February 26th 2023 O.A.
Regenerative Urbanism
An exhibition introducing disaster-resilient environments,”Designing with Disaster“ is now happening at JAPAN HOUSE in Hollywood.
This project was launched iin response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 to prevent and reduce risks of disasters worldwide.
This exhibition presents proposals of UCLA and Tohoku University with 11 Pacific Rim universities that collaborated on a new initiative.
7 fictitious areas with different natural environments from island countries, deserts, and woodland areas were made and introduced “Regenerative Urbanism,” an anticipatory approach to urban design that is disasterresilient.
There are 7 “wells” at the exhibition. Visitors are provided with an immersive experience of possible natural disasters and an urban design that is disaster-resilient.
For instance, this Pyroactive City is prone to wildfires.
”Designing with Disaster“ will go on until April 2nd at JAPAN HOUSE in Hollywood with free admission.
Please visit the JAPAN HOUSE LA website for more information.
disaster-resilient city. Please visit the JAPAN HOUSE website to watch the forum.
Also, the annual Global Japan Forum was held in conjunction with JAPAN HOUSE at Terasaki Center on January 28th. Renowned experts like Professor Fumihiko Imamura of Tohoku University joined as speakers and discussed the importance of building a disaster-resilient city. Please visit the JAPAN HOUSE website to watch the forum.
Taiko Artists from Gifu
A Japanese Taiko artist came from Japan to the US with his family wanting to spread Japanese culture and peace through Taiko drumming.
Takumi Kato is a Japanese Taiko artist who won the top prize at the Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest in 2008.
He has been active in his hometown of Ena City in Gifu Prefecture.
He obtained a green card and came to the US with his family last October.
He made money by selling all of his personal property.
Since then, he has made California his base of operation as he travels to homes, schools and community centers nationwide with his family to perform.
Kato wants to spread the importance of peace through his drumming because of the 9-11tragedy that happened in 2001 when he was studying in West Virginia as an exchange student.
That is when he hoped to heal people through his performance.
Kato and his family are planning to stay in the US for 5 years. His dream is to play 1,000 individual concerts across the US.
He is looking for any individuals or organizations that would like for him and his family to perform.