Beautiful, touching tribute from the earthquake survivors - please take the time to watch this and pass it on.
(It's a tearjerker so grab some Kleenex!)
Friday, 13 January 2012
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Earthquakes in Toronto?
Ok not quite, more like an earthquake in Virginia, but we sure felt it here in Toronto yesterday! Having experienced the big quake and many aftershocks in Japan in March, I knew right away what was making my desk sway but I didn't want to believe it. I mean, I've been feeling "phantom quakes" since March, believing that every rumble and tremor is the beginnings of an earthquake... but it is always just the train going by or someone running down the hallway. To feel a quake that evidently from 1000km away... those poor people closer to the epicentre, they must've been terrified!
In light of this year's events though, I feel like I need to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Japan isn't out of the woods yet. They're still getting aftershocks 5 months later, they're still picking up the pieces from the twin disasters back in March, and they will continue to do so for many years to come. So next time you think about how that earthquake felt to you, I am asking you to remember what it would've been like for the Japanese people (and those in Virginia, NZ, etc, all the other areas affected by earthquakes and natural disasters this year), and continue to keep them in your hopes and prayers.
In light of this year's events though, I feel like I need to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Japan isn't out of the woods yet. They're still getting aftershocks 5 months later, they're still picking up the pieces from the twin disasters back in March, and they will continue to do so for many years to come. So next time you think about how that earthquake felt to you, I am asking you to remember what it would've been like for the Japanese people (and those in Virginia, NZ, etc, all the other areas affected by earthquakes and natural disasters this year), and continue to keep them in your hopes and prayers.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Shinsedai Film Festival 2011
It's been a few months since I got back from Japan and the outpouring of support and kind words - from my family, friends, friends of friends and complete strangers - has been overwhelming and humbling. I am so flattered that my little blog has reached so many people and I want all of you to know that I am so appreciative of your feedback. My plan right now is to go back to Japan next May for 3 weeks, hopefully this time with my brother Kevin in tow, to finish my trip and pay tribute to all of the people who have been affected by this year's horrific disasters.
In the meantime, we've been extremely busy here in Toronto at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, between a button campaign, concerts, The Origami Crane Project, J-Cinema film screenings, and so much more, the community's dedication to raising funds and awareness for Earthquake and Tsunami relief has reached far beyond anything we could've ever imagined. Last I heard, the JCCC Foundation's Earthquake Relief Fund has raised over $1, 075,000 with more donations coming in everyday. We have sent over 10,000 origami cranes to schoolchildren in Japan through the Origami Crane Project (with help from the TDSB and TCDSB, along with countless volunteers who have generously donated their time, patience and expertise to the tedious project). There are still benefit screenings going on throughout the summer through the J-Cinema program at the JCCC. The next benefit screening is featuring the film 13 Assassins, described on Rotten Tomatoes as a "stampeding raging bull of a samurai movie" (Glen Heath Jr, 2011), which will take place on Thursday August 18 at 7pm.
Speaking of movies, yesterday was the opening night reception for the JCCC's third annual Shinsedai Film Festival. As the official photographer I had the pleasure of interacting with some of the evening's special guests, including actress/producer Kiki Sugino, comedian/actor/director Devi Kobayashi, and 15-year-old filmmaker/director Ryugo Nakamura (to name just a few).
I'm going to try my best to keep updating this with more news and exciting events happening in and around the JCCC. Thank you again for all of your support. If you want to get involved, please contact me, we're always looking for volunteers to help with various activities, especially the crane project.
