A Family Day Festival is Coming to Nikkei Centre This Weekend!
Family Day celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities. Join us at Nikkei Centre for some food, games, movies and more.
Celebrate Family Day Weekend at Nikkei Centre
Come down to Nikkei Centre on Feb 15 & 16 to celebrate Family Day weekend with food, games, movies and more!
Family Day celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities. If you’re looking for something fun for the whole family to do on Family Day, look no further! Join us at Nikkei Centre for some food, games, movies and more. Keep scrolling to find out what’s planned!
Event Details
Family Day Weekend
Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16
10am-4pm
Nikkei Centre — 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC V5E 4M7
There’s lots to see, do and eat!
Check out the program guide below
On Both Days - February 15 & 16
Japanese Book Sale
February 15 & 16
10am - 4pm
Browse and discover thousands of Japanese books, manga, CDs and DVDs! The widest selection of used Japanese books in Metro Vancouver! There will be a small section of English books too! Come and enjoy browsing through an ample selection of books. Come and browse through tables of treasures! Please bring your own bags.
古本市
2020年最初のブックセール、お楽しみに
Food
February 15 & 16
10am - 4pm
Games
February 15 & 16
10am - 4pm
FREE
Have you ever experienced virtual reality? Well, now's your chance! Make sure to stop by the second floor landing, where Telus will be presenting virtual reality games for all ages to try out!! Come try your hand at other family-friendly games, too, and win some prizes!
ゲームコーナーバーチャルリアリティなどのゲームが楽しめます！
Japanese Culture Corner
February 15 & 16
10am - 4pm
FREE
Learn to play with a traditional Japanese toy, Kendama, colour and craft a fan (Uchiwa), or try making some beautiful flowers with Origami papers during the Family Festival! Fun for all ages
ニッポン庵
けん玉、うちわ作り、折り紙など日本的なアクティビティを体験できます。
Sand Art Workshop
February 15 & 16
10am - 11am
$20+ depending on the decorations used
Join us for this child-friendly craft workshop! Create your unique sand art creation with various decoration pieces that you like! During the workshop, you will be given a glass cup, which you will then fill up with colourful sand! Fun for all ages.
Register today to secure your spots and pay on site!
サンドアートワークショップ
カラフルな砂で自分だけの作品を作ってみませんか？好みのアレンジで楽しく参加できます。
Kamishibai Theatre
February 15 & 16
2pm - 4pm
FREE
Be inspired! Enjoy a Kamishibai, Japanese theatre-style storytelling, by team Earth Ojisan and learn how to be eco and earth-friendly. Feel free to come in anytime to try some hands-on activities during the open hours! The team Earth Ojisan will teach children at a young age (and adults!) to be environmentally aware, so that you can build lifelong habits that could potentially make a dramatic difference in the future of the earth.
These fun activities and resources are brought to you by team Earth Ojisan, inspired and adapted by the Japanese picture book, Earth Ojisan.
紙芝居
身近なことから変えていこう！かわいい絵が魅力のEARTHおじさんと学ぶ地球の問題。ご家族でどうぞ！
Saturday, February 15 Only
Chocolate Making Workshop
February 15
2pm - 4pm
$30+ (see below)
Popular local chocolatier Coconama will be sharing the art of chocolate-making in an exciting workshop ideal for all lovers of chocolate! This is your opportunity to gain a hands-on introduction to the chocolate-making experience. Coconama will guide participants through a step-by-step process, where you'll start with nothing but cacao beans and finish with your very own edible creation! This is a unique chance to learn how chocolate is made, and eat chocolate crafted by your own hands.
Learn a brief story about cacao beans, taste chocolate from different countries, and experience the art of chocolate making.
Special Family Day Rates:
$30 /per person or $50 /for two
$60 for a group/family of 3
Suitable for 6 and up
Reserve your spots today!
チョコレート作り
チョコレートってなにから作るの？チョコレートってどうやって作るの？そんな子どものなぜなぜに答えがでます！カカオ豆からチョコレートを作れるこのレアなチャンスをお見逃しなく！
Magic Show by Magic Joji!
February 15
1pm - 1:30pm
FREE
Don't forget to witness the incredible magic acts of local magician, Magic Joji! This special guest performance will only be held ONCE, Saturday at 1pm, so don't miss it!!
