JCCH - GOKURO¯SAMA: Contemporary Photographs of the Nisei in Hawai'i - Kaimuki

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Kaimuki, Hawaii
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JCCH - GOKURO¯SAMA: Contemporary Photographs of the Nisei in Hawai'i
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Type: Exhibit Grand Opening
Date: Saturday - 6/16/2007
Time: 4pm
Location:
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i
Community Gallery
2454 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96826

For more information call (808) 945-7633
Cost: FREE

GOKURO¯SAMA: Contemporary Photographs of the Nisei in Hawai'i

HONOLULU-- Inspired by the hard work and sacrifice of the Nisei, or second generation of Japanese Americans in Hawai'i, Honolulu photographer Brian Y. Sato was determined to capture this slowly disappearing generation--who are nearing eighty-five years old or older--on black and white film. Starting in 2003, Sato photographed more than 70 Nisei from O'ahu and the other neighbor islands. Now, four years later, Sato is ready to debut his work at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH) in its newest exhibition, Gokur�sama: Contemporary Photographs of the Nisei in Hawai'i, at the grand opening on Saturday, June 16 at 4 p.m. in the JCCH Community Gallery. Tour with photographer on Saturday, July 14 at 10:30 a.m. Cost: Free Admission on Grand Opening Day-June 16 and Tour Day-July 14 only. (All other days: Admission is free for JCCH Members; $3 for Hawai'i residents; $5 for non-residents).

Open until August 3. Gallery hours: Tuesday -- Saturday, 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m. For more information, call the JCCH (808) 945-7633 or email info@jcch.com. Exhibit sponsored by Liam and Lori Tomoyasu McGee in honor of their Nisei parents, Maxine and the late Mervin Tomoyasu.

"I came to the realization that if it was not initiated and completed immediately, the opportunity to document the remaining Nisei generation would be lost forever," said Sato, a Yonsei (fourth generation Japanese American). "The Nisei population is aging, and I thought it would be a worthwhile endeavor to undertake before it was too late."

JCCH President/Executive Director Lenny Yajima Andrew explained the exhibit was a natural fit with JCCH's mission of sharing the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai'i.

"Brian Sato encapsulated these Nisei in a moment of their everyday lives: one gentleman is under his prized mikan (tangerine) tree at home, another is hanging out with her husband of more than 50 years and one is seen among his mochi making ingredients after a full day's work that started at 3 a.m.," said Andrew. "This exhibit was a wonderful way to communicate our thanks to this generation who have made a tremendous impact in our communities and our lives."

Using his older Fuji GX 680 camera, Sato started photographing Nisei friends and acquaintances in 2003. The photographer soon faced a major hurdle when it came to confirming other Nisei subjects.

"A lot of the Nisei, especially the women, refused me," Sato said. "You have to be tactful and persistent, I learned. Some of them eventually acquiesced. Most of them did not!"
Sato was invited into these Nisei's homes and into their local temples or community centers, where he photographed them and often recorded their oral histories, which will also be played in the JCCH exhibition.

"At the risk of stereotyping an entire ethnic generation, it occurs to me that it might not have been easy for these Nisei to agree to have their image captured and preserved for the public to view for generations to come," Sato said. "The people whom I met and photographed during this project have been very cooperative, if not very generous, in allowing me--in many cases, a perfect stranger--to pry into their past and record their image in perpetuity."

During his interactions with the various Nisei, Sato said he learned about their life experiences.
"I came to realize they did not have easy lives," said Sato. "They lived through very turbulent times. While barely out of their teen years, their lives were disrupted. They dealt with racism, financial ruin, dissolution of family. All this must have contributed in the formation of their character."

Sato hopes exhibit visitors will also be motivated to show their appreciation to the Nisei in their own lives.

"I would be pleased if visitors walk away with perhaps a different view of the Nisei--not merely as their ojiichans (grandfathers) and obaachans (grandmothers), but as role models of the finest kind," said Sato. "We need to all come to the realization that the Nisei represent a non-renewable resource, so to speak, that has to be tapped immediately if we are to benefit from the wisdom of their experiences before they are lost to us forever."

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai'i. Located in M�'ili'ili, the JCCH features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts d�j�, Seik�an Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop. For more information call (808) 945-7633, email info@jcch.com or visit the website at www.jcch.com.
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Kaimuki, Hawaii Event Calendar Item

JCCH - GOKURO¯SAMA: Contemporary Photographs of the Nisei in Hawai'i

Kaimuki, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item