Scenes from last year’s Tsukimi Kai photo exhibit at NJAHS:

Tsukimi Kai member Steve Wake and his father, Rev. Lloyd Wake.

Dancer Debby Kajiyama, who participated in a trip to Cuba and took photos.

Photos by J.K. Yamamoto

The Tsukimi Kai Dos photo exhibit, “Nikkei Reflections: Continuing the Connection With the Nikkei Cuban Community,” opened Oct. 1 at the National Japanese American Historical Society Gallery, 1684 Post St. in San Francisco Japantown, and will be on view until Dec. 31.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The program, which starts at 2:30 p.m., will include shiisaa (Okinawan lion) dance, commentary by Tsukimi Kai II members, community dialogue and refreshments.

The Tsukimi Kai Dos trip to Cuba brought a group of U.S. Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei and friends to Nikkei Cuban communities in Havana, on La Isla de la Juventud and at the fishing village of Surgidero de Batabano.

The visitors and hosts celebrated Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) together with food, Japanese and Okinawan dance, taiko drumming, origami, daruma making and Okinawan lion dance.

The group also visited the Presidio Modelo, where all Nikkei Cuban men were incarcerated during World War II.

Extensive oral histories were taken — in-depth second interviews of old friends as well as many new contacts, including Okinawan Cubans and the descendants of Japanese fishermen of Surgidero de Batabano.

All photos in the exhibit and many more from the Tsukimi Kai Dos trip are available for purchase. Proceeds will support the group’s educational work.

Donations, which are tax-deductible, are welcome to support the photo exhibit, video documentary, oral history interviews and educational programs. Make checks out to “NJAHS” and write “Tsukimi Kai” on the memo line. Mail donations to: Tsukimi Kai, c/o 1154 Hopkins St., Berkeley 94702.

For more information, call (510) 524-3531 or e-mail skwake [at] comcast.net. NJAHS can be reached at (415) 921-5007.

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