手品
人気ローカルマジシャン、マジックジョージのショーをお楽しみください！
Sunday, February 16 Only
“Modest Heroes” Anime Movie Screening
February 16
1:30pm / 2:30pm / 3:30pm
PG | Animation, Adventure, Family | August 2018 (Japan)Studio Ponoc, the new animation studio founded by two-time Academy Award®-nominee Yoshiaki Nishimura (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There) and featuring many artists from the venerable Studio Ghibli, made an immediate splash with their acclaimed debut film Mary and The Witch’s Flower, a 2017 Animation is Film selection. The studio returns to the festival this year with Modest Heroes, an ambitious collection of three thrilling tales created by some of the greatest talents working in Japanese animation today.
Click here for more screening information!
小さな英雄 -カニとタマゴと透明人間ファミリーデイの期間、日系センターで映画が無料で楽しめます！スタジオジブリでも活躍した監督たちによるショートフィルムをお楽しみください。
Tea Class Free Demo
February 16
12pm / 1pm / 2pm
Join us for a free Valentine's-themed demonstration of our new Japanese cultural program for kids, tea ceremony. Tea ceremony combines many aspects of Japanese culture into a single experience: from etiquette to art appreciation, attention to seasons, traditional sweets, and of course matcha tea. In this class, beginning in April, kids ages 6-8 will learn the basics of the "chado" philosophy, or the "way of tea". Parents are encouraged to observe the class, and may enjoy matcha while observing for a small additional fee. The demonstration is free for all kids and their families!
茶道クラスデモンストレーション
4月から始まる新キッズ茶道クラスに先立ち、デモンストレーションが開催されます。どなたでも参加できます！
Nikkei Centre Volunteers Go Bowling!
More social gatherings for Nikkei Centre volunteers are coming this year.
Nikkei Centre Volunteers Go Bowling!
More social gatherings for Nikkei Centre volunteers are coming this year
Last week, Nikkei Centre volunteers took to the nearby bowling alley and blew everyone away with their skills!
Thank you to everyone who came out, ate pizza, won prizes, and made it an unforgettable night. We appreciate everything you do, and could not think of a better way to show it! Make sure to keep an eye out for future volunteer socials!
Become a Volunteer
If you wish to become a part of our wonderful volunteer team and join events such as these in the future, please fill out our online application form!
TSUNAGU: Intergenerational Conversations
Be part of the conversation on Feb. 15! Tsunagu will open up a conversation between generations.
TSUNAGU: Intergenerational Conversations
Tsunagu will open up a conversation between generations. “Tsunagu” means to connect like a bridge to our shared history and experiences.
The mass incarceration of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War had an incalculable impact on our community and on the lives of all of those imprisoned. Most of the Issei who lost their life work are gone, but many Nisei who experienced the incarceration as children, youth and young adults are still often reluctant to share their experiences. The past is the past. Just look to the future. But what impact has this silence about their family history had on them, on Sansei, Yonsei and Gosei and on our community?
As this session is an intergenerational conversation, it is not so much a re-telling of family history, as it is about how each family TALKED about (or didn’t talk about) their history, especially with respect to the wartime uprooting and incarceration. And how they talked about it WITHIN the family, not so much to outsiders.
Event Details
Date/Time: Saturday, February 15, 2020 10 am - 4 pm
Fee: $25 plus tax and fees — Includes lunch and refreshments
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration closes February 8.
Tsunagu will open with a presentation by Dr. Karen Kobayashi, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences, a Professor in the Department of Sociology, and a Research Affiliate at the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at the University of Victoria. She has published widely in the areas of family and intergenerational relationships, ethnicity and immigration, dementia and personhood, and health and social care. Karen is a Sansei who was born and raised in Toronto. Her grandparents and parents were interned in Lemon Creek and Bay Farm in the Slocan Valley. Karen has volunteered and worked for several Nikkei community organizations.
Karen's presentation will be followed by three moderated intergenerational conversations. Family panelists include Mary and Landon Kitagawa, Mike and Natsuki Abe, and Kevin and Kayla Isomura.
After a lunch break, we will show a short film by Connie Kadota and Lucy Komori about the experiences of Sansei and Yonsei . We'll then divide into table groups. As this session is an intergenerational conversation, it is not so much a re-telling of family history, as it is about how each family TALKED about (or didn’t talk about) their history, especially with respect to the wartime uprooting and incarceration. And how they talked about it WITHIN the family, not so much to outsiders.
Each table group will have a facilitator and note taker to capture the conversations. We'll regroup at the end and share highlights of discussions.
Tsunagu is programmed by Connie Kadota and Lucy Komori in collaboration with the Nikkei National Museum.
Donate to this Volunteer-Run Event
This event is run by volunteers with no project funding. Please consider donating to support this event! Click on the donate button below, and select the 'Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre', and include a note for your donation to go towards the Tsunagu event. Thank you!
