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🏮 P is for Powell Street Festival! We’ll be there in 10 days

Join us for From ABCs to Activism: How a Children’s Book Became a Primer on Japanese Canadian History.

🗓️ Sunday, August 2
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Vancouver Japanese Language School
487 Alexander Street, 4th floor

What began as a children’s alphabet book evolved into an intergenerational project exploring Japanese Canadian history, culture, identity, and activism. Each letter opens a doorway into Japanese Canadian life—from family stories and community traditions to the histories of dispossession, redress, and community building.

Featuring artwork by Mia Ohki and Kellen Hatanaka, The Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs reflects the creativity and diversity of Japanese Canadian voices.

Artist Mia Ohki will join curator Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall and content creators Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi and Mari Galloway to discuss the collaborative process behind the book.

Can’t wait to see you around or at our presentation! ✨

Funded by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society

Artwork by @kellenhatanaka

@powellstfest @jclegacies @japanesecanadianartist #powellstreetfestival taken in Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall by @torontonajc

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2 days ago

Experience #TOAF65 through a new perspective.⁠
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Join us throughout the Fair for guided Art Tours led by artists, curators, and art experts who will take you deeper into the stories, practices, and ideas behind the work.⁠
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Whether you’re a longtime collector, new to contemporary art, or simply curious, Art Tours are a chance to discover new artists, ask questions, and explore the Fair through fresh eyes.⁠
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Swipe to explore this year’s Art Tours and plan your visit. ➡️⁠
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Browse and sign up for tours from our link in bio.⁠ by @torontonajc

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a month ago

🛒 Online sales now live — link in bio or www.torontonajc.ca/shop

April 14 marks the anniversary of the 1988 rally on Parliament Hill—a turning point in the Japanese Canadian Redress movement. Today, we’re proud to launch online sales of The Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs in its honour.

As early as 1985, Roger Obata had raised the idea of a national rally and coalition. By late 1987, with the campaign at an impasse, that vision became urgent: “By late 1987, the redress campaign had reached an impasse. The rally was one of two events held to generate momentum and took place on Parliament Hill on April 14, 1988. Obata recalled the rally’s genesis: while on a bus tour, he, Harold Hirose, and Mas Kawanami joked about a demonstration… This idea led to the rally organized by the Toronto NAJC. After its success, Obata was hopeful that something might finally be achieved.”

With only months to prepare, the Toronto NAJC mobilized supporters and organized travel. David Murata was hired to support logistics and work with the Toronto NAJC, helping mobilize supporters from across Canada. The rally was a tremendous success, drawing more than 500 supporters—a defining turning point in the movement.

The placards carried that day were handmade by the family of then-president Bill Kobayashi, father of current Toronto NAJC president Lynn Kobayashi. As Lynn recalls, her dad was usually behind the scenes—but sensing hesitation in the crowd, he stepped forward, becoming the central figure in the now-iconic rally image.

📖 Text and image from The Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka and produced by the Toronto NAJC. © Toronto NAJC. Rally info from Japanese Canadian Redress: The Toronto Story. All rights reserved. Photo caption: L–R: Roger Obata, Mas Kawanami, Bill Kobayashi, David Murakami. Photo courtesy John Flanders. We are grateful for funding from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.

#japanesecanadian #japanesecanadianhistory #japanesecanadianredress #rogerobata taken in Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON, Canada by @torontonajc

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3 months ago

Tour #ArtistProject 2026 with an art expert and discover the fair through their eyes. Saturday, March 28 Art Walks include:

12:30pm
Melanie Trojkovic, Gallery Director, United Contemporary (@unitedcontemporary)

2.00pm
Khalidah Belo, CEO, Ògo Tàwa (@ogotawa)

4:00pm
Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall (@kristoferhiroshi), Founder/Director, The New Other (@wearethenewotherto)

This Tour will be lead with ASL interpretation supported by the
Canadian Cultural Society of The Deaf (CCSD) (@ccsd.sccs)

6:00pm
Trevor Twells (@trevtwells), Founder, MakeRoom Inc. (@makeroominc)

Get your tickets now for pre-show pricing (link in bio @ArtistProjectTO). by @torontonajc

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4 months ago

💌 Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs — Public Launch
Saturday, February 7 | 1–4 pm
Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre
155 Shaw Street (just north of Queen St)
💵 $20 per book | Limited edition | In-person only
🛒 Online sales begin in April
🔗 Registration link in bio — registering helps ensure a copy is set aside for you

The afternoon is designed with different audiences in mind: the earlier portion is especially family-friendly, with time to browse, mingle, and a short, informal storytime for children. The later portion features a longer presentation and conversation with artists @miaohki and @kellenhatanaka including a look at how the book came together and the intergenerational collaboration behind it.

Created by an intergenerational team of artists, and community members, this joyful book introduces children—and curious adults—to the people, stories, and values that have shaped the Japanese Canadian community.

Drop in anytime between 1–4 pm — stay for what works for your schedule.

llustrations by @miaohki © @kellenhatanaka ©
Book © Toronto NAJC.
Images may be shared or reposted with credit via Instagram only; reproduction or reuse elsewhere is not permitted.
#davidsuzuki #japanesecanadianhistory #abcbooks #japanesecanadian by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

B is for BOOK LAUNCH!

