Japanese American Cultural Pavilion
Photograph document of 10 Interment Camps and Santa Anita
Assembly Center
 SASHIKO
EXHIBIT AND DEMONSTRATION with aYoko Tamae and students
What is Sashiko?
Early 18th Century Japanese wives of farmers, fishermen and
lumberjacks made warm garments for the men by stitching two
pieces of heavy fabric together using fine running stitches
throughout the entire garment. At first, the stitching was
used for reinforcing and repairing damaged fabrics but later
became more decorative. The cotton fabric was dyed very dark
blue with the root of a native plant. We know this color as
indigo.
By the end of the century, this particular style of stitchery
was known as "SASHIKO". Around the late 19th Century,
sashiko appeared in cities. The style was adopted for warmth
but the stitching designs became more elaborate. Patterns
were adopted from kimono prints, fabric weaves and nature
such as, bamboo, ocean waves, flowers, etc. Sashiko is also
used to decorate pillows, table cloths, runners, purses, potholders
and many other things.
Shiborigirl Studios
Long Beach artist, Glennis Dolce will exhibit her work and
share her knowledge of shibori, a traditional japanese textile
art.
It took Suzuki Kanezo eight years to invent and perfect the
technique of arashi shibori around 1860 in Arimatsu, Japan.
Arimatsu was originally one of the 53 rest stations established
along the eastern coastal route of Japan, known as the Tokaido.
The Tokaido connected the old and new capitals of Kyoto and
Edo (now known as Tokyo) and was travelled by feudal lords,
officials of the shogunate, and merchants, among others. Shibori
was introduced to Arimatsu in the early 1600 's as a village
industry and Arimatsu came to be known as the center of production
for some of the finest shibori one could acquire.
Today, a few artists and designers worldwide recreate many
of these designs and techniques, combining the new and traditional,
bringing to market contemporary shibori pieces for you to
enjoy. Shibori, a shaped resisted dyeing technique, is inherently
unique due to the handmade process necessary to produce it.
http://shiborigirl.wordpress.com/
TROOP 379 PREWAR SCOUTS
 Troop 379 consists of Boy Scout,Troop Girl Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack, Venture Crew and Drum and Bugle Corps. The Boy Scout Troop was established in 1931 at the Koyasan Buddhist Betsuin Temple at 342 E First Street. 2006 marked the 75th Anniversary of the Boy Scout Troop. The Drum and Bugle Corps was started in 1932 and participates in local community events, featuring nearly every Nisei Week Parade since its inception. During the Internment Years, the troop was based at Heart Mountain. The Boy Scout Troop has grown to add an explorer post which has developed into Girl Scout Troop 379. Most recently, the Venture Crew was added to allow scouts from other troops to participate in the Drum and Bugle program. Kids of all ages are encouraged to join the 379 family.
 
Martial Arts History Museum
www.martialartsmuseum.com
Established in 1999, this is the first official museum in
America dedicated to the Martial Arts. The Martial Arts History
Museum is a non-profit organization designed to honor the
contributions of the Asian community including their art,
music, and culture but especially, their martial arts. It
was created to provide a historical look at the impact of
Asian martial arts on Western Society. The display at this
year's festival will includes a look at Martial Arts in the
Media (film, television, opera and print).
The Martial Arts History Museum will be hosting a special
stunt display for the kids periodically throughout the day
taught by film star and director James Lew. Lew was the star
of "18 Fingers of Death" and a stuntman for numerous
films including the upcoming Pirates of the Carribean 3.
Free autographed photos will be available.
 
Kimikomi Dolls - Yukari Kai
Kimekomi Ningyou was created by Takahashi Tadashige, a priest
at a Kyoto shrine, about 300 years ago. Tadashige used willow
trees to create the doll's body, and applied scraps of the
priests' clothing to dress it, thus calling it "Gamo
Nigyou" or willow doll. It was during
the Edo era when the term Kimekomi  Nigyou
replaced "Gamo Nigyou" because with new technology
it was much easier to mass produce the wooden bodies of the
dolls by mixing wood dust with glue and other substances such
as seaweek, and pouring it into a mold. "Ki" means
wood, "Mekomi" means the technique that is used
to tuck the fabric into the grooves on the doll's body. Come
see this ancient 'doll making' demonstrations and exhibit.
GO Board Game
 Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai
Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai has been in existence here in Los Angeles for 103 years. Like most kenjinkais, it grew out of necessity as people from Yamaguchi, Japan began to immigrate to America. Those immigrants had no resources here, so they had to rely on others who had come from their homeland. They helped one another weather the difficult times as they settled in a new country. Today, the organization has four main activities. It begins with the Shinnenkai (New Year's) Luncheon Celebration where good wishes are given to all members and plans are made for the coming year. The next activity is the annual June picnic where families get together  to share in food and games. The picnic raises funds that enable the organization to award scholarships to high school students and to honor the elders during Keiro No Hi in September. Each year, the Yamaguchi Kenjinkai visits Keiro Nursing Home where they sing favorite Japanese songs and dance Japanese dances for the residents. The senior residents are served pink manju and given a gift on behalf of the kenjinkai. The final activity is the Memorial Service in October where members pay tribute to those who have passed away during the year. It is also a time to honor all of the departed members and friends in an expression of gratitude for their contributions to the kenjinkai over the years. Currently, Yamaguchi Kenjinkai is transitioning to an all-English speaking organization in an effort to include the younger generation. We hope that they will have an interest in pursuing their roots and learning more about their culture. Please check out the Yamaguchi Kenjinkai booth in the Cultural Pavilion for more information.
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