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L.A.'S CONNECTION TO NAGOYA, OKINAWA MARKS
1999 NISEI WEEK PARADE

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Ancient Japanese Bridal Procession to Be Recreated

Nisei Week Court
Queen"s Contest
August 14th

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

Nisei Week's Official Website - http://www.niseiweek.org