Yoshitomo Nara First International Retrospective of the Artist

March 2020 Fact Sheets: New Coronavirus Outbreak Japan to quarantine visitors from China and South Korea / State of emergency Recording the legacy of Japanese art declared in Los Angeles amid coronavirus outbreak / 9,200+: Number of and culture for next generations people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LA Page 4, 5, 6

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Yoshitomo Nara First international retrospective of the artist

Yoshitomo Nara Miss Forest, 2010 Ceramic decorated with platinum, gold, and silver liquid 144 x 102 x 100 cm Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art © Yoshitomo Nara 2010 photo by Keizo Kioku courtesy of the artist

Yoshitomo Nara My Drawing Room, 2008 Mixed media 301.5 x 375 x 380 cm Yoshitomo Nara, Miss Spring, 2012, Acrylic on canvas, 227 x 182 cm, Collection of collection of the artist Yokohama Museum of Art, © Yoshitomo Nara 2012, photo by Keizo Kioku, courtesy © Yoshitomo Nara 2008 of the artist. photo by Mie Morimoto courtesy of the artist

April 5 – August 23, 2020 are vaguely ominous-looking characters an installation that recreates his draw- “Yoshitomo Nara is among the most BCAM, Level 2 with penetrating gazes that occasionally ing studio, and never-beforeexhibited important Japanese artists of his gen- Los Angeles County Museum of Art wield objects just as knives or ciga- idea sketches that reflect the artist’s eration, and one of the most recognized 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, rettes, as well as heads and figures that empathic eye. artists working today. We are excited Los Angeles, CA, 90036 lacma.org float in dreamy landscapes. One of the exhibition highlights to be organizing this international Nara’s oeuvre reflects the artist’s includes Miss Forest, a 26-foot outdoor retrospective,” said Michael Govan, The Los Angeles County Museum raw encounters with his inner self, tak- painted bronze sculpture that will be LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg of Art (LACMA) presents Yoshitomo ing inspiration from memories of his installed on Wilshire Boulevard. Director. Nara, the first international retrospec- childhood; music; literature; studying Following LACMA’s presentation, “Nara’s art reflects his interest in art tive of artist Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959). and living in Germany (1988–2000); the exhibition will travel to the Yuz and culture of both past and present. The exhibition surveys more than 30 exploring his roots in Asia; and modern Museum, Shanghai (September 29, His interest in art history—ranging years of the artist’s work—from 1984 art from Europe and Japan. 2020–January 17, 2021), the Museo from 12th-century Japanese Buddhist to 2020—through the lens of his long- Yoshitomo Nara comprises more Guggenheim Bilbao (February–May sculptures and handscroll paintings, time passion to music. than 100 major works, including 2021); and the Kunsthal Rotterdam Italian early-Renaissance painters, and Known for his portraits, Nara’s subjects paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, (June–September 2021). Please turn to page 2 2 Cultural News March 2020-Reiwa 2 Los Angeles County Museum of Art Yoshitomo Nara First international retrospective of the artist Continued from page 1 music filters throughout his practice. words “Place Like Home” hangs on other European modern influences— After taking several lengthy journeys the exterior, and the inside features mirrors LACMA’s encyclopedic to Europe in 1980, 1983, and 1987 piles of drawings on the floor and a nature. Referencing contemporary mu- while attending art school at Aichi Pre- desk with figurines, mix CDs that Nara sic and album covers, Nara possesses fectural University of the Arts where curated, vernacular paintings, draw- the unique ability to capture a com- he obtained his BA and MA, Nara was ings, ephemera, and collectibles from plexity of emotions that reflects the accepted into the Kunstakademie vintage Americana shops that the artist cultural psyche of the current genera- Düsseldorf and lived in Germany from has accumulated over the years. tion.” 1988 to 2000 Starting in 2005, Nara’s singular Exhibition curator Mika Yoshitake (Düsseldorf from 1988 to 1993 and portraits began to take a dramatic turn, stated, “Music has been a passion for in Cologne until 2000). each projecting a complex expression Nara since he began to listen to folk This was a period of great isolation that combines sadness, anger, and songs at age nine, and his relationship for Nara, during which he was remind- serenity. with music, namely with album cover ed of his adolescent years in Aomori, In Missing in Action – Girl Meets art, provided him with an unconven- and the development of psychological Boy (2005), fire from an atomic bomb tional introduction to art history and depth and introspection in his paint- explosion is reflected in one of the eyes artistic genres. This passion is seen ings. While Nara’s immense popularity of the figure, representing a memory of through Nara’s vast record collection, within the Neo-Pop milieu has domi- Hiroshima, where this work is housed. selections of which visitors will see as nated the critical global reception of The political valence of this work soon as they enter this exhibition. his practice to this day, having spent on paper connects the fading memory Through more than 100 works on view, his formative years as a young artist in of the