A Brief History
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival will be celebrating its 62nd year, August 10 - 18, 2002, throughout the streets of Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. The festival was created by the Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) in 1934 during the Great Depression. The festival was designed to attract business to Little Tokyo area, as well as promote general goodwill. The first festival included poster and essay contests, radio broadcasts, a fashion show, various cultural exhibits and demonstrations and an ondo parade, in which participants, wearing colorful kimono engaged in the festive art of folk dancing.

A Queen pageant was added in 1935. After nomination of candidates, the queen was chosen by the public, whose votes were calculated through scripts available upon purchase of merchandise at Little Tokyo stores. Alice Watanabe was the first Nisei Week Queen.

Today queen candidates are selected by various Japanese American organizations such as certain Optimist Clubs, JACL chapters and community centers and organizations. The Nisei Week Queen is crowned during the Coronation.

The festival was to continue for only seven years before the start of World War 11 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans in internment camps within the nation's interior. In 1945, the Japanese Americans began to return to Los Angeles, but it was not until 1949 that the community was able to restart the festival.

With the solid support from the thriving Japanese American community and Japanese firms doing business in the United States, today's Nisei Week Japanese Festival has grown in size and scope into one of the most outstanding ethnic festivals in the United States.

The most unique aspect of the festival is that it is largely planned, organized and operated by literally thousands of volunteers from the Japanese American community. Members of the business community, religious organizations, Japanese American Citizen League chapters, Optimist Clubs, fraternities and sororities commit thousands of hours towards the success of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

62nd ANNUAL NISEI WEEK JAPANESE FESTIVAL
August 10 - 18, 2002

• Opening Ceremony (More Pictures)

The sound of the Taiko drum and a Shinto ceremony officially begins the festival. City officials and community leaders attend to show their support and meet the Nisei Week Queen and Court contestants who represent surrounding communities of Orange County, San Gabriel, Venice, San Fernando Valley and Little Tokyo. Invitation only event.

• Fashion Show and Boutique (More Pictures)

Contemporary Japanese American fashion designed by Tadashi. Choreographed by Kaori Nara.

   

• Cultural Exhibits

Traditional Japanese art and crafts display. Bonsai (miniature trees,) flower arranging, Japanese Swords, calligraphy, paper dolls, Tea Ceremony and many others.

• Grand Parade

Hundreds of Kimono clad dancers representing local Japanese Dance schools, dance along the streets of Little Tokyo. As well as, Taiko performers, local bands and drill teams, floats and a procession of cars carrying visiting dignitaries from Japan, Hawaii, San Francisco and City of Los Angeles officials.

• Street Arts Fair

Vendors from around Southern California participate in this weekend event creating a cultural marketplace, with wares created for today's consumers. As well as community and corporate businesses presenting their products and services to this popular event

• Tofu Festival Car Show

Tofu is the specialty for this event, sample or put together an entire meal of Tofu dishes prepared by Southern California chefs representing today's most popular restaurants. The Car Show is an one-day event featuring customized import cars and related accessories.

• Ondo - Traditional Japanese Folk Dance

Lessons are offered free to the public prior to the festival in preparation for this public participatory event. Hundreds of dancers, some in traditional Japanese dress, and others in common "happi" coats representing their school or organization come to dance traditional Japanese folk dances.

62nd ANNUAL NISEI WEEK JAPANESE FESTIVAL

For more information on the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, please call
(213) 687-7193 or look us up at www.niseiweek.org