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L.A.'s
Connection To Nagoya, Okinawa
Marks 1999 Nisei Week Parade
For
Events Calendar Click Here
Ancient Japanese Bridal Procession to Be Recreated
Los Angeles -- Two milestones in cultural relationships
will be reflected in the 1999 Nisei Week Parade, which will travel
through the streets of downtown Los Angeles 'Little Tokyo on Sunday,
August 15 from 4 p.m. Contingents from both Nagoya, celebrating
its 40th anniversary of its sister-city ties to Los Angeles, and Okinawa,
whose prefectural organization marks its 90th year, will contribute
additional color to the 59th Nisei Week Japanese Festival.
Making its debut performance outside of Japan will
be Haruhime Dochu, which will recreate the 1615 bridal procession
of Haruhime, whose marriage to the first lord of the Owari clan,
Tokugawa Yoshinao, marked a great period of power and prosperity
for Nagoya.
Haruhime and her female bodyguards, maids and samurai
warriors walked and traveled by horseback from the southern city
of Wakayama to Nagoya Castle, which was built in 1612. The Owari
clan, the foremost of the three lineages of the Tokugawa family,
resided in the Nagoya Castle until the late 1800s. Much of the castle
was destroyed during World War II, but organizers of the Haruhime
Dochu, the Honmaru Goten Forum, mobilized five years ago with hopes
of restoring the full structure.
In addition to Haruhime Dochu, Maruhachi Ondo,
a dance troupe, will also be making its second appearance from Nagoya.
Nagoya, Japan's fourth largest city and well known as an industrial
manufacturing center, and Los Angeles established a sister-city
relationship 40 years ago.
Two local dance groups -- Okinawa Geinobu and Ryukukoku
Matsuri Daiko -- on the other hand, will represent the vibrant Okinawan
immigrant community in Southern California. Its sponsoring
organization, Hokubei Okinawa Kenjinkai, celebrates its 90th anniversary
this month.
Madame Bando Mitsuhiro serves as this year's parade
choreographer. Wearing colorful kimono and moving to either
the beat of a giant taiko drum or recorded music, these dancers
exemplify the festival's spirit and longtime history. Other
local participating dance groups include Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai
Hojoen Kai, Hanayagi Tokuyae Kai, Fujima Chiseye Kai, Hanayagi Rokumine
Kai and Hanayagi Rokumie Kai. Individuals have also been practicing
weekly as part of the public ondo contingent.
Floats and musical bands also will be featured.
The Japanese American National Museum, which will be holding a special
program earlier that day for children, will also be participating
in the parade, which begins on Second Street, travels west to Los
Angeles and finally ends on First and Alameda. Youth-oriented
groups include the San Gabriel Valley Basketball Club with head
coach Lyle Honda and drum and bugle corps of Boy Scout Troop 12
and Koyasan Troop 379.
"Little Tokyo will be literally bursting with
activity," said Tim Itatani, chair of the 1999 Nisei Week Japanese
Festival. "Cultural exhibits and demonstrations will
be occurring at various surrounding venues. There will be activities
for small children, older youth, adults and seniors." Tea ceremony
and other demonstrations of Japanese art and culture will begin
on Saturday, August 14.
In addition, unique arts and crafts vendors will
be traveling as far as Colorado and Hawaii to take part in the Street
Arts Festival on San Pedro Street between Second and Third streets.
A highlight will be the Akita and Shiba Inu Dog Education show on
Sunday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Twenty-five Akitas
and Shibas, breeds native to Japan, will also be participating in
the parade.
The annual Taiko Gathering, funded by the L.A.
Cultural Affairs Department, will also be held on Sunday from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
Also scheduled in Little Tokyo on August 14 and 15 is the Little
Tokyo Service Center-organized Tofu Festival, serving unique tofu-inspired
dishes by area restaurants. Events, however, will not end that weekend.
Cultural exhibits and activities will continue
throughout the week, culminating on August 21 and 22 with the Nisei
Week Carnival, second weekend of the Streets Arts Festival, Book
Fair and Friends of Nisei Week Beer Garden. The highly acclaimed
documentary, "Children of the Camps," will be screened
on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Japan America Theater. Finally, the festival
will officially close with its annual Ondo on First Street between
Central and San Pedro streets on Sunday at 4 p.m.
-- Nisei Week release by Naomi Hirahara
and Diane Tanaka
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Nisei Week's Official Website - http://www.niseiweek.org
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