The Cultural Center is proud to be working with Renowned Calligrapher Ryuho Hamano on an exhibition titled 125 Years in Hawai‘i to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the beginning of large scale Japanese migration to Hawai‘i in 1885. Below, Mr. Hamano outlines his reasons for taking on this ambitious project.
English translation by Tatsumi Hayashi
I got to know Ms. Sarah Sawada, a Nisei, when I traveled to Honolulu. At her request, my first calligraphy class was held in February 2000 at Mililani High School. Given writing brushes donated by the City of Toyohashi which is known for its production, the tense looks of the students turned to smiles. I felt the nostalgic sentiments of the AJAs on their ancestors’ motherland. Their ancestors migrated to Hawai‘i with ambitions more than 100 years ago. They struggled through the days of hardship beyond our imagination. Their pioneer spirits have been passed on from generation to generation and the AJAs in Hawai‘i are now a vital part of Hawai‘i.
Now they are in their third and fourth generation and the images of Japan are fading away among them. I decided to have my calligraphy exhibit at the JCCH this year to commemorate the 125thAnniversary of the Kanyaku Imin. Over 1060 family names of those who migrated to Hawai‘i are written on the 24 sheets of cotton cloth (3 meters x 2 meters). I also engraved seals which are rendered with my thought on the group of the Japanese who migrated on the first ship.
The fragrance of sumi (Chinese ink) and the space filled with black and white—I hope you will feel something with your eyes, nose, skin and body.
Ryuho
Public Programs for 125 Years in Hawai‘i
July 10: Opening Reception
Community Gallery, 11:00 am
July 27: The Holehole Bushi Project
5th Floor Lounge, 7:00 pm
Join Franklin Odo, Ph.D., former chairman of ethnic studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and author of a forthcoming book on Holehole Bushi in Hawai‘i, along with filmmaker Chris Conybeare, for a program exploring songs of labor and life composed and sung by Japanese sugar plantation workers. Based on songs and interviews collected by the late Harry Urata, the program will also serve as a tribute to Urata. A short clip from Conybeare’s accompanying documentary, Holehole Bushi: Songs of the Canefields will also be screened.
August 21: Reflections on 125 Years of Japanese Immigration
5th Floor Lounge, 1:30 pm
A panel discussion featuring both academic and public historians will highlight differing historical perspectives on the large scale immigration from Japan to Hawai‘i that began 125 years ago. Confirmed panelists include Mark McNally, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of History at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, on the impact of immigration from the Japanese standpoint; Palani Vaughan, musician and public historian, on King Kalākaua and the impact of immigration from the Hawaiian standpoint; Kelli Nakamura, Ph.D., lecturer at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kapi‘olani Community College and Windward Community College, on Yeiko Minobe So and domestic abuse in the Issei community; Patsy Iwasaki, lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and author of Hidden Hero, on Katsu Goto and the continuing resonance of his story.
August 25: Textured Lives: Barbara Kawakami, Japanese Immigrant Clothing, and Picture Brides Stories
5th Floor Lounge, 12:00-1:30 pm
Historian Barbara Kawakami has focused the second half of her life on the study of Japanese immigrant clothing and picture bridges. Join us for a screening of documentary videos produced for Textured Lives, an exhibition currently on display at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), along with a discussion featuring Barbara herself, JANM Director Akemi Kikumura, Ph.D. and video producer Audrey Muromoto.
August 28: Seal Making and Calligraphy Workshops
JCCH Conference Room/5th Floor Lounge
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Seal Making
1:30 - 4:30 pm: Calligraphy
Calligrapher Ryuho Hamano will conduct seal making and calligraphy workshops. Enrollment will be limited to 12 for the morning seal making class and to 30 for the afternoon calligraphy class. Cost of the class is $10 per person per class. Space is limited. Call Derrick Iwata at 945–7633 Ext. 25 or e-mail iwata@jcch.com for reservations or more information.
