At first denigrated and mistrusted, America's Nisei veterans, now in

Cover art image courtesy of Tom Graves

their 80s and 90s, earned the praise of a nation, and ultimately, a Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian honor.

Author Tom Graves

This program will also include a trunk show featuring products from Mihara-Avery's online store, PaperFestival.com, including papers that work well with the techniques taught in this class. For more information about the products, visit her website at http://www.paperfestival.com. 

Vicky Mihara-Avery

Vicky Mihara-Avery is the third generation in her family to promote and share the experience of Japanese paper crafts. She recently made guest appearances on Martha Stewart, the Carol Duvall Show, and Good Morning America. She has also been an invited lecturer and instructor at museums, festivals, and origami conferences around the country.

The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj

Photo courtesy of CAAM

) is pleased to announce that we will be  one of the host venues for the Center for Asian American Media's 2013 CAAMfest San Jose. In partnership with the Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS), we will be screening Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings. This film premiered at the 2012 CAAMfest in San Francisco to a sold-out audience and moved the audience to tears.

"Music communicates the purest form of human emotion."

- Jake Shimabukuro

Photo courtesy of CAAM

This film is a compelling portrait of an inspiring and inventive musician whose virtuoso skills on the ukulele have transformed all previous notions of the instrument's potential. Through intimate conversations with Shimabukuro, Life on Four Strings reveals the cultural and personal influences that have shaped the man and the musician. On the road from Los Angeles to New York to Japan, the film captures the essence of solitary life on tour: the exhilaration of performance, the wonder of newfound fame, the loneliness of separation from home and family. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura, this documentary will truly touch your heart. 

Ordinary people become heroes when they reach across boundaries and turn conscience into action, like J.B. Peckham, who helped San Jose Issei acquire land; Josephine Duveneck, who helped internees at Tanforan; Earl Finch, an Alabaman who helped hundreds of soldiers in the 442nd. Because today's political and social systems are not functioning as well as they should, ordinary heroes working together are more necessary than ever.

Shizue Seigel

Cost: Free with admission to the museum (non-members, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free).   

Please email PublicPrograms@JAMsj.org or call the JAMsj office at (408) 294-3138 to reserve your spot.    

Across Two Worlds:  Memoirs of a Nisei Flower Grower

by Yoshimi Shibata 

Saturday, September 7, 2013

1:00 p.m.

  Japanese American Museum San Jose  

Attend the Book Club meeting Saturday, September 7, 2013, 1:00 pm at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), 535 North Fifth Street in San Jose when Across Two Worlds: Memoirs of a Nisei Flower Grower by Yoshimi Shibata will be discussed. Shibata, along with his family owns and operates Mt. Eden Floral Company, headquartered in San Jose, CA. His daughter, Naomi Shibata agreed to join the discussion to share insights as a flower-grower's daughter.

Bill Hosokawa notes in the foreword: "Shibata writes much as he speaks . . . the real "Shimi" comes through in an unexpected manner. He is honest and genuine, and that is the charm of his story. Our history is enriched that he persisted in his writing, just as he persisted in everything he undertook in a long and worthy life."

The author shares principles for life and business such as his father's advice, "You have to be like a samurai -- Never, never, never, never give up" and one of his own guiding principles, "Play it straight. Don't cheat anyone to win." These are but two of the many inspirational lessons from Shimi.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

   Japanese American Museum San Jose     

Yu-Ai Kai (YAK) and the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) are teaming up to present an array of activities for grandparents and grandchildren on Sunday, September 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in San Jose's historic Japantown. Grandparents and grandchildren are invited to start off by checking in at JAMsj and viewing the exhibits together. There will also be plenty of arts and crafts activities to be enjoyed, storytelling, and more.

"We wanted to celebrate and recognize our elders, particularly in their role as grandparents, and together with JAMsj, we have put together a program of intergenerational and intercultural sharing," says Sophie Horiuchi-Forrester, YAK executive director.   Per the mission of both agencies, the activities will focus on Japanese and Japanese American culture and traditions. JAMsj board president, Aggie Idemoto, adds, "In addition to cross-generational learning opportunities, Grandparents Day will provide a way for grandparents and grandchildren to explore both agencies and learn what they do for the community. "

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. As cited in the proclamation, the day's purpose is "to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer."

Cost: To honor our grandparents, JAMsj is waiving the admission charge for any grandparent accompanied by a grandchild. 

No RSVP required.