previous generation who experi- the exhibition will bring new light to Germany, Nara sees his work more in enced the war with the younger Nara’s conceptual process.” dialogue with American and European generation of Japanese youth who can The exhibition is accompanied by a subcultures. only indirectly experience this decisive fully illustrated catalogue with a fore- moment. Yoshitomo Nara, No Nukes, 1998, Acrylic and word by Michael Govan, introductory Exhibition Highlights colored pencil on paper, 36 x 22.5 cm, collection of Nara’s work took a dramatic shift essay by Mika Yoshitake, and text by Masayuki Nagase, © Yoshitomo Nara 1998, photo following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake Yoshitomo Nara. A limited-edition of Highlights from the Yoshitomo Nara by Norihiro Ueno, courtesy of the artist. and tsunami and the Fukushima Dai- the catalogue features a clamshell case exhibition include: ichi nuclear disaster, which occurred with 14 booklets, as well as a vinyl LP No Nukes (1998) depicts a stern, only 43 miles north of his studio. with original music and covers by pigtailed girl holding placard that American indie rock band Yo La Tengo reads, “No Nukes.” Painted over a pro- on side A and songs from the 1960s and motional poster for bossa nova ’70s selected by the artist on side B. musician Vinicius Cantuária’s Amor Nara’s love of music ended up pro- Brasileiro (1998) among other printed viding him with an unorthodox art ephemera, it became powerful symbol education: the images on record covers in July 2012 when the artist allowed not only became signifiers for music protesters to download a high-resolu- but also introduced him to a vast array tion image of the work to use as picket of artistic genres, with covers and their signs during one of Japan’s largest an- corresponding music merging in his ti-nuclear protests. subconscious. As many as 100,000 people gath- For the young Nara, growing up in ered to rail against the government’s Japan among the shadows of war and decision to restart two nuclear reactors economic recovery, the records and in Fukui prefecture, many with this im- their covers served as sources of es- age, dubbed “No Nukes Girl,” in hand. cape and eventually as a valuable form Yoshitomo Nara, The Girl with the Knife in Her of self-empowerment, allowing him to Hand, 1991, Acrylic on canvas, 150.5 x 140 com, Fountain of Life (2001/2014) is a Vicki and Kent Logan, fractional and promised motorized sculptural installation of deal with the complexities of living gift to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, © with the remnants of Japan’s imperial Yoshitomo Nara 1991, photo by Ikuhiro Watanabe, heads with closed eyelids that tower past and in close proximity to signs of courtesy of the artist. over one another inside an enormous ongoing conflict. cup with water that streams down the Today, Nara’s studio wall displays a Girl with a Knife in Her Hand figures’ cheeks, forming a fountain of Yoshitomo Nara, Milky Lakes/Thinking One, vast array of records he has accumu- (1991) is one of the most iconic works tears. 2011, Acrylic on canvas, 259.2 x 181.8 cm, Private Collection, courtesy of Frahm & Frahm, © lated over the past 40 years, including in Nara’s oeuvre, focusing on a single, The melancholy of this work is Yoshitomo Nara, 2011, photo by Keizo Kioku, folk, rock, blues, soul, and punk al- ominous figure with eyes who floats in palpable, and the figures’ clean profiles courtesy of the artist. bums. an empty atmosphere. evoke the richly outlined paintings of This exhibition aims to move away Representing a turning point in Japanese abstract painter Morikazu Emotionally affected by the after- from some of the dominant perceptions which Nara no longer illustrates the Kumagai, whom Nara has long ad- math, Nara painted In the Milky of Nara’s work with Japan’s Neo-Pop backgrounds of his artworks, but in- mired. Lake/Thinking One (2011), a portrait movement (largely associated with Ta- stead concentrates on the figures Nara began creating portable instal- of a solemn girl with closed eyelids kashi Murakami), and also shift the themselves, the artist intensifies their lations of his paintings, drawings, and who wears a green dress and is half- focus from the harshness and intensity gazes by experimenting with sideways sculptures, which ranged from the submerged in a barely visible pool of of his earlier practice to the self-critical stances and slightly off-center place- three-part installation S.M.L. (2003) to water; it was the only major painting introspection and individuality that ment, and bringing them into a bolder, the epic 26-installation exhibition A to he produced in 2011. have become more prevalent in the fuller focus against monochromatic Z (2006). These domestic environ- While confronting the March 11 quiet, contemplative work he has made backgrounds. ments culminated in My Drawing disaster and nuclear crisis, Nara made in the last decade, particularly since the “These works were born not from Room (2008), a painted wooden archi- Miss Spring (2012), a portrait of a 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. confronting the other, but from con- tectural structure that recreates Nara’s wide-eyed girl with a high forehead The artist’s inspiration from the fronting my own self,” the artist has studio space. who stands against a cherry-blossom world of 1960s and ’70s folk and rock said. A hand-painted billboard with the Please turn to page 3 March 2020-Reiwa 2 Cultural News 3

