Gualala Arts is privileged to present "Giri: Giving Back...Going Forward", a visual exhibit by the Japanese American Citizens League of Sonoma County, honoring the Giri concept, a Japanese term which means an obligation to reciprocate favors and acts of kindness.

Documentation by the League includes photographs and oral histories of both Japanese American and non- Japanese American individuals who lived in Sonoma County before, during, and after World War II.

The history behind this project began in the spring of 1942, within months of the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Sonoma County's Japanese American residents were "relocated" to Camp Ameche, in the Colorado desert. Sonoma County was unique in its treatment of its Japanese residents. Friends and neighbors came to their aid with many acts of kindness, including paying taxes on their land, tending their orchards, and watching over their homes, businesses and places of worship until their return. The Giri Project, still ongoing, reveals the unique interactions among the various Sonoma County communities. Many historical images from this period will be shown in the Gualala Arts Jacob Foyer.

Giri is also reflected in the recognition by Yawatahama City, Japan, of Point Arena, Mendocino County, residents who were hospitable to would-be Japanese immigrants, who sailed for almost 60 days on a fishing boat, landing in a cove just south of the Point Arena Lighthouse, in 1913. Though their stay was brief before authorities deported them, their home city of Yawatahama was grateful for their treatment in this small coastal town. In 1995, a delegation came to find the landing location; in 1996, other dignitaries came to dedicate a monument of friendship; in 1999, another delegation came to install a plaque, in Japanese, with the names and ages of the 15 men. Historical images along with this story will be also presented in the Gualala Arts Jacob Foyer.

In celebration of the Japanese culture will be works of contemporary artists in the Gualala Arts Burnett Gallery, many of them Japanese Americans, others with an appreciation of the Japanese ethos, who live in various northern California counties. A partial list of over 30 participating artist include includes Lucy Arai, Sanae Nakjima, Noriko Hasegawa, Shoko Kageyama Klyce, Michiko Kinoshita, Machiko Kondo, Lucien Kubo, Miki Hsu, Chiyomi Taneike, Mikio Matsumoto, Tomoko Murakami, Hiroshi Sakaguchi, Naoko Satake, Seiko Tachibana, Takayuki Zoshi and many more.

Their oils, watercolors, painted silks, creations of wood, clay, metal, and cloth, made a visual impact in the show that was originally at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts in February and March, 2005. We are very fortunate to have all the elements, historical and visual, presented once again, here in at the Gualala Arts Center.

This is such a grand opportunity for learning and enjoying the Japanese arts and culture, the Gualala Arts Center is offering other Japanese inspired experiences. Along with the Japanese American exhibit, Gualala Arts is planning additional events and classes during July such as a Japanese dinner, a Tea Ceremony, cooking classes and a lecture on Torii Gate.

Akiko Docker will be returning as a cooking instructor for four classes on Thursdays in July. She offers hands-on cooking demonstration for up to twelve people who will have the opportunity to learn how to cook Japanese home-style favorites: Sea Food and/or Vegetable Tempura, Chicken Kara-age (fried chicken), Gyoza (Pot Sticker), Ginger Pork, Yaki-soba (fried noodles), Okonomiyaki (cabbage and meat/seafood pancakes), Ramen-style noodle soup and Onigiri (rice balls with various filling). Classes are $20 each or four for $60. Call 707.884.1138 to register by June 29.

A Japanese Book making workshop is being planned for Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30th. This two-day workshop covers all aspects of assembling a book using traditional Japanese methods including designing, bluing a cover, punching and stitching. Japanese binding has a simple elegant look and is suitable for books and portfolios of all sizes and shapes, including non-traditional formats. This workshop will fill quickly so register by July 14 ($80 members; $95 non-members). Gualala Arts accepts Visa and MC.

On July 14 at 6:00 p.m. the Culinary Arts Guild will be presenting a Japanese Dinner for those lucky enough to make reservations by July 6 ($25/person). The menu is still being discussed, but the Guild has a long running record of giving "wow" dinners, so we're sure this will be memorable.

A Japanese Tea Ceremony, by Eiko Mouri will be conducted on Sunday, July 16 at 3:00 p.m. at Gualala Arts Center ($10/person). This should be a beautiful ceremony as Eiko Mouri will be in full Japanese attire. For both the dinner and the Tea Ceremony, Yasuko, located in Healdsburg will be showing her beautiful clothing, which will also be for sale. Four-Eyed Frog, a local Gualala bookstore, will have a variety of books for sale reflecting the Japanese arts and culture.

Michael Anderson will present a lecture on the Torii Gate. He is constructing one at Gualala Arts prior to the lecture. The Gate marks the gateway between the physical and spiritual worlds, and is often an entrance to a Shinto shrine. Michael studied in Japan and often uses traditional Japanese building techniques in his Laughing Moon business.

Speaking of traditional building techniques, a tansu chest, by Ki Arts, will also be shown.

The opening reception for Giri: Japanese American exhibit will be Saturday, July 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Music for the opening will be Karl Young on the shakuhachi flute. Bob Shimon will be displaying many of his award winning bonsai for the opening and the other events.

Please join Gualala Arts as we celebrate

Giri: Giving Back...
Going Forward.

Gualala Arts Center is located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, and is open from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays, and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information.