Nikkei Mubi Film Screening: Japanese Canadian Home Movies digitized from the 1930s-70s
The Nikkei National Museum has digitized over 40 historical home movies from the 1930s to 70s from its moving image collection. See them on February 8!
Nikkei Mubi: A Film Screening of Japanese Canadian Home Movies Digitized from the 1930s-70s
The Nikkei National Museum has digitized over 40 historical home movies from its moving image collection.
These fragile 16mm, 8mm and Super 8 films can now be safely placed in long term storage, and its digitized versions will soon be available online. At this screening, get a glimpse into the personal and public lives of Japanese Canadians from the 1930s to the 1970s on the west coast, throughout Canada, and abroad. Nikkei Mubi presents a unique perspective on Canadian history highlighting generations of the Japanese Canadian community and their resilience in a time of discrimination. The conservation and digitization of these films was made possible with support from Library Archives Canada.
screening details
When: February 8, 2020 at 2:00-3:30pm
Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Fee: $5 | $4 seniors | free for NNMCC members & students
includes museum admission
Tickets: Online | Tel 604.777.7000 ext.109 (Tue-Sat)
The Community Awards Dinner: An Evening of Thanks
Thank you to all who joined us at the Nikkei Place Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Nikkei Centre. In the spirit of Thanksgiving…
The Community Awards Dinner: An Evening of Thanks
Honouring Community Spirit
Thank you to all who joined us at the Nikkei Place Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Nikkei Centre. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we gathered with community leaders and supporters to honour the legacy of the Vancouver Asahi baseball team (1914-1941), and their strength, resilience and dedication, exemplified by this year’s awardees:
Outstanding Community Service: Frank Kamiya
Japanese Culture: Nikkei Book Committee
Japanese Canadian History Preservation & Education:
Highway Legacy Signage Committee
Congratulations to all of the awardees, and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the Nikkei community in Canada, and the work you continue to do, to enrich the cultural landscape of Canada.
We wish to express our utmost gratitude for the support and generosity the NNMCC received at this year’s event. All proceeds sustain our ongoing work to honour, preserve, and share Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian history and heritage for a better Canada.
Gordon Kadota's Life Remembered
Gordon was a great story teller and often started by saying “It’s a long story”. On Sunday, September 22, a large number of the Nikkei community gathered at Nikkei Place to celebrate the life of our dear friend…
Gordon Kadota's Life Remembered
His life, leadership, and lasting legacy in the Japanese Canadian community will never be forgotten.
Gordon was a great story teller and often started by saying “It’s a long story”. On Sunday, September 22, a large number of the Nikkei community gathered at Nikkei Place to celebrate the life of our dear friend and longtime supporter Gordon Kadota, and remember his story.
Gordon was born on January 15, 1933 in New Westminster, B.C., the 8th child of Kantaro and Shigeno (nee Kunita) Kadota. At the age of 7 he was taken to Japan for a visit, but the outbreak of World War II prevented his return to Canada. He spent 12 years in Japan, graduating from Kwansei Gakuin University High School and later returned to Canada in 1952.
“Gordon always struck me as unusual among JCs. As a Nisei who was trapped in Japan during the war and was educated there, but who returned to Canada as a young man, he had the ability to navigate both worlds with ease. He himself carried values from both Japan and Canada, and he was able to serve as a bridge between cultures and generations. He was at once blunt and diplomatic, sometimes at the same time, and he had a strong sense of duty to community, while never seeking credit for himself. As the second editor of The Bulletin, he set a tone and a standard that hopefully carries through to this day.”
—John Endo Greenaway
Editor, The Bulletin
Beginning in the mid-1950’s, he volunteered and became a leader in the Japanese Canadian community, serving both in organizations at the local and national levels. Over the years, Gordon received numerous awards for his work in the Japanese Canadian community, in business and tourism and the betterment of relations between Japan and Canada.
In 2016, Gordon received Nikkei Place Foundation’s Thomas Shoyama Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2000, his dream of creating a gathering place for the Japanese-Canadian community was realized with the building of Nikkei Place in Burnaby, B.C.
“Gordon was a very unique man — he championed causes and worked with everyone. Like so many great leaders, he was patient and he worked tirelessly to prove that Nikkei Place was a dream that we needed to pursue.”
— Robert Banno
President, NPF
He had a big heart, kind words and a sense of humour that made it possible for him to continue for so many years in public service.
“Gordon Kadota will be remembered for his important work on behalf of the Japanese Canadian community. We will also remember his kindness, good humour and generosity.”
