As generations of Japanese-Americans change, the way they express their roots is also changing. Through art, they convey the path their ancestors walked to the present and future. Paul Kikuchi (37), a fourth-generation Japanese-American, is one of them.

Many documents have been left behind from the history of Japanese immigration over more than a century. From official to private, such as photographs, documents, and diaries, many are preserved in museums and related facilities. To this day, historical preservation activities by Japanese Americans continue on a variety of themes through the research of researchers, as well as projects by Japanese American organizations and individuals.

Until now, publications, documentaries, and digital media have been the mainstream ways of presenting these things. As we approach the fourth and fifth generations, we have taken a step forward from preserving historical facts and are beginning to express our own roots in different ways, such as through art. This can be seen as an attempt by the fourth and fifth generations, who have expanded their careers into various fields.

Kikuchi, who teaches at the Art Institute of Seattle while continuing his musical activities, is currently working on a project to trace his own roots using his great-grandfather's belongings. In addition to presenting the materials on his website, his main focus is on music production.

"I feel that the fourth generation is beginning to express their experiences more in the arts. It's a natural thing, and you could even say it's a generational evolution," Kikuchi says with a smile.

His great-grandfather, Zenkichi (1880-1965), was from Iwate Prefecture. He had a wealth of knowledge about agriculture and emigrated to California in 1900. He then moved to Yakima, Washington, where he opened a farm. Kikuchi himself never met Zenkichi, but he learned a lot about him through his relatives' memoirs.

He never returned to Japan, and first visited the country a few years before his death, during the period of rapid economic growth in the 1960s. He was deeply impressed by the 200-page memoir that he left behind, including how he touched on the gap between the eras.

Also left behind was an old 78RPM SP record. It was a Japanese song from the 1940s. Kikuchi "reconstructed" the song while imagining the historical background and Zenkichi's image. He added a modern arrangement and released it as his new album "Bat of No Bird Island" at the end of March. At the same time, he launched a website to introduce Zenkichi's materials such as photos and documents, and is currently in Japan for a short stay to further research his roots.

Although he had not been involved in many Japanese-American related music productions or projects up until now, through "Bat of No Bird Island," he reflected on his roots, saying, "I felt a deep sense of gratitude." He also plans to release another project later this year, and is working on a plan to recreate the songs that were played in the local Japantown for the community.

In the project "Songs of Nihonmachi," he researched songs familiar to Japanese people from old records kept at the Japanese Cultural Center of Washington State, the Wing Luke Museum, and other places, and will introduce songs from that time, as well as songs he has arranged himself, at the Panama Hotel Cafe. Through the music that was played throughout the city in the 1920s and 1930s and that his ears were familiar with, he will learn about the lives and experiences of Japanese people, along with photographs from that time displayed in the cafe.

Panama Hotel was designated a national treasure by the non-profit organization "National Trust" last month, and is a historical building that conveys the history of the Japanese community. "I want people to listen to the music (familiar to Japanese people) instead of just looking at the photos in the cafe," said Kikuchi. The project is scheduled to be completed in November. The exhibition will last at least two months, and there are plans to hold two concerts.

Related projects can be found at www.batofnobirdisland.com .

*This article is reprinted from the May 28, 2015 edition of the North American Post .

© 2015 The North American Post