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Yoshitomo Nara First international retrospective of the artist a foreword by Michael Govan, an introductory essay by exhibition curator Mika Yoshitake and a series of reviews by Nara, previously unpublished in English, of albums from the 1960s and ’70s. In addition, a limitededition of the exhibition catalogue, packaged in a clamshell case, includes 14 booklets and a colored vinyl record featuring songs drawn from Nara’s favorites from the 1960s and ’70s. Side A includes one original song written and a selection of covers performed by Yo La Tengo (Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan, and James McNew). Side B includes original recordings by artists including Geoff & Maria Muldaur, Bobby Charles, Karen Dalton, Above: California juniper bonsai, styled and Donovan. from plant material approximately 500 years. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. Bottom: Frederic The publication and limited-edition Edwin Church, Chimborazo, 1864 (detail.) exhibition catalogue are available for purchase at the LACMA Store or lac- Huntington Library mastore.org. Related Programming Lifelines/Timelines SAN MARINO, Calif.—Visitors will Artist Talk: Calls from Distant Memo- discover an expansive new way to look ries. Thursday, April 2, 2020, 6–9pm at miniature trees in “Lifelines/Time- Free, tickets required lines: Exploring The Huntington’s Artist Yoshitomo Nara discusses Collections Through Bonsai,” on view Yoshitomo Nara, I Want to See the Bright Light Tonight, 2017, © Yoshitomo Nara 2017, how he gives form to sensitivity and March 14 through June 15 at The Hun- Photo courtesy of the artist. how his works come to life. His prac- tington Library, Art Museum, and tice encompasses portraiture in which Botanical Gardens. Continued from page 2 during his travels. the subjects appear to stare back at the The exhibition, one of the keystone pink background and stares straight at Yoshitomo Nara’s numerous solo viewer; loosely drawn works on paper; events of The Huntington’s yearlong the viewer, with prism-like teardrops exhibitions include Drawings—Last 31 sculptures made of wood, fiberglass, Centennial Celebration, asks the ques- glistening in her eyes. Years, The Bastide Gallery, Château La ceramic, and bronze; and multi-media tion: How do five venerable bonsai A symbol of hope, this portrait Coste, Provence, France (2019); for installations that completely redefine trees relate in age and historical sig- served as the cover image for Ryuichi better or worse: Works 1987–2017, the gallery space. nificance to masterpieces of literature Sakamoto’s No Nukes 2012: Guide- Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, This lecture will be interpreted from and art? book for Our Future. Toyota, Japan (2017); Life is Only Japanese to English. Thematically linking works across Miss Spring was used as a powerful One: Yoshitomo Nara, Asia Society The Huntington’s broad collections, backdrop banner by the protest orga- Hong Kong Center, Hong Kong, China Gallery Talk with Yeewan Koon— “No this interdisciplinary exhibition traces nizers during the demonstrations. (2015); Blum & Poe, Los Angeles, CA Longer just a Girl with a Knife” the march of time by comparing the (2014); NARA Yoshitomo: a bit like you Sunday, April 5, 4-5pm age of selected California juniper bon- About the Artist and me…, Yokohama Museum of Art, Focusing on Yoshitomo Nara’s sem- sai trees to benchmarks in the Born in 1959, Yoshitomo Nara grew Yokohama, Japan, traveled to Aomori inal works, this presentation by Yeewan institution’s 100-year history and to up in Hirosaki, in Japan’s rural north- Museum of Art, Aomori, Japan, and Koon, associate professor and Chair of significant pieces on view in the library ern prefecture of Aomori. Having Contemporary Art Museum, Kuma- the Fine Arts Department at the Uni- and art galleries—among them Shake- graduated with an MFA from the Aichi moto, Japan (2012); Nobody’s Fool, versity of Hong Kong, discusses the speare’s First Folio, published in 1623, Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Asia Society, New York, NY (2010); artist’s painting practices, the stories and Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy, Music, Nagakute, Japan, in 1987, he Yoshitomo Nara + graf, BALTIC Centre behind the works, and the struggles painted in 1770. completed his studies at the Kuns- for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, UK Nara faced after having created his One bonsai tree and a related didac- takademie, Düsseldorf, Germany, in (2008); Yoshitomo Nara + graf, Muse- iconic big-headed girls. tic display will be positioned outside 1993. um of Contemporary Art, Den Haag, each of five gallery entrances: the Ma- Nara began his career during the de- Netherlands (2007); From the Depth Credit pel Orientation Gallery, the Library cade he spent in Cologne, and from the of My Drawer, Hara Museum of Con- This exhibition is organized by the Exhibition Hall, the Dibner Hall of the mid-1990s he exhibited widely in Eu- temporary Art, Tokyo, Japan (2004); Los Angeles County Museum of Art. History of Science, the Huntington Art rope, the United States, Japan, and all Nothing Ever Happens, Museum of Principal sponsorship is provided by Gallery, and the Virginia Steele Scott over Asia. Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH United Airlines. Galleries of American Art. His return to Japan in 2000 coincid- (2003); and NARA Yoshitomo: I Major support is provided by Mr. “One of the most common questions ed with a surge of global interest in DON’T MIND, IF YOU FORGET ME., Zoltan and Mrs. Tamara Varga, Lon- we get about our bonsai collection at Japanese pop culture, particularly in Yokohama Museum of Art, Yokohama, don; Andrew Xue, Singapore; Blum & The Huntington is ‘How old is that the United States. While he is primarily Japan (2001). Poe; and Pace Gallery. tree?’” said curator Ted Matson. “In a painter, his practice encompasses Generous support is provided by this exhibition, we will not only reveal drawing; sculptures made of wood, About the Publication Sally and Ralph Tawil and the Japan how we can estimate the ages of some FRP, ceramic, and bronze; installations Accompanying the LACMA exhibition Foundation. of our oldest bonsai trees, but demon- that incorporate scrap materials; and is a richly illustrated 224-page hard- This exhibition is supported by an strate how a lifeline for a tree’s survival photographs that document everyday cover catalogue copublished with indemnity from the Federal Council on builds a timeline into history.” landscapes and the encounters he has DelMonico Books/Prestel that features the Arts and the Humanities. Huntington.org/calendar 4 Cultural News March 2020-Reiwa 2 Virus Outbreak

