Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Nothing says “home” like familiar tastes. Throughout time and the Nikkei diaspora, immigrants have learned how to bring the flavors of home to the table through ingenuity and tenacity. In this program, learn how early immigrant communities adapted traditional Japanese cooking in these new environments, and watch a cooking demo on how to make two delicious types of musubi (rice balls).
On November 15, 2020, we heard from foodways scholar Valerie Matsumoto who dove into JANM’s collection, early Japanese American food history, and how these food trends continue to the present day. JANM Director of Collections Management and Access, Kristen Hayashi, shared some items from the archives that highlight Japanese American resilience in the kitchen. Then, we learned how to make two kinds of musubi/onigiri with cookbook author and designer, Azusa Oda, in an easy cooking demo and tutorial. First, she demonstrates how to make an umeboshi (pickled plum) musubi with a special twist, and then a takigomi gohan musubi (with carrots, aburaage, shimeji mushrooms, and ginger). She also provides instructions on how best to prepare rice. The program concluded with a Q&A with Valerie Matsumoto and Kristen Hayashi.
This program is part of the series “A Taste of Home,” supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. Special thanks to Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.; Takara Sake USA Inc.; and JFC International Inc. for their donations of products used in the program.
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A TASTE OF HOME (PART II): RECIPES FOR CELEBRATION
December 13, 2020
For many holidays, both distinctly “American” and traditionally Japanese, Japanese American families share meals specifically prepared for the occasion. From Oshogatsu (New Years Day) to Christmas, these flavors are closely tied to memories, festivities, and cultural practices. Even while incarcerated during WWII, Japanese Americans held on to their traditions and celebrations, highlighting their perseverance and the importance of joyful gathering even in difficult times.
In the second part of this series, we will explore how Japanese American cultural holiday traditions, such as mochitsuki, or mochi making, have adapted over time with JANM Curator, Emily Anderson, Ph.D, and get a glimpse of what items from our collection reflect these stories. We will also hear firsthand from several generations of Japanese American home cooks about their own family holiday recipes. Finally, audiences will learn how to cook the traditional first meal of the year, ozoni, with Azusa Oda.
WATCH HERE: youtube.com/watch?v=VmekIdAr-lQ
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Available at the JANM Store (10% discount for JANM Members!):
- "Japanese Cookbook for Beginners" by Azusa Oda: janmstore.com/products/japanese-cookbook-for-beginners
- "City Girls: The Nisei Social World in Los Angeles, 1920-1950" by Valerie Matsumoto: janmstore.com/products/city-girls-the-nisei-social-world-in-los-angeles-1920-1950
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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM's members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
Nothing says “home” like familiar tastes. Throughout time and the Nikkei diaspora, immigrants have learned how to bring the flavors of home to the table through ingenuity and tenacity. In this program, learn how early immigrant communities adapted traditional Japanese cooking in these new environments, and watch a cooking demo on how to make two delicious types of musubi (rice balls).
On November 15, 2020, we heard from foodways scholar Valerie Matsumoto who dove into JANM’s collection, early Japanese American food history, and how these food trends continue to the present day. JANM Director of Collections Management and Access, Kristen Hayashi, shared some items from the archives that highlight Japanese American resilience in the kitchen. Then, we learned how to make two kinds of musubi/onigiri with cookbook author and designer, Azusa Oda, in an easy cooking demo and tutorial. First, she demonstrates how to make an umeboshi (pickled plum) musubi with a special twist, and then a takigomi gohan musubi (with carrots, aburaage, shimeji mushrooms, and ginger). She also provides instructions on how best to prepare rice. The program concluded with a Q&A with Valerie Matsumoto and Kristen Hayashi.
This program is part of the series “A Taste of Home,” supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. Special thanks to Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.; Takara Sake USA Inc.; and JFC International Inc. for their donations of products used in the program.
* * * * * *
A TASTE OF HOME (PART II): RECIPES FOR CELEBRATION
December 13, 2020
For many holidays, both distinctly “American” and traditionally Japanese, Japanese American families share meals specifically prepared for the occasion. From Oshogatsu (New Years Day) to Christmas, these flavors are closely tied to memories, festivities, and cultural practices. Even while incarcerated during WWII, Japanese Americans held on to their traditions and celebrations, highlighting their perseverance and the importance of joyful gathering even in difficult times.
In the second part of this series, we will explore how Japanese American cultural holiday traditions, such as mochitsuki, or mochi making, have adapted over time with JANM Curator, Emily Anderson, Ph.D, and get a glimpse of what items from our collection reflect these stories. We will also hear firsthand from several generations of Japanese American home cooks about their own family holiday recipes. Finally, audiences will learn how to cook the traditional first meal of the year, ozoni, with Azusa Oda.
WATCH HERE: youtube.com/watch?v=VmekIdAr-lQ
* * * * *
Available at the JANM Store (10% discount for JANM Members!):
- "Japanese Cookbook for Beginners" by Azusa Oda: janmstore.com/products/japanese-cookbook-for-beginners
- "City Girls: The Nisei Social World in Los Angeles, 1920-1950" by Valerie Matsumoto: janmstore.com/products/city-girls-the-nisei-social-world-in-los-angeles-1920-1950
---
Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM's members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
