|
The
mikoshi
is a portable shrine that is carried by festival-goers
down First Street to the shout of "Wa-shoi!
Wa-shoi!"
|
 |
|
The
taiko drum
is another staple at the Nisei Week Parade. Its
resonating beat brings energy and excitement to
the festivities.
|
|
|
Nisei
means "second generation" and is
used for describing the American-born generation
of Japanese Americans. Today, Japanese Americans
are well into their fourth and fifth generations
of American ancestry.
|
|
|
Little
Tokyo, located just east of downtown Los Angeles,
is the historic hub of the Japanese American community.
The community is working hard to revitalize the
area despite the fact that very few Japanese Americans
live there anymore. That is why it's important
to maintain traditions like the Festival and Parade.
|
|
|
George
Takei
of "Star Trek" fame is a long-standing
supporter of the Japanese American community and
can be seen as an annual participant in the parade.
|
|
|
The
Nisei Week Parade consists of many teams of
kimono-clad women who dance to traditional music
called "enka."
|
|
|
The
Kito family celebrates the 100th anniversary
since opening a Japanese sweets shop in Little
Tokyo. The shop is called Fugetsu-do and specializes
in selling sweet sticky rice called "mochi."
Third generation shop owner, Brian Kito claims
that his grandfather is the originator of the
ubiquitous Chinese fortune cookie. Check it out
at www.fugetsu-do.com.
|
|
|
Of
course you can't have a festival without crowning
a queen. This year Nicole Miyako Cherry will be
representing the Japanese American community in
her duties as the Nisei Week Queen.
|
|
|
This
young student from Japan doesn't know what's
more fun, watching the parade or parading around
in a beautiful summer cotton kimono called a "yukata."
|
|
|
For
more information on Nisei Week and its history,
visit www.niseiweek.org
August
15, 2003
|