We’re delighted to invite you to the official launch of the Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs. This event marks the first public offering of the book. Until now, copies have only been shared through a small initial release—this will be the first opportunity for the wider community to purchase it. 📕 Book price: $20 (Limited edition print run)

At this time, the book will be available for in-person purchase only at the launch. Online ordering and shipping options are still being worked out and will be shared later.

We look forward to gathering in person to celebrate artists @kellenhatanaka and @miaohki
along with the intergenerational content creation team led by board member—and new mom—Mari Galloway, who developed the original concept and vision for the book.

🔗 Registration link in our bio

More event details are coming very soon. We hope you can join us.

We are grateful for funding from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.

Illustration by @miaohki © the artist.
Book © Toronto NAJC.
Image may be shared or reposted with credit via Instagram only; reproduction or reuse elsewhere is not permitted. taken in Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

A rainy day wandering Kuramae. Retro shopping streets, local cafes, insane galleries, and an overall cool vibe. Locals call it the “Brooklyn of Tokyo,” but I’d say it’s completely its own thing. taken in Kuramae, Tokyo by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

🌸 Something special is coming . . .
Save-the-Date for the launch of the Japanese Canadian Book of ABCs
Saturday, Feb 7 | 1–4 p.m.
Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre

Featuring artists @kellenhatanaka and @miaohki in attendance and the content creation team.
More details soon.

We are grateful for funding from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.

Illustration by @kellenhatanaka © the artist.
Book © Toronto NAJC.
Image may be shared or reposted with credit via Instagram only; reproduction or reuse elsewhere is not permitted. taken in Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

Birthdays are often a time of reflection for me, and in spending mine quietly yesterday, I was left feeling extremely grateful and empowered. Those close to me know it’s been a winding path to get to where I am today. I celebrated the accomplishments of friends, while simultaneously comparing their lives to mine, and feeling like I was falling further and further behind. Of course, this was compounded by a series of stops and starts, and what I believed were my missteps along the way. In hindsight though, every one was part of my story.

I believe I’ve always had tremendous potential, but would get in my own way in achieving that which I wanted to do. In some respects, that’s still the case, although I’m much better at pushing through the procrastination, self-doubt, insecurities and imposter syndrome. The last few years have shown me the value in that persistence. I’ve been able to create and build an up and coming art gallery (@wearethenewotherto), explore my Japanese roots and become a voice in the community as a board member and Chair of the Nex-Gen Committee with the @torontonajc, bring people together, build meaningful relationships with so many wonderful people not only in Toronto, but around the world, and most importantly, go a long way in figuring out my own voice and ikigai (purpose).

One of my faults is that I don’t give myself enough credit, so writing this post is an effort to begin rectifying that. At the same time, there are countless family members, friends, acquaintances, and probably strangers I am indebted to for their kindness, generosity, encouragement and belief in me. THANK YOU to each and everyone one of you for who you’ve helped me become and what you’ve meant in my life thus far. Without you, none of what I do would be possible. This world, and us in turn, are always evolving, and with good people around me I know anything is possible. by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

🔗 Eventbrite registration link in bio

🖼️Join us at United Contemporary for a curated tour of their current exhibition, Paradise. Yonsei artists, Mitchell Akiyama and Emma Nishimura, will take us through their collaborative body of work that explores their Japanese-Canadian families’ shared histories of internment during the Second World War.

Exhibiting alongside Akiyama and Nishimura, Akira Yoshikawa will also speak about the influences of his family’s experiences during that time period on his upbringing and current artistic practice.

Works by acclaimed painter, Norman Takeuchi, are also on exhibit and viewable as part of the tour.

A Q and A and light refreshments will be provided after the tour, where community members and artists will have a chance to mingle, share stories, and connect.

Dm for more details or ✉️ nextgen@torontonajc.ca taken in UNITED CONTEMPORARY by @torontonajc

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6 months ago

As I sit here looking out the window onto a white winter scene, I was reminded of the vibrant autumn colours not too long ago. Being in nature is my happy place, and walking through the forest by the old Takayama Castle ruins was exactly what I needed after spending some time in sprawling Tokyo. Breathing in the fresh air, touching the earth, and trees that are 100’s of years old, allowed me to reconnect with myself as well as family past and present. The concept of ‘mono no aware’ (appreciating impermanence, beauty in transience) hit home and allowed me to not hold on so tightly. I hope you enjoy the small moments, and get to share this holiday season with the important people in your life. Wishing you good health and much love. taken in Takayama, Gifu by @torontonajc

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7 months ago

Senso-ji is the oldest (Buddhist) temple in Tokyo. Dedicated to Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, mercy, and salvation. It’s a very popular tourist site and can become very crowded and difficult to walk around.

In thinking about an artistic way of capturing the energy and movement of the visitors, I pushed the limit of my camera’s hand-held shutter speed. The resulting abstraction gives life to the images, which I think accurately portrays the somewhat chaotic, yet beautiful scenery that unfolded around the Jokoro (incense burner) where people purify themselves before entering the Hondo (main temple building).

The last image is the fortune that I pulled, which happened to be the best fortune someone can have! taken in 浅草寺 Senso-ji Temple by @torontonajc

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7 months ago