Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington

The  (JCCCW) is a registered nonprofit organization that was formed in 2003 after the merger of the Japanese Language School and the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington. Its headquarters are located in the Little Saigon neighborhood of the Seattle International District, and offers a number of programs, events, and classes opened to the community. The organization's mission statement is "To build and grow a central gathering place for sharing and promoting Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage."

History 
Founded in 2003 by Seattle community leaders such as TV Anchor Lori Matsukawa, Judge Ron Mamiya, and former state Representative Kip Tokuda, the JCCCW is dedicated to preserving, promoting and sharing Japanese and Japanese American history, heritage and culture.

History and heritage projects

Omoide Project 
Omoide means "memories" and is a workshop and publication project developed to collect and share childhood recollections of Japanese Americans during World War II. These personnel accounts are intended to educate future generations to "encourage open dialog and discussions on constitutional rights, personal history, cultural development, immigrant experience in the US, family values, and multi-cultural issues."

Northwest Nikkei Museum 
The Northwest Nikkei Museum are small exhibits dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Nikkei from the Pacific Northwest. Exhibits have included:
 Bases as Bridges: Baseball from Japan to Washington
 Art Behind Barbed Wire: A Pacific Northwest Exploration of the Japanese American Arts and Crafts Created in World War II Incarceration Camps
 Unsettled~Resettled: Seattle's Hunt Hostel 
 Genji Mihara: An Issei Pioneer (currently on display)

Also available are smaller items on display, but not part of a larger exhibit. Included are:

 Coins from the Meiji, Edo, Tai Sho, and Showa period
 Roger Shimomura Mural and grandmothers cabinet
 Artwork by Aki Sugabe 
 Kintaro

Events and programs 
Most events put on by the JCCCW are free and open to the public to encourage education and sharing of knowledge of Japanese and Japanese community and culture.

Events 
 Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day): Cultural event, free and open to the public. Focused on children and children's' activities to educate about Japanese culture
 Kenjinkai Day: A gathering of local kenjinkai (lit. Prefectural peoples association) that people can join or learn about what makes each Japanese prefecture unique.
 All Things Japanese Sale: An annual sale of gently used donated goods that help benefit the JCCCW.
Yukata and Kimono Sale: Annual sale of kimono, yukata, happi coats, and accessories in preparation for the summer Bon Odori and festival season
 Bunka no Hi (Culture Day): Celebrate and learn about Japanese and Japanese American culture through performances, exhibits, and activities.
 Yuji's Omusubi: An inaugural event held to bring Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals together to "facilitate international exchange and fellowship." This event was named after a former intern of the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center.
 Tomodachi Gala: A fundraising event that honors the contributions of individuals or groups in the community that have promoted Japanese and Japanese American culture or worked to strengthen cultural ties between the US and Japan.
 Seattle Mochitsuki: A collaboration with other community organizations to make mochi in celebration of Oshogatsu.
 Summer Camp: A youth summer camp that offers an introduction to basic reading, writing, and conversational Japanese language skills as well as cultural activities.

Programs 
 The Seattle Japanese Language School: The original organization that owns the Cultural Center complex, it is now the premier program that offers Japanese language courses to children and adults.
 Taiko: Home to four different Taiko groups: School of Taiko, Northwest Taiko, Kaze Daiko, and Inochi Taiko.
 Martial Arts: Home to the Budokan Judo and Seattle Seido Karate dojos.
Hosekibako: A Japanese Resale Store - items for sale that are Japanese or Japanese-inspired. All items are re-sale, donated by the community. All proceeds go to supporting the JCCCW Programs, especially the free cultural events, Kodomo no Hi and Bunka no Hi

References

External links
 Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington - official site

Category:Japanese-American culture in Washington (state)
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Seattle
Category:Museums in Seattle
Category:Ethnic museums in Washington (state)
Category:Museums of Japanese culture abroad in the United States