By GERALD ISEDA
VENICE HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE
On May 16, Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (VHBT) hosted about 150 members and friends for a very special event, “Growing Up Sansei in the ’60s.”
The event featured Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki presenting a reading and tribute of the book “Criminals,” authored by the late Ben Masaoka (1952-2024).
Both Steven and Ben grew up in the Venice community, and the book is a mix of fact and fiction that chronicles the author’s experiences and emotions as a young Japanese American in the ’60s in an insulated JA community.
The book explores how the Nisei’s internment camp experience resulted in generational trauma, which influenced how they raised their Sansei children.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for attendees who came from all over Southern California to return to the Westside and remember their past while rekindling old friendships.
A number of attendees had a personal connection with both Steven and the author. Ben’s daughters also joined the event to share memories of their father and thoughts on his book. Musician Pat Lennon, younger brother of the famed Lennon Sisters and a close friend of Ben’s, shared stories of their friendship through the years.
Many of the attendees shared their thoughts and feelings of both the book and their experiences in the ’60s. One interesting observation was shared by someone who grew up in Hawaii and noted that their experience was different growing up in an heavily JA environment. There was a display of old photos and high school yearbooks that provided even more memories.
“What an amazing event — it was life-changing for the attendees and we were fortunate that Steven, along with many members of the Masaoka family, were able to make this such a special day,” said event chairperson Dianne Kujubu Belli.
Proceeds from the event allowed a contribution to the Venice-Japanese American Memorial Monument, which was erected to mark the spot where Westside JAs were ordered to meet before being sent to the internment camps.
The event was such a success that the VHBT Keiro Committee, which focuses on providing events and services to our seniors, is working on creating a series of “Growing Up Sansei” events for additional opportunities for Sansei to meet, revisit the “good old times” and share JA community with younger generations.
The event was made possible by additional event sponsors: Keiro and the Keiro Grants Program and Venice Japanese Community Center Senior Wellness, Jim Nakano (a.k.a. The Donut Man, Ben’s cousin), and many personal sponsorships and donations. A big thank you to everyone who participated in making this a very special day.
A video recording of the event, courtesy of Dane Lum Hohmeyer, is available on the temple’s YouTube channel, @venicehongwanjibuddhisttemple.