Bulletin/Geppo February 2023

GVJCCA

A Journal of Japanese Canadian Community, History & Culture

The Bulletin www.jccabulletin-geppo.ca

SSN 1182-0225

v.65 No.2

February 2023

Circulation: 4,100

Canada Post Agreement Number 400-50782

The Bulletin/Geppo is published monthly by the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association (GVJCCA).

Managing Editor

John Endo Greenaway john@bigwavedesign.net

Japanese Editors

Kaori Kasai

Asuka Nishiyama editor.geppo@gmail.com

Advertising Manager

Anne Jew annejew@telus.net

Distribution Manager

Michael Tora Speier

Administrative Assistant

Mitsuyo Okamoto

JCCA Board Of Directors

Cary Sakiyama President

Peter Wallace Vice President

Wendy Matsubuchi Secretary

Ted Takahashi Treasurer

Ron Nishimura Director

April Shimizu Director

May Hamanishi Director

Akira Imai Director

Rika Ando Director

Judy Hanazawa Director

Liz Nunoda Director

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Cover Story

Submission Deadline:

March 2023 issue: February 18, 2023

JCCA Office: gvjcca@gmail.com

English Editor: editor@bigwavedesign.net

Japanese Editor: editor.geppo@gmail.com

GVJCCA

@bulletin_geppo

GVJCCA MMIWG2S meeting with Senator Michele Audette January 29. See page 7.

Montage by John Endo Greenaway.

PILLAR: EDUCATION

The Sixfold framework originally approved by the NAJC BC Redress project, the NAJC executine board, and the BC Government, is now implemented through JCLS and includes anti-racism (non-monetary, involving acknowledgment); seniors' health & wellness; heritage; community & culture; monument; and education.

As part of the Education pillar, a team of BC-based educators have been brought on board to help design, develop, and build a brand-new digital learning hub dedicated to teaching Japanese Canadian history.

The Teacher Resources Committee is composed of 18 BC-based teachers, many with Nikkei heritage, from the K – 12 education sector who will serve on a two – three year contract. Project Director Mike Perry-Whittingham will lead the cohort in the creation of these educational resources.

The Teaching Resources Committee was created with a core advisory committee of Masako Fukawa, Greg Miyanaga, Vivian Wakabayashi Rygnestad, and Connie Kadota

To keep up to date on BC Legacies initiatives, visit jclegacies.com/contact and sign up for our eNewsletter

jclegacies.com

We acknowledge our elders past and present whom we honour with these legacy initiatives

Connie Kadota

Greg Miyanaga

Masako Fukawa

Vivian Wakabayashi Rygnestad

Mike Perry-Whittingham

photo: Susanne Tabata

Meet the Teacher Team!

Nicholas Allan

I teach primary in the Vancouver School District. My background is in journalism. I enjoy researching history and creating hands-on lesson connections. I love being outdoors, breathing in fresh air, and kayaking with my wife.

Dominique Bautista

Dominique (she/her) is a secondary school humanities educator from Richmond who is humbled to be part of the JCL teacher working cluster. She is excited to learn from and collaborate with her colleagues and the JC community on this project, and to continue to find ways to advocate for the teaching and learning of Japanese Canadian

Sachia Hussey

My name is Sachia (Kozuki) Hussey and I am an elementary TeacherLibrarian in Penticton (SD67). I enjoy living in the beautiful Okanagan with my husband and our three boys. We spend a lot of time in the hockey rinks and outside in our backyard! I am very excited to be a part of an important project for both personal and professional reasons.

Debbie Jiang

Debbie is a K-9 Support Teacher and Field Trip Coordinator for Heritage Christian Online School. Originally from Ottawa, Debbie worked for the Library of Parliament creating classroom resources as well as at Library and Archives Canada as the national coordinator. For fun, Debbie traces Chinese and Japanese Canadian genealogy and is a freelance writer for Canada’s History Society’s Kayak

My name is Makiko Johnston. I am an Issei Japanese Canadian from Duncan, BC. I am a grade 5 teacher at Maple Bay Elementary School (SD79

Larissa is a yonsei. She loves exploring history and social justice with her 5th-

to honour our apologies for historical wrongs by remembering.

English at Point Grey Secondary in Vancouver. I teach and lead the Point Grey Mini School program which is a district enriched education program.

I’m a sansei originally from Kelowna, whose family has roots in Port Edward and Steveston. The family was interned in Greenwood and Carmi.

I am proud of being born and raised in the Stampede Capital of BC - Williams Lake, BC! I was a competitive figure skater and soccer player growing up, studied then taught in Japan, then taught in Quesnel, Williams Lake, Vancouver, and Coquitlam School Districts. I taught high school for 15 years, middle school for 3,

Tami Lyon

Tami is currently Head of English and Teacher/Librarian at Collingwood School's Morven Campus. Tami has extensive experience in curriculum design across the English Language Arts, and this project is a vital link to her Japanese Canadian roots. For Tami, this is a passion project; it is an incredible opportunity to work with a team of teachers equally passionate about bringing to life Japanese Canadian history and its legacy.

Melanie Miki

Melanie Miki MA, MEd is a registered clinical counsellor and special education teacher with over 28 years’ experience in elementary and secondary education with the Surrey School District. Melanie is an instructor and course writer for Queens University. She operates a private practice in counselling and educational consulting.

Kaitlin Minato

Kaitlin (she/her) is an English high school teacher who lives and learns on the unceded territory of the hən q əmin əm language-speaking peoples. As an advocate for diverse voices and modes of expression in the classroom, she looks forward to bringing to light various narratives of Japanese-Canadian history. Kaitlin is a yonsei Japanese-Canadian, and granddaughter to internment survivors on maternal and paternal sides.

Tamiko Nicholson

Tamiko Nicholson has worked with students ages five to 75 in a variety of settings and countries, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Mika Phillips

I am currently working in a middle school in the Okanagan school district as a learning assistance teacher. have been teaching for over ten years and have experience both as a classroom and learning support teacher. I am excited to have the opportunity to work on this initiative to create a resource for my colleagues and students. As a mother of two young children, I value the importance of understanding our Japanese history and family roots in shaping their identities.

Karen Reid

I am honoured to be working with a group of talented BC teachers and the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.

Tetsuro Shigematsu

A former writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes , Tetsuro became the first person-of-colour to host a daily national radio program in Canada. His theatrical solo-work Empire of the Son was described by theatre critic Colin Thomas as, “one of the best shows ever to come out of Vancouver. Ever.” His other solo-work, 1 Hour Photo, was named as a finalist for the 2019 Governor General's Award for Drama.

Carole Wilson

I recently retired as a teacher and teacher-librarian in the Richmond School District. I am honoured to be part of this worthy project.

Meet the JCL Team: Mika Kobayashi Embury

JC Legacies Project Coordinator Mika Kobayashi Embury is the newest member of the team. A Yonsei, she was born and raised in North Vancouver and she graduated from the University of Toronto in 2020, majoring in French language with a minor in human geography and history. For the past two years she has worked as the People and Culture Coordinator and Community Programming Manager at the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall. Mika is a member of Powell Street Festival Society's Outreach and Advocacy Committee.

The opening sentence of the JC Legacies website states, “Investing in community healing is ultimately a hopeful act, looking to the future of our community as much as acknowledging and commemorating our past.” Not to put any pressure on you, but you represent that hopeful future, while tied to our community’s past through your family. Can you tell me about your family’s history in Canada?

The Japanese side of my family has been in Canada for many, many years. My grandmother’s family was interned in New Denver and my grandfather’s family narrowly escaped the “evacuation” order, moving from Vancouver to near Salmon Arm in mid 1942. My great-grandparents stayed in New Denver after the war, while my grandfather’s side relocated to Kamloops to start anew and a large portion of the family continues to live there today. My mother left Kamloops and relocated to Vancouver in her 20s.

What have you learned through your work at the Vancouver Japanese Language School and sitting on PSF Outreach and Advocacy Committee?

Through my work at VJLS-JH, I learned more about Japanese Canadian history and the historical significance of the Powell Street area more than I ever thought I would. I feel incredibly in touch with my heritage and my family history every day. I was also exposed to many Japanese cultural events through the School. Being in this space and realm of work was really an incredibly powerful experience and has inspired me to continue to involve myself within the community. My time with the Outreach and Advocacy has been great. It’s been a really fulfilling and unique way to meet other Japanese Canadians and participate within Downtown Eastside community-building efforts.

I imagine stepping into this new role on Japanese Canadian Legacies has been a steep learning curve. What has been the biggest challenge, and has anything surprised you about doing this work?

I think the biggest change and adjustment is the scale of which I am working with Japanese Canadian organizations. Through my previous position at VJLS-JH, I was mostly exposed to JC organizations and people within the Metro Vancouver area. This new role exposes me to the greater community across the country, which is really exciting and involves a whole new network to collaborate with. Leveling up!

What would you say to other young people who are interested in exploring their heritage, whatever that heritage may be?

If you have the opportunity, it really is a privilege to hear oral histories and stories from your family members and elders!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I’m very excited and grateful to step into this position. Looking forward to meeting a variety of people across the country through my work with the JCLS!

TO:

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett: carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca

The Honourable Marc Miller: marc.miller@parl.gc.ca

Senator Michele Audette: Michele.Audette@sen.parl.gc.ca

Premier of British Columbia David Eby: premier@gov.bc.ca

Member of the Legislative Assembly of BC, Melanie Mark: Melanie.Mark.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Mayor Ken Sim, City of Vancouver: ken.sim@vancouver.ca

January 26, 2023

Re: Urgent follow up needed concerning Calls for Justice in the Final Report of the Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual people.

Dear Government Leaders for Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver:

With respectful acknowledgment and appreciation for the opportunity to live, work and write to you on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh Peoples, this letter is from the Board of the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association (GVJCCA).

We are writing to inform you that in December 2022, the Board of the GVJCCA passed a motion that we, as a representative organization of the Japanese Canadian community, will outreach and offer allyship with Indigenous communities and organizations who are urgently calling for governments at all levels to deliver timely effective follow up to the 231 Calls for Justice contained within the 2019 Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as well as the National Action Plan of 2021.

The GVJCCA stands in solidarity with the Indigenous community and its MMIWG2S survivors, families, members who are 2 spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual – who express grave concern that not enough has been done, and urgent action is still needed by all governments, organizations, and communities across Canada to end the ongoing grievous loss of loved ones and continuing lethal violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

There must be visible and timely progress in response to the Calls for Justice. Furthermore, families and survivors who should be at the heart of the implementation of the Calls for Justice, must be regularly informed about progress and ongoing initiatives.

We stand with indigenous communities who say there can not be further delay regarding follow up to Calls for Justice 1.7 and 1.10.

Call for Justice 1.7 refers to the establishment of an independent National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson, by all governments, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, with authority in all jurisdictions, along with a National indigenous and Human Rights Tribunal. Call for Justice 1.10 refers to the establishment of an independent mechanism with authority and oversight responsibility to monitor the progress of response actions to the calls for justice. With support from member of the MMIWG2S Advisory, longtime Vancouver Downtown Eastside resident, human rights advocate and artist, Gul-Giit-Jaad, Skundaal Bernie Williams, and other area Indigenous activists, we are informing you the voice of the GVJCCA community must be added to these calls. Time is of the essence. It is unacceptable that all continue to witness the ongoing MMIWG2S heartbreak regarding the loss of their loved ones.

As 2023, the Year of the Rabbit begins, we stand in solidarity with the Indigenous community in their urgent search for a right, good and timely outcome to their calls and will await your response. Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Cary Sakiyama President, Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association (GVJCCA)

GVJCCA MMIWG2S MEETING WITH SENATOR MICHELE AUDETTE JANUARY 29

On Thursday, January 26, 2023 this letter was sent to government representatives from GVJCCA President Cary Sakiyama which expressed our solidarity with Indigenous peoples and urged meaningful, timely follow up to calls for justice concerning Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and 2 Spirit community members(MMIWG2S). Senator Michele Audette who was a Commissioner for the MMIWG2S Inquiry, was a key recipient of the GVJCCA letter.

On January 29, 2023 an in person meeting with Senator Audette took place and was attended by DTES community workers, activists and GVJCCA representatives Cary Sakiyama, Grace Thomson and Judy Hanazawa along with Kathy Shimizu who works directly in the DTES neighbourhood. The meeting was hosted by Watari, a grass roots agency serving youth and families (many of whom are urban Indigenous residents), migrant workers and other neighbourhood residents. With community Elders also in attendance, the meeting was chaired by longtime MMIWG2S and DTES activist and Watari worker, Skundaal Bernie Williams.

Senator Audette and all in attendance had an in-depth discussion about the MMIWG2S calls, dire neighbourhood challenges as well as positive developments. Senator Audette was appreciative of our JC outreach and was happy to know our community better. All discussed the way MMIWG2S calls for justice intersect with the Truth and Reconciliation calls for action and on the ground, visible challenges in the neghbourhood where Watari services are so desperately needed. Those at this meeting spoke of Indigenous women who were at risk or missing at this time. Community agencies like Watari are doing a real and needed support service and

yet they are insecure regarding their working space from where their food supplies are warehoused and services are delivered. Urgent action and support from all levels of government are needed to answer the urgent MMIWG2S calls and to sustain Watari and the incredibly important services this agency delivers.

Senator Audette was receptive and pleased with the show of allyship from the Japanese Canadian community and acknowledged letters from the GVJCCA as well as the NAJC. MLA Melanie Mark who also received the GVJCCA letter was in attendance for part of the meeting and committed to following up on the letter in the coming week.

Senator Audette holds the MMIWG2S file for the Senate and is especially interested in activating Calls 1.7 and 1.10. It was a very positive and encouraging meeting where our outreach about the MMIWG2S calls appear as a sign of hope about community allyships which can make a difference. The opportunity for GVJCCA representatives to engage in this meaningful discussion with Senator Audette, MLA Melanie Mark and all in attendance at the meeting regarding the MMIWG2S Calls for Justice was very much appreciated.

Meets Vol.68

Photos by Sleepless Kao

Asuka Nishiyama – New Geppo Editor

by Sleepless Kao

At the end of December 2022, Kazuho, who worked with me as an editor at The Bulletin/Geppo for the past eight years, left the magazine as she moved to New York to chase her dream. The pinch hitter is Asuka, who could be my daughter’s age if I had one. Her Instagram username is ASUKA chan (chan is added at the end of a first name in Japan to describe small girl). My first impression of her is a cute girl whose dream is to make people happy with knitting.

We specified many qualifications/skills on the Intern job description posted in The Bulletin (such as ENG-JAP bilingual, Adobe Photoshop/ InDesign proficiency etc), and I myself would have been hesitant to send in an application. We received wonderful resumes from applicants, as if they were applying to a New York-based magazine. They were perfect. Unfortunately, the resumes arrived after the deadline and we are deeply sorry and thankful to those who applied.

Asuka and I met at a store in Gastown where my artwork is sold. When I asked her if she was interested in the intern job for the magazine, she said “YES!”right away.

From Hyogo prefecture in Japan, Asuka moved to Canada after graduating from University of Foreign Studies and studied Design at Blanche Macdonald.

Asuka “I graduated from school and now I am working with a co-op VISA. I am thinking to change to a working holiday VISA later and eventually get a PR card.”

Kao “Why did you come to Canada?”

Asuka “I wanted to focus on knitting…”

When you look at her Instagram, you can tell her knitting skill is at a professional level.

Asuka “In Japan, I thought I may not be able to focus on knitting as I may be swayed by others. Because of COVID, it was hard to study abroad or go working holiday but Canada was open so I chose here.”

As we talked, I learned that she did not have a laptop. I was quite worried if Asuka could really help editing the magazine, but I chose her just because of her positive attitude!

I was like, “You don’t have a laptop!?”, but then she said, “I will get one!” Then a week later she bought a MacBook. My instinct told me to go with her.

Kao “You don’t know Adobe!? (essential software to edit magazines)”

Asuka “I will get it!”

Then she bought the not-so-cheap software without hesitation. However, I was still worried, as she had never used Photoshop or InDesign…but here came Kazuho. She trained Asuka for two months. Although somedays Asuka was struggling with InDesign nightly, she didn’t show any tiredness, and told me, “I want to use Illustrator and Photoshop next. Could you teach me if I help with the editing?” She is easygoing but also stubborn and hardworking.

At the meeting, she told me her vision for The Bulletin.

Asuka “ The Bulletin/Geppo tells many stories of Japanese Canadian history which I am not familiar with. I would like to create content for people who are in my generation and come from Japan, so they can learn about those stories. I want to change the impression of the history of Japanese Canadians and deliver the message to young people.”

As she is passionate about making people happy with knitting, she will have a column about knitting in The Bulletin from February issue. There will be a picture of knitting work, how to knit instruction and QR code which you can access online. She will be busy making a video about ‘Enjoy learning knitting’.

I cannot knit at all so I am excited to learn with you all. Asuka and I will do our best to create a fun magazine so please stay with us. Best wishes for healthy and happy 2023 to everyone.

JAPANESE CANADIAN SURVIVORS

HEALTH & WELLNESS FUND SOCIETY

Call out for Outreach Workers

The Japanese Canadian Survivors Heath & Wellness Fund Society (JCHSWFS) is looking for motivated outreach workers across Canada to be part of an exciting team dedicated to finding and assisting survivors with their online application for individual health support funding.

Salary: Up to $54,000 per year + basic benefits package

Apply Now

• Be part of a dynamic team of outreach workers who will provide front line assistance to survivors during each applicant’s process.

• The JCHSWFS is seeking up to ten individuals from across Canada who have strong connections to, and knowledge of, their local Japanese Canadian community.

• Successful applications will be contracted for up to a 2 – 3 year term.

• Successful applicants will receive all necessary hardware (e.g., laptop), and all related travel and meeting expenses will be covered by the project.

Applicant Criteria

• Available for up to 40 hours a week; after hours and weekends, as necessary. Applications for part-time work (e.g., 20 hours/ week) will be considered but preference will be given to those who can commit to a full-time position.

• Comfortable with intake interviews, compassionate listening, and computer literacy are essential.

• Previous outreach work experience as well as fluency in Japanese are assets, but not mandatory.

• Having a vehicle would be an asset for in-person contacts, as necessary.

