ジョン･エンドウ・グリーナウェイ

unearthing the memories that shape us

In the Shadow of the Pines, a new animated short documentary by Anne Koizumi, explores the difficult relationship between the filmmaker and her father. Koizumi, a second-generation Japanese Canadian, draws on childhood memories to explore the idea of shame and how it can shape and define us, while also concealing who we can truly become. Using stop-action animation, family photos, and archival footage, the eight-minute film offers a poignant window into the often confusing and conflicting emotions that come into play while navigating our childhood years.

Three years in the making, In the Shadow ...

When Greg Masuda and his wife Erin opened Courtenay’s first ramen shop in the fall of 2016, it was welcomed with open arms by the residents of this small British Columbia town nestled in the heart of the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.

Nikkei Ramen-ya, located in a former jewelry shop, serves their own handmade noodles, made daily. Frequent experimentation, and specials like ebi ramen, made with wild sidestripe shrimp and local pea shoots, have ensured that the menu stays varied, and made the shop a hit with customers. A visit to their online ordering page reveals ten kinds ...

Sitting at the mouth of the Fraser River, the village of Steveston, although technically part of Richmond, BC, retains a unique small town flavour. It’s a flavour that’s heavily influenced by the Japanese immigrants who before the war made up more than two-thirds of the population. Within a few square kilometres are found the Steveston Buddhist Temple, Steveston Martial Arts Centre, Steveston Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Murakami House, Kishi Boatworks, Kuno Gardens, Japanese fisherman’s statue, Japanese Hospital plaza, and T. K. Homma Elementary School, among other reminders of the key roll Japanese immigrants and their progeny played ...

When Julie Tamiko Manning and Matt Miwa first in 2009 as members of the English Theatre acting company at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, they discovered a commonality in their backgrounds as they began to compare notes. Both are mixed-race Japanese Canadians, and both their families were interned in Tashme, the western-most Internment camp, during World War Two. Out of those early conversations came The Tashme Project: The Living Archives. The self-described verbatim/documentary-theatre play traces the history and common experience of the Nisei (second generation Japanese Canadians) through childhood, WWII internment and post-war resettlement east of the Rockies.

Pieced ...

Read Part 1 >>

Do you have any preconceptions walking into this project?

I certainly had some preconceptions before I even posted my first call-out, but I think the sign-up process has changed that. Prior to the first few individuals signing up, I assumed most people in my generation (or who would sign up) would be under 30. However, I’ve had individuals and families sign up aged two to 60, identifying as Yonsei and/or Gosei. I’m one of a handful of Yonsei apart of this project under the age of 25. I also assumed all participants would have ...