With the third anniversary of the "Great East Japan Earthquake" just around the corner, many of you are wondering how the people are doing following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan. JAMsj is hosting "Ai Love Japan-Tohoku Update 2014" Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to answer those questions and show you what's changed in the Tohoku area. The event will feature a pictorial and video update by Darrell Miho, who has been to Tohoku 12 times since March 2011. We will then have live, one-on-one Skype video calls with people from the area, giving participants the chance to interact with and hear directly from those who were most affected.

Reserve your spot by contacting PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or calling (408) 294-3138.   

San Jose, CA  95112
 

Jack Matsuoka Photo courtesy of Andy Frazer

Last spring, JAMsj was pleased to open an exhibit featuring the renown Japanese American cartoonist, Jack Matsuoka, entitled "Jack's Show: His Life and Sketches."  Matsuoka passed away on August 26 of this year. In honor of this great legend, the exhibit will be extended to January 15, 2014. The exhibit spans more than 70 years of Matsuoka's life and gives guests a rare glimpse into the man behind the drawings. It features more than 60 pieces of art from his personal collection, along with original drawings, sketches, photographs, and other artifacts.

His drawings, from illustrations of local sports and community figures to his acclaimed depictions of the Japanese American incarceration experience in his book, Poston Camp II, Block 211, have touched hearts all over the world. The Watsonville native was obviously born to draw, especially as a teen during WWII when he illustrated his experience of living in an internment camp in Poston, Arizona.

Although his work was sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes humorous, it was always honest and heartfelt. Matsuoka became one of the few Nisei cartoonists awarded membership to the prestigious National Cartoonist Association. He's also a decorated veteran, having received a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the MIS. Many remember his work from numerous Bay Area publications, including the now extinct Hokubei Mainichi, San Francisco Examiner, San Mateo Times, and San Jose Mercury News. We encourage you to come see Jack's life and accomplishments as seen through his eyes.

JAMsj extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jack Matsuoka. This larger-than-life character will be forever remembered. Thank you for everything that you did, Jack -- we'll miss you.

The museum is open every week, Thursday through Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. We're located in the heart of Japantown, at 535 North 5th Street, San Jose, California. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.jamsj.org/, or give us a ring at (408) 294-3138.