In the meantime, we've been extremely busy here in Toronto at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, between a button campaign, concerts, The Origami Crane Project, J-Cinema film screenings, and so much more, the community's dedication to raising funds and awareness for Earthquake and Tsunami relief has reached far beyond anything we could've ever imagined. Last I heard, the JCCC Foundation's Earthquake Relief Fund has raised over $1, 075,000 with more donations coming in everyday. We have sent over 10,000 origami cranes to schoolchildren in Japan through the Origami Crane Project (with help from the TDSB and TCDSB, along with countless volunteers who have generously donated their time, patience and expertise to the tedious project). There are still benefit screenings going on throughout the summer through the J-Cinema program at the JCCC. The next benefit screening is featuring the film 13 Assassins, described on Rotten Tomatoes as a "stampeding raging bull of a samurai movie" (Glen Heath Jr, 2011), which will take place on Thursday August 18 at 7pm.
Speaking of movies, yesterday was the opening night reception for the JCCC's third annual Shinsedai Film Festival. As the official photographer I had the pleasure of interacting with some of the evening's special guests, including actress/producer Kiki Sugino, comedian/actor/director Devi Kobayashi, and 15-year-old filmmaker/director Ryugo Nakamura (to name just a few).
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| Actress/Producer Kiki Sugino (Hospitalite) being interviewed by Yuki Nakamura of Wai Wai Wide |
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| My dad, Marty Kobayashi (past-President) talks about the new Kobayashi Audience Choice Award |
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| Actor/Comedian/Director Devi Kobayashi fans Chris MaGee (Co-Programmer of the festival) |
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| Chris MaGee, Co-Programmer of the Festival, addresses the audience before the opening night film, Hospitalite |
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| Kiki Sugino has a laugh with some of her fans after the film |
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| The night's special guests fan themselves with their programs as they stand tall under the hot spotlights while everyone around them melts in the heat on Toronto's hottest day on record |
I'm going to try my best to keep updating this with more news and exciting events happening in and around the JCCC. Thank you again for all of your support. If you want to get involved, please contact me, we're always looking for volunteers to help with various activities, especially the crane project.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
A lesson in sacrifice
A Little Japanese Boy Teaches a Lesson in Sacrifice
This letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again..
Ha Minh Thanh
This letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again..
Ha Minh Thanh
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Zumbathon
Two of my wonderful friends helped put this Zumbathon together as a fundraiser for the JCCC Foundation's Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Given the ongoing nuclear situation and yet another 7.1 magnitude Earthquake that shook the Northeastern coast this morning, our help is needed now more than ever. Fundraising can be fun too though, as Susan and Linda are trying to show with this amazing event. Even if you've never tried Zumba before, this is bound to be a fun way to get some exercise, hang out with friends, meet new people, and raise money and awareness for Japan!! Doesn't get much better than this. Please bring all your friends and come ZUMBA with us!!!
Monday, 4 April 2011
If you're Happa and you know it
...clap your hands!!
No really, please make yourself known, embrace your Japanese roots now, don't wait any longer. Here is a really great link to a CBC Interview about inter-racial marriages and the Japanese-Canadians marrying outside of their own culture. There are some great interviews that express how a lot of Sansei and Yonsei feel about their heritage, including the JCCC's own Lorene Nagata. It is a cultural phenomenon that affects both the full and mixed Japanese-Canadians, myself included. Very interesting, please check it out!
CBC Interview
No really, please make yourself known, embrace your Japanese roots now, don't wait any longer. Here is a really great link to a CBC Interview about inter-racial marriages and the Japanese-Canadians marrying outside of their own culture. There are some great interviews that express how a lot of Sansei and Yonsei feel about their heritage, including the JCCC's own Lorene Nagata. It is a cultural phenomenon that affects both the full and mixed Japanese-Canadians, myself included. Very interesting, please check it out!
CBC Interview
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Fundraising event
I am on the organizing committee for a great fundraising event being held down at Woodsworth College, hosted by UT/OISE Students to raise money for Japan Relief Efforts. Please see media release and poster for more information. I invite anyone and everyone to attend, and please spread the word. We have some great performing artists lined up, including my own odori group Ayame-Kai. Yakudo will be performing one of their new numbers, and the wonderfully talented cellist Rachel Mercer will be playing a few pieces.