COVID-19 in California by the Numbers (as of 10 a.m. Pacific Time):

43 – Positive tests News Release 24 – Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

19 – Cases not related to repatriation flights FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2020 • 10 – Travel-related PH20-010 • 5 – Person to person CONTACT: Corey Egel | 916.440.7259 | [email protected] • 4 – Community transmission

Daily COVID-19 Update 9,200+ – number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX Governor Newsom, State Health & Emergency Officials Announce Release of Millions of N95 Filtering Facepiece Masks for Use in Low- 49 – Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring Risk Health Settings to Address Shortages Caused by COVID-19 13 – Labs with test kits Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approves California to use Thousands – Number of tests California is able to perform now personal protective equipment in certain conditions California Department of Public Health and CalOSHA release guidance for safe use of *All numbers as of 10 am PST and are subject to change; some information dependent personal protective equipment that has been securely stored in a controlled climate in on county reporting situations that do not involve confirmed COVID-19 patients

The state is mobilizing every level of government to prepare for How Can People Protect Themselves: and respond to spread of virus Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes SACRAMENTO – As the spread of COVID-19 has caused nationwide shortages of down to common sense: respirator face masks for medical professionals, the California Department of Public Health is taking steps to protect health care professionals on the frontlines of the fight • Washing hands with soap and water. against novel coronavirus. • Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. The Public Health Department today announced that it has received approval from the • Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Occupational respiratory symptoms like fever and cough. Safety and Health to use some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95 • Following guidance from public health officials. filtering facepiece masks in certain situations.

The emergency planning reserves of N95 masks, some of which are past their What to Do if You Think You’re Sick: manufacturer use-by date, have been stored in climate-controlled conditions that preserved the masks’ efficacy. The way the masks have been stored will prevent the • Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had degradation of elastic that slips around the ears, a key factor in the CDC and NIOSH’s contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with approval. apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health

department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can These masks are approved for use only in limited, low-risk circumstances, thus relieving pressure on the supply chain of unexpired masks for health care providers caring for be taken. confirmed COVID-19 patients and other high-risk situations for infectious diseases.

A Chines geneticist died in Wuhan, Chine, as first “Out of the respect for the family’s ceived numerous national awards, privacy, we have no further comment.” according to local reports. American death of coronavirus case Chinese media reported that the de- Some colleagues told the paper that ceased was Hong Ling, a geneticist they met Hong in Jan. 21, just before Source: Washington Post who specialized in rare human diseas- the Lunar New Year holiday, to discuss By Anna Fifield, Gerry Shih and Marisa es. He was a graduate of Wuhan their research work. Iati Feb. 8, 2020 at 4:46 p.m. PST University who went to study in the It’s not clear why the U.S. citizen Coronavirus death toll surpasses United States in 1987, receiving a doc- was unable to leave Wuhan, from fatalities from SARS epidemic; torate in biology from University of where the State Department extracted first American and Japanese deaths Arizona in 1994 before doing postdoc- more than 800 people on chartered reported toral research at the University of flights, but it may have been because California at Berkeley. he was already too sick to travel. Excerpts are following: Hong went on to join the Lawrence Anna Fifield is The Washington A 53-year-old American citizen died Berkeley National Laboratory, a De- Post’s bureau chief in Beijing, writing Thursday (Feb. 6) at Jinyintian Hospital partment of Energy lab managed by about all aspects of China. She was the in Wuhan, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing the University of California, in 1999, Post’s bureau chief in Tokyo between said Saturday, Feb. 8. according to a report on Sina.com. 2014 and 2018, writing about Japan “We offer our sincerest condolences He had been on the faculty at Hua and the two Koreas. She is the author to the family on their loss,” the embassy Zhong University of Science and Tech- of “The Great Successor: The Divinely said in a statement, without disclosing nology in Wuhan since 2007 and was a Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Dr. Hong Ling (Source: Twitter) the person’s name. highly regarded professor who had re- Kim Jong Un.” March 2020-Reiwa 2 Cultural News 5

