A Family’s Living Legacy of the Japanese Internment Camps
Cincinnati native Denny Kato presented to a very engaged audience at the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church May 9. The presentation featured a well-curated collection of photos from the camps, as well as historical details and moving personal anecdotes from Denny’s family and others who were incarcerated. The event was held in May in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It was sponsored by P&G with promotional support from the Japanese American Citizens League, Cincinnati Chapter.
Craig McKee of Channel 9/WCPO posted this article about Denny on May 15 based on an interview conducted just before our presentation.
Dr. Kimiko Gunji, Professor Emeritus of Japanese Arts & Culture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, demonstrated how to make “Ichigo Daifuku” (a type of mochi) for 25 lucky participants on March 15, 2023. Her assistant, Diana Liao, demonstrated how to prepare “matcha,” which paired well with the mochi. Gunji-sensei signed copies of her book, “The Art of Wagashi.”
Our Bonenkai guests enjoyed a relaxing and festive evening at Heritage Hall at the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church on December 8. The event featured delicious appetizers from Mei Japanese Restaurant, mochi from Cafe Mochiko, a performance of Japanese songs by the Sakura Ladies Chorus, and a trivia game featuring Japanese and American superhero-themed questions. (Thank you to Helen & Steve Rindsberg for creating this fun activity!)
We had a great turnout for last night’s Zoom webinar featuring samurai armor collector Gary Grose, with Cincinnati Asian Art Society President and JASGC Honorary Board Member Helen Rindsberg as host and moderator. JASGC Board Member and resident tech expert Steve Rindsberg provided behind-the-scenes PowerPoint and tech support.
Here are some participant comments:
“The Zoom program last evening was fantastic! Yuko and I both enjoyed it immensely. Yuko is an avid reader of books whose stories take place during the Warring States Era. She was in her element and glued along with me to our computer screen. Thank you for making this program possible!” -Bob Lees, New Richmond, Ohio
“That was a very interesting and enjoyable program. Helen, Gary and Steve did a great job!” -David W. Cook, Honorary Consul of Japan in Columbus
Foot soldier helmet (Courtesy Gary Grose) Yoshimichi helmet (Courtesy Gary Grose) Iyeharu kabuto (Courtesy Gary Grose)
(Cover image from the 2017 “Dressed to Kill” exhibition courtesy of the Cincinnati Art Museum)
Published in 2022 by the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati with assistance from REDI Cincinnati, the City of Mason Department of Economic Development, Northern Kentucky TRI-Ed, and MUFG. The only publication of its kind in the region.