• Successful completion of a criminal record check for work with a vulnerable population.

• Submit a current CV and a brief cover letter describing why you should be part of the outreach team.

Application Deadline

The application window will remain open but successful applicants will be contacted for an interview during February 2023 with employment expected to start during March 2023.

Submit Your Application to HR@jcwellness.org

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAPANESE CANADIANS NAJC.CA

BOARD MESSAGE

HIGHLIGHTS OF FEBRUARY DATES IN JAPANESE CANADIAN HISTORY

by Lorene Oikawa, Past President NAJC

2022 was the 80th anniversary of the start of internment/incarceration in 1942 and the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) reviewed highlights of Canadian history from that year. In 2023, we will be reviewing the period 1941 to 1949 and highlight some dates for each month. We’ll look at some of what the government was doing and the impact on Japanese Canadians.

February 19, 1942 Prime Minister King and the cabinet agree all male Japanese Canadians, aged 18 to 45, are to be removed from a 100-mile-wide zone along the coast of British Columbia. Order-in-Council 1348 authorizes work camps for male enemy aliens outside protected areas. Order-in-Council 1365 prohibits the possession of firearms or explosives by persons of the Japanese race. US President Roosevelt uses Executive Order 9066 to empower the US War Department to remove 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry from the western US coast states.

February 24, 1942 Order-in-Council P.C. 1486 is passed and empowers the Minister of Justice to restrict the movement of all Canadians of Japanese ethnicity including “powers to require persons to leave “protected areas.”

February 25, 1942 Prime Minister King formally announces the removal of all (about 22,000) Japanese Canadians for national security. “It is the policy of the government to use the powers of this order to take all necessary security measures to safeguard the defences of the Pacific coast of Canada” for “reasons of national security.”

February 5, 1943 Order-in-Council P.C. 946 gives the government a way to address wartime labour shortages. The OIC gave the Labour Minister the power “to require, by order, any person of the Japanese race in any place in Canada to proceed to any other place in Canada at such times and in such manner as he may prescribe.” [Japanese Canadian labour saves the sugar beet industry during the Second World War.]

February 17, 1941 Prime Minister Mackenzie King reopens proceedings in Parliament where debate continues about the registration of all Japanese Canadians over the age of 16. A week later, MPs Tom Reid, George Cruickshank, Howard Green, and A.W. Neill attack government policy as being “sympathetic” to the Japanese in British Columbia. A.W. Neill said, “Whatever the opinion of the Prime Minister or of the government here, we in British Columbia are firmly convinced that once a J-- always a J--.”

Angus MacInnis called Neill’s words a “disgrace to Canada.” MacInnis is the only CCF Member of Parliament from BC. (CCF is the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation which became the New Democratic Party in 1961)

February 26, 1945 Because of British pressure, the Canadian government agrees to “loan” Japanese Canadians to the British Army. A dozen Nisei had waited for six months for permission to be released so they could be inducted into the British Army until this change in policy. A quota is set for 150 and volunteers are recruited.

February 20, 1946 Supreme Court Justices hand the government a deeply divided decision on the deportation order against Japanese Canadians. The deportation is declared legal, but the justices are split 5 to 2 in favour of deporting Nisei (second generation

continued on page 17

JCCA Donations

The Greater Vancouver JCCA and The Bulletin gratefully acknowledge generous donations received during January, 2023. If we have missed your name, please contact us and we will correct it in the next issue.

Kazuo & Marion Arai, Vancouver BC

Lorraine Elliott, North Vancouver BC

Mary Frattin, New Westminster BC

T & A Hamakawa, New Westminster BC

Kathryn Hatashita-Lee & Roger Lee, Surrey BC

Shigeru & Akemi Hirai, Burnaby BC

Kenji & Gloria Hokazono, Delta BC

Robert Ikoma, Burnaby BC

Irene H. Imai, Delta BC

Sumi Kada, Vancouver BC

Tosh & Mary Kitagawa, Delta BC

Ken & Michiko Kochi, Burnaby BC

Wendy Masui, Vancouver BC

Arlene Mayede, Burnaby BC

Patsy Mayede, Coquitlam BC

Tsuneo & Noriko Miki, Surrey BC

Greg & Brenda Miyanaga, Coquitlam BC

Akio & Amy Momotani, Vancouver BC

Lillian Morishita, Vancouver BC

Chuchi & Machiko Nakahori, Vancouver BC

Byron Nishihata, Surrey BC

Ruby H. Ohashi, Vernon BC

Shizue Omae, Kelowna BC

Mitsuka Sakai, Richmond BC

Joseph & June Sheu, Burnaby BC

David & Rita Shimozawa, Delta BC

Barbara Shishido, Richmond BC

Shinichi & Rumiko Sueyoshi, Richmond BC

Yoshiro & Kimiko Tagami, Nelson BC

Ken & Peggy Takahashi, Osoyoos BC

Peggy Tanaka, Kelowna BC

Kiyoshi & Mutsumi Tani, Richmond BC

Jack & Tami Tasaka, North Vancouver BC

Roy Tatsumi, Burnaby BC

Junji & Sandra Tsumura, Richmond BC

Roy & Yaeko Uyesugi, Burnaby BC

Keiko Yakumo, Vancouver BC

Dorothy Yamamoto, Burnaby BC

Sam Yamamoto, Delta BC

In Memory of George Homma

From Elaine Homma, Burnaby BC

In Memory of H. Koyanagi

From Larry & Adele Koyanagi, Sechelt BC

In Memory of Miyoshi Tanaka

From Stan & Jane Yip, Vancouver BC

signs of hope

john@bigwavedesign.net

I recall early on in the pandemic when the world essentially shut down. We were cautioned to avoid contact with others outside our immediate households. To stay home and do whatever one could to keep sane. If one had to leave home, stay outside. I quickly came to appreciate our proximity to the forest and the ocean, our ability to step outside our front door and into nature. I recall walking down by the Inlet, trying to shed the worry and fear that came from the unseen threat choking off our connections with friends, family, and community. That spring, signs of hope were found in the young buds on the trees and the green shoots pushing their way through the damp earth, welcome reminders that the earth shrugs and regenerates, whatever our human concerns.

As we approach the third anniversary of the pandemic, the world seems as perilous as ever, and the threats are far from unseen. Still, there are signs of spring and hope in the air, and it is hope that we need to nurture. (Emiko just sent a screen-shot of the weather report from Toronto: minus 20, feels like minus 30. So there’s that.) To me, powerful signs of hope are found in the engagement on the part of so many in our community, spanning generations. From artists to activists to students, JCs are engaging with community while at the same time casting their nets wider, beyond the narrow confines of a siloed world-view. These words on the jclegacies.com website sum it up for me: “Investing in community healing is ultimately a hopeful act, looking to the future of our community as much as acknowledging and commemorating our past.” Indeed.

Managing Editor john@bigwavedesign.net

Japanese Editors editor.geppo@gmail.com

Advertising Manager annejew@telus.net

JCCA CONTACT:

Tel: 604.777.5222 (message only)

E-mail: gvjcca@gmail.com gvjcca.org

JAPANESE CANADIAN CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

Happy February GVJCCA members!

President’s Message

by Cary Sakiyama

There have been many changes since last February, most notably for us here in BC, the pandemic restrictions were relaxed. That gave way to many events last year and it shone a bright light on the fact that people want to engage. One thing that caught me by surprise was how quickly events were selling out. Case in point, we have had 12 cooking classes and all have sold out with waitlists. Note to self, book early to avoid disappointment.

February is Black History Month and the GVJCCA recognizes the value that Black people have brought to this country, shouldering unimaginable burdens so we may advance and greatly contributing to our history and to our futures.

We had a very busy January with the First Friday Forum, Shinnenkai, a meeting with Vancouver Coastal Health about renaming one of their facilities, a meeting with UBC to plan the unveiling of the plaque at Nitobe Memorial Garden, submitting two applications for Canada Summer Jobs, hosting two amazing cooking classes and participating in a meeting with Skundaal Bernie Williams, Kathy Shimizu, Grace Eiko Thomson, Judy Hanazawa, Senator Michele Audette and myself. The Board of the GVJCCA will outreach and offer allyship with Indigenous communities and organizations who are urgently calling for governments at all levels to deliver timely effective follow up to the 2019 Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as well as the National Action Plan of 2021.

Please keep reading to see what we’re doing in February and beyond, hopefully you will be able to join us at one or two or all of these events.

continued on page 14

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Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association

GVJCCA

Upcoming 2023 GVJCCA Community events

● Keirokai 2023, where the GVJCCA has the incredible privilege of honouring our seniors seventy years and older at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby will be April 15 from 1pm – 4pm. The ticket price will be $20. Spouses and escorts under seventy are always welcome to join. It will be great to see you again! To register, please email keirokai.gvjcca@gmail.com or call me (Cary) at 604.874.5659. We will need your contact information, your birthdate and payment (preferably etransfer).

● As mentioned in previous Bulletins, the First Friday Forum is going strong at TG with Wayne and Bob and an eclectic band of merrymakers. Feb 3 and March 3 are the next two opportunities for you to support and shine. 7pm – 9pm.

● Shout out to Powell Street Festival Society forSetsubun – Powell Street Festival New Year’s Event, Feb 5 from 11:30am to 2:30pm at Oppenheimer Park. It is a free community event with taiko, Japanese curry and more!

● Please join the GVJCCA in person or in spirit on February 14 at Main and Hastings for the Womens Memorial March. Feb 14 Annual Womens Memorial March | Their Spirits Live Within Us (wordpress.com)

● GVJCCA offers strong support of the Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre, in fact, the JCHPIC Board consists of six current GVJCCA Board members and five current and past GVJCCA Presidents. Please come see the JCHPIC table 6:30pm – 8:30pm on Feb 22 at Heritage Hall (Main and 15th). Community Celebrations • Vancouver Heritage Foundation (placesthatmatter.ca)

● Great news! The Japanese Canadian Survivors’ Social Club (our partnership with Tonari Gumi and Steveston Community Society) has the green light to continue with services for the foreseeable future. Our next event is February 11 – Valentine’s Jazz Concert at TG at 1:30pm. To register, please call Yuko at 604.687.2172 ext.105 or email socialclub@ tonarigumi.ca by February 6. Sharon Minemoto will perform, please see the Community Calendar in this issue.

● Japanese Canadian Heritage Cooking classes are planning to host a couple more classes in February. Please check eventbrite, GVJCCA instagram, JC facebook or reach out to MICHAEL: torabc@gmail.com

GVJCCA wishes you a wonderful rest of winter wherever you are.

If you are able to join us at any of these events, please come by and say “hi” : )

42 JAPANESE CANADIAN HASTINGS PARK INTERPRETIVE CENTRE SOCIETY

Call Out for Design Proposals

by Lorene Oikawa, JCHPICS Vice President

At the Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre Society (JCHPICS) first Annual General Meeting on December 4, 2022, President Dan Tokawa advised the gathering that the Society’s “main goal is to preserve the truths as experienced by Japanese Canadians wrongfully imprisoned in Hastings Park between March 1942 to March 1943.” He explained how the original community group organized to get signage at Hastings Park and the Society was formed to plan and receive funds to build the Interpretive Centre.

The PNE has agreed to provide abandoned cafeteria space at the Livestock Building for the Interpretive Centre. Tokawa advises that, “a 3D rendering is available to designers and artists to facilitate development of proposals for portions or all of the Interpretive Centre.”

The JCHPICS has been asking for feedback from the community on how the interpretive centre will tell the stories of the approximately 8,000 Japanese Canadians who were at Hastings Park. On January 25, 2023, the JCHPICS board was grateful to be able to meet with some directors and community members within blocks of Hastings Park at the constituency meeting room of BC MLA and Attorney General Niki Sharma. The Board reviewed our timeline and are moving to the next

step of asking for design proposals, to be submitted by March 31, 2023.

More information is available by email JCHPICS2022@gmail. com and will be posted at hastingspark1942.ca/centre

Photo (l to r): Liz Nunoda, Cary Sakiyama, Wendy Matsubuchi (Secretary), Judy Hanazawa, Connie Kadota, Dan Tokawa (President), Lorene Oikawa (VP). Ted Takahashi (Treasurer) and others not pictured, joined by zoom on January 25, 2023.

How will the Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre tell the stories of 8,000 Japanese Canadians?

If you would like more info to submit a design proposal contact jchpics2022@gmail.com

hastingspark1942.ca/centre

Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre Society (JCHPICS)

19 42

JAPANESE CANADIAN HASTINGS PARK INTERPRETIVE CENTRE SOCIETY

THEATRE BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MYSELF

Ichigo-Ichieh New Theatre is based in Nelson, BC, the theatrical vehicle for dancer/actor/choreographer Hiromoto Ida. His newest piece, Birthday Present for Myself, will be performed this month at the 2023 Vancouver International Dance Festival.

Birthday Present for Myself takes its title from a piece of the same name by Russian composer Pavel Karmanov, who provides most of the musical accompaniment. The show merges dance, theatre, classical music and voice to tell the story of the old man, raising a glass of sake to himself in celebration on what will be his last birthday. As he reminisces about the richness of his life experience, he is visited by the spirit of his wife (Lindsay Clague).

Hiromoto spoke to The Bulletin from his home in Nelson.

You live a very rural life, how does that impact your art, do you think?

We take our water from the creek, I know exactly where the water comes from. I have to fix things and clean the water box to get water. I fix the house, build some furniture, dig the ground to create a garden. These are all basic but very important things for living. Now when I create a theatre piece, somehow I have that same strength as doing this other primal living stuff. I learn to see the difference between the real and superficial through living a rural life.

Ichigo-Ichieh is the Japanese notion of a unique occasion. Tell me more about this concept.

If you meet someone, it is considered a unique occasion that happens only once, in that moment, in

by John Endo Greenaway

an entire lifetime. Even if you meet the same person the next day under the same circumstances, this exact same moment can never reoccur. This idea is built into the philosophy of the Japanese tea ceremony, not unlike a theatre performance, which has a host preparing a ceremony for a guest. Every small thing has a purpose and a position – even imperfections. A tea ceremony’s main focus is always given to perfecting a cup of tea to present to the guest with ichigo-ichieh in their mind. Quite often in performance art, the performers end up at the centre of the stage. All of us, including me, tend to become ego-centered.it is unavoidable. So ichigo-ichieh reminds me that I am not the star to shine, I have to become fire, burn myself to give light to other people (audiences). It’s all about the gift to the audience. They are the main focus.

Birthday Present for Myself has been in process for a number of years – tell me what led you to create it.

Many things in my life. The shock of my grandparents passing away. We live together in same house, they were like part of the house structure. But since they disappeared, I have been carrying this sad, almost angry question: why do we all die? That’s for sure one of reason this piece was created. Also the time I spent during the last week of my father’s life and the time spend with my mother after he passed away.

You took the title from Karmanov’s piece. I’m listening to it as I write out these questions. It’s very evocative. What was it about that music that spoke to you so strongly?

When I heard it the first time, right away I had this image of an old man

ICHIGO-ICHIEH NEW THEATRE | hiromoto ida

Birthday Present for Myself

Vancouver International Dance Festival March 17 – 18

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

sitting in a chair in a big field of tall grasses, his memories of life running around him like Japanese lantern. After that, almost every day, new images and stories arrived like presents, I was busy writing them down. And of course I was curious of this title. It’s funny, I thought of the old man’s memories and birthday, and of course when you start seeing your life like a Japanese lantern, it means your end of the day is coming close. I told Pavel Karamanov about seeing these images when I heard his music, and he commented that these are things he was imagining when he created this music. That gave me strength to create this show.

Your work often seems to dwell on mortality and the emotions that come with age and the end of life. Why is this, do you think?

That is one of the biggest questions I have been carrying with me in my life. I still remember when I was age around 13, the first time I watched my grandmother’s day. I watched her from getting up in the morning until she went to bed. I remember feeling some kind of sadness. She didn’t speak much, gardening, sitting quietly . . . Maybe I felt what it means to get old. After that realization, I started to talk to her more. Death is just other side of living. And every one of us has to go through it. I was also always interested in the distance between of two different things. Not their differences, but the thin line where they meet. It is easy to just move and dance, but I am more interested in showing and exploring the line when people stop moving or dancing, start moving. Why do they stop moving? Then after they stop or shut up, what’s next?

Your father passed away a while back, and you’re a father yourself. Does this continuity of life play itself out in your creative process?

It’s not so much the father/son thing, but the continuity. When I live close to nature, I really think some part of us will continue forever. I am not talking of religion here. It’s more like I feeling I have when I shovel the snow every winter, raking the autumn leaves, watching the creek never stop running. We are from nature. We are from there 100%. The last scene of this piece is my question. Are we really come back? I am listening for the answers when I dance this last part of the show. Maybe the audience will catch the answers for me.

Birthday Present for Myself features musicians Nicola Everton (clarinet), Sue Gould (piano), Jeff Faragher (cello), and Martine denBok (violin & viola), performing an evocative original score by

Editor’s Note: this interview ran in the March 2020 edition of The Bulletin, immediately prior to the world going into lockdown with the emergence of COVID 19 as a global threat. Both the 2020 tour of Birthday Present for Myself and the 2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) were cancelled as The Bulletin was being distributed. This month are pleased to reprint the interview in full and to preview the 2023 VIDF.

NAJC continued

Canadians of Japanese ethnicity) and four to three against deporting unwilling dependents. Also, a growing movement opposing the deportation is producing the strongest public response that the Prime Minister has ever seen.

February 18, 1948 Prime Minister King meets with his caucus who agree to continue restrictions against Japanese Canadians until March 31, 1949, and support a new Order-in-Council. The OIC is passed at a poorly attended Saturday session of Parliament with the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) members objecting.

Pavel Karmanov.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL 2023

The Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) was formed in 2000 by Jay Hirabayashi and Barbara Bourget of Kokoro Dance. Over the past 23 years the VIDF has presented 320 dance artists/companies, including 199 artists from equity-deserving communities, to more than 90,000 people.

Never afraid to swim against the current, the festival continues to search out dance from around the globe that would otherwise never be seen locally. Like many companies, Kokoro Dance and VIDF were forced to pivot during the pandemic, presenting shows either online or in a hybrid format. For 2023, the Festival is returning all to an (almost all) live-in-person format.

