“Echoes of Incarceration: How Camp Memories Shape Generations

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM on July 31 at Paris Las Vegas hotel, 3644 Last Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas, NV

Description

“The Kizuna Project has spent two years documenting the oral histories of Japanese Americans and their descendants in Tucson who experienced incarceration during World War II, as well as those who lived under martial law in Hawaii. Through this work, we have discovered a remarkable pattern: many descendants of those incarcerated pursued careers and life paths directly shaped by their parents’ wartime experiences, becoming advocates, organizers, and leaders in ways that honored and responded to that difficult history. This presentation will share powerful video excerpts from these oral histories, allowing attendees to hear firsthand how one generation’s trauma and resilience influenced the next generation’s choices and commitments. More importantly, we will pose a critical question to today’s younger generation: Will you carry forward your grandparents’ legacy? If so, how will you honor their experiences and apply the lessons of incarceration to the challenges facing our community today? This session invites reflection, dialogue, and a call to action for ensuring that the stories and values of the incarcerated generation continue to guide and inspire Japanese American communities for years to come.”

SAJCC Tucsonans Carolyn Sugiyama Classen (Editor) and James Tokishi (videographer) and Phoenicians/camp descendants Kathy Nakagawa (ASU Professor) and Fred Yamashita (AFL-CIO Executive Director) will be on the panel, moderated by Tucsonan Arlene Kaneko Watkins, co-founder of The Kizuna Project.

Info on The Kizuna Project: https://kizunaproject.org/

Local ceramic artist Kazuma Sambe (Pan Asian Man of the Year in 2025) will be conducting these workshops. Sign up info below, via his wife Junko Sakoi of TUSD. Sambe teaches ceramics at PCC West. His website: ceramics / kazuma sambe

Pan Asian Community Alliance is at 940 S. Craycroft Rd., south of Broadway Blvd. Info on their Facebook page. I was recipient of their Friend of Pan Asian award back in 2019.

Last August 10, 2025 new Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sangha gatherings called Tucson Howakai started up in the Little Chapel of All Nations in the Ada Peirce McCormick Building, 1401 E. 1st St. on the UA campus. These are led by David Belcheff, affiliated with the AZ Buddhist Temple in Phoenix.

I’ve participated in a few over the last year, but not weekly. Check it out if you are interested in the Japanese Buddhist Jodo Shinshu sect. I grew up Jodo-shu on the Big Island of Hawaii (North Kohala), so these gatherings are familiar to me.

More info on AZ Buddhist Temple at www.azbuddhisttemple.org. The temple is currently located at 4142 W. Clarendon Avenue in Phoenix, but moving to a new location in Chandler in the future.
Website for Tucson Howakai: https://tucsonhowakai.wixsite.com/tucson-howakai.

Otaku Nation located at 2900 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 134 is hosting a summer swap meet on June 21 (summer soltice) from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I’ve attended one of these swap meets in the past, and it’s full of Japanese themed items and products, more than I would have imagined in Tucson. The weather will be hot, hot, hot but the shopping will be fun.

Info at: https://www.facebook.com/otakunationaz

AZ Senior Academy is Located in: Academy Village

Address: 13715 E Langtry Ln, Tucson, AZ 85747 (SE Tucson)

Max is the son of Toru Tagawa, conductor of Tucson Repertory Orchestra (and Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra), and Ayla is the daughter of concert pianist Shiho Takeda. They are both hafu (bi-racial) children,or as we say in Hawaii, hapa.