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Serving As Your Voice of the Nikkei Community Since 1902
Vol. 63, Issue 24 / June 4, 2008
"Only the Brave" Shows True Bravery Without Needing Hollywood Glamor
By Kristin Okinakaa
The North American Post
Lane Nishikawa signing DVDs after the screening.
Photo by Kristin Okinaka
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If stories from history are not told, they eventually get lost and forgotten. Fortunately for the story of the all-volunteer Japanese American 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team of World War II, their heroism and bravery will live on through the film "Only The Brave."
Two screenings of this film were held last Saturday at the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Memorial Hall. Many from the community including families and war veterans attended this event to support the film and filmmaker, Lane Nishikawa who was present. Yuji Okumoto who plays one of the sergeants and is a current Seattle resident was also in attendance.
"Only The Brave" is not another glamorized Hollywood war movie. It tells the poignant story of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team based on true people and events. "I really think it started with my uncles," Nishikawa said in response to why he chose to create the movie. They had served in the war and after he had learned about what they went through, he wanted to share those experiences and honor those individuals.
Nishikawa not only wrote and directed this film but also starred in the leading role of platoon leader, Jimmy Takata. This character was named after his father who taught him the importance of family, or as they say in Hawaii where he is from, ohana.
When Japan attached Pearl Harbor in 1941, the second generation Japanese Americans in the armed forces were immediately banned from serving. The 100th Infantry Battalion was later made up of 1,400 Nisei from Hawaii that wanted to prove their loyalty to their country. In 1944, the 442nd, which was made of more Nisei from internment camps and Hawaii joined the 100th team. The most compelling and courageous task these men undertook was saving 211 out of 275 of Texas' 36th Division who were trapped in France's Vosges Mountains by surrounding German soldiers. Nishikawa depicted this courageous scene as well as other recognizable accomplishments of the 100th/442nd team. And to think he did this all in 18 days is shocking to say the least.
The film has been on a long journey that started out four years ago. It took Nishikawa a year and a half to raise money and he joked about how he spent it all in 18 days, which is the number of days it took to shoot the entire film. A typical Hollywood picture is filmed in about three months.
Nishikawa explained the challenge of creating a realistic budget for the script. Many vendors and companies were generous in assisting with the film. A lot of funds were also provided from private donations from families of veterans as well as others. Nishikawa was very thankful for all the support and contributions he received. Aside from finances, a logistical challenge was filming the weapon scenes because at 10 p.m., Universal Studios cut them off from shooting weapons.
Yuji Okumoto described how using the actual rifles, was a challenge as well. He said, "We only had a day to basically learn how to operate and load." Weapon-related challenges aside, Okumoto described the experience of being in a period war film as "like being a kid."
"What boy dreams of not being a soldier? It was so much fun. The beauty of this film was everyone checked their egos at the door. It was about the film and telling the story of 442. That's why we came together," Okumoto said.
The film has currently been transferred to high definition and Nishikawa explained that the goal now is to get it on a variety of TV networks. He hopes to especially get it on the armed forces network so it can be viewed worldwide.
The 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team is the most highly decorated unit of its size in the U.S. Army history. "Only The Brave" can ensure that the accomplishments and courage of these men will never be lost. Because of the sacrifices of these Nisei, Nishikawa stated: "They have given our generation a better life."
More information on "Only The Brave" can be found at www.onlythebravemovie.com.
Japanese Heritage Language Class Opens at UW
By Shihou Sasaki
The North American Post
Masashi Kato, right, instructs Japanese language for heritage learners last summer.
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The University of Washington's Technical Japanese Program offers a special Japanese language class for heritage learners this summer quarter following the previous year. The class is intermediate level for Japanese-descended students who have strong everyday conversation skills but want to develop their reading and writing skills.
The university has two Japanese language programs in the department of Asian Languages for beginners and Literature and the department of Technical Communication for advanced level. Some number of students used to not take either class because their Japanese level was too high in beginners but was not high enough in writing and reading for the advanced level. Last year, nine students attended the class including one who was studying abroad in Japan and another who was a businessperson working for the Boeing Company.
