Comments on: In praise of San Jose’s Japantown — the JA Mayberry

By: Janice Sachiye Wong

Janice Sachiye Wong — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:47:41 +0000

As I get Older I do miss seeing more Japanese Americans…there are not many around anymore…when I see them we smile and nod our heads but there are not many around where I live but once there were. Our Culture is getting so mixed with the American….the last Japanese American Newspaper has folded in SF…I watch the Japanese News from Japan and see that the Culture in Japan is also on the decline.

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:20:31 +0000

Thanks, Kathy! Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

By: Kathy Sakamoto

Kathy Sakamoto — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:44:35 +0000

Happy New Year! Hope 2010 treats everyone well!

By: Arlene Tatsuno Damron

Arlene Tatsuno Damron — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:12:31 +0000

“Hands-on”,”handmade’, and unique are descriptives for much of what is and happens in San Jose’s Jtown, whether it be the “artisan” handmade, no-preservatives-added tofu at San Jose Tofu, Ken Matsumoto’s unique stonework, the venerated manju at Shuei-do, the handcrafts at Nikkei Traditions, the aikido, karate, kendo, and judo dojo workouts, the lattes and teas at Roy’s Station, the newspaper rolling and handcraft classes at Yu-Ai Kai, the Sak ‘n Sak banner totes and bags, the intricate tattoo art of State of Grace, the drumming of San Jose Taiko, and at Nichi Bei Bussan, our one- of-a-kind aloha shirts, “bi-bu’s”, “hang-ups”, kapogi aprons, kimono tops, tsuzumi pillows, zabuton, noren, and futons. Japantown…”the Heart of the Valley”

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:24:19 +0000

Thanks for all the helpful information about San Jose’s Japantown, Kathy! You can be sure we’ll be visiting again….

By: Kathy Sakamoto

Kathy Sakamoto — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:15:54 +0000

Thank you for visiting our Japantown. It sounds like you’ve hit on some of the high points of our small district. Akiyama Wellness Center will be opening soon (an extension of Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services). You’ll find a list of updated annual events on our website (usually!) – Nikkei Matsuri (501c4 npo) in the spring, SJ Buddhist Church Betsuin Obon in July, Aki Matsuri (Wesley United Methodist Church) and the Spirit of Japantown Festival (501c3-npo Japantown Community Congress of San Jose – through SB307) in the Fall. Mochitsuki fundraisers (Yu-ai Kai and Wesley United Methodist Church) both have these) in December.

The Japantown Business Association (JBA) runs the Certified Farmers Market every Sunday year round which will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2010. Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) and San Jose Taiko (35th Anniversary year in 2009) both call SJ Japantown their home. A new halau occupies what used to be Soko Hardware on Sixth, Ikebana Arts (Sogetsu School) is on Sixth also next to Jeanne’s store. Ukulele Jams (ukulele instruction on Sixth), Ukulele Source (ukulele sales – high end ukuleles on 5th).

These are separate but they talk-as does everyone in Japantown. For a little place we have a lot of interest because the City of San Jose and the SJ Redevelopment Agency have been involved here with Jtown community leaders highly engaged in bringing attention to the area.

There’s more in the works, but of course, everyone has to work with the economy right now and we’re slowly making good on the work that needs to be done to further solidify the place that Japantown San Jose has in the world.

BTW-the beautiful poster that you’ve placed at the beginning of your article was designed by Tamiko Rast, who is one of Roy and Ester Murotsune’s grandchildren. She and her brother are Rasteroids Design (web design and graphic design) while sister Jasmine owns the Coffee Shop and mom, Carole owns the property. Their whole extended family is involved here in Japantown SJ.

The posters are available through Nikkei Traditions and Nichi Bei Bussan for $5 (unframed, 18″ x 24″ standard). Questions or follow up, please call! – JBA office (408) 298-4303 although email is best!

Thanks again for your interest in Japantown San Jose. (I did watch Mayberry – I liked Aunt Bee) Hope you’ll write more and come visit again soon!