2023 Vancouver International Dance Festival

February 27 to March 25

Eight different in-person productions & one livestreamed show Josef Nadj | Christopher House | La Otra Orilla | Alessandro Sciarroni | Taketeru Kudo | Ichigo-Ichieh | Aakash Odedra Company | Daina Ashbee | Vision Impure

Venues: Vancouver Playhouse, Orpheum Annex, KW Production Studio, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Tickets range from $20 to $70. Info and tickets: https://www.vidf.ca

Jay Hirabayashi gives us a special sneak peek into this year’s festival.

by Jay Hirabayashi

This year’s VIDF was a challenge to program as some of the current artists were supposed to have been presented before the COVID-19 shutdown. These include Hiromoto Ida’s Ichigo Ichieh New Theatre and Aakash Odedra Dance, as well as Daina Ashbee, whose 2021 presentations were shut down after the first night because her company members came down with the Corona virus illness. The pandemic also meant that a lot of artists did very little creation while studios were shut down, so it was hard to see local work. As a result, there are no Vancouver companies in this year’s festival although Hiromoto is well known here for his dancing with Kokoro Dance, the Karen Jamieson Dance Company, and as a scary dude in Amazon Prime’s The Man in the High Castle. Somehow, all but Daina Ashbee and Montreal’s La Otra Orilla, are companies directed by men. Barbara is not pleased with that statistic.

We are, nonetheless, excited by the lineup as all the shows fit our curatorial interest in provocative and evocative works that viscerally communicate from dancers’ bodies to our own heart centres. We travelled to Montreal last June and thoroughly enjoyed Alessandro Sciarroni’s Save the last dance for me. Barbara and I first took a two-hour workshop by dancers Gianmaria Borzillo and Giovanfrancesco Giannini to learn the steps to the Bolognese dance called the Polka Chinata that nearly disappeared in Italy before choreographer Sciarroni found the remaining five men who remembered this dance from the early 20th century when, apparently, women were not allowed to dance so male couples would perform the steps in a competition to attract (seduce) women. Barbara and I utterly failed to master the steps as both of us like to lead and hate to follow. When we saw the performance, we were blown away by the required focus and attention between Borzillo and Giannini and the speed and virtuosity of their dancing.

We also travelled to the Edinburgh Festival last August to see the premiere of Samsara choreographed by Kathak/contemporary dancer Aakash Odedra (UK/ India) and Hu Shenyuan, a contemporary dancer from China who also has classical Chinese dance training. We have no doubt that this performance will be one of the best that audiences will see in Vancouver this year. While inspired by the transmission of Buddhism from India to China, the work resonates simply as how two different cultures encounter one another. It really is a love story with luscious, sumptuous, live world music by singer Nicki Wells, Chinese percussionist Bei Bei Wang, and multi-instrumentalist and throat singer, Michael Ormiston, spectacular lighting by Yaron Abulafia, and stunning artistry by Aakash Odedra and

Alessandro Sciarroni

La Otra Orilla Taketeru Kudo

Hu Shenyuan. These two mesmerizing dancers perform with 200 kilos of sand falling on their heads.

Continuing with the male theme, we are presenting Josef Nadj’s OMMA, also at the Vancouver Playhouse. Nadj, a Hungarian choreographer with over 40 works created in the last 36 years, created OMMA “with a group of eight African men from Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and the two Congos. Together, they form one single body – black, or fekete, as they proclaim in Hungarian. A plural body in which each affirms his own language, identity, his own dance: a captivating feedback loop between group and individual that leads us, inevitably, to the human being as universal.” Barbara and I experienced NAfro Dance’s Moving Inspirations Festival and Symposium in Winnipeg last November where we were immersed in four day-long sessions of workshops and performances by dancers from the African diaspora. It was an amazing and enthralling exposure to dance acutely tuned to rhythm. OMMA will reconnect us “to the roots of dance, with movement as its essence and the universe as its horizon.”

At the 2022 CINARS arts marketing event in Montreal, also in November, I saw about 20 performances. The performance that I enjoyed the most was a punk flamenco work by La Otra Orilla entitled BORDEMENTS, performed by flamenco dancer/choreographer Myriam Allard, her partner, Franco-Tunisian singer and stage director Hedi Graja, and Jonathan Parant on electric guitar. Flamenco is a form where duende, a Spanish term for a heightened state of emotion, expression, and authenticity, is released. La Otra Orilla pushes flamenco into punk chaos. Don’t miss this one!

Christopher House was Artistic Director and primary choreographer of Toronto Dance Theatre for 25 years until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 65. Now, liberated from the constraints of choreographing for a large contemporary dance company, he has found the freedom to express what he himself has to say as a solo artist about who he is. He adopts a mantra by maverick British choreographer Jonathan Burrows: “How would I move if I dared?” With a soundtrack made by Toronto electronic composer Thom Gill, House’s New Tricks has him exposing his quirky Queer self in a series of vignettes to cover tunes by Canadian artists. Some nudity is displayed during costume changes.

And speaking of nudity, that is the essential costume of Daina Ashbee’s dancers in J’ai pleuré avec les chiens (Time, Creation, Destruction 2021). I know lots of people put coats and even footwear on their dogs, but Daina’s animals are naked human beings who howl out their desolation while balancing precariously on each other’s backs in challenging yogic poses. Like Christopher House, her work is a meditation on what it can mean to be a human being.

The Foot on the Edge of Knife began its development in 2021 in Tokyo when COVID-19 was spreading all around the world. Composer Masaru Soga sent some 100 pieces of music to Taketeru Kudo who, at the time, was caught in Tokyo’s long-term lockdown and was anxious and irritated by it. He brought the music to his studio where, night by night, he tried to make a piece while still in the middle of confinement. It finally began to take shape after three months. It is a butoh piece, but people will see how Kudo worked to bring butoh to a different stage that no one has ever stepped on. The Foot on the Edge of Knife reflects the reality of the current world as he dances his embodied reflection of our human situation.

And finally, Nelson-based artist Hiromoto Ida invites us to celebrate his last birthday with him in Birthday Present for Myself. It is actually a birthday present for all of us where we are treated to his whimsical appreciation for life through dance, live classical music, and words that speak of love, transformation, and regeneration. This epic work has been worked and reworked since 2016, when Hiromoto was not an old man. In 2023, I would say that his hair may be grey, but his nimble and spry movements, and his incorporation of Noh theatre mask magic, make him appear ageless.

We hope to see all of the Bulletin readers at the 2023 VIDF!

– Jay Hirabayashi and Barbara Bourget VIDF Co-producers

Daina Ashbee

Reflections on the play Forgiveness

by Liz Nunoda

On January 14, 2023, I attended a preview performance of the stage play Forgiveness at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver. Throughout, the suffering of Canadian soldiers at the hands of the Japanese imperial army in Asia is directly compared with the suffering of Japanese Canadians at the hands of municipal, provincial and federal governments in Canada, during the Second World War. The direct comparison of these two scenarios felt wrong to me, even while many elements of the play itself worked very well.

This production was a display of the incredible talent of all the people involved in it. Across the board, the entire cast appeared relaxed onstage and fully embodied their characters. Illustrations depicting different backdrops were projected onto curtains and walls at the middle and rear of the stage, artistically displaying a sky full of military aircraft and a field full of Japanese soldiers surrounding and encroaching upon captured Canadian soldiers. Sound effects, lighting and costumes were all very effective as well.

The two lead characters were Mitsue, a young nisei woman born and raised in BC pre-war, and Ralph, a young Caucasian man from the Maritimes who enlists with the Canadian army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The timeline switches back and forth between the 1940s and the 1960s, depicting what Mitsue and her family were enduring at home during the war, what the Canadian soldier was enduring in Hong Kong as a POW of the Japanese army; and then paralleled with the 1960s when Mitsue and her husband have settled down in Ontario (after being forced to leave BC) to raise two teenage boys, and Ralph has returned home, married and settled down to raise his own children. What links these two characters together, by the 1960s, is their children who are dating one another and are seeking their parents’ approval.

By the play’s end, both families have broken bread together and are at peace with one another, having approved of their children’s relationship. By doing so, Mitsue and her husband seemingly have forgiven their treatment by white Canadians before and during the war, and Ralph seemingly has forgiven Mitsue’s

family for…what, exactly? For being ‘racially’ Japanese? For looking like the enemy?

During the war, Mitsue and her family were not combatants or saboteurs for the nation of Japan. They were Canadian civilian citizens of Japanese ancestry who were rejected and betrayed by their own government, and by the white supremacist society they were living in. By comparing these two events, this story is stating that they are closely linked, when the only thing linking them is the ‘race’ of Japanese Canadians and that of the Japanese military.

This comparison has been made before. A book published in 1990, co-authored by historians Jack Granatstein, Masako Iino, Hiroko Takamura and Patricia Roy, also directly compared these two events. This is apparent in the book’s title: Mutual Hostages. The back cover reads:

“Japanese Canadians cannot forget the revocation of their civil rights, the confiscation of their homes and businesses, and their forced return to the country they had left behind. Canadian veterans cannot forget the harsh treatment they endured, or their friends who did not survive it. This study by a team of historians, two Canadian and two Japanese, presents the dual story of a deeply painful episode in the history of two countries.”

Why even compare these two events in the first place? The writers believe they were inextricably linked (though I doubt the Japanese authors thoroughly understood the history of Japanese Canadians). The jacket’s statement, “their forced return to the country they had left behind,” is ignorant of the fact that only a minority of Japanese Canadians were born in Japan. The majority of the community was comprised of second-generation Canadians, born and raised in Canada and, therefore, Canadian citizens.

Declaring that these two events have anything in common stems from the belief that Japanese Canadians are Japanese first and Canadians second; that the fact that we look Asian/Japanese is what defines us and makes us different from ‘real’ Canadians (and that ‘real’ Canadians are white).

This sentiment is nothing new. The CTV network’s show W5 aired a segment in 1979 called “Campus Giveaway” in which they pointed out that large numbers of foreign students from Asia (assumed to be Chinese) were taking seats away from Canadian students (read: white students.) W5 included footage panning UBC campus and classrooms which showed several Asian students, apparently as proof that this was happening. The overall statement was being made that Asians, regardless of whether or not they were Canadian citizens, were considered ‘unalterably alien;’ as foreigners in their own country.

I also recall that Macleans magazine, in the early 1990s, published an article about the wartime incarceration of Japanese Canadians side-by-

side with an article about the treatment of Caucasian Canadian POWs at the hands of the Japanese military.

As Canada becomes more and more ethnically diverse this attitude is falling away, especially with younger generations, and yet this mindset clearly still exists in Canadian society. It was used by opportunistic wartime politicians as a vote-getting ploy and to justify the incarceration and forced dispersal of Japanese Canadians from BC. It is a dangerous and divisive way of thinking, and currently is being expressed by certain groups within Canada who still feel threatened by diversity, and still feel that Canadians who look Asian are foreigners and outsiders.

Born and raised in Smithers, BC, Liz Nunoda is a Director on the GVJCCA Board who writes fiction and screenplays about the Japanese Canadian experience.

VOTE FOR HOPE!!

Hope Station House Finalist in the Next Great Save Contest

The Historic Hope Station Rehabilitation Project, under the guidance of the Tashme Historical Society, has been selected as one of ten finalists from dozens of applications across Canada for the National Trust for Canada Next Great Save competition.

A public online vote will run from January 20 –February 22, 2023. The heritage site with the most votes becomes the Next Great Save and wins the $50,000 prize to be used to help save and revitalize the heritage place. Anyone with an email address can vote by visiting the National Trust Next Great Save page where each heritage site’s profile is published. The Hope Station page can be accessed at bit.ly/hope-station

“There’s an online public vote on until February 22. I’d like to ask if you could vote once a day, everyday with a valid e-mail address. We’re trying to start a Japanese Canadian tsunami! Please share with your family and friends, and encourage everyone to vote everyday to help these incredible projects to fundraise, which is so hard in small rural communities. If we can get about 1,000 core voters to vote everyday til Feb. 22, we may have a chance to win the grand prize: $50,000!!!” –

Laura Saimoto

UNVEILING OF THE UBC NITOBE MEMORIAL GARDEN THANK YOU PLAQUE

On April 1, 2023 there will be an unveiling of the thank you plaque to the Japanese Canadian community and the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association which is now mounted on a boulder at the entrance to Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC.

He plaque reads, THANK YOU. The University of British Columbia gratefully acknowledges the Japanese Canadian community and the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association for their essential contribution to the development of Nitobe Memorial Garden.

Tomomichi “Roy” Sumi was chief assistant to Garden designer Kannosuke Mori during construction and became the first president of the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association (VJGA) formed in 1959. Roy Sumi served as garden supervisor from 1960 to 1974 and was the first of many VJGA and other Japanese Canadian gardeners who devoted their skills caring for the Nitobe Memorial Garden.

– THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

The original Nitobe Memorial Garden at its present site was designed and developed by Chiba University Professor Kannosuke Mori in 1960. Dr. Mori worked closely with Japanese Canadian gardeners, who also formed the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association the same year. By 1992, Nitobe Memorial Garden was desperately in need of restoration and Zen Reverend Shunmyo Masuno was contracted by UBC to design and head the Nitobe Memorial Garden restoration project. The Masuno design was considered a redesign which did not reflect Professor Mori’s design philosophy or the original Garden’s cultural significance. Throughout the Masuno renovation, the VJGA and the Japanese Canadian community were minimally consulted, and the renovated Nitobe Memorial Garden featured significant changes to Mori’s creation. Sadly, by the time the renovations were completed in 1993, relations between UBC, the VJGA and GVJCCA were broken. Working relations between the GVJCCA, the VJGA and UBC concerning the Garden did not resume until 2014 upon the establishment of the Nitobe Memorial Garden History Committee.

In 2017 the Nitobe Memorial Garden History Committee, comprised of members of the VJGA, GVJCCA and NNMCC, approached UBC to collaborate on nominating Nitobe Memorial Garden to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. UBC supported the nomination project and the Committee has also approached the Musqueam Indian Band to seek Musqueam Chief and Council support. The nomination process remains active with plans for completion during 2023.

Over 2022, UBC and the Nitobe Memorial Garden History Committee worked closely together on the development of UBC’s thank you plaque and it is truly a happy outcome that the unveiling of the plaque is taking place on April 1, 2023.

The ceremony will take place at 1pm on April 1, 2023, at the entrance to the Nitobe Memorial Garden. All community members are invited to attend.

DO YOU HAVE A JAPANESE CANADIAN FAMILY CONNECTION TO SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA?

There is a rich history of Japanese Canadians in Surrey. Starting with the first wave of Japanese immigrants arriving in Surrey, Japanese Canadians were farming, building boats, working in sawmills, shopkeepers, and building a life with their families and contributing to their community. In 1942, the government forced the uprooting of all Japanese Canadians in British Columbia, and the dispossession and exile of Japanese Canadians wiped our presence in communities.

In order to ensure the stories of our Japanese Canadian families in Surrey are remembered and shared, please join the network for updates and to participate in feedback on JC projects in Surrey.

Contact: lorene.oikawa@gmail.com

NEW NISSAN AND MAZDA CAR SALES AND LEASING

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Hello Powell Street Festival Friends – Happy February! Now that we are fully planted in 2023, we have been gearing up for TWO exciting events in this short month!

First, on February 5, join us in Oppenheimer Park for Setsubun! Celebrate this turning point towards the spring season with taiko and more alongside elder Veronica’s Sacred Fire, followed by a Paueru Mashup Community Dance complete with special appearances and a community meal of Japanese Curry Rice and hot apple cider. This continuation of our New Year’s event features a nod to Setsubun traditions like mamemaki, with Powell Street Festival twists at this FREE event! Find out more at https://powellstreetfestival.com/setsubun-23.

Then, on February 18, PSFS presents a day of taiko centred around the thrilling documentary film Finding Her Beat! Begin the day with a 30-minute free public Taiko performance at 12noon by Vancouver’s Sawagi Taiko, the first allwomen taiko group in Canada, at Woodward’s Atrium. Following the performance at 1:30 PM, DOXA, SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs, and Powell Street Festival Society have partnered for a ticketed screening of the film Finding Her Beat—a documentary about a drum master from Japan and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota boldly convening an all-female troupe to perform taiko, the Japanese drumming art that had been off-limits to women for centuries. Stay after for an exciting 30-minute post-film discussion. Tickets are $10-15 dollars (plus fees) on a sliding scale. This day of femme taiko will be bookended with light refreshments at a free, informal talkback at 4:00 PM with Jennifer Weir and Vancouver Taiko Society at KW Studios’ Production Studio. Read more and get screening tickets now at https:// powellstreetfestival.com/finding-her-beat-23.

Applications to participate in the 47th Annual Powell Street Festival this summer as a new or returning artist/performer, vendor, food or display booth and more are still open! Be sure to get your application in before the March 10 deadline! Apply today at https://powellstreetfestival.com/festival-applications.

Finally, applications for this summer’s Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort are open through February 28. This program offers an expenses-paid opportunity for young Japanese Canadians, age 19 to 29, who were raised outside of British Columbia to attend the Powell Street Festival, participate in its production, attend training sessions, and create a vibrant embodied experience of Japanese Canadian identity. We encourage you to apply or share this with someone you know! More information at https://powellstreetfestival.com/japanese-canadian-youth-cohort.

We can’t wait to see you at one of these events! In the meantime, stay up-to-date with the latest news on our social media at @powellstfest or Powell Street Festival Society and our E-Newsletter (sign-up at powellstreetfestival.com)

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Our AGM took place January 15, 2023, at the Centre for Social Innovation at Queen and Spadina. In previous years, nine board members was considered ideal. However, the board has become quite ambitious in its undertakings and two new board members, Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall and Sharon Kiyomi Yamashita were welcomed to contribute to 2023 plans. All members of our 2022 Board have stayed on and so too, our venerable Elder’s Council Convenor Ron Shimizu. I am so grateful to have these individuals in my life and as part of the Japanese Canadian community.

JAPANESE CANADIAN CENTENNIAL TEMPLE BELL UPDATE

A fifth meeting with the Ontario government took place on January 18th. A verbal commitment was made to have the Temple Bell remain at Ontario Place. The next step is to obtain written commitment of where the Temple Bell be relocated before any dismantling proceeds. The next meeting takes place in early February.