According to the class description, the course offer students to "review and strengthen their knowledge of grammar and build up kanji compounds through reading authentic materials on familiar topics" and also develop "skills to analyze sentence structures for accurate interpretation." In addition to the points, instructor Masashi Kato said that students will learn conversation skills in business situations with Japanese cultural concepts.
The class will be spoken all in Japanese, and the admission will be determined based on an oral interview. The class will start on June 23 through Aug. 22 at 9 - 10:20 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Loew Hall 219 on the main campus. For more information, call Kato at (206) 543-8524 or email at mkato@u.washinton.edu.
Author of Hakujin to Speak
By Gerald Elfendahli
The North American Post
Helene Gabel Ryan
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Helene Gabel Ryan, author of the acclaimed new Pacific NW historic novel, Hakujin, will share stories from her book and autograph copies, 2 PM, Saturday, June 21 at the Douglas Truth Library, 23rd Ave. & Yesler in Seattle.
It will be a homecoming for the author, a 1935 graduate of Garfield High. Like the novel's main characters, she resided on Yesler Way. It will also be a birthday celebration as Ryan recently turned 90! Ryan has been a passionate short story and essay writer since she was ten. She is happy that her first novel has been well-received.
Hakujin (Japanese for "white person") is set in Seattle during the first three years of World War II. It is extremely well-researched plus Ryan drew upon own journals from the 1930's and 1940's in Seattle. Hakujin is in its second edition and finding receptive audiences in local schools, colleges, libraries, and is being translated into Japanese.
"Hakujin is a compelling story," a west coast reader (Michele Anciaux Aoki, Director of Educational Programs, Global Classroom, World Affairs Council) praises. "It is rich with detail of a transformational period in Seattle's - and America's - history. It tells the story of the Japanese American Internment from a new perspective, that of a young Caucasian woman experiencing this unjust act through her childhood friends and first love. Most important, it addresses the issues of racism, sexism, fear and prejudice at a personal, familial level and shows the power of personal courage and compassion."
An east coast reader (Ann LeBouef Evans, Mathematics Instructor, Academic Support Programs, University of Massachusetts Boston; Adjunct Statistics Professor, Cape Cod Community College) says, "Ryan's characters vividly come to life, portrayed with just a few simple strokes of her pen - like a Japanese painting ... I read Hakujin very slowly, savoring every word and description, not wanting it to end. Hakujin should be required reading in every American school. Helene makes history come alive in such a very pleasant way. What great discussions an English class could have about war, race, history, decency, family, etc., after reading it! Like THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK, it should be universally read."
Ryan, Helene Gabel, Hakujin, Anthes Press, Seattle, WA, 2007, 183 pages; ISBN-10: 0-9774885-0-0. Information: (206) 842-4164.
Konko Church of Seattle welcomes 80th anniversary
By Yaeko Inaba
The North American Post
Photo by Yaeko Inaba
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Konko Church of Seattle celebrated its 80th anniversary on Sunday, May 25 and held "Tenchi Kane No Kami Grand Ceremony" with approximately 120 participants.
Konko, known as konkokyo, is the religion which was founded by Konko Daishi in late 19th century in Japan. During 1910s, there were two Konko groups in Seattle and in 1926, "Mamichi Kai" was founded to organize the weekly religious meeting. Two years later, in 1928, the Konko Church of Seattle was started as the first official temple of the Konkokyo in the United States.
17 ministers from all over the country and Canada including Tacoma, Gardena and Toronto attended the ceremony. "I thank all people who have supported our church for those 80 years," said Rev. Michihiro Yuasa, who arrived in Seattle in 1965.
Yasuko Natsuhara has been the member of the church for about 40 years and said, "I've been coming to the church almost every Sunday because I can share my pleasures and sadness." According to Rev. Yuasa, the church now has about 40 family members.
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