—Lorene Oikawa
President, NAJC
This Year's Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner is on October 12th
Join us for the 9th Annual Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner on October 12 at Nikkei Centre — an event that recognizes our community leaders. Congratulations to this year’s awardees…
An Evening to Recognize Our Community Leaders
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Nikkei Centre
Join us for the 9th Annual Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner — an event that brings together philanthropists, business leaders, and supporters from the Nikkei community to recognize, congratulate and thank the extraordinary effort of Nikkei Place community leaders for their selfless contributions to building a strong and vibrant community.
EVERY GIFT RAISED for the Community Awards + Fundraising Dinner provides Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre with funding to educate and connect people to community and the history, heritage, and culture of Japanese Canadians.
Visit the event website for full event details and updates.
Tickets + Sponsorship
Individual: $130 per person* | Table of 10: $1300
To purchase tickets contact Nikkei Centre at 604.777.7000.
*A portion of each ticket is tax receiptable. Amount to be determined post-event.
To become a sponsor or discuss details, please contact Roger Lemire at rlemire@nikkeiplace.org or 604.777.7000 Ext. 105.
The Vancouver Asahi Spirit of Strength + Resilience
We Remember…
100 years ago in August, the Vancouver Asahi baseball team succeeded in winning their first pennant. Started in 1914, the team took some time to hone their skills, but with their signature “brainball” developed in the 1920s, won four Terminal League Championships between 1926 – 1933, a triple championship in 1938, and five consecutive Pacific Northwest Championships including their final win in 1941. They connected communities and won fans across ethnic divides. Although disbanded, divided, and dispersed in 1942 with the events of the Second World War, wherever an Asahi player was sent, baseball thrived, helping to boost morale in the darkest of times.
WE REMEMBER that team spirit, pride in being Japanese Canadian, and the coming together of community as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of this team’s first major win, and honour this year’s Community Awards Dinner recipients.
Awardees
All awardees demonstrate tireless efforts in honouring, preserving, and sharing Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian history and heritage for a better Canada.
Japanese Canadian History and Preservation Award
75th Anniversary Nikkei Legacy Signage Project Committee
Outstanding Community Service Award
Frank Kamiya
Japanese Culture Award
Nikkei Book Sale Committee
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Venue: Nikkei Centre - 6688 Southoaks Crescent • Burnaby, BC
Tickets: $130 per person* | Table of 10: $1,300
To purchase tickets contact Nikkei Centre at 604.777.7000
*A portion of each ticket is tax receiptable. Amount to be determined post-event.
Visit the event website for full details and updates:
Nikkei Matsuri: Two Days of Family-Friendly Cultural Festivities
Join in on the festivities at Nikkei Matsuri on Sat. August 31 + Sun. Sept 1! Proceeds support Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Nikkei Matsuri is One of the Largest Japanese Festivals in Canada!
It brings an authentic family-friendly “Matsuri” (festival) experience to Burnaby every summer at Nikkei Centre over the Labour Day weekend.
Hosted by the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC), this two-day festival on August 31 and September 1 has something for everyone, and aims to showcase the pride of Japanese culture here in Canada.
A matsuri (festival) has long been part of the cultural landscape in Japan. Many nikkei communities across North America and around the world carefully preserve and follow this tradition. Nikkei Matsuri provides a platform to celebrate Japanese culture through food, music, entertainment, games, and more.
The inaugural Nikkei Matsuri was held in 2013, and was originally organized by Nikkei Place Foundation, as a fundraiser for the NNMCC. The following summer, the organizing was handed over to the NNMCC, and has since become one of the biggest fundraising events of the year! All net proceeds benefit the NNMCC's cultural and community programs, educational outreach, and museum.
There’s plenty to see, do, and eat at Nikkei Matsuri!
Come join the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre over the Labour Day weekend to be immersed in an authentic Japanese festival in your very own community.
Enjoy delicious food offerings like manju, takoyaki, and ramen from local vendors.
Join in on the Matsuri Star Power: Spotlight Nikkei panel, and hear from Nikkei film and TV stars Tamlyn Tomita, Kevan Ohtsji, and Jennifer Spence.
Take in performances like taiko drumming and bon-odori dancing in the garden.
Play games and win prizes in the Games Zone!
See some amazing amateur talent at the Matsuri Star Talent Show in the event’s hall.
These are only some of the things to look forward to at the festival this year! Find out more at nikkeimatsuri.ca.
Get involved
If you are interested in getting involved, consider supporting Nikkei Matsuri as a sponsor or donor! You can have the chance to get your company or name showcased on the Lantern “Chochin” Wall display during the festival. Make a personal donation to Nikkei Matsuri and receive a charitable tax receipt. Or, bring your company on as an event sponsor and enjoy additional benefits. For more information about sponsorship or donations, contact Roger Lemire at rlemire@nikkeiplace.org.