JAPAN RELIEF EVENT WITH EXPERT SPEAKERS & JAPANESE PERFORMERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
TORONTO, ON –
Join us for an evening of presentations by experts to update us on the relief efforts in
Japan; there will also be performances by Japanese-Canadian musicians and dancers.
The event will raise money for the Canadian Red Cross, Japanese Earthquake Relief
Fund and Ashinaga, (www.ashinaga.org/e/), a Japanese-based charity providing
education and support for traumatized and displaced children in Japan.
The evening begins with remarks by Mr. Masaya Otsuka, Director Japan Information
Centre, of the Consulate General of Japan. Following this, Mr. John Saunders, Director
of Disaster Management in Ontario, Red Cross will update the relief effort in Japan. Ms.
Kristin Kobayashi, a presenter and an eyewitness to the Japan earthquake, says “My
experiences as a Japanese-Canadian in Tokyo during the earthquake gave me a unique
insight into the essence of the Japanese spirit.”
The artists for the event are confident that their performances will contribute to awareness
and restoration. Rachel Mercer, a cellist, says, “Bach’s music helps us ponder the fragility
of humanity.” The YAKUDO Drummers offer, "You don't just hear our drums with your
ears, you feel it within your body, like a heartbeat. We hope our performance can keep
the hearts of those in Japan beating strong."
What: OISE/UT Woodsworth student-organized Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief
Event.
Where: Kruger Hall, Woodsworth College, 119 St. George St. (south of Bloor St.)
When: Thurs. March 31, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm (Remarks from 7 to 8 pm, each talk
followed by a brief Q&A session.)
Speakers:
Performers:
Rachel Mercer, Cellist
http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/index.html
Ayame-Kai Odori Group
YAKUDO Drummers
http://www.yakudo.com/
JAPAN RELIEF EVENT WITH EXPERT SPEAKERS & JAPANESE PERFORMERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
TORONTO, ON –
Join us for an evening of presentations by experts to update us on the relief efforts in
Japan; there will also be performances by Japanese-Canadian musicians and dancers.
The event will raise money for the Canadian Red Cross, Japanese Earthquake Relief
Fund and Ashinaga, (www.ashinaga.org/e/), a Japanese-based charity providing
education and support for traumatized and displaced children in Japan.
The evening begins with remarks by Mr. Masaya Otsuka, Director Japan Information
Centre, of the Consulate General of Japan. Following this, Mr. John Saunders, Director
of Disaster Management in Ontario, Red Cross will update the relief effort in Japan. Ms.
Kristin Kobayashi, a presenter and an eyewitness to the Japan earthquake, says “My
experiences as a Japanese-Canadian in Tokyo during the earthquake gave me a unique
insight into the essence of the Japanese spirit.”
The artists for the event are confident that their performances will contribute to awareness
and restoration. Rachel Mercer, a cellist, says, “Bach’s music helps us ponder the fragility
of humanity.” The YAKUDO Drummers offer, "You don't just hear our drums with your
ears, you feel it within your body, like a heartbeat. We hope our performance can keep
the hearts of those in Japan beating strong."
What: OISE/UT Woodsworth student-organized Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief
Event.
Where: Kruger Hall, Woodsworth College, 119 St. George St. (south of Bloor St.)
When: Thurs. March 31, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm (Remarks from 7 to 8 pm, each talk
followed by a brief Q&A session.)
Speakers:
- Mr. Masaya Otsuka, Director Japan Information Centre, Consul, Consulate General of Japan
- Mr. John Saunders, Director of Disaster Management in Ontario, Red Cross (expertise in the Japanese situation)
- Ms. Kristin Kobayashi, eyewitness to the Japanese earthquake, artist and community activist.
Performers:
Rachel Mercer, Cellist
http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/index.html
Ayame-Kai Odori Group
YAKUDO Drummers
http://www.yakudo.com/
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Japan 1988
Dad, Mom and I in Japan, Oct '88