2023 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL, UPDATES AND INITIATIVES

Apologies to our members but we are a bit late in mailing renewal information. You can download a membership form or sign up online here: www.torontonajc.ca/membership

By the time you read this an event, to address misogyny & anti-Black racism in sport and sport media will have taken place on February 1st at the University of Toronto, Munk School. The Toronto NAJC is pleased to assist as a co-sponsor. We look forward to reporting on this event chaired by Takashi Fujitani, Dr. David Chu Chair in Asia-Pacific Studies, Professor of History, and Director of the Dr. David Chu Program in AsiaPacific Studies. Janelle Joseph, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education; Founder and Director of the IDEAS Research Lab: Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport will present an analysis of media (mis)representations of Naomi Osaka.

The Toronto NAJC has committed to help increase awareness about the lack of progress in the government commitment to implement the 231 Calls for Justice for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. This work will be done in conjunction with the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens Association (GVJCCA) and the NAJC Human Rights Committee. Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi and Sharon Yamashita are the Toronto representatives on the NAJC Human Rights Committee. We applaud the GVJCCA for taking the lead in making this happen.

We are pleased to have engaged Akawe Technologies an Indigenous tech company to update our website. Reconciliation must include economic opportunity and prosperity. We look forward to working with their team of Indigenous Peoples, conscious entrepreneurs and under-represented voices that have come together to harness the power of technology.

TOP L-R Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi, Kim Uyede-Kai, Les Takahashi, Michelle Walters, Sharon Yamashita, Ron Shimizu (Elders Council Convenor) BOTTOM L-R Yosh Inouye, Suzanne Hartmann, Mika Fukuma, Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall, Akiko Takahashi, Fabiano Rocha (full bios at: www.torontonajc.ca/board)

Japanese Canadian Heritage

Cooking Classes & Tastings

Searching for Japanese Canadian Home Cooks!

YOU: Love to cook, eat & talk about food. Perhaps you have some Japanese family recipes you would love to show others how to make in the kitchen?

US: Our casual cooking workshops are maximum 12 – 15 participants. Everyone shares in food preparation activities during these relaxed, hands-on learning & eating events, held at Tonari Gumi or Vancouver Japanese Language School.

INFO: For instructing a roughly 60-70 minute class, the Japanese Canadian Heritage Cooking program pays an honorarium. Shopping for all food & supplies and organizing of each event is taken care of by the program.

For more info, please call Michael at 604 609 0657 or email torabc@gmail.com.

Follow us on Eventbrite for notifications of JC Heritage Cooking Classes bit.ly/JC-Heritage-Cooking

Inquiries? torabc@gmail.com

by Terry Watada

One Nikkei Voice

TERRY WATADA

REPRESENTATION II

A few years ago, I compiled a list of notables and celebrities who passed the year before. Thought I would do it every year since, I did not. Too depressing.

My initial purpose was to note the lack of representation of Asians, South Asians, and Natives in the list. Underrepresented were Blacks. Par for the course, I concluded. Another reason not to.

So why have I decided to compile a new list for 2022? Curious, I suppose, to see if the under and nonrepresentation has continued.

With that in mind, I tuned into Sunday Morning Jane Pauley. Sure enough, the program featured a section of lost celebrities. The list included Queen Elizabeth II, Barbara Walters, Mikhail Gorbachev, Sidney Poitier, Bill Russell, Loretta Lynn, Madeleine Albright, Jean-Luc Godard, Meat Loaf, Ivana Trump, Vin Scully, Dino Danelli, Kirstie Alley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pharoah Sanders, Ken Starr, Judith Durham, Olivia Newton John, Nichelle Nichols, Paul Sorvino, Tony Dow, James Caan, Jim Seals, Ronnie Hawkins, Ray Liotta, and William Hurt.

Asians were few and far between: Norman Mineta, Shinzo Abe and Kazuki Takahashi.

Of the celebs listed, I knew virtually all of them and it stirred many memories. Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas Message stood out mainly because my mother faithfully sat in front of the TV to hear her speak. It could’ve been at six in the morning, but she was there. The only problem was she didn’t understand a word of what the Queen was saying. I could never listen to a Barbara Walters interview. Too many softball questions to mostly Hollywood celebrities. I did tune into people like Fidel Castro and Anwar Sadat. Those were insightful and at times hardhitting interviews.

I will miss the actors Paul Sorvino, Ray Liotta, James Caan and William Hurt. They were so impressive how they occupied a role. Who could forget The Godfather, Good Fellas, and The Big Chill (among many)?

Dino Danelli was part of one of my favourite bands of the 60s, the Rascals. I even loved them when they ventured into jazz and experimental music. Judith Durham possessed an uncanny voice as lead singer for the Seekers. “A World of Our Own” and “I’ll Never Find Another You” are pure ecstasy for me. That voice and the 12-string guitar! And finally, Jim Seals. I remember singing, harmonizing on “Year of Sunday”, a great song by Seals and Crofts. My buddy Garry Kawasaki decided to do it for a concert at the Toronto Buddhist Church. He sang lead and played guitar. I was on bass and harmony. We must’ve been successful for we received wonderful applause. We then did the song at the Montreal

Buddhist Church. We may have played it a few more times at various venues. Memory fails me. Great fun in any case.

And for pure nostalgia’s sake, there’s Tony Dow of fame. I particularly loved him and others of the original cast in Back to the Beach, a send-up of Beach movies of the 1960s.

Alas, Asians were underrepresented. Norman Mineta, a much-respected Democrat instrumental in President Reagan signing the Redress Bill; Shinzo Abe, the longest reigning Prime Minister of Japan, tragically assassinated during an appearance; and Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the manga Native and South Asian notables were non-existent. The lack of representation continues.

I would add Sid Chow Tan, Tony Chan, Jim Wong Chu, and Tamio Wakayama to this august list.

Sid Tan (1949 – 2022) was a prominent activist in Vancouver East End. He advocated for the poor and vulnerable, especially Chinese Canadians and Native people. He was eloquent and charming even if a little eccentric in dress and grooming. I always saw him at the Powell Street Festival. He loved the salmon dinner. I think I saw him all weekend with a plate in hand. I understand he was a hotshot and highflying stockbroker at one time. Lost it all (including reputation) on penny stocks. That’s how he ended up in East End Vancouver. If I am wrong, I apologize. But Sid was a character probably never to be forgotten.

I have included Tony Chan, Jim Wong Chu, and Tamio Wakayama, who passed in 2018, 2017 and 2018 respectively. They were mighty activists and artists in their own right. I missed the chance to celebrate them in a timely manner. So, I do it now. They made profound contributions to the Asian Canadian and Canadian societies. And they were friends. I miss them terribly.

So, it is 2023 and I hope it will be a prosperous and joyous year for everyone.

OKAERI FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

Thank you to all of the supporters and friends of VJLSJH who helped to make our first major fundraising campaign a success! Together, we more than doubled our goal with over $22,000 in donations from across the community. All of these gifts will go towards supporting the programs, events, and activities that help our community to thrive and feel welcomed at VJLS-JH.

Read our first Strategic Plan

We are excited to share with you our new strategic plan that outlines VJLS-JH’s goals for the next threeto-five years. Developed over the course of 12 months, we are grateful for the support and collaboration from our community who helped to shape its four new strategic directions through numerous interviews, meetings, and community consultations.

Based on your collective input, VJLS-JH’s mission going forward will be to build and support: Trusting Relationships, Learning Spaces, Empowered Employees, and Deep Roots.

Through this process we have leaned heavily into our values and will be focusing our energies on the things that mean the most to our community. Going forward, you will hear us speaking more about how our actions and programs support Reciprocity, Connections, Welcoming, and being Curious.

For more information and to download a copy of our strategic plan, please visit www.vjls-jh.com.

Check out our New Website

Matching the changes and fresh approaches found in our strategic plan, we are launching a brand-new website that will make finding information about the classes, programs and events you love even easier. In addition to a much more attractive presentation, this much needed upgrade brings with it some important improvements including a button that switches the website from English to Japanese, a mobile friendly format for iPads and phones, and a simplified layout that is easier to navigate.

The core visual concept behind this design is Kintsugi which is reflected in the deep blue and gold colours. This is intended to honour the history of our community and its resilience as well as the value we place on adapting to the world around us.

This new website launches on February 13, 2023 and can be found at www.vjls-jh.com.

Okaeri おかえり Return from Exile: All Paths Lead Home

A key element of our new strategic plan is building connections between generations, and we are excited to be able to partner with the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre to record and share the oral histories of over 20 seniors with our community.

These stories share the challenges and experiences of the nisei, who lived through internment in Canada, and the kika-nisei, who were uprooted to Japan and later returned to Canada in the 1950s, and what returning home meant to them. We are humbled to have been able to record these stories and are grateful to all of the seniors who shared them with us.

A free webinar will be hosted on February 25, 2023 with some of the participants to share highlights from their stories. More information will be shared on the NNMCC and VJLS-JH social media channels in advance of the event.

Registration for Children’s World Preschool and Toddler Program –March 2023

On March 1, 2023 we will be opening registration for 2023 – 2024 Preschool and Toddler programs. Please save the date and make sure to visit our website to learn more about these programs and how to register your child. As classroom spots are limited for some programs, we encourage you to register early to reserve your place.

If you have any questions, please contact our Childcare Manager Mitsuru Haga-Bronstyn at cw@vjls-jh.com.

Nikkei Centre Exhibit TAIKEN

Generations of Resilience

New 2022 | Ongoing | Free

Explore Japanese Canadian history and continuing heritage on the walls of the upper level of Nikkei Centre. Learn about the first immigrants from Japan to Canada; vibrant prewar communities in British Columbia; forced dispersal across Canada; and continuing stories of civil rights and Japanese heritage in Canada. Presented in English, Japanese, and French.

Tonari Gumi

Supporting the Japanese Canadian community since 1975

To learn about Tonari Gumi’s support services and recreational activities for older adults and upcoming events, visit www.tonarigumi.ca.

Location: 42 W. 8 Ave, Vancouver

Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm

Inquiries: 604-687-2172 info@tonarigumi.ca

Nikkei

national museum & c u l tur a l ce n t re

All Nikkei Centre Events at 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC phone: 604.777.7000

info@nikkeiplace.org I www.nikkeiplace.org

Online Talks presented by NNMCC

Southern Alberta Okinawan Diaspora (1907 – Present)

Through the Lens of Naoko Shimabukuro: A Kika Nisei Journey

First Friday of each month 7pm – 9pm

First Friday Forum

Tonari Gumi, 42 West 8th Avenue

Music, diverse genres and cultures. Standards, jazz, pop, classical, folk, world music. Poetry and other readings. Enjoy an evening of music, discussion, friendship. Admission by donation, net proceeds go towards the Aoki Legacy Endowment Fund, UBC.

Online Talk by Darcy Tamayose

Wednesday, February 8, 5:00pm PST

national museum

Free and open to all

Saturday, February 11, 1:30pm (doors 12:45pm)

Valentine’s Jazz Concert

Sharon Minemoto Piano

Brad Shigeta Trombone/Vocals

Darren Radtke Bass

Nikkei Nikkei

c u ltu r al cen t re

The Survivors’ Social Club invites you, your family and friends to a Jazz Concert.

Tonari Gumi 42 W. 8 Ave, Vancouver

Refreshments will be served after the concert. To register, please contact Yuko 604.687.2172 ext.105 or socialclub@tonarigumi.ca by February 6

Manga Sale at Nikkei Centre

February 4-18, 11:00-3:00, Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday/Monday.

Visit the Manga Sale for Japanese and English manga at bargain prices.

Saturday, February 18, 10am-5pm

Family Day at Nikkei Centre

Free and open to all

We invite you to a family friendly event where you can listen to Japanese storytelling, take photos with girl’s and boy’s day displays, and experience Japanese toys and crafts. You may even win a prize. Some food making workshops require advance registration and a fee.

Okaeri おかえり Return from Exile: All Paths Lead Home Webinar, February 25, 11am PST Free and open to all

An oral history video project by the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall. Listen in live as guest speakers share story highlights in a one-hour webinar. Speakers are Dr. Aki Horii, Frank Kamiya, Yvonne Wakabayashi, and Miki Hirai. Hosted by Laura Saimoto.

Saturday, February 18

PSFS presents a day of taiko

12noon: free public taiko performance by Sawagi Taiko at Woodward’s Atrium.

1:30pm: Finding Her Beat at Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema

A documentary about a drum master from Japan and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota boldly convening an all-female troupe to perform taiko. The screening is followed by a 30-minute post-film discussion.

Tickets are $10-15 dollars (plus fees) on a sliding scale

4:00pm free, informal talkback at with Jennifer Weir and Vancouver

Taiko Society at KW Studios’ Production Studio’ Info & Tickets: powellstreetfestival.com/finding-her-beat-23

Friday February 17, 7:30pm (Doors 7:00pm)

An Evening of Shamisen and Sitar

with Aki Takahashi & Mohamed Assani Trio

Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C9

Tickets in advance (sliding scale): $15 | $20 | $25

Tickets at the door: pay what you can

Tickets at the door are subject to availability.

Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Tickets: bit.ly/shamisen-sitar

Toronto’s Aki Takahashi will perform a solo set featuring shamisen and vocals for her project 10-10-20. In commemoration of her 20th anniversary of performing in Canada, she is planning 20 solo performances this year. ten ten is an evolving art experiment with its roots in the Japanese folk tradition. In the Japanese alphabet, “ten ten” refers to two dots used to change the sound of a syllable. In the same spirit, ten ten strives to create its own unique voice for Japanese folk music, breathing new life into this traditional art form.

The Mohamed Assani Trio takes music to new realms while remaining committed to the rich roots of South Asian traditions. Mohamed Assani, twice Western Canadian Music Awards nominated artist for Instrumental music, is a dynamic performer and composer known for his genre-defying music.

FORGIVENESS | World Premiere

By Mark Sakamoto | Stage

adaptation by Hiro

Kanagawa

A joint production with Theatre Calgary (Calgary)

January 12–February 12, 2023

Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | artsclub.com

Vancouver Buddhist Temple

220 Jackson Avenue, Vancouver, BC Telephone: 604-253-7033

Rev. Tatsuya Aoki, minister www.vancouverbuddhisttemple.com

Sunday, February 12, 10am

Nirvana Day and Shotsuki

Sunday, March 5, 10am

Spring Ohigan and Shotsuki

Saturday Dharma Service on Zoom starts at 10am

(Approximately 30 minutes:

Meditation, Sutra Chanting, Dharma Talk)

In-person service at the temple RSVP only. Also available via ZOOM

See signup form at temple website to receive Zoom link Temple updates are found on our website

2023 Vancouver International Dance Festival

February 27 to March 25

Eight different in-person productions & one livestreamed show

Josef Nadj | Christopher House | La Otra Orilla | Alessandro Sciarroni | Taketeru Kudo | Ichigo-Ichieh | Aakash Odedra Company | Daina Ashbee | Vision Impure

Venues: Vancouver Playhouse, Orpheum Annex, KW Production Studio, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Scotiabank Dance Centre.

Tickets range from $20 to $70.

Info and tickets: https://www.vidf.ca see page 14 for details

Ichigo-Ichieh’s Birthday Present For Myself

March 17-18, 8pm | Studio Theatre

presented by the Vancouver International Dance Festival

Kootenay-based dancer-choreographer-actor

Hiromoto Ida skillfully merges dance, theatre, classical music and voice to tell the story of an old man, raising a glass of sake to himself in celebration on what will be his last birthday.

Info and tickets: https://www.vidf.ca see page 12 for details

Saturday, April 1, 1pm

Entrance to the Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC

Unveiling of the thank you plaque to the Japanese Canadian community and the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association which is now mounted on a boulder at the entrance to Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC. All community members are invited to attend.

Saturday, April 15 1pm - 4pm

JCCA Keirokai 2023

Honouring seniors 70 & over (spouse may be under) lunch | entertainment | prizes

Tickets: $20.00

Nikkei Centre

6688 Southoaks Crescent • Burnaby BC

To register: keirokai.gvjcca@gmail.com or 604.874.5659

Registration deadline: March 31, 2023

Upcoming at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby tickets.shadboltcentre.com

Sansei: the Storyteller

April 27, 2pm, April 28, 29, 8pm | Studio Theatre

Sansei: The Storyteller examines the Japanese Canadian Internment through spoken word and dance.

CommunityKitchen

with Alice Bradley and Lea Ault lea@hapaizakaya.com

Dear lovely readers – last month we were all on the wellness band wagon, making healthy new year’s resolutions and eating healthier. We tried, anyway, ne? (I hope you’re not already tired of kale, hint hint.) But now it’s February. If we weren’t motivated by heart health and other virtuous and self-care reasons to eat better, let’s try this: “Sumer is icumin in” – this is Middle English for “summer’s coming, we’ve got two, maybe three months to get in shape”! Heavy sweaters hide many sins but those sins will soon be revealed. Repent! Repent!

Chicken and Fried Rice with Za’atar

Alice: My daughter bought some za’atar for me and as I had no recipes that called for it, I ignored its existence for quite a while. But recently it called my name and I’ve started sprinkling it on foods here and there. Za-atar is a Middle Eastern mix of spices that is used quite widely as an all purpose seasoning and consists of thyme, oregano, sesame, salt, sumac, dill, orange peel, caraway etc. Gourmet or middle eastern markets generally carry it, and I get the sense that no two za-atars are the same, much like garam masala. (Lea: I got ours at Trader Joe’s.) Now that it has my attention, I’ve started using it in daily food preparation, and I can tell you, it’s quite nice! It can be rubbed onto any meat or chicken, or added to soups, stews, vegetables dishes etc. (Lea: I also sprinkle it on homemade pita bread before baking) I also brush a little olive oil on my seasoned meat; that healthy oil helps keep meat moist. (Lea: try saying that quickly three times! Your lips get tangled up and/or you are asked to leave the room.)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in large chunks

Olive oil

Salt and black pepper

1-2 teaspoons za’atar

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 cups cold cooked rice

1-2 teaspoons za’atar

Grated rind of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

1⁄2 cup olives

2 cups of fresh, chopped greens such as spinach, kale or other vegetable

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half, OR ½ a pomegranate’s worth of pom seeds

Optional:

¼ c. raisins or chopped dried apricots

¼ c. pine nuts or chopped walnuts, toasted

Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper and za’atar. Some za’atar mixes contain salt so use salt lightly at this stage.

