FREE
The 2010 JANM exhibition, Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing from the Plantations of Hawai`i, was born from a gift by Barbara Kawakami to JANM’s permanent collection of beautiful plantation-era clothing. Kawakami started her formal studies of these textiles and clothing at the age of 53. Now at 100, she is still a noted author, historian, and storyteller who has dedicated much of her life to researching and sharing the untold stories of Issei women working on plantations in Hawai`i. Barbara Kawakami: A Textured Life was produced by the Watase Media Arts Center in conjunction with Textured Lives.
Join us for a discussion and Q&A on Kawakami’s research, storytelling, and legacy with Fay Toyama (Educator and Barbara Kawakami’s daughter), John Esaki (Executive Producer), and Dr. Akemi Kikumura Yano (Former JANM President and curator).
Barbara Kawakami: A Textured Life is available to stream starting July 1 on JANM’s YouTube Channel.
The JANM 30th Anniversary Digital Film Festival (JDFF) highlights works produced by the Emmy Award winning Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center through virtual screenings and live Q&A sessions with those involved with the films. This program is part of our 30th Anniversary Celebrations.
About the film:
Barbara Kawakami: A Textured Life (2010) is a portrait of Barbara Kawakami who─after growing up on a plantation and working for over three decades as a seamstress, and entering college for the first time at the age of 53─went on to uncover the lost history of Hawai`i’s early Japanese picture brides. The film was produced as part of the exhibition, Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing from the Plantations of Hawai`i.
Purchase the DVD, Textured Lives: Stories from the Plantations of Hawai`i, that contains this film and others at the JANM Store.
