Cleveland Japanese American Foundation

09/08/2026

The Dahlia Society of Ohio is offering an Ikebana floral arranging class on September 19th at Cleveland Urban Winery in Cleveland Hts. Although it is for members of DSO, we have a few spots open to those who would like to learn more about the Japanese art of flower arranging.

You can see complete details on the DSO website link is provided:

https://www.dahliasocietyofohio.org/events/ikebana-floral-design-workshop

Visit the DSO store to register: https://www.dahliasocietyofohio.org/shop

I will have extra dahlias to share.

09/07/2026

According to Endo, who was from El Monte, Calif., the Issei generation of her parents bore the pain and confusion of incarceration especially acutely.

“Our parents really suffered,” she said. “It was a horrible time for the old folks.”

At 95, Endo was the oldest former incarceree to attend the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage from July 25 to 27. She recalled how her family had no place to live when they returned to Southern California, taking up residence in a trailer park.

For Endo, the camp experience, while devastating, has also helped unite Japanese Americans. It was a painful and difficult experience but one from which Japanese Americans today continue to draw strength.

Read more here: https://www.nichibei.org/2026/08/the-view-from-heart-mountain-what-it-means-to-be-a-japanese-american-today/

08/24/2026

“An understanding of the emotional and cultural resilience of these people who were unjustly imprisoned on the basis of their race, but nonetheless managed to find ways to preserve aspects of their culture and heritage.”

A new book of color photos from the Japanese American Incarceration, "Colors of Confinement: Rare Kodachrome Photographs of Japanese American Incarceration in World War II,” shares recently discovered photos of daily life. The photos, taken by Bill Manbo, were shot using Kodachrome technology, which debuted for still photography seven years earlier, in 1936. Read more here: https://dailytarheel.com/383333/lifestyle/arts-culture/5074c2db3b7f5/

08/16/2026

A few photos from our recent CJAF community picnic and scholarship program. Next year's picnic date is AUGUST 8TH at the same location.

08/10/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our JA community picnic and scholarship award program last week. I will be sending an email recap soon. Next year, we have August 8th reserved.

07/06/2026

Let’s go!!

1 week until BorderLight Theatre Festival!

The BorderLight Festival returns to our July 8-11, 2026 to present exciting theater that inspires and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. 🎭

With 40+ productions across 15 stages, BorderLight is your chance to discover fresh voices, Fringe favorites, immersive experiences, comedy, drama, and so much more. Come experience the unexpected and celebrate artists from Cleveland and around the world. 🌎🎭

06/22/2026

Hot off the presses! The flyer to this year's community picnic!

04/12/2026

CJAF/JACL 2026 Scholarship Application is available on the JACL website and due May 1, 2026. If you have questions, leave a message on the JACL website, or call Bill Sadataki @ 330-659-3880

03/25/2026

A great article about our Shojoji Japanese Dancers in the Lakewood Times.

On March 15, dancers from the Sho-Jo-Ji dance group changed the Lakewood Public Library into a stage. They joined a three-month-long community program highlighting Japanese American history and culture. Audience members watched the practiced dances, colorful kimonos, and traditional sounds of the pe...