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil and brown the chicken over moderately high heat until cooked; remove from the pan and keep warm.

Heat another tablespoon of olive oil, saute the onion until softened, add the garlic and saute over moderate heat. If using, add fruit and nuts here. Add the rice, za’atar and olives, stir for a few minutes, add the greens and cook until wilted, add the lemon zest and juice, add salt and pepper to taste.

Place on a serving dish, top with the cooked chicken, the crumbled feta and the cherry tomatoes. If you’re not using cherry tomatoes (my daughter dislikes tomatoes, I know, go figure) pomegranate seeds are a pretty garnish. You could also sprinkle on some fresh chopped parsley, or dill, or chives, or scallions…. Za’atar is also good on pita crisps - if you have leftover pita bread, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle on seasonings such as za’atar, or everything bagel spice, or garlic salt, or whatever you like, cut it into six triangles, arrange on a baking sheet and toast in a 375F oven for about 15 minutes or until the edges start to brown. It’s even faster in an air fryer! These are fantastic with hummus and tzatziki, and also make a nice crunchable accompaniment to soups.

Leek and Sweet Potato Soup

Everyone likes a nice potato soup during cold winter months but I find that these soups are often a bit low in protein so I recommend that they be served with a side dish that is higher in protein such as cheese or cheese toast. You can add some cubed firm tofu or you can poach eggs and drop them onto the soup at serving time. This addition enriches the soup nutritionally but also adds a nice creamy texture.

2 leeks, slice lengthwise, rinsed well and sliced (if you don’t have leeks and don’t fancy going out into the cold to buy them you can substitute one large chopped onion)

Olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

2-3 potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes (you can use both white potatoes and sweet ones, or substitute yams)

3-4 cups of low salt chicken broth or vegetable broth

Black pepper to taste

1 good pinch of chili flakes

2 bay leaves

2 cups of green vegetable such as chopped spinach, broccoli, or kale

Salt to taste

Eggs, one per serving

Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderate heat and saute the leeks or onion until softened, 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and saute for another minute.

Add the potatoes, broth, bay leaves, black pepper, bring to boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked. Remove bay leaves. Add greens and cook until wilted. If using kale, taste test it as it takes longer than spinach to wilt.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Poach eggs in simmering water until the whites are firm but yolks are still soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in bowls of soup. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions if you like.

For those who read to the end: we did NOT forget that Valentine’s Day is coming! Mom tried to insert a recipe for Grit and Avocado brownies but I have, with few misgivings, rejected that recipe (if you want it, email her) and substituted something that is lovely and tasty and…well, you may need your big sweater a while longer. It’s only February! Summer is ages away!

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

As my Valentine’s child is away at school, I have to organize with a bakery in Montreal to send her cupcakes on her birthday. But here are some we can make at home:

I have a book called “One Pot Cakes” by Andrew Schloss and Ken Bookman. It was published in 1995 and the recipes are based on the theory that instead of creaming butter and sugar, you can melt the ingredients and assemble your cake batter as though it’s muffin batter. Easy! This recipe is adapted from one of theirs.

⅓ c. (75g) unsalted butter

1 c. sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 T. dark brewed coffee

¼ tsp salt

1 c. sour cream or yogurt

1 egg

¾ tsp baking soda

¾ tsp baking powder

1 ½ c. flour

½ c. cocoa

⅓ c. seedless raspberry jam or raspberry pie filling

Oven: 350F, line muffin tin with muffin papers - this recipe makes 16 cupcakes

Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

In a microwaveable bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, salt, sour cream and egg. Add the flour mixture and stir until well blended but don’t overmix.

Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about ¾ full. Dent the tops with a teaspoon dipped in water, and place about a teaspoon of raspberry filling on top of each. If you feel like it, draw a toothpick through the middle so it makes a heart shape. As the cupcakes bake this will sink down a little into the middle. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cupcakes pass the tap test (tap the top and it should spring back). Cool in the pan for 5 minutes then remove from the pan and cool on a rack.

You can frost these (I like the raspberry frosting on the sallysbakingaddiction. com website but half the recipe!) but I like them plain as they already have a nice jammy middle. Also? Keeping away from frosting helps our attempts to be healthy as it adds many many calories, the equivalent of two hours of walking. (Isn’t it stunning how few calories exercise actually burns?) On the other hand, if it’s a Valentine’s Day treat, why not make it as lavish and lickable as we can? You decide. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today, Sunrise Market also enjoys a strong following of customers and chefs from outside communities who visit regularly for its fresh and extensive selection of Asian and North American produce and products at great prices. You will find at every visit, and every day, selection and daily deals! Don’t miss out, visit now!

TONARI GUMI CORNER

Japanese Community Volunteers Association

INTRODUCING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The month of February is called Kisaragi 如月 or Konomezuki 木の芽月 in Japanese. I personally prefer the latter, which means the signs of Spring are emerging such as new buds on trees. As a start, our first new buds this spring, will be articles that introduce Tonari Gumi’s Board of Directors 2022/23. There are currently eight volunteer board members supporting, guiding, and deciding on various issues we face as a non-profit organization. Here are the first two members featured this month.

DAVID IWAASA | Chair Board of Directors

I’M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT TONARI GUMI IS ALIVE AND WELL! When the Japanese Community Volunteers Association, or Tonari Gumi as we are called in Japanese, first started in 1974 to help isolated seniors in the Downtown East side, it started a tradition of people within the community helping each other. During the pandemic we innovated and continued this tradition of helping. Now, we are focussing on providing more help for individuals to navigate our health and senior care systems on a one-on-one basis. We are also reaching out to other groups and generations both within our own community and the wider community to cooperate and work together to make our lives better. Check Tonari Gumi out. Join us, volunteer, donate and see how much we can help members of the community, together.

MAKIKO SUZUKI | Vice Chair Board of Directors

As David mentioned above, we’re really excited to be moving forward in serving our JC community. Prior to my retirement, having worked with the Government of Canada in senior’s programming, it was still a surprise to deal with my aging father. As he became frail, he moved into our household, where no one spoke Japanese. Knowing the importance of social interaction, yet seeing my dad isolated by language, it was a relief when the Tonari Gumi volunteers came to visit every Wednesday with an obento lunch, Japanese language newspapers and magazines. My rather quiet father would light up with the company.

After dad passed away at 91 years, my sister and I filled the void left by his passing by giving back and volunteering with TG. This is one of the most fulfilling choices we’ve made! Wonderful fellow volunteers have become good friends and together we know we are making a difference in the lives of other seniors. In addition, through the TG Garden Club and other TG events it is so interesting to meet with younger generations. This year I hope to meet up with more of our members and others in the community. You’ll be seeing me at lots of community events and at TG!

Japanese Canadian Survivors’ Social Club Valentine Jazz Concert

Due to the snowfall the Christmas Choir Concert was cancelled, but the Survivors’ Social Club would like to invite you to the Valentine Jazz Concert. It will start from 1:30pm on Saturday, February 11th at Tonari Gumi. The band will be Sharon Minemoto on piano, Brad Shigeta on trombone/vocals and Darren Radtke on bass. They will a variety of love songs for all ages to enjoy. Please come with your families and friends! Register at socialclub@tonarigumi.ca or 604-687-2172 ext.105 by February 3rd.

Japanese bento boxes available on Tuesdays

Tonari Gumi’s home-cooked lunches are available for purchase on Tuesdays! Contact the office to reserve your lunch by Friday 3 pm to have it ready for pick up on Tuesday at 11 am.

$7 for members, $8 for non-members.

Please note that the number of lunches is limited, and the menu depends on available ingredients.

continued on page 35

The Japanese Community Volunteers Association, “Tonari Gumi” gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following people for their generous donations received January 1 to January 24, 2023. Although we try our best, we may miss your name. Please contact us and we will make correction in the next issue.

Monetary Donations Shoji Komatsu, Harutoshi Morinaga, Ken Nakano, Hiroko Stuart, Yasuko Masuhara, David Iwaasa, Michiko Tani, Judy Inouye, Fusako Mori, Junko Kataoka, Jiro Sekine, Etsuyo Fujiwara, Shoji Komatsu, Yoko Nishimura, Anonymous (1)

Monetary Donations (Canada Helps) Emily Nakai

In memory of Alice Maeda Kimiko Higashi

In Loving Memory of Late Jitsuko Katayama Taeko & Takeo Hayashi

In memory of Eri Wong (Canada Helps) Jack Martin

In Kind Donations Wilson Hazumi, Hisako Tanaka, Tazuko Mochizuki, Tomoko Konagaya, Yumi Nagano, Hideko Sato, Harutoshi Morinaga, Yoshiko Uchikoshi, Jessy Johl/Queen Elizabeth Lions Club, Sharon Kilbach/Ocean Brands, Anonymous (2)

In Kind Donation – In loving memory of my grandmother Melissa Mukai MONTHLY GIVING

Monetary Donations (Canada Helps) Takashi Sato, Tsutae Suzuki, Mitsuko Mizuguchi, Tamotsu Nagata, Satomi Yamashita, Emiko Morita, Anonymous (1)

OUR EDIBLE ROOTS

by Makiko Suzuki

Abnormal weather in 2022 created difficult gardening conditions. Nevertheless, some Tonari Gumi Garden Club members accepted new challenges. Samiko Guest, won the prize for taking on the most unique project – last year she decided to grow rice! Samiko kindly documented her experiment as a rice grower to share with us.

The Japanese Canadian Kitchen Garden

but the online seed seller was full of confidence that it can be grown in a garden without flooding. I was sold.

The first step of growing rice is raising seedlings. Seeds must be checked for viability before sowing through ‘saltwater flotation’. Undeveloped and diseased rice seeds float in saltwater. Remove those. Place the rice seeds laying on the bottom of the salted water into a mesh bag. The next process is hot water sterilization. Submerge the bag of rice seeds in 60 0C water for 10 minutes. This process prevents seed-borne plant disease caused by bacteria. I then soaked the seeds in tap water for seven days to promote germination.

In April, I sowed the germinated seeds in cell trays. By mid-May, the seedlings grew to about 12-15 cm. I planted the seedlings at three locations at the end of May: my backyard, a bucket container on the back porch, and farm land in Surrey.

Even though upland rice doesn’t require as much water as regular rice does, it is better to water regularly, especially after the rice flowers and grains develop. I used plastic and grass clipping mulches to preserve soil moisture and prevent weeds.

My Backyard Rice | Part 1

I became a newbie backyard veg grower during the pandemic and was quickly sucked into the fascinating world of growing food. One day, I had a calling. “Grow your own rice”. Of course! Rice is the ultimate Japanese soul food. For centuries, Japanese everyday life developed and carried on around rice farming. I love rice. I had to do it. This is a record of my rice growing journey in 2022. The journey started by googling. I learnt there’s a rice variety called “Okabo”; an ‘upland rice’ that does not require flooding in a paddy field. It has been cultivated in mountainous areas of Japan for generations. I thought, a godsend!

I obtained two types of rice seeds. One was called Norin #11, a popular Okabo variety grown in mainland Japan. The other was Akamuro with origins in Hokkaido, Northern Japan. Akamuro is not an ‘upland rice’,

Because I watered my backyard rice plants more regularly than those at the Surrey farm, the rice plants in my backyard grew faster and larger. Comparing the 2 varieties: Akamuro grew quicker than Norin #11, but Norin #11 was bushier - it had twice as many tillers (stems). While the rice plants grew little by little during summer, my expectations heightened day by day! I was one devoted labourer, running between rice patches, huffing and puffing, to water and weed under the summer sun.

Thank you Samiko!

February’s typically cold and wet weather along the coast of BC can result in ‘gardener’s blues’ – the itch to get growing, or at least to do something in the garden! With winter beds cleaned up last November, help fight ‘gardener’s blues’ by reviewing last season’s gardening notes and organize your seed orders.

March Bulletin “My Backyard Rice” continues with ‘Part 2”. Samiko further describes her first rice harvest and methods to prepare rice grain, including the process of removing husks, and creating fiber arts using rice stalks. Also, find out about Samiko’s exciting 2023 ricegrowing project!

Milestones

AKIZUKI, Lisa Lisa’s vibrant, caring nature remained strong right through to her final breath at home in Richmond BC, where she was surrounded by her family. She lived life on her own terms and tackled years of breast cancer treatment without complaint. Loved and missed by her mother Michiko Jean Akizuki, sister Jayne Akizuki, brother-in-law Tim Knight, niece Rebecca Knight and partner Alex Walters, many wonderful friends and extended family members. Lisa was predeceased by her father Jim Akizuki and her border collie Lucy.

Warm thanks to Lisa’s amazing caregivers at BC Cancer Agency: nurse Sung-Eun Lee and Drs. Gelmon, Simmons, Bang, and Chia.

No celebration of life at Lisa’s request. Please consider a donation to BC Cancer Agency, SPCA, or Adopt Me Korean Rescue Dog.

“When you look up at the sky at night, since I’ll be living on one of them, since I’ll be laughing on one of them, for you it’ll be as if all the stars are laughing.” - from her favorite book, The Little Prince.

HARADA, Shigeru “Jack” It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shigeru “Jack” Harada. He passed away quietly in his sleep early in the morning of January 12, 2023, at the age of 103 years old. Jack was a gentle and kind individual who will be missed by all who knew him. Jack joins his wife Teiko, who passed away in 2013. Jack worked his whole career for Pacific Western Airlines, but his true passion in life was golf, which he continued playing well into his nineties.

Thank you to the staff at Maple Residence as well as the homecare aides from Ana’s Homecare Support, who helped look after Jack in his later years.

A memorial service will take place at The Steveston Buddhist Temple at 4360 Garry Street in Richmond on Saturday, January 28, at 11:00 a.m. Kindly call to RSVP at (604) 277-2323.

In lieu of koden and flower tributes, donations can be made to the Steveston Buddhist Temple.

KAMIMURA, Masuko February 1, 1933 - January 1, 2023. Masuko passed away peacefully at home on New Year’s Day surrounded by family. Predeceased by son Roland, parents Shigefuji and Satsuki

Tanaka, siblings Tokuko (Kenichi), Hitoshi (Setsuko), Kiyoshi (Sumiko) and Shigemi (Morimasa), she is survived by husband Shoichiro John, son Charles, daughter Marina (Maciek) and grandchildren Eva and Lauren Kamimura and Alex and Sonia Kon in Canada, and nephews, nieces and their families in Japan.

Masuko was born in Miyazaki, Japan, the youngest of five. With a degree in English Literature from Tokyo’s Japan Women’s University, she landed in Vancouver in 1954 as part of the Consul General of Japan’s family, to teach English and care for the children, improve her own English and spread her wings.

After meeting John at UBC, Masuko left her life in Japan to become the wife of a second-generation forester. She and John eventually settled in Hope, BC, raising three children and overseeing Allison Pass Sawmills. Masuko instilled her appreciation of both Japanese and Western culture in the next generations, from passing on Japanese customs and

traditions, to insisting all take up instruments and join her at the symphony, singing opera and playing piano herself through her final days. Similarly she instilled her sense of curiosity and adventure, taking the family to warmer climates in the winter and exploring North America, Europe and Asia with John. The life of the party, Masuko and John’s house was always filled with friends, neighbours and colleagues. Athletic and quick despite her 4’-10”, she golfed, curled, even pitched to the grandchildren. When back and lung issues set in, Baaba led the sideline cheering. While dementia curbed her later activities Masuko maintained her mischievous spirit to the very end, keeping generations of friends and strangers alike on their toes with her sharp wit, leaving an impression wherever she went.

The family would like to thank all the physiciansincluding UBC’s Dr. Haakon Nygaard and the staff of the Pacific Lung Health Centre - and all the friends and relatives that helped make her last years more comfortable.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. In lieu of Koden or flowers, kindly consider a donation to the UBC Alzheimer’s program.

LANKI, Colleen Phyllis January 18, 1965 - January 18, 2023. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Colleen Lanki, beloved wife, sister, aunt, mentor and friend on January 18, 2023.

Colleen is survived by her husband Nigel Carvalho, sister Carol Kehler (Garry), brother Ian Lanki (Lynn), the Lee Family of Salt Spring Island and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews who loved their Auntie Colleen.

As founder and Artistic Director of Tomoe Arts, Colleen’s guidance and drive will be sorely missed Colleen touched so many people with her art and her grace. She inspired others with her creativity , drive and passion for the things she loved. Her loss will be deeply felt by her myriad friends worldwide and especially in her adopted homelands of Japan and Hawaii as well as here in Canada. She will be profoundly missed by her lifelong friends, Eva ,Maria and Cathy

A celebration of Colleen’s life will take place at the Scandinavian Community Center - 6540 Thomas Street Burnaby BC, on February 11th from 1:00 -3:00

No flowers by request. Donations in her memory would be welcomed by Tomoe Arts or the BC Cancer Society

MATSUMURA, Reginald Mitsuo November 6, 1941 - January 6, 2023. Reg passed away peacefully, after a short battle with cancer, with his family by his side .

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Margaret, Sons Craig (Stacey), and Jason (Meez), Granddaughters Presley, Jameson, Sophie and Stella and his Sister Laverne.

He was pre-deceased by his Father Seitaro, his Mother Shizuko and Sister Linda.

Reg was very proud of being a true Stevestonite, being born in the Steveston Japanese Fishermans Hospital

The family would like the thank Dr. Cheryl Ho and Dr. Eric Berthelet from BC Cancer and the Richmond Home Care Team for their support.

At his request, there will be no Service and he asked that there be no flowers or Koden. In lieu, if you wish, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

SHIMIZU, Gentaro (Jerry) March 2, 1929 - December 2, 2022.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gentaro “Jerry” Shimizu on Dec 12, 2022 at the age of 93.

Born in Vancouver, he spent much of his childhood in Japan and returned to Canada newlywed in 1958 to start a family. Here, he became a gardener, generously sharing his lifelong passion for plants and trees.

