This is a Poetry event featuring three generations of poets, at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose on January 18, 2014.

Ever wonder what your grandparents, parents, or siblings thought or felt during the internment and its aftermath? Poetry gives voice to what cannot be spoken, distills experiences, and exposes the universality of intimate moments. Issei tanka poems set the stage for special guest, Nisei poet Mitsuye Yamada (author, Camp Notes), as well as Sansei poets Roger Abe, Stefanie Kaku, and Ann Muto (author, Open Passage). They are all experts at honoring the legacy of poetry which enlightens their lives. An audience open mic will close the program.

ISSEI 

 Readings from the works of Kenichi Takemoto, Jack Yasutake and Poets Behind Barbed Wire

NISEI 

Special Guest: Mitsuye Yamada Poet and founder of Multi-Cultural Women Writers, Visiting Professor at UCLA, Artist-in-Residence San Diego State University, Writer’s Residency Award from Yaddo and Vesta Award Winner.

SANSEI 

Ann  Muto, author of the book Open Passage, Stefanie Kaku, and Roger Abe. Each of these poets will share their poems and the meaning behind them. 

Event is free with admission to the museum (non-members, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free). RSVP REQUIRED. For more information, please email PublicPrograms@JAMsj.org or call the JAMsj office at (408) 294-3138 to reserve your spot.