Nisei Week (二世週祭, Nisei-shū Matsuri) is an annual festival celebrating Japanese American (JA) culture and history in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Nisei means 2nd generation in Japanese, describing the first American born Japanese, a group which the seven-day festival was originally meant to attract. Though named for the Nisei generation, Nisei Week is no longer targeted at Niseis, nor is the festival still contained within a week. Nisei Week Foundation president for 2006, Michelle Suzuki, described the festival as "the opportunity for people of all backgrounds to celebrate Japanese heritage and culture".[1]
Festivities are held over one month, though the main attractions are held during the primary two weekends of the festival in mid-August. Nisei Week draws tens of thousands of participants each year from both the Japanese community and Southern California area, mostly to its Grand Parade and specialized festivals. The 80th Annual Nisei Week Festival & the Grand Parade were to take place in August 2020.[2][3] The 12th Annual Tanabata Festival was to be held in Little Tokyo in mid-August 2020, but all of which were cancelled & deferred to 2022.[4]
- ^ Muranaka, Gwen, Nisei Week Kicks Off Annual Festivities, Rafu Shimpo, June 10, 2006. URL accessed on August 3, 2006.
- ^ "Celebrating Past and Future at Nisei Week - Little Tokyo Festivities Include a Parade, Ramen Festival and Traditional Dancing". DT News. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
- ^ "Festival Events". The Official Nisei Week Website. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
- ^ "2014 - 6th Annual Tanabata Matsuri in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo - Front of MOCA Geffin Contemporary Museum (Friday to Monday)". Japanese-City.com. August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.