25 guitars and Nisei Week

Nisei Week is over. I am already missing it, but I'm also looking forward to next year. I think I may even have a more hands-on participation next year. *wink wink* The thing about Little Tokyo's Nisei Week ending is that it means more than just nisei week's festivals and celebrations coming to their yearly close, but also the end of obon season for me. That two month period on the weekends is the only time I see some friends.
But hey I can't mope, I have too many things to do and the great thing about living in the middle of L.A. is; there is always something going on. The 3rd annual Sunset Strip Music Festival is around the corner and less than a week away on the 28th! Unfortunately, I decided to not attend this year, however in my own way of celebrating West Hollywood's efforts I went on a kind of treasure hunt to "Guitartown". I walked the strip looking for the 26 10 foot guitars. I found them all except the one inside the Viper Room. I enjoyed the trip as I walked from one end of the strip to the next, rediscovering some places and finding new ones to check out.
The great thing to remember about these events is they are meant for the whole city- you are a part of the Gibsons guitars that are dotting the strip even if you aren't into music and even if you aren't Japanese or nisei you are part of Nisei Week so enjoy them. And hey! if you find some new events that are going on, tell me about them.

Nisei Week Parade 2010

Here is a video of this year's Nisei Week Parade from Rafu Shimpo.

My Worst AnonymousAfro Sighting yet

This is from the ending ceremonies at this year's Nisei Week. I'm only in it for a few seconds and it almost looks like the photographer has an afro because you can just see the top of my head and hair. By the way Zendeko really do rock,one of my favorite taiko teams. Yes even thought it seems a bit silly since I think the first time I heard them or taiko drums was last year I do have favorites grpups. Also an interesting fact about Zendeko,one of the Nisei Week princesses is a member of Zendeko. So here is the youtube link: Zendeko ,you'll see me or my hair around 1 minute in.

Another possible sighting was on the "Buddhist Way of Life". According to a friend last Suday they did a segment on O-bons. They showed O-bon festivals at California temples like Higashi, Nishi, Venice, WLA, NW, etc. (yeah I went to all of those). So he said he thought he may have spotted me on one of their clips. I wish I taped it.

Nisei Week is over/ 二世ウィ－ク終わり!

Nisei Week is over! Yes that means no more odori dancing for me. I seemed to have just found it and now it's gone. At least I joined in the ending ceremonies. However that's not where the bad news ends. That also means the nebuta is gone. It will no longer be in front of the JACCC anymore! I think it's time to steal the nebuta. It told me it wants me to take it home and put it on my roof. Actually I'm not the only one who had this idea, I heard one person say it would fit in their parking lot! Seriously, I wonder what is going to happen to it. Aomori you'll see me (at some time,who knows when)!

Nisei Week and Yet another Sighting!

Well this year's Nisei Week「二世ウィーク」 seems to have a lot more people than last year's. Unluckily as much as I wish they were there for me I know what brought many of them. The Nebuta float from Aomori「青森」! I myself was really excited to see it. I first got to see it in person on Saturday. It was behind the Little Tokyo Shopping Center and they were still setting part of it up. It was taken apart to transport it here. Later that day they had a talk with the creator about why he chose a samurai,who he did,Takeda Shingen and other questions.

Sunday,the day of the parade I experienced another sighting incident. I was buying Nisei week t-shirts and raffle tickets and another person buying them recognized me from 2 obons. I really stand out at these O-bons? I thought there were loads of people who looked just like me at the o-bons.

Cool thing, I saw a few people I know Saturday and Sunday. Interesting fact, I met 2 of them at O-bons.