Nisei Week (二世週祭) Is Just Around the Corner!

By Ha Eun (Lina) Kwon, GVJCI Social Media and Community Outreach Intern

Nisei Week (二世週祭 Nisei-shū Matsuri)
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It's that time of year again! Nisei week has finally arrived and we just can't wait for the festival ceremony to begin. Since the first Nisei Week that took place in 1934, Little Tokyo has held the annual festival for Japanese Americans in the district, celebrating almost a century-long history of Japanese immigrants and Japanese American culture in the Los Angeles area. Nisei Week has a long history and tradition that have carried and sustained the Japanese American community for many generations.

What does Nisei mean to begin with? Nisei means 2nd generation in Japanese and the festival was originally meant to attract the first American-born Japanese in the region. Today, Nisei Week no longer targets solely on Japanese Americans (JAs) but rather expands its reach to all ethnicities. According to Nisei Week Foundation president, Michelle Suzuki, the festival is now "the opportunity for people of all backgrounds to celebrate Japanese heritage and culture."  

Aki the Akita, Nisei Week's official mascot, was created by a prominent mascot artist Dick Sakahara in 1997 for Nisei Week's now defunct Dog Show. Aki appears as a costumed character and as a symbol of the festival to greet and entertain children and participants.

​History of Nisei Week in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles:
Its history dates all the way back to the severe worldwide economic downturn in the 1930s, era of the Great Depression. With the gradual aging of Issei (一世), 1st generation Japanese immigrants, and Little Tokyo falling into stagnation, Nisei week was once a celebration intended to attract Niseis and to help generate more youthful energy in the area. Nisei Week was also created to promote "ethnic solidarity." Utilizing Nisei Week's cultural environment, as mentioned before, Issei wished to bring Nisei back into the cultural fold of the older generation. Issei hoped Nisei to become better connectors between Little Tokyo and the communities around it. 

The first festival was held on August 13th in 1934, founded by the JACL, and has continued to be held annually ever since. Nisei week typically continues for a week, from August 19 through 27 this year, consisting of various events such as the grand parade, baby shower, car show, pioneer luncheon, queen coronation and ondo.

​Various Festivities:

• The Nisei Week Parade takes place on the Sunday of Nisei Week. The parade features many varied participants from Southern California and Japan, including local high school marching bands, ondo dancing groups, martial art dojos, parade marshals (usually celebrities or community heroes), and Japanese and local politicians.
• U.S. 100th Infantry Battalion Exhibits 
• Nisei Week Car Show 
• Nisei Week Queen and Court 
• In the tradition of Japanese matsuris, traditional ondo dances are performed as part of the closing ceremony of Nisei Week's events.

Is everyone ready to celebrate Nisei week on the 19th with family and friends? If you are looking to celebrate Japanese American culture and history in Little Tokyo, LA, do not miss out on this awesome opportunity to connect with the Japanese American community, experience the culture and meet new people! It only comes once a year so mark your calendars now! 

Happy early Nisei Week everyone!

Cited Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/niseiweek
http://www.niseiweek.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisei_Week
http://www.rafu.com/2012/07/grand-opening-for-nisei-week/