You can also get involved with Nikkei Matsuri by joining the volunteer team!
Event Details
Nikkei Matsuri Family Festival
When: Sat. Aug 31 + Sun. Sept 1 | 11:00am — 7:00pm
Where: Nikkei Centre
Volunteer at Nikkei Matsuri on Aug 31 + Sept 1!
Nikkei Matsuri festival needs YOU! Make new friends, be part of a team, and support your community!
Nikkei Matsuri festival needs YOU!
What is Nikkei Matsuri?
Nikkei Matsuri is a 2-day authentic Japanese festival filled with family friendly entertainment, food, games and more. All proceeds support Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Volunteering at Nikkei Matsuri
The Nikkei Matsuri festival counts on a team of volunteers to help make everything run smoothly, and enjoyable for all festival goers. Volunteering your time at Nikkei Matsuri means making new friends, being part of a team, and supporting your community! Be a part of a family-friendly event that celebrates the significance of Japanese immigrants’ contribution to the Nikkei community.
We invite you to get involved, and choose to help out in the area that interests you most:
Event Set-Up & Tear-Down
Food Services
Workshops
Games
Parking
Merchandise
Greeters & Information
Registration & Tickets
Stage Assistants
...and more!
Ready to sign up? Fill out the information requested through our volunteer application form and we’ll be in touch once the Volunteer Schedule is available! Deadline to register is Friday, August 16th, 2019.
For questions please contact volunteer.nikkeimatsuri@gmail.com
Free Admission on July 20: Come See the New Nikkei National Museum!
Come visit the new Nikkei National Museum, and the new Karasawa Museum exhibit space with an inaugural exhibit called “Nikkei 日系”.
The Nikkei National Museum Re-Opens on July 20, and Celebrates with Free Admission
Mark Your Calendars! Free for one day only, on July 20.
Come visit the new Nikkei National Museum, and the new Karasawa Museum exhibit space with an inaugural exhibit called “Nikkei 日系”. This ambitious exhibit will elucidate milestone events of our community’s history in a non-linear and intersectional way.
The Opening Reception will be on Saturday July 20, 2019, at 1:30 – 5:00pm. On this day, everyone is welcome as our guest. Regular admission is $5 or free with NNMCC membership. Please consider becoming a NNMCC member for future free access to the gallery, complimentary admission to all NNMCC events, and discounts in the museum shop.
Featuring a New Core Exhibit:
Nikkei 日系
Pronunciation: nee-kay
Literal translation: of Japanese ancestry
Definition: anyone with one or more ancestors from Japan, and/or anyone who self-identifies as Nikkei (XI COPANI Eleventh Pan-American Nikkei Conference 2001).
The term Nikkei originated in Japan during the Meiji imperial restoration, beginning in 1868, to identify Japanese immigrants and their descendants residing in foreign countries. Today, it is widely used within the Japanese diaspora worldwide but often requires explanation outside of Japan where the label is most relevant.
More than 25 individual and family stories, accompanied by rare and previously inaccessible personal belongings from the community, give evidence to lived experience of Nikkei in Canada. Discover unique stories of arrival, heroism in the face of racism, the resilience of community, and the experience of generations through the intersections of migration, racism, identity, and belonging.
The core exhibit promises, over time, to rotate through a repository of over 30,000 photographs, 35 metres of textual records, 500 oral history recordings, 100 film reels, and over 2500 artefacts and artworks, which continues to grow with the tireless efforts of our archive and collections team.
2019 Exhibit Programs*:
July 20 - Opening of Charles H. Kadota Resource Centre from noon
July 20 - Opening of new Karasawa exhibit space from 1:30pm
Aug 24 - Film screening from 2pm of The Vancouver Asahi – 2014 directed by Yuya Ishii, starring Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kazuya Kamenashi, Ryo Katsuji, Yuske Kamiji, Sosuke Ikematsu, Koichi Sato. Running time 133 minutes.
Aug 31/Sept 1 - Gallery tours during Nikkei Matsuri
Oct 8 – 11 - Alberta Sugar Beets Bus Tour
Oct 17 – Nov 2 - Hold These Truths, Cultch Historic Theatre
Directed by Lisa Rothe, starring Joel de la Fuente, exec produced by Tamlyn Tomita
www.holdthesetruths.infoDec 14 - Nikkei Christmas Boutique
*Programs are subject to change. Please check centre.nikkeiplace.org for details and updates.
2020 plans include an inter-generational dialogue, art making, preserving photos, and genealogy workshops.