Norm Masaji Ibuki
@MasajiWriter Norm Masaji Ibuki lives in Oakville, Ontario. He has written extensively about the Canadian Nikkei community since the early 1990s. He wrote a monthly series of articles (1995-2004) for the Nikkei Voice newspaper (Toronto) which chronicled his experiences while in Sendai, Japan. Norm now teaches elementary school and continues to write for various publications.
Updated August 2014
Stories from This Author
On Being Yukiko: New Kids Book Explores Japanese Canadian Identity - Part 2
Nov. 18, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> Lillian, who is Yukiko? In a nutshell, what is the story of Yukiko? Lillian: Jeff and I talked a lot about Emma’s Japanese middle name. We decided on Yukiko, Jeff’s young daughter’s name. In the years to come, I think his little girl will be extremely proud of what her father had accomplished in naming the heroine after her. From your personal experience, how well is the JC story known today in BC? In Ontario? Lillian: …
On Being Yukiko: New Kids Book Explores Japanese Canadian Identity - Part 1
Nov. 17, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
In many ways, On Being Yukiko, a new graphic novel by Lillian Michiko Blakey (Newmarket, Ontario) and Jeff Chiba Stearns (Vancouver, BC) is a book for these Covid-19 times. As so many of us are trying to define and redefine ourselves, there is a scramble for meaning of any sort during these times. In a time of Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, 18 Million Rising, the spectre of Donald Trump, there is a clear clarion call challenging people to take a …
Japanese Canadian Art in the Time of Covid-19 - Part 4
Oct. 28, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 3 >> So, here we are entering fall 2020 and the second wave of Covid-19 is upon Canada…. the inevitable has arrived. So, from Nelson, BC there is Diana who I met last summer on a short trip to the Kootenays that now seems like a lifetime ago. I like the edginess of her American Niseiness. Her “Sideways” memoir gave me insight into what it was like to grow up as someone born into internment in Minidoka Internment …
Japanese Canadian Art in the Time of Covid-19 - Part 3
Sept. 24, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 2 >> Who were/are the Japanese Canadian culture makers of yesterday, today, and beyond this era of Covid-19? One name that I have heard from my earlier days is Toronto’s Nobuo Kubota, Governor General’s Award, et al. a former teacher at the Ontario College of Art (now Ontario College of Art and Design) who is often grouped with Kazuo Nakamura (Royal Canadian Academy, born in Vancouver, October 13, 1926 - April 9, 2002), a founding member of the …
Japanese Canadian Art in the Time of Covid-19 - Part 2
Sept. 10, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> Reflecting on the art of Yvonne Wakabayashi, second-generation artist Miya Turnbull (daughter of Alberta potter, Marjene Matsunaga Turnbull), and Barb Miiko Gravlin, each of their works has a place in the unravelling narrative of the Japanese Canadian Covid-19 story. It is humbling to think that here are three generations of Japanese Canadians artists who continue to work at this most difficult time. Looking at the art that Miya, Barb, and Yvonne are creating with a CoVid-19 lense …
Japanese Canadian Art in the Time of Covid-19 - Part 1
Aug. 13, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
How do worldwide issues of crisis like a World War or pandemic affect the way artists work? While I am not aware of any Japanese Canadian artists who were active early in our settlement of Canada, one American Nisei sculptor Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) born in Los Angeles, California, is certainly one of the best known sculptors anywhere. His father was the well-known poet, Yone, and his mother the educator-writer Leonie Gilmour (1873-1933) who edited much of Isamu’s writing. Although little …
Artist Akira Yoshikawa Joins JC Giants at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario - Part 2
July 21, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> Can you talk a bit about your career as an artist? When did you become conscious of wanting to be one? I was always good at art. In Japan I used to receive awards and special display status in public school. I was very confident about the art I made. Even after arriving in Toronto, my classmates used to gather around me to watch me make art. My grade 13 art teacher at Parkdale Collegiate Institute, …
Artist Akira Yoshikawa Joins JC Giants at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario - Part 1
July 20, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
“Throughout a lifetime, one comes across by chance or by arrangement a certain energy that aligns with one’s own. Individual components are integrated to form a common energy to focus on how we see the world. This alignment when experienced, yields a state of well-being, comfort and assurance. The aesthetic and cultural practices in my work are related to my interest in Eastern philosophy, with its expression of serenity and spirituality. It recognizes the important aspect of time known as …
Vancouver’s 106-year-old Japanese Language School now a Canadian Heritage Site - Part 2
June 9, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> What is the state of the school today? What is the enrolment? What is the makeup of students e.g., from Japan, descendants of the first wave of immigrants, non-Japanese? Number of teachers? Our organization today reflects our 114 year evolution to sustainability. We have three operational divisions: child care division (daycare and immersion preschool - 135 children); Saturday and adult weeknights; language division: adults - 300+; children 6-18 - 250; community programming (heritage education and outreach …
Vancouver’s 106-year-old Japanese Language School now a Canadian Heritage Site - Part 1
June 8, 2020 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
“For over 100 years, it (VJLS) has served Vancouver’s Japanese Canadian and local communities as a community-based educational, social, and cultural centre. This designation is a stepping stone towards having historic Japantown recognized as a Historic District by the federal government and I wish everybody continued success in this greater vision.” — Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia The Vancouver Japanese Language School (VJLS) and Japanese Hall have been designated a National Heritage Site. What a …
