By ELLEN ENDO
RAFU SHIMPO
The Grateful Crane Ensemble chose Japan’s Tohoku region as the site of their most recent goodwill tour, performing in both Japanese and English before an audience of children and adults with a shared love of music and friendship. Their achievement was the centerpiece of an evening of entertainment and reflection during the group’s annual fundraiser on Sept. 28.
Tohoku was besieged in 2011 by an earthquake and tsunami, which killed over 18,000 people and displaced an estimated 347,000 evacuees.
In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, another catastrophe occurred in the form of a nuclear emergency when cooling systems at Fukushima Power Plant failed. Despite the Tohoku Triple Disaster, Grateful Crane members found resilience and hope among the people of Tohoku. That determination became a recurring theme during the program at Nishi Hongwanji’s main hall.
Through photos, video, and songs, the nonprofit Grateful Crane conveyed their organization’s mission: “To pay tribute to the unique hardships and inspiring contributions of Japanese Americans … and continue the traditions of our Japanese ancestry.”
The event also devoted a portion of the program to honor the memory of singer-dancer-actor Kurt Kuniyoshi, who passed away last March after succumbing to colon cancer at the age of 59.
The recent trip to Tohoku was the latest of four goodwill tours to the region, including the three hardest-hit prefectures — Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate. “Our message is simple: You have friends in America, and we have not forgotten you,” said Grateful Crane Executive Director Soji Kashiwagi.
Featured at the fundraising event were musical director Lisa Joe, emcee Darrell Kunitomi, vocals by Helen H. Ota, Keiko Kawashima, Haruye Ioka, Jason Fong, Ping Wu, and Merv Maruyama.
Additional members of the Tohoku goodwill tour were Mika Aoki, Yoshi Irie, Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Mike Okamura, Michael Palma, Mike Shudo, and event chair Nancy Takayama.
GO FOR BROKE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ESSAY, POETRY AND VIDEO CONTEST: Seventy Six Years Ago
Google Doodle Honors ‘First Lady of Billiards’
Japan Extends Virus Emergency Until End of September
Remembering Faces in a Field
‘Love to Nippon’ to Mark 7th Anniversary of Tsunami
Harold Fujita Appointed to State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Japan & Black L.A. Initiative Visits Historic Watts
Federal COVID Safety Policies in Effect at Manzanar
Japanese Couple Survives Devastating Fire in Paradise
CAPAC Chair Statement on Release of Unclassified Summary of COVID
Obon Celebrations in Reedley, Sebastopol, Seaside, Sacramento
Federal COVID Safety Policies in Effect at Manzanar
Hayward Honors Day of Remembrance
Biden Hosts Indo
George Chen Running for Torrance City Council
Recipients of Foreign Minister’s Commendation Named
Mike Watanabe to Be Honored for 46 Years of Service at AADAP Annual Fundraiser
Statement from the Topaz Museum Board
Paying It Forward
Swords Are Streaming
We Are the Main EventSouth Africa vs. New Zealand 2024 livestream: Watch Rugby Championship for freeElon Musk reveals SpaceX launch date plan for the Falcon HeavyWe Are the Main EventPixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max camera test: Which takes better photos?We Are the Main EventNYT mini crossword answers for September 2Fresh HellWest Ham vs. Manchester City 2024 livestream: Watch Premier League for freeHow to watch 'A Quiet Place: Day One' at home: where is it streaming? How to identify AI Best Budget Headphones deal: Save ￡17 on Soundcore Q20i Best Laptop deal: Save ￡230 on Acer Aspire 5 NASA asks: Can anyone help us get our Mars samples back? The Composer Has No Clothes Arkadium mini crossword answers for November 1 NASA excitedly confirms it will fly a sci NASA discovered bacteria that wouldn't die. Now it's boosting sunscreen. NYT Strands hints, answers for November 2 Game Plan
0.1985s , 9882.265625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【1989? ??? ??? ??】Enter to watch online.Grateful Crane Ensemble Reflects on Goodwill Tour of Tohoku Region During Annual Fundraiser,Global Perspective Monitoring
