to those who want to learn the trade.  It was great meeting Adrian; he really had a passion for De-Bug and the resources it gives to the community.

In the afternoon, we met with Dr. Hiura and Tasi Alabastro.  Tasi told us that he is, “an actor/director who just so happens to be Filipino.”  He gave us some good advice about the arts and how important it is to expose the youth.  Dr. Hiura and Mrs. Iwanaga gave us the history behind CATS and how it promotes the arts for Asians and Pacific Islanders.  Dr. Hiura, being a founder of CATS, told us stories about his involvement in Asian American arts.  

David Oda

Emily Murase

Friday was intern day.  We drove up to San Francisco and first met Emily Murase, the executive director for the Department on the Status of Women. Then we had a workshop with David Oda on how to make our LinkedIn profiles more and how to look for a job on the site. This was especially helpful since the both of us are going to be/are already job hunting!  In the afternoon we met with Mr. Hiroshima who gave us advice for when we enter the workforce, and finally we met with Erin Kimura, who talked a little bit about her experiences in the NCI program and the history of Japantown.  

We can’t believe there are only two more weeks left of the program and have been busy starting to plan the end of program retreat!