Fact Sheets: New Coronavirus Outbreak

who had traveled number of cases doubled roughly Source: Herald Net, Everett, Washington from China. He con- every six days. Bedford concluded that cluded, however, that rate of infection, taking into account a Coronavirus outbreak the coronavirus, also projected margin of error, would mean known as SARS- that there are as many as 570 infected Snohomish County was Washington CoV-2, was moving individuals as of Sunday, March 1, and quietly through the that number is growing. One of Bedford’s state’s ground zero, analysis suggests community, a fact colleagues, using another method of A genetics and infectious disease expert studied the DNA of indi- health officials ac- tracking and projecting infections, vidual cases to trace transmission. Trevor Bedford (Fred knowledged Monday, came up with a more conservative esti- Hutchinson Cancer March 2, as they mate of 330 infections since roughly Tuesday, March 3, 2020 10:20pm Trevor Bedford posted some of his Research Center) declared a health Jan. 15. initial findings on Twitter over the emergency and announced six people have The first case reported in Snohom- SEATTLE — A genetics and infectious weekend, concluding that the genetic died from the disease in Washington. ish County is the nexus from which disease expert at Seattle’s Fred relationship between the first con- On Monday, March 2, in a new Bedford said the virus will continue to Hutchinson Cancer Research Center firmed case of the disease — a string of tweets elaborating on his spread, likely into more dense urban said Tuesday, March 3, that additional Snohomish County man hospitalized earlier observations, Bedford stated areas. analysis of the spread of the novel in Everett in January — caused by the that the initial case in January — which “We believe this particular transmis- coronavirus, using genetic markers, virus COVID-19 was so genetically he refers to as WA1 — likely “infected sion chain will have a foci in Snohomish has led to him conclude that as many similar to the second case reported someone who was missed by surveil- County,” he wrote “We’re working as as 570 Washington residents may on Feb. 23 that they almost certainly lance due to mild symptoms and a fast as possible to understand extent of have contracted the virus, many of came from the same source. transmission chain was initiated at spread in the greater Seattle area.” them without knowing it, and have Bedford said that the transmission this point in mid-Jan.” Bedford said his recent analysis re- been spreading it through the commu- likely began with an individual whose Since then, Bedford believes, the mains preliminary, and that he will nity with Snohomish County as the infection was missed because early virus has been moving through the refine his findings as more data be- outbreak’s center. guidelines limited testing to individuals community at a rate in which the comes available.

fully recovered. man was the parent of a student of Nation’s first coronavirus case confirmed in Mariner High School near Everett. The Snohomish County, Washington 2. A teenage boy was the county’s sec- student was not reported to be ill. ond case and the first presumed to have Mariner was closed March 2 for clean- Source: Herald Net, Everett, ID-19 in Snohomish County: gotten the virus through “community ing, as a precaution. Washington transmission” and not from exposure 4. A woman in her 40s, who was hospi- 1. A Snohomish County man, 35, the in China. The student at Jackson High Coronavirus outbreak talized as of March 2, had underlying nation’s first coronavirus case, was School in Mill Creek was diagnosed health conditions. Here are the known coronavirus admitted to Providence Regional Feb. 28 and was not seriously ill. cases in Snohomish County Medical Center Everett on Jan. 20. He 5. A man in his 40s who worked at Life by Herald Staff became ill five days after returning 3. A man in his 40s with underlying Care Center, a nursing home in Kirk- Tuesday, March 3, 2020 4:07pm from a trip to Wuhan, China, and was health conditions was hospitalized at land that is the locus of numerous treated in a special isolation unit de- EvergreenHealth in Kirkland in critical infection cases. Based on official announcements vised for the Ebola outbreak five condition. Diagnosed on March 1, he and our own reporting, here’s what we years ago. After two weeks at Provi- was Snohomish County’s first COV- 6. A woman in her 60s, hospitalized know about confirmed cases of COV- dence, he was monitored at home and ID-19 fatality, dying on March 2. The with underlying health conditions.

14 other cases, already reported ear- ditions, and is in critical condition Seattle-King County, Washington: Death toll lier by Public Health, include: ● A male in his 70s, hospitalized at of new coronavirus raises to 8 as of March 3 EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The ● A male in his 50s, hospitalized at man has underlying health condi- Seattle – King County Public Health number of deaths in King County Highline Hospital. No known expo- tions, and is in critical condition Department, Washington State from COVID-19 to eight. sures. He is in stable but critical ● A male in his 70s was hospitalized March 3, 2020 condition. He had no underlying at EvergreenHealth. He had underly- The seven new cases are in: health conditions. ing health conditions and died on Public Health – Seattle & King ● A female in her 40s, worked at Life- ● A male in his 70s, a resident of Life- 2/29/20. County, Washington, announced on Care, never hospitalized and is Care, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth ● A man in his 60s, hospitalized at Tuesday, March 3, seven additional recovering at home in Kirkland. The man had underlying Valley Medical Center in Renton. confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King ● A female in her 60s, family member health conditions, and died 3/1/20 ● A man in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia County residents, bringing the total of of a confirmed case of COVID-19, ● A female in her 70s, a resident of Mason Medical Center. confirmed cases to 21, including eight not hospitalized LifeCare, hospitalized at Evergreen- ● A woman in her 50s, who had deaths. ● A male in his 70s, a frequent visitor Health in Kirkland. The woman had traveled to South Korea; recovering Story of LifeCare, hospitalization status underlying health conditions, and at home COVID-19 test results have come unknown currently died 3/1/20 ● A woman in her 70s, who was a back from the Washington State Public ● A male in his 20s, unknown exposure, ● A female in her 80s, a resident of resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, Health Laboratory confirming seven hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah LifeCare, was hospitalized at hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and additional cases of COVID-19 in King ● A male in his 20s, unknown exposure, EvergreenHealth. She is in critical died on 3/2/20 County residents. With these seven hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah condition. ● A woman in her 40s, employed new results, the total number of cases ● A female in her 80s, resident of Lif- ● A female in her 80s, hospitalized at by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at in King County is 21. eCare, never hospitalized, died at her EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. This Overlake Medical Center Today’s results include 2 additional family home on 2/26/20 person died on 3/1/20. ● A man in his 50s, who was hospi- deaths, along with an individual who ● A male in his 50s, resident of Life- ● A female in her 90s, hospitalized at talized and died 2/28/20 at was previously reported as ill but Care, hospitalized at Harborview EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The EvergreenHealth who has now died. This brings the total Medical Center and died on 2/26/20 woman has underlying health con- 6 Cultural News March 2020-Reiwa 2