He is survived by his wife Rose, his sons Andrew, Peter and Raymond, his daughter Barbara, his daughters in law Deborah, Gina and Marcia, and his grandsons Jacob and Lucas

Memorial services will be held at Vancouver Buddhist Temple (220 Jackson Avenue, Vancouver) on January 29th at 10:00 am

Flowers and koden are gratefully declined.

Tonari Gumi continued

If interested, contact the Tonari Gumi office at office@tonarigumi.ca or 604-687-2172 ext. 101.

Looking for volunteer drivers!

Interested in volunteering in the Japanese Canadian community?

Tonari Gumi is looking for volunteer drivers to help deliver lunch boxes to home-bound seniors on Tuesdays in the Metro Vancouver area. We are also looking for volunteers interested in hosting various recreational clubs where you can enjoy hobbies together with others. e.g. Cooking Club to share family recipes, Board Game Club, etc.

Please contact Tonari Gumi to find out more.

Email: programs@tonarigumi.ca / Phone: 604-687-2172 ext. 106

Curtis (Haruo) Yoshida Notary Public

Wills | Powers of Attorney Representation Agreements

Real Estate Transfers

(Purchase/Sale/Title Change)

Mortgages | Affidavits | Notarization

Phone: 604.569.0512

Email: curtis@notarydowntown.ca

212 – 938 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9

cell:

Yoshida Notary Public, Inc.

serving community with integrity and diligence

Support us by joining a program, attend an event, shop on site, become a member, and donate today.

Nikkei Place Donations

Reception | Gallery | Museum Shop:

Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday, Monday, Statutory holidays, Closed

Nikkei Japanese Bookstore

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm

Honouring, preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Japanese Canadians and Japanese culture in Canada centre.nikkeiplace.org | 604.777.7000 | info@nikkeiplace.org | 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC

Okaeri おかえり Return from Exile: All Paths Lead Home Launches on February 20

We are proud to launch the Okaeri おかえり Return from Exile: All Paths Lead Home project in partnership with the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall. Okaeri おかえ り (meaning welcome home) is an oral history project featuring 21 interviews with Japanese Canadians who lived through the Second World War. It shares stories of the nisei or secondgeneration Japanese Canadians who lived through internment in Canada, and the kika-nisei, who were also nisei but were uprooted to Japan and later returned to Canada in the 1950s.

The project will launch in celebration of BC Heritage Week on February 20 on the NNMCC Youtube channel. Join us for a webinar with special guests on February 25 from 11am.

Three overarching Japanese cultural values were passed down by the issei to the nisei. 1) Giri, meaning duty and commitment to the family and community before individual needs, 2) gambare, a layered term meaning ‘to do your best,’ to strive with great spirit for a better life, and to realize one’s dreams, and 3) gaman – acceptance of one’s lot in life and making the most out of whatever circumstances. These virtues are exemplified in the stories of the Nikkei elders.

We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health & Wellness Fund.

Recent Festivities

We hosted a successful year-end Mochitsuki event on December 29 in partnership with the NNMCC Auxiliary and the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association. Entertainment by Chibi Taiko, Satsuki-kai, and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko added fanfare to the event. Visitors not only lined up for mochi, but also enjoyed a variety of food vendors who joined us for the day.

We hosted a drop-in Kakizome - Japanese new year calligraphy – event on January 7. Participants spent a moment to focus on writing their new year aspirations, hopes, and goals. Thank you to our volunteer instructors who made this event possible. And thank you to the Consulate General Maruyama for providing his calligraphy scroll to add to the event.

The NNMCC Auxiliary Committee thanks everyone who volunteered their time at the Nikkei Craft Fair in November 2022. Special thanks to Hilde Wagner, John Paterson, and Satoko Kobayashi who donated items to sell. Doomo arigatoo gozaimashita. Our sincere apologies if any donors have inadvertently been omitted.

Photo: NNMCC staff. We look forward to saying hi when you visit.

日系センターのスタッフ は皆様のお越しをお待ち しております。

21人の日系二世と帰加二世の人生談がNNMCCのYOUTUBE チャンネルに2月20日より公開されます。戦争前、戦時中とそ の後の生活、日本文化や日本語との関係についてなど日本とカ ナダにまつわるお話を聴くことができます。英語だけでのご提 供になりますがどうぞご覧ください。

12月29日に3年ぶりに日系餅つきを開催することができまし た。いつもご協力いただいているNNMCC活動補助グループと バンクーバー日系ガーデナーズ協会の皆様に加え、ちび太鼓、 バンクーバー沖縄太鼓、彩月会による踊りで盛り上げていただ きました。来場者はお餅を求めて列をなし、また、イベントに参 加したフードベンダーの様々な食べ物を楽しんでいました。 1月7日に新年の行事で書初めのイベントが開催されました。こ どもから大人まで、書道家から初心者まで、大勢の方に新年の 抱負、希望、目標を書いていただきました。ご来場ありがとうご ざいました。ボランティアで指導してくださった方々にお礼申し 上げます。また、丸山総領事にはこのイベントに掛け軸を提供 していただきましたこと、感謝申し上げます。

プログラム

日系センターでは日本語で開催されているプログラムがありま す。ぜひご参加ください。柔道・合気道・習字クラブ・歌声喫 茶・日本舞踊・囲碁クラブ・そろばん・太鼓・フラダンス・ライン ダンス・シニアバドミントン。

展示

カナダに移民した日本人や日系人の歴史について興味のある方 は、2階廊下の展示を観にいらしてください。日系センターが開 館している時はいつでもご自由にご覧いただけます。

日系文化センター・博物館 ～ カナダでの日本文化の普及および 日系カナダ人の歴史の保存と共有に務めています。

受付・ミュージアム営業時間：火～土　午前10時～午後5時　 休館日：日月祝

日系ブックストア 営業時間：火木金土　午前11時～午後3時

Dementia (Part 2)

by Masako Sakuma-Anderson, MSW RCSW BC Registered Clinical Social Worker

Do I have dementia?

If you are worried that you may have dementia, you should first see your family doctor or nurse practitioner. They may ask questions about your day to day life, and/or do medical tests such as bloodwork, a brain scan, and thinking/memory tests. You may then be referred to specialists: a geriatrician, neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist for further assessment and diagnosis. It is very important to bring someone with you who knows your day to day life – someone like a relative or close friend. If you are diagnosed with having dementia, other health care professionals may meet with you to assist with helping you better understand and manage your dementia.

Medication

Unfortunately, there is presently no cure for dementia. However, there are some medications to slow down the progress of dementia or to manage other symptoms related to dementia. Depending upon the type and severity of your dementia, your medical conditions, and other factors, your doctor may prescribe a medication for dementia such as Aricept (Donepezil), Reminyl (Galantamine), Exelon (Rivastigmine), Ebixa (Memantine).

Dementia Treatment and Prevention

To slow down the dementia progress, it is important to optimize your overall health. It is believed that heart and brain health are closely related because your heart pumps blood through vessels to your entire body, including your brain. Healthy heart and blood vessels supply oxygen and other nutrients to your brain and nourish your brain cells. Keeping your heart healthy may reduce risk to develop both cardiovascular disease and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Being physically fit helps as well.

Known risk factors are

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Lack of physical activity

• Poor diet

• Alcohol drinking

• Not using your brain

• Depression

• Brain injury

• Hearing and vision loss

• Being socially isolated

• Air pollution

So, what should you do to reduce such risk factors?

Here are some tips:

• Be physically active, such as walking, running, weightlifting, gardening, yoga, tai chi, swimming, dancing, biking, team sports.

• Stop smoking.

• If you drink alcohol, make it a small amount.

• Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars and weight within recommended ranges.

• Stay socially connected to keep your mind active.

• Make healthy food choices. Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet that

is rich in protein, fruits and vegetables.

• Reduce stress.

• Challenge your brain by doing puzzles, word games and reading.

• See an audiologist who will check your hearing.

• See an optometrist to check your vision.

• Reduce your exposure to air pollution, such as exhaust from heavy traffic.

Advice for Caregivers for Dementia

As a caregiver, you play a major role in maintaining quality of life for people with dementia. You need to respect their unique values and dignity while you provide care for them. Here are some tips for care for their quality of life.

• Demonstrate patience with the person with dementia – for them “every moment is a new moment” as forgetfulness progresses.

• Learn more about the person: what they really value in life; their likes and dislikes; their life history.

• Give them comfort: Connect emotionally rather than providing reasoning.

• Provide care in a relaxed manner: Enable the person to do things for themselves, Keep it simple.

• Ask their permission gently: respect their choices.

• Communicate clearly and simply: One point at a time, make sure glasses and hearing aides are used if needed, use body language

• Step back if the person becomes agitated: Leave the area, try to identify what may have provoked the behaviour. Distract them.

• Keep it quiet: Stop and listen, avoid crowds and lots of noise.

• Don’t argue: Go with the flow, respect what the person is saying and doing. Correcting them may have a negative effect.

• Consider safety: ensure a safe environment for them. Be alert for wandering or getting lost.

• Listen well: listen to their stories, their wishes, accept who they are.

Ensuring quality of life care starts with focussing on the person, not the disease, as dementia does not define who they are.

Reference:

The Alzheimer Society of Canada (2022). Landmark Study: Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada. Retrieved from https://alzheimer.ca/en/ research/reports-dementia/landmark-study-report-1path-forward#Chapter_4:_Differences_in_dementia_rates_across_regions_of_Canada

Nikkei Place Donations

NIKKEI PLACE is comprised of three organizations: Nikkei Place Foundation, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, and Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. Thank you to our recent donors! For inquiries: gifts@nikkeiplacefoundation.org.

Tree of Prosperity | Gifts from December 26, 2022 - January 29, 2023

NNMCC

Anonymous

Helen Duckworth

Gordon B. Gallagher

Miki & Miyako Hirai

Den Enjo

David & Beverley Foy

Kathy Harris

Shirley Isojima

Takashi Iwata

Lola Lee

Deanna Oda

Sachiko Jean Okamura

Margie Uyeda

NNMCC Building

Maintenance

Art Kanzaki

NNMCC JC War

Memorial

Kelvin Inouye

Glenn Ohashi

Carl T. Yokota

NPF

Anonymous (8)

Junichi & Atsumi

Hashimoto

Shigeru & Akemi Hirai

Shinobu Homma

Ellen K. Kadonaga

Barry Kato

Koichi Kitagawa

Kevin Kochi

Harrison Mak

Ruth & Bruce Matsuda

Yoshiye Nakata

Keiko Norisue

Darrel & Dorothy Omae

Hideko Onouye

Roger Pratt

Tsuyako Sokugawa

Hiroko Stuart

Hozumi Takahashi

Robert & Anna Takashiba

George & Hiroko Tsuchiya

Wendy Yoshida

NSHCHS

Anonymous (3)

Miwako Aoki

Lorraine M. Elliott

Kenneth Ezaki

Sachie Harpain

Don & Kumiko Iwanaka

Michiyo Katayama

Laverne Matsumura

Ricardo Moromisato

Melissa Mukai

John & Marion Nakamoto

Michiyo Noma

Keiko Yakumo

HONOURS & TRIBUTES

In Honour of Sadao

“Dick” & Jill Aoki

Matthew Sinclair

In Honour of Cast & Crew of “Forgiveness”

Stephen Drover

In Honour of Inspiring

Founders and Leaders

Dan & Colleen Nomura

In Honour of Cy & Ritsu Saimoto Family Collection Project

Dr. Shigeo Saimoto

In Honour of Peter & Aster Nimi and Other Japanese Origin

Acquaintances

Fred Wiley

In Memory of Robert

Banno

Anonymous

Dean & Ayumi Dalke

In Memory of Bonsai

Anonymous

In Memory of Frank Cunningham & Rick Omatsu

Maryka Omatsu

In Memory of Masakazu Godo

Yoshiko Godo

In Memory of Ronald Inouye

Rona Tanaka

In Memory of Toshi & Hachiro Isotani

Noreen & Les Whitehead

In Memory of Tatsuo Kage

Dr. Millie Creighton

In Memory of Yosh & Kay Kanzaki

Art Kanzaki

In Memory of Hachiro Miyazawa

Jean Miyazawa Turnbull

In Memory of Kiyo, Nancy & Gordon

Mizuno

Anonymous

In Memory of

Mom & Dad

Glenn Ohashi

In Memory of

Yoshiko Nakatsu

Naomi Nakatsu

In Memory of Kimiko Nasu

Joyce Nasu

In Memory of Steven Nasu

Melisa Gorman

In Memory of Peter Nimi

Esther Kanegawa

Sharon Koizumi

Marlene & Rob Wiest

Stuart Kanegawa

Stanley & Audrey Kanegawa

In Memory of Mary & Sadao Nishimura

Shawn Nishimura

In Memory of Kiyoshi Ohashi

Ruby Ohashi

In Memory of Dennis, Bill and Chieko Okada

Lisa Okada

In Memory of Ray Ota

Anonymous

In Memory of Akira

(Chuck) Oye

Louis & Gerry Horii

David & Kiyomi Minamata

In Memory of Marie

Saito

Kelty McKinnon

In Memory of Michael

(Mike) Sokugawa

Anonymous (1)

Yoshiharu & Fumiko Aura

Karen Cassells

Frank & Patricia Hamanishi

Bill Horii

Dr. Akira Horii & Hamako Horii

Lila & Ken Ikesaka

Kazuko Koyanagi

Allan & Keiko Mayede

Gordon & Masayo Mayede

Akio & Amy Momotani

May Mukaida

Yoko Nishimura

Sachiko Sokugawa

In Memory of Taeko

Faye Takahashi

Michael Takahashi

In Memory of

Chiyoko Tanaka

Carl T. Yokota

In Memory of E. H. Tanaka

Kathleen Y. Tanaka

In Memory of George Uyesugi

Cypress Capital Management Ltd.

Ken & Dorothy Yada & Family

In Memory of Sho

Uyesugi

Fred & Linda Yada

Ken & Dorothy Yada & Family

In Memory of Linda Yada

Rickey & Margaret Yada

In Memory of Haruko

June Yamamoto

Norine Yamamoto

In Memory of William

Ho Yee

Christopher Ho Yee

MONTHLY GIVING

Anonymous (2)

Ian & Debbie Burgess

Brian & Marcia Carr

Patricia H. Chan

Michael & Ruth Coles

Grant Dustin

Masami Hanashiro

Tad & Mitsuko Hosoi

Shaun Inouye

Kenneth & Bernadine Isomura

Mary F. Kawamoto

Greciana Langamon

Tommy Li

Shinobu Kadome

Stewart Kawaguchi

Ted Kawamoto

Bruce Kosugi

Catherine Makihara

Marie McKee

Brian & Sally Milligan

Anne Motozono

Roberta H. Nasu

Craig Natsuhara

Takeshi & Mizuho

Ogasawara

Chris Oikawa

Hanako Oye

Linda Kawamoto Reid

Vivian Rygnestad

Jim & Norma Sawada

Howard Shimokura

Audrey Shimozawa

Barbara Shishido

Sharlene A. Tabata

Michael Takahashi

Joyce C. Takeshita

Darlene Tanaka & Trevor Jones

Grace Tanaka

Ginzo & Harue Udagawa

Hisako Wada

Fred & Linda Yada

Chris, Jan Yamamoto & Family

Norine K. Yamamoto

Sam Yamamoto

Tatsuo & Mariko Yamamoto

Jack Yeh

HERITAGE ESTATE GIVING CIRCLE

Yoshiharu Hashimoto

George & Elaine Homma

Betty Issenman

Sato Kobayashi

Cathy Makihara

Robert & Jane Nimi

Carrie Okano

Linda Kawamoto Reid

Richard & Gail Shinde

Norman Shuto

Haruko Takamori

Sian Tasaka

Fred & Linda Yada

Sam Yamamoto

日系プレースは、日系文化センター・博物館、日系シニアーズ・ヘルスケア住宅協会および日系プレース基金で構成されています。

日系文化センター・博物館ニュース

3年ぶりに年末に餅つきイベ ントを開催することができまし た。いつもご協力いただいてい るNNMCC補助団大とバンクー バー・ガーデナーズ協会の皆 様に加え、ちび太鼓、バンクーバー沖縄太鼓、五月会による踊 りで盛り上げていただきました。食べ物はお餅の他に出店の 方にも出店していただき皆さんの食欲は満たされたかと思いま す。

1月7日に新年の行事で書初めのイベントが開催されました。 こどもから大人まで、書道家から初心者まで、大勢の方に今年 の抱負などを書いていただきました。ご来場ありがとうござい ました。先生を務めてくださったボランティアの方々にお礼申 し上げます。また、このイベントために丸山総領事より掛け軸 の展示をさせていただく機会をいただきました。

プログラム

日系センターでは日本語で開催されているプ ログラムがあります。ぜひご参加ください。 柔道・合気道・習字クラブ・歌声喫茶・日本 舞踊・囲碁クラブ・そろばん・太鼓・フラ・ ダンス・ラインダンス・バドミントン・シニア・ バドミントン。

日系文化センター･博物館をサポートする他の方法

ご自分またはご家族や親しい方に当協会のメンバーシップを 購入する ボランティアとして登録する

（ウェブサイトまたは事務局で登録可） 博物館のギフトショップでお買い物をする

日系文化センターを次のパーティー、ミーティング、あるいは 特別イベントの会場として使用する 繁栄の樹や日系プレース基金に寄付する

ご寄付に関する詳細は、日系プレース基金にお問い合わせ ください：604.777.2122またはgifts@nikkeiplace.org

ミュージアムショップ

カナダに移民した日本人や日系人の歴史に ついて興味のある方は、2階廊下の展示を 観にいらしてください。日系センターが開館 している時はいつでもご自由にご覧いただ けます。 21人の日系二世と帰加二世の人生談が NNMCCのYoutubeチャンネルに2月20 日より公開されます。戦争前、戦時中とそ の後の生活、日本文化や日本語との関係に ついてなど日本とカナダをまたぐお話が聴 けます。英語だけでのご提供になりますが どうぞご覧ください。

