Portland Taiko in performance -- Photo by Rich Iwasaki

Did You Know ...

President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act in 1988, apologizing for the internment of thousands of Japanese citizens during World War II. This act mandated payment to the 60,000 surviving internees.

Issei (ee-say) are first-generation Japanese immigrants; Nisei (nee-say), the first generation to hold American citizenship, were born to Issei; Sansei (sawn-say) are third generation; Yonsei (yone-say) are fourth generation.

Nemawashi, literally meaning “preparing the roots for transplanting,” is the Japanese technique of consensus building that has changed North American corporate practices.

Epworth United Methodist Church and the Oregon Buddhist Temple, two of the oldest Japanese churches in Oregon, helped families after resettlement and provided cultural continuity through annual events.

Martial arts schools include karate, judo, akido, kendo and sumo wrestling.

In Japanese, nature is used as a metaphor. “Flower on a high peak”: unobtainable; “clean as a split bamboo”: honest, straight talking; “rain firms the ground”: adversity builds character.

Mochitsuki: Portland’s Japanese temples celebrate the New Year by pounding sweet rice into mochi.

Portland has schools of Japanese arts including: ikebana (flower arrangement), koi (ornamental carp), bonsai (miniature tree sculpting), Buyo dance, koto (a stringed instrument), calligraphy, poetry and tea ceremony.

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