Fact Sheets: New Coronavirus Outbreak

Japan to quarantine visitors from China and South Korea over COVID-19 from March 9 through March 31

Source: Japan Times, AFP-JIJI, Kyo- travel to Japan and will cancel visas do, Bloomberg Mar 5, 2020 in Japan for travelers from the two countries, Abe said. Japan will quarantine people arriv- “In order to reduce the amount of ing from South Korea and China for in-bound travel from China and South two weeks at designated facilities in Korea, we will limit arrival destina- Japan to prevent the spread of the new tions for aircraft from the two countries coronavirus, Prime Minister Shinzo to Narita and Kansai airports,” he said. Abe said Thursday. The visa suspensions will effectively “We will strengthen immigration ban all Chinese nationals from entering quarantines on people from the two Japan. countries,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “We will suspend transport of pas- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explains Japan’s new quarantine policy for visitors from China and South told a Cabinet-level task force meeting sengers by ship and cancel temporary Korea over new coronavirus. (Source: NHK Web News) on the virus. and multiple-entry visas that have “We will ask them to stay in desig- already been issued,” Abe said. worldwide from COVID-19, which Other countries have also taken nated areas for two weeks and not to Flights from China and South Korea has now reached some 80 countries measures to block or limit arrivals from use public transport in the country.” will be able to land only in Narita airport and territories. China and nations suffering a large The measure will take effect at near Tokyo and Osaka’s Kansai airport, Over 300 people have been infected number of cases including South Ko- 12:00 a.m. on March 9 and last through he said. Abe also said that bans on domestically and six deaths have been rea, Iran and Italy. March 31, he said. entering Japan will be expanded to linked to the outbreak. Japan had already banned the entry The government is calling for tour- foreign nationals who have been in any Schools across the country have of people with recent travel to several ists from China, where the virus part of South Korea or Iran. been closed and events canceled, with centers of the outbreak, including two emerged and South Korea, which has More than 95,000 people have been everything from football matches and provinces in China and two parts of been hard hit by the outbreak, to put off infected and over 3,200 have died sumo bouts to concerts affected. South Korea.

One of the infected individuals was The county’s second case of COV- State of emergency declared in Los Angeles amid hospitalized, while the other five are ID-19 was confirmed on Tuesday, isolated at home, closely monitored by March 3, by Kaiser Permanente, who is coronavirus outbreak, 6 new cases confirmed health department officials. overseeing the care of the patient, cur- Public health officials said they are rently in self-isolation and being Source: KABC Eyewitness News of caution’’ and not panic. aware of an assumed exposure source treated as an outpatient, a spokesper- By John Gregory and ABC7.com staff In addition, the county Department for all six cases, which rules out the son said. Additional details regarding Wednesday, March 4, 2020 6:29PM of Public Health announced a local possibility that they were infected the case were not available. health emergency in response to the through community spread. Three of News of the new L.A. County cases LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los increase in cases. the infected recently traveled together came on the heels of Orange County Angeles County Board of Supervisors Including a previous case, there are in northern Italy, which has been hit health officials announcing Tuesday, on Wednesday, March 4, declared a a total of 7 cases across the county. hard by the virus. March 3, that two people tested posi- state of emergency for the novel coro- The cities of Long Beach and Pasa- Two others are family members who tive for the novel coronavirus, though navirus as officials confirmed six new dena, which both have their own public were in close contact with another fam- the diagnoses were described as “pre- cases of the potentially deadly infec- health departments separate from the ily member who lives elsewhere and sumptive positive,” pending final tion in the county in the last 48 hours. county, also declared public health tested positive for novel coronavirus, confirmation from the Centers for Dis- Officials including L.A. Department emergencies, though there are no con- according to officials. The sixth indi- ease Control and Prevention. of Public Health officials, Los Angeles firmed cases in either city. vidual is a medical professional who County health officer Dr. Nichole Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County “This declaration of a local emer- worked as a passenger screener at Los Quick said the county recently im- Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice gency will facilitate our efforts to Angeles International Airport. That proved its ability to perform COVID-19 Hahn said the declaration would allow coordinate with all our partners and person last worked at the airport on testing and therefore “we expect to see greater coordination among various jointly implement effective strategies Feb. 21 and then felt the first symp- more cases here in Orange County.” levels of government, stressing that to protect our residents,” said Supervi- toms more than a week later and is now Nine deaths have been reported in the they were acting out of “an abundance sor Kathryn Barger. under self-quarantine at home. United States, all in Washington state.

