On Sept. 16, “IKKAI means once: a transplanted pilgrimage,” was performed in the Ferst Center for the Arts as a way of communicating the history of the Japanese American people. The performance is the first installment of “Sankei,” a three-pronged multi-dimensional project reflecting on Japanese American internment during World War II and the cultural continuation of their communities today.
A 45-minute performance, though it felt much shorter, invoked an emotional experience for the audience. The show first began with Yayoi Kambara, artistic director and choreographer, providing a background on genocidal assimilation, Japanese American history and her connection to the piece.
The project itself was commissioned by the San Jose Japanese American Citizens League, the country’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. Sharon Uyeda, co-president of the chapter, also attended the event.
“[The performance] gives the audience another perspective on the incarceration and that period of history that the Japanese Americans experienced in World War II. It’s very creative,” Uyeda said.
The show ranged from unique music, poetry by Janice Mirikitani, light changes and the dance itself, all conveying the creativity involved behind the scenes.
“There’s been a lot of different productions, more in documentary, filming and so forth — matter of fact, we have an immersive film sort of like this, where we have some music and some readings done, as well as a film on the different Japanese American regimen and American groups that fought in the war. It is called ‘Defining Courage,’” Uyeda said.
Uyeda spoke on the background work, continuing, “I really have supported this venture. They came out for a week and rehearsed in our facility. It wasn’t a theater; it was a gymnasium. They kind of transformed it. Using just limited scenery and props, the performers and dancers share different aspects,” describing the theatrics…
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