日系センターWEBサイトにて、さまざま な特別イベント・プログラムなどの詳細 をご覧ください！！

www.nikkeiplace.org

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Nikkei Place Monthly Update

認知症について（その2）

執筆者：アンダーソン佐久間雅子　BC州認定クリニカル・ソーシャルワ ーカー、MSW（ソーシャルワーク修士） 翻訳：大出泉綺

本誌11月号に掲載した「認知症（その1）」では、認知症とは何か、認知 症の種類および一般的な症状についてご紹介しました。今回は、認知 症の治療や予防について、また、介護者へのアドバイスについてご説明 します。

認知症かどうか？

認知症が心配な方は、まずかかりつけ医 師または診療看護師（NP）に相談してみてく ださい。必要に応じて、日常生活に関する質 問や、血液検査、脳スキャン、思考・記憶検査 などの検査が行われます。さらに詳細な検査 や診断が必要と判断される場合には、老年 病専門医や神経科医、老年精神科医に紹介 されるでしょう。その際、身内や親しい友人な ど、あなたの日常生活を知っている人が同伴 することが非常に重要です。認知症と診断さ れた場合、あなたの認知症への理解や対応 方法について支援する医療専門家との面談 が設けられることがあります。

薬物療法

残念ながら、認知症を完全に治す方法は 今のところありません。しかし、認知症の進行 を抑制する薬や、認知症に関連する症状の 治療薬は存在します。認知症の種類や程度、 病状、その他要因に応じて、アリセプト（ドネペジル）、レミニール（ガラン タミン）、イクセロン（リバスチグミン）、エビクサ（メマンチン）などの認 知症治療薬が処方されることがあります。

認知症治療と予防

認知症の進行を緩やかにするためには、心身の健康状態を良好に保 つことが重要です。心臓は血管を通じて脳を含む全身に血液を送り出 しているため、心臓と脳の健康は密接に関係していると考えられていま

す。心臓と血管が健康であれば、脳に酸素や 栄養分が供給され、脳細胞 に栄養を与えることができます。心臓の状態を健康に保つことは、循環 器疾患と認知症、特にアルツハイマー型認知症や血管性認知症の発症 リスク減少につながる可能性があります。合わせて、健康的な身体づく りも重要です。

認知症のリスク要因として知られているものは以下の通りです。

では、こうしたリスク要因を減らすためには、何をすべきでしょうか。 ここでは、そのヒントをいくつか紹介します。

ウォーキング、ランニング、ウェイトリフティング、園芸、ヨガ、太極拳、水 泳、ダンス、自転車、チームスポーツなど、体を動かす 禁煙する 飲酒する場合は、少量にとどめる

血圧、コレステロール値、血糖値、体重を推奨範囲内に保つ 社会とのつながりを大切にし、頭を働かせる タンパク質、果物、野菜など健康的な食品を選択 し、バランスのとれた食事をする

ストレスを軽減する

パズルや言葉遊び、読書など、頭を使うことに挑 戦する 聴覚専門医による聴力検査を受ける 眼科医による視力検査を受ける

交通渋滞による排気ガスなど、大気汚染にさらさ れる機会を減らす

認知症介護者へのアドバイス

介護者は、認知症の方の生活の質を維持すると いう大きな役割を担っています。その人ならでは価 値観や尊厳を尊重した介護が必要となります。認 知症の方の生活の質を高めるための介護のヒント をいくつかご紹介します。 忍耐強く接する。物忘れが進むにつれ、認知症の 方にとっては「すべての瞬間が新しい瞬間」となり ます。 　本当に大切にしていること、好きなこと、嫌いな こと、生い立ちなど、その人のことをもっと知る。 相手に安らぎを与える。理屈ではなく、心のつながりを大切にする。 ゆったりとした気持ちで介護をする。自分でできることは自分でさせる。 できるだけシンプルにする。

相手の許可を優しく得る。相手の意思を尊重する。

一度に一つずつ、わかりやすく、シンプルに伝える。必要に応じて眼鏡や 補聴器を使用する。ボディランゲージを使用する。 相手が興奮状態になった場合は、一歩下がる。その場から離れ、何が原 因でそのような行動をとったのか確認する。相手の気をそらす。

静かにする。立ち止まって耳を傾け、人混みや騒がしさを避ける。

反論しない。流れに身を任せ、相手の言動を尊重する。相手を正すと、か えって良くない影響を与えることがある。

安全を考慮する。安全な環境を確保する。徘徊や迷子にならないように 注意する。

耳を傾ける。相手の話や希望に耳を傾け、相手のことを受け入れる。

認知症はその人自身を定義するものではありません。認知症の方の 生活の質を維持するための介護は、認知症ではなく、その人自身に焦点 を当てることから始めることが重要です。

参考（英語）：

カナダ アルツハイマー病協会（2022）　「革新的な研究：カナダにおける認知症の 進むべき道を探る」

https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/reports-dementia/landmark-study-report-1path-forward#Chapter_4:_Differences_in_dementia_rates_across_regions_ of_Canada

日系シニアズ・ヘルスケア住宅協会

2月は日本語で「如月」または「木の芽月」と呼ばれます。個 人的には木々に新しい芽が出る春の兆しを意味する「木の 芽月」の表現がとても好きです。今月から芽吹きを伝える記 事として、2022・23年度隣組理事会メンバー紹介を数回に 分けて掲載します。現在８名のボランティアの理事会メンバ ーが、非営利団体として抱える問題へのサポートと指導、そ して指針決定するため日々活動してくれています。そして今 月最初に紹介するのはこの お二人。

隣組理事長　岩浅ディビッド

隣組が設立当初から現在に至るまで活発な活動を続けて いることを本当に嬉しく思います！1974 年に「隣組」と呼ば

れる日本人コミュニティボランティア団体が、ダウンタウンの イーストサイドに住む孤立した高齢者への支援を目的とし て発足した際、人々が互いに助け合うという伝統が始まりま

した。パンデミックの間、私たちはこの支援の伝統を革新し 継続し続け。今私たちは人が健康な生活とシニアへのケア

システムを上手くナビゲートするための、個人的な支援と提 供に焦点を当てています。さらに日系コミュニティ内だけで はなく、他のコミュニティ団体や若い世代にも手を差し伸べ、皆がより良い暮らしを目指して協 力するための活動を今後も続けていくつもりです。隣組ウェブサイトやニュースレターから私 たちの活動と情報発信をチェックするのはもちろん。読者の皆さんもボランティア活動への参 加やご寄付を通して、お互いにコミュニティへの貢献 を感じ取っていただければと思います。

隣組副理事長　鈴木真紀子

岩浅理事長と同じく、理事一同日系コミュニティへ の奉仕と前進にとてもやりがいを感じています。私は 引退前、カナダ政府高齢者向けプログラム担当者と して働いていましたが、それでも年老いた父へのサ ポートで発見や驚かされることが多々ありました。父 は老齢に伴い、誰も日本語を話せない私たちと同居 することになりました。人とつながることの重要性を 知っていながら、英語が上手に話せないために孤立 している父を見て危惧していた家族は、毎週水曜日 に隣組のボランティアがお弁当と日本語の新聞や雑 誌を持って訪ねてきてくれたことでとても安堵し、そ して普段はもの静かな父がボランティアの訪問時に とても明るくなったことを覚えています。

その父が 91 歳で亡くなった後、妹と私は父の死によ

って残された空白を埋めるため、隣組のボランティ ア活動に参加しました。これは私たちにとって最も充

実した選択の 1 つとなり、素晴らしいボランティアや良い友達と出会えました。これらの経験か らも私は隣組のボランティア活動がシニアの生活に素晴らしい変化をもたらしていると確信 しています。また隣組ガーデンクラブやその他のイベントを通じて出会う若い世代との交流も 非常に興味深く。今年もより多くの隣組メンバーとの出会い、そして他のコミュニティ団体との 繋がりを持ちたいと思っています。皆さん今年もイベントや

オンライン・シニアライフセミナー 「安心して老後の生活を迎えるために、今するべきこと！」

リタイヤまでにいくら貯蓄？どうやったら貯められる？ ファイナンスのプロからストラテジーを学びます

講師：福田敦子　Financial Educator

日時：2023年2月28日（火）1 PM～2:30 PM

参加費：無料

セミナー詳細：https://www.tonarigumi.ca/ seminars?lang=ja

申し込み：https://bit.ly/3GwQP4v

ボランティアドライバー募集中！

順不同、敬称略）

お名前の誤り等があった場合は来月号の紙面にて訂 正させて頂きますので、ご連絡ください。

寄付金

森永春利、中野ケン、ストゥアート・ヒロコ、マスハラ・ ヤスコ、岩浅デービッド、谷道子、イノウエ・ジュディ、 森冨佐子、片岡純子、関根次郎、フジワラ・エツヨ、ニ シムラ・ヨウコ、Canada Helps、匿名希望 (1) 寄付金 (Canada Helps) ナカイ・エミリー、

前田アリス 追悼記念

東喜美子

カタヤマ・ジツコ 追悼記念

ハヤシ・タエコ＆タケオ

ウォング・エリ 追悼記念 (Canada Helps)

マーティン・ジャック

物品

ウイルソン・葉寿美、田中久子、望月田津子、小長谷朋 子、長野ユミ、サトウ・ヒデコ、森永春利、打越義雄、ジ ョエル・ジェシー/Queen Elizabeth Lions Club、キル バッチ・シャロン/Ocean Brands、匿名希望 (2) 物品（わが祖母を偲んで）

ムカイ・メリッサ

** MONTHLY GIVING ** 寄付金 (Canada Helps)

サトウ・タカシ、鈴木傳、水口光子、ナガタ・タモツ、山 下里美、モリタ・エミコ、匿名希望 (1)

日本食お弁当の販売

毎週火曜日にシニア宅へ配達されるお弁当を、予約制で隣組 にてピックアップ販売も行っています。金曜日までにご予約い ただければ、次の火曜日１１時ごろのピックアップでお弁当を ご用意いたします。

お値段は会員７ドル、非会員８ドル。食材により数に限りがご ざいますのでご留意ください。

ご興味のある方は隣組までお気軽にご連絡ください。

メール：office@tonarigumi.ca　電話 604-687-2172 内線101

日系カナダのコミュニティで楽しくボランティアしてみませんか？ 隣組では毎週火曜日にメトロバンクーバー近郊在住シニアへのお弁当配達をサポートしてくれる、定期・不定期のボランティアドライバ ーを募集しています。

また、趣味を一緒に楽しむクラブ、日本の家庭料理を作って食べるクラブなど、ドライバー以外のボランティアも常時募集しています。 隣組の活動にご興味のある方はお気軽にご連絡ください。

メール：programs@tonarigumi.ca 電話：604-687-2172 内線106

隣組でお会いしましょう！

隣組へのご寄付ありがとうございました。 この場をお借りして厚く御礼申しあげます。

（2023 年 1 月 1 日〜 1 月 24 日

お知らせ雑記帳

VJLS-JH戦略計画

この度、VJLS-JHの今後3年から5年の目標をまとめた新たな戦略計画を発表いたしました。新しい戦略計画では４つ の戦略的方向性が定められています。また、この計画は、12か月に亘り数々のインタビューや会議、コミュニティ向け相 談会等を重ね、策定に至りました。ご協力、ご支援いただいたコミュニティの皆様に感謝申し上げます。

VJLS-JHは皆様からのご意見をもとに、「信頼関係」、「学習空間」、「職員のエンパワーメント」、「定着」に重きを置きミッ ション達成に向け取り組んでまいります。

私たちは自分たちの価値観を大切にし、コミュニティにとって最も意味のあるものにエネルギーを注いでいきます。今 後、私たちの活動やプログラムが「互恵性」「つながり」「歓迎」「好奇心」を支え、皆さんにもそれを実感していただける かと思います。

詳細と戦略計画は、www.vjls-jh.com からご覧ください。

VJLS-JH初となる大規模なファンドレイジングキャンペーンにてご 支援いただいた皆様、誠にありがとうございました。目標額の2倍 以上となる22,000ドル以上の寄付を地域の皆様から頂きました。 これらの寄付金は、VJLS-JHコミュニティー繁栄のためのプログラ ムや様々な活動、イベントに活用させていただきます。

新ウェブサイト開設

私たちの戦略計画にも含まれる変革やフレッシ ュな取り組みに合わせ、VJLS-JHでは新しいウェ ブサイトを立ち上げました。より魅力的なプレゼ ンテーションに加え、英語から日本語への切り替 え、iPadや携帯電話向けのモバイル・フレンドリ ーなフォーマット、ナビゲーションが容易なシンプ ルなレイアウトになっています。

デザインのコンセプトは「金継ぎ」です。これは、私たち コミュニティの歴史とその回復力、そして私たちを取り 巻く世界に適応していくことを意図しています。

この新しいウェブサイトは、2023年2月13日に開設され ます。www.vjls-jh.comより是非アクセスください。

こどものくに、プリスクール、

トドラープログラムの申し込み受付開始

2023年3月1日より、2023年～2024年のプリスクールとトドラープログラムの 申し込み受付を開始いたします。この機会に、ぜひ当校のウェブサイトをご 覧いただき、プログラムの詳細や申し込みについてご確認ください。人数に は限りがありますので、お早めにお申し込みください。

ご不明な点がございましたら、こどものくに園長 芳賀満 (cw@vjls-jh.com) までお問い合わせください。

おかえり－追放からの帰還。

すべての道は家へと続く

当団体の新しい戦略計画の鍵は、世代間をつなぐことです。 この度、日系文化センター博物館と協同し、20名以上の高齢 者の方々の歴史を記録し、それをコミュニティの方々と共有 できることとなりました。

カナダ強制収容所で生活を送った２世の方や、日本へと強 制送還され、その後1950年代に再びカナダに戻った日系２ 世の苦労や経験、そして彼らにとっての帰国が意味するもの などを共有しています。これらの経験談を記録できたことは とても貴重なことです。ご協力してくださった２０名以上の 皆様方に感謝しております。

2023年2月25日に無料のウェビナーを開催し、参加者の 何名かが体験談のハイライトを紹介する予定です。詳細 は、NNMCCとVJLS-JHのソーシャルメディアにて配信されま すのでご確認ください。

バンクーバー日本語学校並びに日系人会館

おかえり募金キャンペーンでのご協 力ありがとうございました！

《滄海一粟》

航海日誌

元日系ボイス編集者　田中 裕介

第3回＜カナダ日系145年史＞セミナーから 初期移民と隣人としての先住民たち

初期の日系移民の目的は＜実利＞と＜大義＞に大別できる。彼らが 同じ船に乗ってやって来たのである。こういった、当初は帰国を前提と した越境者が次第に定住に向かうのは、動物的本能だと思う。「住む・ 澄む・済む」の語源は皆同じで、意識変化を時の流れが促す結果なので ある。

一世・円入参之助は、1894年6月にカナダに渡って来た。彼は水産伝 習所（現・東京海洋大学）を卒業したばかりの25歳だった。仲間8人と最 先端の水産加工技術を日本にもたらそうという使命に燃えていた。出港 日から付け始めた日記は、2年間つづいた後、前触れもなく終わってい る。この時、彼にどんな心境の変化があったのか。それは、どこにも書か れていない。

ただ、1896年には、彼が後に生業とする薪木の販売業を友人たちと 始めている。2年を経て次第に現地に溶け込み、根を張り出したのでは ないか。もしそうならば、ゲストに招いた移住者・河合真一郎さん（注：1

月号で紹介済み）の体験と符牒が合う。僕自身も定職に就くと現地社会 が身近に感じ愛着がわき始めた。そして、気がつけば37年目である。 　円入さんの日記から、開拓移民の目線で見たBC州スキーナ河沿岸の 様子や先住民との関わりを抜粋してみた。

＊＊＊＊＊

1894年5月19日、横浜を出港、6月6日にビクトア到着。目についたの は電気鉄道だ。鉄道馬車から馬を外し、客車だけが独りで走っているよ うに見える。・・客船の中に亀さん、阿佐さんという男が妻とおぼしき人 を連れていたが、実は、2人の女性をビクトリアで売春をさせるために連 れてきたらしい。政府はもっと厳しく取り締まるべきだ。

6月13日、アラツベイに着いた。人家が20軒ほどあり、ほとんどが先住 民の家だ。・・ここの大きな樹の枝の又のところに箱が置いてある。これ は天葬という埋葬だそうだ。蓋をして、死者を天に葬る。

6月14日、スキーナ河は海のように広い。・・アフデムの鮭缶詰工場は、 どこも漁師と経営者の鮭単価の話し合いがついていない。ここで、私た ちのうち2人を雇ってもらった。労働時間は1日11時間。16日、ノースパシ フィックに到着・・缶詰工場があり日本人が12名ほどいる。永延と田村が ここで上陸。・・インベナイスに到着。ここの缶詰工場には、日本人が25 人ほどいる。

ホーチヤムソンで泊まった家は酋長の家で室内はなかなか上品であ る。・・篠原という大工の家で、昼ご飯を食べた。日本米に鮭の肉をまぜ て醤油で煮たもので、とても美味しかった。・・酋長のカヌーを借りて、5 名全員がこれに乗った。舵は先住民夫婦が操作し、1時間ばかり来たと ころで、微風が出たので、帆を張ろうとしたが帆柱を忘れてきた。幸い、 木を切るための道具はあったので、先住民を上陸させて木を切らせるこ とにした。しかし、彼らはのんびりしていて、1本の木を切るのにおよそ1 時間もかかる。・・先住民はそういうことは気にしていない様子で、岩の 上でのんびりと木の皮を剝いでいる。・・荷物を降ろすと、船底のところ に割れ目が発生していた。浅瀬で岩に当たって破損したのだ。船主の先 住民に修理費を支払うことになった。相川氏が交渉し15ドル支払うと伝 えたが、先住民は承知しない。裁判しかないということで、話し合いは破 綻した。

8月24日、捕ってきた魚を始末しないと腐ってしまうので、火で乾燥さ せ、塩漬けにした。永延君がこの魚で蒲焼を作った。とても美味しかっ た。・・強風の中、帰途に就いたが前進できない。浜辺に焚火が見えたの で、船を繋いで上陸した。寒さが厳しく、先住民に火をもらいに行くと、 親切にも天幕から出てきて「前に乾いた薪がたくさんあるから、それを 焚いて暖をとるといいでしょう」と言ってくれた。喜んで焚火をして、潮が 満ちるのを待った。・・