passengers,” California Gov. Gavin Another previous passenger has also Cruise ship is held off California coast for virus Newsom said. been hospitalized in Northern Califor- testing On Wednesday, March 4, Newsom nia. The cruise line said that no cases declared a state of emergency over the of the virus had been confirmed among Source: The Associated Press voyage died and at least one other be- virus, opening the way for federal aid, those still on the ship but that some By Olga Rodriguez came infected. after the death of a man in Placer passengers had experienced flu-like Thursday, March 5, 10:15 a.m. PS A Coast Guard helicopter was ex- County, near Sacramento, who had symptoms. pected to deliver test kits to the Grand been on an earlier sailing of the ship in The ship was returning to San Fran- SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Scram- Princess once it reached the waters off February. cisco after visiting Hawaii. Some of bling to keep the coronavirus at bay, San Francisco later in the day. Princess It was the nation’s first coronavirus the passengers remained aboard after officials ordered a cruise ship with Cruise Lines said fewer than 100 of death outside Washington state and sailing on the ship’s previous voyage, about 3,500 people aboard to hold off those aboard had been identified for brought the U.S. death toll to 11, with to the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, the California coast Thursday, March testing, most of the victims from a suburban Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Cabo San 5, until passengers and crew could be “The ship will not come on shore Seattle nursing home, now under in- Lucas. tested, after a traveler from its previous until we appropriately assess the vestigation. March 2020-Reiwa 2 Cultural News 7 Honolulu and Tokyo become ‘sister’ Hiroshima Kenjin Kai A celebration of Buddha’s birth in Los Angeles HONOLULU - After two years The Los Angeles Buddhist Speaker; 3:00 pm, Special Event of meetings and negotiations, the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Temple Federation presents “Practice of Eating”; 4:00 pm, Kai (HHKK) established a “HANAMATSURI” a celebration Closing Message. “sister” kenjin kai relationship with the Tokyo Hiroshima-Ken of Buddha’s birth on Sunday, Hanamatsuri programs will be People’s Association. April 5 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm held at the following senior care The Tokyo Hiroshima-Ken at the Japanese American Cultural facilities: Tuesday, April 7, 1:45 People’s Association (THKPA), founded in 1947 is believed to & Community Center, 244 South pm at Sakura Intermediate Facil- be the largest Hiroshima-focused San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, ity; Monday, April 13, 3:00 pm, organization outside of Hiro- CA 90012. Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare shima with more than 1,300 business members. This year’s theme is “Buddhism: Center; Tuesday, April 14, 1:30 A “signing” ceremony was From left, Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai President Wayne Practice of Eating” with a lecture by pm, Kei-Ai South Bay; Monday, held in conjunction with the Miyao, Hiroshima Prefectural Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, and Tokyo Hiroshima-Ken People’s Association President Yoshiki Rev. Shumyo Kojima of Zenshuji April 20, 2:00 pm, Garden Crest THKPA’s Shinnen Enkai ban- Paul Otake in Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo. quet on January 20, 2020 at the Soto Mission. Convalescent Hospital. Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. popular in Japan, he attracted many The program is following:1:30 For more information, visit The “signing” ceremony which fea- guests who wanted to meet him as well tured THKPA president Yoshiki Paul as take photos with him. pm, Service; 2:00 pm, Children’s https://labtfinfo.weebly.com Otake and HHKK president Wayne The Banquet included food and Art Award; 2:30 pm, Guest Miyao was “witnessed” by Hiroshima products of Hiroshima including a Prefectural Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki. 2020 Mazda car, numerous sake from The Shinnen Enkai for the THKPA Hiroshima, okonomiyaki made by Ota- Shoseian Tea House, Glendale Brand Park 2020 -Duel at Gan Ryu Island (Miyamoto Musashi) - Blind was a gala celebration attended by fuku Sauce, and performances on the Event Schedule Fury (Zatoichi) -13 Assassins. $5 Donation. 11 am – 3 pm more than 1,000 guests with dignitar- kotThe HHKK President Miyao, in his Mar 15 - Sakura Matsuri – Cherry Blossom Festival: ies and special guests including (along speech, emphasized that “the primary Biggest event of the year! Free entry to event. 3 Tea Aug 16 – The Japanese Farmhouse with Dennis Reed. with Governor Yuzaki): Diet Member goal of this “sister” kenjin kai relation- Ceremonies - $20 Donation. 10 AM – 3 PM $20 Donation. 11 am – 1 pm. Fumio Kishida, Hiroshima Mayor ship is to help the Tokyo Hiroshima-Ken Kazumi Matsui, 10 other Mayors of People’s Association to promote Hiro- Apr 19 - Japanese Robot Anime of the ‘80’s : Sept. 20 - Urasenke Tea Ceremony Cities/Towns in Hiroshima and new shima Prefecture, its rich history, $5 Donation. 11 am – 1 pm A Big Tea Gathering. $20 Donation. 11 am – 1 pm vibrant culture and arts and thriving Hiroshima Carp Manager Shinji Sasaoka. May 17 - Omotesenke Tea Ceremony Oct. 18 - Tea w/Keiko’s Class. FREE 12 – 2 pm To help HHKK and represent business climate along with honoring $20 Donation. 11am – 1 pm HHKK and Hawaii, HHKK invited our unique Hiroshima customs and Nov 15 – My Karate Journey w/ Hanshi Patrick Jesse Kuhaulua, known as sumo leg- lifestyles. The Honolulu Hiroshima June 21 – Cowboys & Samurai McCarthy. $20 Donation. 10 am – 1 pm end, “Takamiyama”, as HHKK’s guest Kenjin Kai looks forward to a reward- Watch the movie “Red Sun” with Toshiro Mifune and for the banquet. He was joined by his ing and lasting relationship with the Charles Bronson $5 Donation. 11 am – 1 pm Dec. 20 Holiday Tea and Japan Culture Day - $20 manager, former sumo wrestler “Taka- Tokyo Hiroshima –Ken People’s As- Donation for Tea Ceremony. 12 noon – 4:00 pm minobori.” As Jesse continues to be sociation!” July 19 – Samurai Film Festival - Three Classic Movies! [email protected]

