The 39th Annual Nikkei Student Union (NSU) Cultural Night took place on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Royce Hall Auditorium. As the curtain fell and thunderous applause echoed through the hall, one could only marvel at the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the cast and performers – as well as the synergy between this year’s production and its annual theme: 懷古 (Kaiko), or Nostalgia.
Since its inception in 1986, Cultural Night has evolved from a Week of Remembrance and community advocacy into a powerful annual event commemorating the suffering and losses endured by 120,000 Japanese Americans (JA) during their incarceration in World War II. Today, interwoven with beautiful and skillful performances, Cultural Night continues to deliver a thoughtful and heartfelt message about the JA community – honoring its past, celebrating its present and contemplating its future.
The night began with the choreographed drumming of Kyodo Taiko, America’s first collegiate Kumi-Daiko drumming team. Kyle Fujisaka, a fourth-year Materials Engineering student and a performer/composer for Kyodo Taiko, reflected on the evolution of Kumi-Daiko in America. While the art form originated in the 1950s, its adaptation in the U.S. since 1968 highlights the ingenuity and resilience of the JA community.
A prime example is the use of repurposed American wine barrels instead of traditional Japanese hollowed wooden trunks for the drums’ bodies. Even today, most of Kyodo Taiko’s instruments are made from wine barrels, producing powerful, resonant beats that captivate audiences. Reflecting on this year’s theme, Kyle noted how the younger generation of Kumi-Daiko performers stepped up to carry on the tradition, looking back at the founding members of the genre with both nostalgia and deep respect.
Following Kyodo Taiko was NSU Modern, a crowd favorite and nationally recognized hip-hop group. Cheyenne Amar, a fourth-year Physiological Science student and one of the group’s Executive Directors, shared that in line with this year’s theme, NSU Modern performed the “Eras Set,” a dynamic mashup of music and dance styles from the 1980s through the 2020s. For Amar, this year’s performance marked her fourth and final Cultural Night – a nostalgic callback to her freshman year, filled with memories she will cherish forever. Between the dazzling choreography, stunning lighting and seamless transitions between pieces, NSU Modern set a high bar for hip-hop dance on campus – and likely beyond.
Next, NSU Odori and the Soran Bushi team delivered stunning performances. Alexis Minae, a fourth-year Aerospace Engineering student, noted that this year’s Odori piece, titled “The Raindrop,” symbolized the journey of water as a reflection of life’s passage. For many performers, these dances hold both cultural significance and personal meaning. Minae danced in memory of her late grandmother, who had practiced traditional Odori.
For Haley Kaneshiro, a first-year Psychobiology student, memories of summer festivals during her youth are evoked by the Soran Bushi dances, where performers chanted distinct onomatopoeias to coordinate the pulling and harvesting of fish.
Jason Chan, a third-year Computer Science student and one of Cultural Night’s producers, explained that this year’s theme was inspired by recent events within NSU and the larger JA community. Last year, Gann Matsuda, a founding member of NSU and organizer of its first Week of Remembrance in 1986, passed away. In addition to honoring Matsuda’s enduring legacy, Chan highlighted how the shrinking of Little Tokyo and other Japantowns across America – due to rising rents and urban expansion – has brought nostalgia to the forefront of community discussions, creating a sense of urgency for awareness and action.
The highlight of Cultural Night was its annual play which is written each year to align with the event’s theme. Maya Brown, a fourth-year Molecular Biology student and the play’s scriptwriter and director, acknowledged the challenge of crafting a fresh and impactful story, especially given the successes of past productions. This year’s play interweaves a story of romance with a journey through time, exploring the past and present of the JA community.
As Mari, portrayed by Eve Mori, rediscovers a series of letters before her Freshman year, she is transported back in time to moments of significance to the JA community, interloping into the company of her grandparents and their family. Beyond its heartwarming conclusion and powerful message about preserving community, the play stood out for its clean, minimalist set design and creative lighting techniques, which brilliantly convey location and mood. Reia Uchiumi, a second-year global studies student who portrayed the grandmother, shared that the play reflected the changes and hardships in life, serving as a tribute to those who lost everything during the war and later rebuilt their communities from the ground up.
The intergenerational theme is also not limited to within the play: Kara Chu, a fourth-year Applied linguistics student, said that her mother, a former Bruin, was also part of NSU production during her time.
“Being in the play myself this year is such a full-circle moment … I’m so thankful to the NSU CN team for giving me this opportunity to showcase our culture and make my mom proud,” Chu said.
The joyful reunion of childhood friends at the end provided a satisfying rom-com-like closure, while reinforcing the overall message of strength through community and solidarity. Judging by the audience’s enthusiastic reception and roaring applause, the play was a resounding success and a true crowd-pleaser.
However, while Cultural Night may have ended on a high note, the real-world fight to preserve Japantowns like Little Tokyo continues. With long-standing businesses facing eviction, shifting economic landscapes, and evolving demographic trends, the preservation of these historic neighborhoods demands collective action from multiple communities. Yet hope remains: according to a Los Angeles Times article, “The Fight to Save Little Tokyo Before It’s Too Late,” Little Tokyo has long been a battleground against city-driven urban expansion into minority neighborhoods with a history of endurance in the face of whirlwind changes. Little Tokyo is still within reach, and UCLA students can support those preservation efforts as well, whether through visitation of local small businesses, direct political action or awareness – as well as sensitivity to cultural history. Stay informed and stay involved; if you care for your home on sunny days, it will shelter you through the winter storms.
As we support and protect Little Tokyo, may we always remember to carry these lessons and stories forward.
Visual Credit: Julianne Le, Editor-in-Chief