写真：The Ennyu family (from left) Alice, Moto, Kay, Sannosuke & Kenny (Photo taken during 1908~12): Courtesy of W. Kamitakahara

スキーナ河は7つの鮭缶詰工場と1つの塩鮭工場が河口から各地に点 在している。漁期になると先住民が家族で来住し、出稼ぎの中国人、日本 人、白人などがたくさんやって来て、200人にもなる。周辺に全部で十数 棟の小屋が建てられており、日本人、白人、中国人に、それぞれ1棟また は2棟が貸与される。

11月3日、今日は天長節、夕方から酒宴をひらき、鶏を料理して酒の肴 にして盛大に祝った。12日、ポートシンプソンまで薪を運んだ。ここの小 屋には先住民が6，7人泊まっていたが、うち3人は最近、横浜に行って帰 ってきたという。

1月31日、メデカタの先住民委員から日本人に対して書類が送られて きた。その内容は、「近頃、日本人は1回に鹿を10頭も獲っていると聞く。 法律によって、9月までは猟をすることはできないはずである。もし、この 法律に違反した場合は、100ドルの罰金を払わなければならない」。

3月23日、漁をしている時に、帽子を川に落としてしまった。下流で漁を していたインディアンがそれを引き揚げてくれた。

5月20日、ポートシンプソンの先住民3人がカヌーに乗ってやってきて、 「ここより上流には来ないで欲しい。いろいろな所に罠を仕掛けたの で、あなた達が来て音を立てると、熊が逃げてしまうからだ」と言う。また、 「この川は吾等が所有するものだ」と言う。我々は「そうではない。この 川は断じて君たちの所有物であるとは言えない。この川は政府が所有し ているものだから、日本人でも白人でも、自由に狩猟をすることができる はずだ。しかし、君たちが頼むのであれば、我々は行かないことにしよう」 と言うと、とても喜び、「有難う」と言って立ち去った。

1896年元旦、祝杯をあげて新年を祝った。中尾、高橋が鴨青首を1羽 獲ってきたので、晩餐にうどんを作って食べた。17日、早朝から鹿狩りに 行った。28日、ポートシンプソンの2人の先住民が鹿狩りに来て泊まって いった。・・海岸で鹿2頭を銃殺した。大きい方は、体内に5寸ほどの大き さの胎児が2頭入っていた。

3月5日、・・隣家の先住民が独木船を製造するというので、蒸気の使い 方を見学した。独木船を製造するには、まず、木の根の部分を船の後部 にして、中を穿ち、船縁を開かせるために淡水を船の3分の１ほど入れ て、これに焼石を4回投げ入れる。その焼石によって蒸気を発生させ、船 の上を幕で覆うと、自然に木が柔らかくなる。そこで、船首と船尾に枕木 を入れると、木が柔らかくなるに従って船縁が開いてくる。開きすぎたと きは、舷の外から杖を使って戻し、開き方が十分でない場合は、船内に 突っ張りをして、適切な形状にする。その間、ずっと船の外側の乾いた部 分に熱湯をかける。

＜この後、円入参之助は牧師の家の料理人として働き、基督教に帰依し た。1902年、カナダに帰化し、福岡に帰省して同郷の大津山モトと結ば れてカナダに戻り、強制移動までカナダ市民として平穏に暮らした＞

＊第4回＜カナダ日系史145年＞ セミナーは2月24日開催。

登録リンクは：https://bit.ly/NikkeiHistory4

セミナー通信の配信は田中まで：

<yusuketanaka446@gmail.com>

Eastsideから見える日本と世界 第55回　見えにくい日本の女性ホームレス

■日本での「ホームレス」の対象範囲の狭さ 　カナダなど欧米諸国と異なり、日本では「ホームレス」の対象範囲が非 常に狭く定義されています。欧米では文字通り「ホームがない」状態を指 しますが、日本では「都市公園、河川、道路、駅舎その他の施設を故なく

起居の場所とし、日常生活を営んでいる者」（ホームレスの自立の支援等 に関する特別措置法）と定義されています。つまり、いわゆる野宿の状態 にある人々のみを指します。従って、知り合いの家に居候している状態、 一時的にシェルターに入っている状態、ファストフード店で夜を過ごして いる状態など、欧米の定義では「ホームレス」に含められるものは日本で は「ホームレス」として数えられないのです。

こうした背景には、もともと「ホームレス」という語が日本語になく、「ホ ームレスの自立の支援等に関する特別措置法」という法律を新たに制 定する必要が生じたために「ホームレス」の範囲を定義したという事情 があります。このことは、統計上は、日本での「ホームレス」の人数が極め て少なく現れていることとつながっています。

■顕在化しにくい女性のホームレス

日本の厚生労働省は毎年「ホームレスの実態に関する全国調査」をお こなっています。2022年1月に実施した結果は、全国のホームレス数が 3,448人でした。先述した通り、ここでいう「ホームレス」とは野宿状態に ある人を指しており、ネットカフェやファストフード店、友人宅などに一時 的に滞在している人は含まれていません。3,448人のうち、男性が3,187 人、女性が162人、不明が99人となっています。この全国調査は、日中に 係員（各自治体の職員）が目視で行うため、場合によっては遠くから確認 して数えることもあります。また、冬の野宿生活では多くの人が衣類を着 込んでいます。そのため、遠目から見ると男性か女性かわからない、とい う場合も少なくありません。「不明」の人数にはそのような事情が反映さ れています。

そもそも屋外で過ごす野宿生活は暴力や嫌がらせ、犯罪に巻き込ま れる恐れがある行為です。このことからも、「ホーム」を喪失した女性が 野宿をするのではなく、インターネットカフェや知り合い等の家に仮住 まいする、派遣労働や性風俗等の仕事を見つけて職場の寮に暮らすと いった選択をすることにつながっていきます。しかし、そうした女性たち は日本では「ホームレス」として数えられていないのです。

■中高年の男性を想定した日本の「ホームレス」支援制度

2020年春からのCOVID19のパンデミックにより、特に行動制限が厳し かった時期（2020年前半）は、社会の全員が自宅に留まらざるを得ない 状態となりました。このことは、家族との折り合いが悪い、虐待を受けて いるなどの理由で自宅にいたくない若者たちには非常に辛い状態でし た。こうした若者たちの中には他に寝泊まりするための場所をインター ネットで探そうとする人たちもいましたが、それがきっかけで犯罪に巻き 込まれるなどの被害も生じました。こうした若者たちも、ことばの本来の 意味で言えばホームレスのはずですが、ホームレス支援制度の対象に はなりません。

日本の「ホームレス」支援制度は、基本的に中高年の男性を想定し、就 労による経済的自立を促すものです。つまり、女性やLGBTQ+、未成年の 若者たちへの支援が公的な「ホームレス」支援制度の中で現実に即して 整備されているわけではなく、そうした部分をこれまで民間団体が補っ てきた、という現状があります。現状の正確な把握とニーズに即した支援 実施のためにも、「ホームレス」の定義の範囲を広げ、現実に即した対応 を行うことが必要だと思います。

山本薫子（やまもと・かほるこ） 首都大学東京都市環境学部准教授 （2008年～）。UBC社会学部客員准 教授（2018年5月～12月）。専門は都 市社会学、地域社会学。 著書に、『横浜・寿町と外国人－グロ ーバル化する大都市インナーエリ ア 』福村出版（2008年）、『原発震災 と避難 － 原子力政策の転換は可能 か（シリーズ 被災地から未来を考え る(1)）』有斐閣（2017年）など。

写真： 2019年に新たに建て替えられた横浜市寿町健康福祉交流センター （2021年9月撮影）。もともと「日雇い労働者の街」であった横浜・寿町 は今も人口の大半が男性だが、近年は僅かだが女性も増えつつある。

題字イラスト : Sleepless Kao

こんにちは！あすかです。 初回の今回は、バレンタインに ちなんで、ハートのコースター を紹介します。

編み物をした事ない方も編める 様に、YouTubeで編み方を紹介し ています。

手編みだと、温もりがあり 愛着が湧くと思います。

是非、皆さんの生活に編み物で ほっこり時間が増えますように。

長編み５目編み入れる

ポイント

編み目がきつくなると編みにくくなってしまうので、 緩めに編む様に心がけて下さい。

にしやま・あすか (Geppo Magazine編集者)

関西外国語大学卒業（2018年） Blanche Macdonald Centre(2022年）。

編み物歴は７年程。

気づけば、編み物の虜になってました。 ベビー服から小物、ドレスまで 色んな作品を編んでいます。

asukachan1220

asukachan_1220

〜バレンタインにコースターを編んでみよう〜

ハートのコースター、編み方ははこちらから

コミュニティ コーナー

コミュニティーカレンダーへ の投稿はeditor.geppo@gmail. comで受付しております。

3月号の投稿締め切り日は2月21日 す。 スペースの都合上、全ての投稿を掲 載できるとは限りませんので予め ご理解願います。

2月の仏事・行事予定（Zoom）

3月 05日(日） 午前 10時00分 午前10時00分 ２月祥月法要 ３月祥月・ 東日本大震災追悼法要 ※「祥月（しょうつき）」はその月に亡くなった方を偲び、読経・焼香が行われます。

2月12日(日）

土曜10AMからの法座 on Zoom メディテーション・読経・法話 詳細・参加申し込みはウェブサイトから 法事はご自宅でも、お寺(仏教会)でも営む事が出来ます。

法事・葬儀・密葬（BC州公式ライセンスによる）仏前結 婚式等仏事のお問い合わせは青木先生までお電話ください。

（604.253.7033)

220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver rev.aoki@gmail.com vancouverbuddhisttemple.com

2月4日～18日（日月休み） 午前11時～午後3時 （最終日18日は10時―5時）

マンガセール

会場：日系文化センター　 2階ブックストア

マンガをたくさん読みたい 方集まれー。

普段よりもお買い得なお値段でマンガを提供します。

常設の日系ブックストア（２階）にもお立ち寄りください。 毎週 火・木・金・土、 午前11時～午後3時 ※マンガセール期間中は水曜日も営業します。

6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby BC V5E 4M7 604.777.7000

info@nikkeiplace.org www.nikkeiplace.org

日系文化センター・博物館での催し物 日系文化センター・博物館での催し物

ファミリーデー

2月18日 土曜日｜午前10時～午後5時｜入場無料

会場：日系文化センター

ご家族みんなでお楽しみいただけるイベントです。アニメ上 映、本の読み聞かせ、おひなさまや鯉のぼりと一緒に記念撮 影、日本文化の遊びを紹介します。プレゼントも当たるかも。 お友達を誘って是非遊びに来てください。

6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby BC V5E 4M7 604.777.7000 info@nikkeiplace.org www.nikkeiplace.org

JCCA会長からのメッセージ （翻訳：チェン晶子）

GVJCCA会員の皆さん、2月になりましたね！

昨年の2月から、特にここBC州ではパンデミックの規制が緩和される など、大きな変化がありました。昨年は緩和によって多くのイベントが開 催され、人々が繋がりを求めているのだという事実を目の当たりにする 結果になりました。特に驚いたことは、こうしたイベントが瞬く間に満員 になったことです。例えば、12回開催された料理教室は、全回完売でウェ イトリストを作るほどでした。残念な結果にならないよう、早めのチケッ ト確保をお勧めします。

2月はブラックヒストリー月間であり、GVJCCAも黒人の人々がこの国 にもたらした価値を承認しています。想像を絶する負担を抱えながらも 前進し、我々の歴史と未来に多大な貢献をしているのです。

1月はファースト・フライデイ・フォーラム、新年会、バンクーバー・コー スタル・ヘルスの施設名決定会議、UBCとのニトベ・メモリアル・ガーデ ンのプレート発表会関連会議、カナダ・サマージョブ募集要項提出、二 度の料理教室開催、そして私を含めた、スカンダール・バーニー・ウィリ アムス、キャシー・シミズ、グレイス・エイコ・トムソン、ジュディ・ハナザ ワ、ミシェル・オウデッテ上院議員との会議開催など、大変忙しい月でし た。GVJCCA役員は、行方不明・殺害された先住民女性・少女に関する、 並びに2021年度ナショナル・アクション・プランのタイムリーで実質的な 2019年最終レポート提出に関して、政府に早急な対応を要望している 先住民のコミュニティー・組織の皆さんと連絡・同盟を組んで行きます。

2月以降の活動についてもぜひご覧ください。1つ2つ、参加可能なイ ベントがあれば幸いです。

2023年GVJCCAコミュニティーイベント：

•　GVJCCAは70歳以上のシニアの皆さんを敬い、バーナビーの日系セ ンターで4月15 日に敬老会を開催できることを心から嬉しく思います。 詳細調整中につき、チケット金額は未定ですが$20-$25あたりを想定し ています。70歳以下のパートナーや同行者の方のご参加も歓迎します。

またお会いできるのを楽しみにしています！参加希望の方は、keirokai. gvjcca@gmail.comへメール、または私ケアリーまで604-874-5659お電 話ください。ご連絡先、生年月日、お支払い方法（e-transfer推奨）のご準 備をお願いします。

•　以前月報でお知らせした通り、ファースト・フライデイ・フォーラムが 隣組で開催されます。ウェイン、ボブ、メリーメーカーのエレクトリックバ ンドが参加予定です。次回は2月3日と3月3日7-9pm、皆さんのサポート と、参加をお待ちしています。

•　パウエル祭よりお知らせです。パウエル祭の新年イベント、節分が2 月5日11am-2:30pmにオッペンハイマーパークで行われます。無料コミ ュニティーイベントで、太鼓演奏や日本のカレー販売などがされる予定 です！

•　2月14日にメインストリートxヘイスティングスストリートで行われる ウーマンズ・メモリアル・マーチに会場で、もしくはお気持ちだけでも、 ぜひGVJCCAと共にご参加ください。ウェブサイト：https://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/

•　GVJCCAは日系カナダ人ヘイスティングスパーク・通訳センターをサ ポートしています。現GVJCCA役員６名並びに、GVJCCA現会長含む過去 会長４名が通訳センターの役員です。ヘリテージ・ホール（メインストリ ートx15th）2月22日6:30pm-8:30pm、ぜひ通訳センターのブースへお越 しください。ウェブサイト：placesthatmatter.ca

•　朗報です！日系カナダ人生存者ソーシャルクラブ（隣組、スティーブス トン・コミュニティー協会共催）の続行が決まりました。次回は2月11日 バレンタイン・ジャズコンサートが隣組で1:30pmから行われます。参加 希望者は2月6日までにYukoさん604-687-2172 ext.105 もしくは email socialclub@tonarigumi.caでご連絡ください。シャロン・ミネモトさんを お招きする予定です。今号の広告をご覧ください。

•　日系カナダ人伝統料理教室は2月に2度開催予定です。イベントブラ イト、GVJCCA Instagram、ファイスブックのチェックをお忘れなく。もしく はマイケルtorabc@gmail.comまでご連絡ください。

GVJCCAは、皆さんがそれぞれの場所で残りの冬を楽しまれることを祈 っています。

どこかのイベントでお会いできることがあれば、お待ちしております！

Asuka Nishiyama Asuka

こんにちは、最近の私は、ラテアートにハマっています。毎朝１杯の練習をしています。

軽やかにバリスタさんがやっているのを見ていたので、簡単にハートくらい出来ると思 っていたら、半月経った今でも、ハートすら描けません。

ミルクの質、注ぎ方やら、とても難しいです。そんな中、毎日なんとか浮き上がったミルクの形を、何の アートに見えるかとスティックで少しいじり、無理くりユニークすぎるラテアートを楽しんでいます。

暦の上では春といわれる「立春」、2023年は2月4日だそうです。「節分」とは「季節を分ける」という意味があって春夏秋冬 の前の日のことを節分というそうだ。ということは1年に4回（立春・立夏・立秋・立冬）と 節分があるわけなのだけど「立春」 の前日だけを「節分」と言うのだと思っていましたよ。

なんでも室町時代に「立春」は新年を迎えるぐらいに重要視され、豆まきで鬼を追い払う行事も手伝って「立春」の節分だけが「節分」として定着した のだそう。

もう一つ知らなかったことが柊鰯 (ひいらぎいわし)。玄関や門口など家の入口に飾るそうだが私の生まれ育った静岡では見たことがない。

「家の中に鬼を入らせない」という魔除けや厄除けの意味があるそうで、鬼は焼いた鰯の臭い匂いと煙を嫌い、万が一家に近づいてきた場合でも 柊の葉のトゲが目を刺して撃退するそうです。

柊鰯は主に西日本での習慣で、「節分の日」には焼いた鰯も食べます。豆を歳の数だけ食べる のと同様、身体の内側から邪気を追い払う意味合いがあります。

他にも柊は木へんに冬と書く冬の代表植物、鰯も水気があるので冬を象徴するものとし、鰯 を焼いて柊に刺すことで、冬を追い払い春を招くという説があるそうです。

「立春」と言えどもまだまだ寒い。編集をしている今、窓の外は雪が降ってますよ！

クリスマスから飾ってある柊の木が玄関のドアに飾ってあるので、それにイワシの頭をく っつけてみようかしら。きっとご近所さんに奇妙に思われる事だろう（笑）

と言うことで、頭の中はもうすでに春が来ているKAOの戯言を読んでいただいてる皆様 　余寒なお厳しき折　何卒お体ご自愛くださいね

第65巻2号　2023年2月号　げっぽうは毎月1回、グレーター・バンクーバー日系カナダ市民協会（GV JCCA）によって発行されています。

げっぽう編集長：ジョン・遠藤・グリーナウェイ john@bigwavedesign.net

日本語編集：Kao & 山本一穂　editor.geppo@gmail.com

広告担当：アン・ジュー　annejew@telus.net/604-609-0657

配布担当：マイケル・トラ・スパイアー アドミン・アシスタント：岡本光代

GV JCCA げっぽう事務所

249-6688 Southoaks Crescent Burnaby BC, V5E 4M7

Tel: 604-777-5222

Email: gvjcca@gmail.com

Website: jccabulletin-geppo.ca

げっぽう年間会員費

一般会員：$40 シニア会会員：$30

US在住の会員費：$50 海外会員費：$75

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「立春、節分の意味」 KAO (a.k.a. SleeplessKao)

節分に魔除けとして使われる「柊イワシ」