COLD NOODLES
In the summer, the Japanese enjoy refreshing noodle dishes likely to please anyone sweltering in the late-summer heat. These dishes are truly cool—one presents the noodles floating in a bowl of ice cubes.
The classic way to prepare Japanese pasta, known as sashimizu or “add water” method, includes rinsing the noodles in cold water after they are cooked. With sashimizu, each time the water boils, add a cup of cold water. Repeat process up to three times, depending on the thickness of noodles.
Meanwhile, test noodles constantly by biting into a …

Broadcaster Margaret Gallagher serves up a taste of the most delicious event on the Spring Arts calendar
In Chez D (May 31, Gudrun Tasting Room, Richmond), writer, broadcaster and musician Margaret Gallagher will join a unique roster of artists trading their artistic tools for chef hats to create a tantalizing feast for the senses. In this event commissioned by the Powell Street Festival, artists will plate delicacies in a five-course menu that pays homage to ethnic roots, migratory paths (the ‘D’ stands for ‘Diaspora’), new lands, family restaurants and neighbourhood survival …

1) Nikkei Community New Year’s party
Saturday January 17, Nikkei Place
Tickets are available through Nikkei Place and the GVJCCA.
Please phone 604.777.7000 for additional information.
Valentine’s Day Dance
Saturday February 14 at Nikkei Place.
Second GVJCCA dance and first fundraiser for 2009.
There will be prizes, snacks and DJ music. Tickets ($25) and information are available through the GVJCCA at 604.777.5222 or Nikkei Place. The aim is to help raise funds for the GVJCCA so that we can provide information through workshops and sessions on various aspects of human rights, Japanese Canadian immigration laws and social …

Hi everyone!
I hope the weather hasn’t kept everyone indoors since it has been wonderfully warm the past while. Along with excellent weather, things have been busy lately with many community events and issues.
On May 30th, members of the Nikkei community descended upon the Village of Cumberland on Vancouver Island. The Mayor and Council unveiled a plaque in recognition of the designation of the Cumberland Japanese Cemetery as a heritage landmark. The Village of Cumberland was home to over 500 Japanese immigrants who worked the coal mines prior to the internment …

This month, we present part three of the history of The Bulletin. As I wrote last month, it has been quite an experience poring through the stacks of back issues, searching out the stories and events that played out on the pages of our little community magazine over the past 50 years. Let me say again that I have gained renewed respect for all those that came before me—both at The Bulletin, and the JCCA itself. While our community has many strengths, as evidenced by its ability to rise above …

The other day a friend and I got together to catch up on old news. The two of us had been away at different universities for the entire year so getting together meant that there was plenty of new news to share – what courses we had taken courses, how exams had gone, our plans for the summer, our plans for next year. We chatted for quite some time when suddenly my friend jokingly mentioned that she was starting a new diet. “You’re what!?!” I thought to myself. “You’re starting …

It’s June already and we haven’t had much spring-like weather as yet. I’m not complaining though, since we are so fortunate not to experience the terrible earthquakes, cyclones, flooding and tornadoes etc. they are struggling with in other parts of the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Thinking of some cool desserts for the summer.
AZUKI JELLO
2 pkgs. Knox gelatin
2 cups hot water
1 pkg. (6 oz.) raspberry Jello
1 pkg. (6 oz.) mixed fruit Jello
2 cups hot water
1 cup cold water
1 (8oz.) smooth azuki bean paste.
1. Completely dissolve Knox gelatin …

One hopes that by now, most people in the widespread Nikkei/ijusha community must be aware of the ongoing campaign led by the “Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park.” Coalition in response to the City of Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park Development Plan (OPDP).
The plan is part of the City efforts to revitalize the area, known as “Little Tokyo” before the forced internment of Nikkei Canadians during World War II, where for decades now residents, businesses and local institutions including Bukkyokai (Vancouver Buddhist Church, VBC) and Vancouver Japanese Language School and …

by Joseph Wu
No one really knows when and where origami was invented. Some origami historians argue that since the invention of paper is credited to Ts’ai Lun of China in A.D. 105, paper folding must have been invented soon after. Paper was then introduced to Japan in the late sixth century by Buddhist monks, and paper folding was brought along with it. In Japan, paper was considered an expensive commodity, and it was used in many aspects of Japanese life, most notably in architecture. Certain origami models were incorporated into …