Featuring: Prof. Masako Notoji (Tokyo University), Dr. Carol Gluck (Columbia University), Dr. Richard Wood (Yale University), Professor Nagayo Homma (Seijyo University), and moderated by E. Barry Keehn, President of the Japan America Society.

Panelists will examine the relationship between the US and Japan over the last 50 years, in particular, how each country impacts each other culturally, economically and socially. Co-sponsored by the National Museum, the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, Town Hall of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Affairs Council and UCLA Center for Japanese Studies.

Video screening, panel discussion and reception

Join the National Museum and CABE in the world premiere of three unique multi-lingual, educational videos that teach students about the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Videos include: The Bracelet (elementary school), Dear Miss Breed (middle school), and Interactions (high school), followed by panel discussions with the producers, directors, and teachers/writers and a reception. Admission is free.

• 1:00 - 2:30 pm English language screening and panel discussion
• 2:30 - 3:30 pm Reception
• 3:30 - 5:00 pm Spanish language screening and panel discussion

As part of the 2001 Taiko Conference, the National Museum is pleased to host a series of lectures, demonstrations and workshops. The first presentation will feature Mark Miyoshi, the founder and craftsman of Miyoshi Daiko. One of the reasons taiko has become so widespread is the American innovation of making drums out of wine-barrels. First created by L.A.'s own Kinnara Taiko in the late 60's, making taiko drums from wine barrels and cowhide has evolved into an artform. Join Mark Miyoshi, the premier taiko-maker in North America, in a rare Los Angeles appearance as he shares philosophies and techniques of his craft.

Please see June 29 for information.

This documentary features rare home movie footage of Sugimoto painting in Jerome concentration camp and the voice of Academy Award-nominated actor Mako. The panel discussion immediately following includes Director John Esaki, musician David Iwataki and Mako.

Join U.S.-Japan Creative Artists Exchange Fellows and award-winning authors Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and David Mura as they share their experiences in Japan and how it impacted their work. Ms. Houston, who co-authored the book and screenplay Farewell to Manzanar, will read from her forthcoming book, Fire Horse Woman and Mr. Mura will read from Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei (1991).

Video Premiere Screening and Panel Discussion in New York

Please see National Programs for more information

Join award-winning filmmaker Regge Life in a screening and discussion of Struggle and Success: The African American Experience in Japan, which is the first documentary to thoroughly examine the complex relationship of African Americans and Japanese.

Mr. Life first went to Japan as an Artist Fellow with the U.S. Japan Friendship Commission in 1990. At the end of his six-month fellowship, he began planning this documentary on African Americans and their experiences living in Japan.

The emotion surrounding the issue of the Japanese American draft resistance during World War II may be better understood and appreciated by joining us in confronting a controversy that time has not put to rest. A panel moderated by Professor Arthur Hansen that includes Frank Abe, producer of the film Conscience and the Constitution; Professor Eric Muller of the University of North Carolina School of Law, author of Free To Die For Their Country: The Japanese American Draft Resisters of World War II; and Frank Emi, Heart Mountain concentration camp internee and draft resisters supporter will offer their perspectives and research findings on this issue. A film showing of Conscience and the Constitution will precede the panel discussion, and at the conclusion of the program Professor Muller will sign copies of his newly published book.

Born Free and Equal, a collection of photographs taken by renowned photographer
Ansel Adams at the Manzanar concentration camp, was recently re-released in a new and complete edition in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066. Join us as Archie Miyatake, son of renowned photographer Toyo Miyatake, Sue Kunitomi Embrey, board member of the National Japanese American Historical Society in San Francisco, William H. Michael, Eastern California Museum Director and editor Wynne Benti discuss and explore the history behind Adams’ forgotten work. A Q&A session and book signing will follow the presentation.

Three expert panelists provide insight into the grassroots efforts of ordinary citizens to better relations between the U.S. and Japan in 1927. They also reveal efforts to preserve the surviving dolls and continuing relations started 75 years ago. The panel features Michiko Takaoka, director of the Japanese Cultural Center, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, Spokane, Washington; Rosie Skiles, Friendship Doll Researcher, Japanese American Doll Enthusiasts; and Dr. Sidney Gulick III, grandson of the initiator of the 1927 exchange and co-founder of Friendship Ambassador, Inc. Join us in learning more about this little-known legacy of past and current Friendship Doll exchanges on both sides of the Pacific.

1:30-2:30 pm English Language Panel Discussion
2:30-3:00 pm Book Signing
3:00-4:00 pm Japanese Language Presentation

The National Museum presents a panel discussion exploring issues raised by the exhibition Black Belt. Originally organized by the Studio Museum in Harlem and on view at SMMOA through February 12, Black Belt probes the interconnected effects of multiculturalism on popular culture and art practice. Panelists will include artists, scholars, and others who consider the impact of political movements, demographic shifts, and the fantastic idolatry of Bruce Lee on the complex history of co-existence between Asians and African Americans in 1970s Los Angeles.