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By Lucy Niess, Instructor at Communi- cation studies, Arizona State University

What does peace sound like? For me, the sound of peace is tranquility. It’s connection. It’s living in the moment and enjoying life that happens At the final program of Global Music: Shonosuke Okura, all performers took the stage. Photo by Bob Rink. within you and around you. On Feb. 20, 2020, the Musical In- strument Museum (MIM) in Arizona hosted Shonosuke Okura, a Japanese Noh theatre hand drummer, along with other fantastic artists such as the Gila River Pow Wow Native American drummers, Indian Tabla player Shreyas Iyev, soprano singer from Hiroshima Shiho Nakagawa, Japanese flute and taiko drummer Miro Koshio, Jazz key- boardist Garrison Jones, and Japanese folk artist, taiko drummer, and producer From left, Miro Koshio, Ken Koshio, and Shonosuke Okura. Photo by Shiho Nakagawa, soprano singer from Hiroshima. Photo by Ken Koshio. Frank Zampino. Frank Zampino. I had the pleasure of attending and witnessing all of the international nated a sound of India and I was Japanese drum) and Miro on the shime This was truly an unforgettable performances with the unifying theme entranced by his performance. The (smaller Japanese drum), their perfor- experience, one that I recommend of Sounds of Peace. quickness of his fingers on the drums mance of a signature piece shook the everyone to find the opportunity to Gila River Pow Wow drummers, a and the unique ways he used his palms walls of the MIM theatre. The deep- witness for themselves. As a member Native American drumming style, to make different sounds on the drum- ness of the drums filled the air and of Koshiogumi, Ken Koshio’s taiko opened the show with each performer heads was impressive. was a full-body experience for every- group, and a doctoral student and an on stage in support and solidarity. Shiho Nakagawa, a soprano singer one in the audience. instructor at Arizona State University, I After their performance, Shonosuke from Hiroshima, took the stage when After the taiko performance, all of witnessed both the connection music Okura took the stage for a solo per- Iyev exited after his performance. Joining the performers took the stage once can have between people and the formance of traditional Japanese Noh her was Garrison Jones and Miro Koshio again and performed a final piece that cultural diversity that was displayed music with his o-tsuzumi (Japanese to provide the melody for her songs. included every single musician’s on that stage. hand drum). Once she started singing, I could not unique sounds. It was a collaboration I was motivated to practice my mu- A drum that was made roughly 500 take my eyes off of her. She had the of sorts, mixing the traditional o-tsuzu- sic more and learn about different types years ago, the sounds echoed in the voice of an angel. Her voice nearly mi sounds from Okura to more modern of music in the hopes of bringing the MIM theatre with such veracity as Okura brought me to tears as she sang beauti- sounds from Garrison’s keyboard in a sounds of peace to others, much like played his signature pieces from Japan. ful Japanese songs, accompanying way that embodied the flow of peace. the talented individuals I saw on stage He was appointed a Japan Heritage Garrison’s keyboard and Miro’s shino- Cultures collided and synced to- that evening did for us. Ambassador from the government of bue (Japanese flute). This trio sound gether with the Gila River Pow Wow After the show, MIM’s production Japan with the intention of spreading they produced still echoes in my mind drumming group with Koshio’s o-daiko manager Sean Kenny commented by Japanese culture around the world, and shook me to my core. and fue (Japanese flute) music. The saying that it was well aligned with starting with this show at the MIM. After Nakagawa’s songs, Ken Koshio musical talent on that stage was palpa- the mission of MIM. Music is the lan- My heart was captivated by the music took the stage. He and his son, Miro ble, from Shiho’s angelic singing to guage of the soul, and the top artists he was playing as it felt like I was right Koshio, played a duetted flute piece Shreyas’ impressive Indian Tabla play- at this production demonstrated that back in Japan again. Having spent together, showcasing the flow and ing. Truly a magical sight was bestowed different cultures could come together, numerous years in Japan, the music groove they produce as a father-son upon those who attended this show; a not speaking the same language, and he produced made me feel like I was dynamic. unique combination of musical sounds could play music together and under- there again. It made me feel like I was Miro played his shinobue while all over the world. stand one another. Their individual home again. Ken Koshio played a Native American The unifying theme was peace and souls communicated through the mu- Following Shonosuke Okura was flute, both in harmony with each other. the fact that all different cultural repre- sic they created together on that stage. Shreyas Iyev, an Indian Tabla hand But their dynamic did not stop at just sentations could work together and Their souls were connected, just as drummer. He sat with five small drums the flute playing, for they also produce create beautiful music together shows Okura stated after the performances – in front of him, each with varying powerful taiko music. that peace can happen within us and be “we are all connected in this universe.” pitches. Each strike of the drum ema- With Ken Koshio at the o-daiko (big co-constructed together.