Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
@vkmVicky K. Murakami-Tsuda is the Communications Production Manager at the Japanese American National Museum. She loves working on the Discover Nikkei project, because it gives her the opportunity to learn so many new and interesting stories, and connect with people around the world who share similar interests.
She is a “self-proclaimed” yonsei from Southern California who comes from a large extended family. A long time ago (when she had more free time and energy), she was also an artist who explored Japanese American culture and history through her artwork. When not working, she enjoys eating, cheering on her beloved Dodgers, bowling, reading, playing games on her phone (Wordl anyone?), and binge-watching movies and shows.
Updated May 2022
Stories from This Author
Discover Nikkei Needs Your Help!
May 18, 2022 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
I’ve worked on countless projects during my 27 years working at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), but my favorite is Discover Nikkei. My involvement began in 2005, not long after its launch. Over the past 17 years, my role on the project has expanded and shifted over time. I started out as the site’s first web editor, then later was promoted to project manager. My current role is focused on strategic content and technical development for the site. Working …
On the inside
May 21, 2020 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda , Joy Yamaguchi , traci kato-kiriyama
Welcome to another special edition of Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column. Two staff I work closely with at the Japanese American National Museum, public programs extraordinaire Joy Yamaguchi and digital guru Vicky Murakami-Tsuda, allowed me to facilitate a process with them to write poetry grounded in this particular era of Covid-19, lockdowns, missing and finding family, and the overall unknown of now. They took a risk, trusted the process, and ran with it and crafted some really lovely work. We …
on Discover Nikkei’s 10th Anniversary
March 31, 2016 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Last March marked the 10th anniversary of Discover Nikkei’s public launch. Yoko Nishimura, Discover Nikkei’s Project Manager, asked me to write an article commemorating the occasion. I have struggled and procrastinated for over a year to write something. Now that we’re about to end our year-long celebration, I’m forced to quit putting it off. At first, I had planned to write something straightforward about the project’s history and accomplishments. But that didn’t really go anywhere. As I thought about how …
Don’t Call Me Victoria, Vicki, Vikki, or Binky…
Oct. 24, 2014 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
When my mother was pregnant with me…in the time before ultrasounds…Dr. Shigekawa (many Los Angeles area Japanese Americans of several generations were delivered by her) told her that I would be a boy. So, my parents had decided to name me Richard Murakami. When I came out…surprise! It’s a girl! I’ve never asked why, but my mother decided to name me after a soap opera character—Victoria from One Life to Live. However, they didn’t name me “Victoria”—my legal name is …
Hiroshima Revisited: Interview with Steve Nguyen
Sept. 3, 2013 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Steve Nguyen is the director/producer of the animated film, HIBAKUSHA which re-creates the real-life experiences of Kaz Suyeishi, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Since the release of the film, he has produced a short documentary that he filmed with the nonprofit campaign Global Zero of his visit to the city of Hiroshima. We recently asked him some questions about the projects. What about Kaz’s story inspired you to first make the animated film, and then to visit …
Remembering the Senator
Dec. 24, 2012 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
There have been and will be other Japanese American senators, but to me, he will always be “the Senator.” I’ve worked at the Japanese American National Museum for over 17 years now. With affection, among staff, we know that when referring to “the Senator,” we are talking about Senator Daniel K. Inouye. I watched the video of the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda when they brought the Senator to lie in state, an honor bestowed upon only 31 other …
My Omoto Ba-chan
May 13, 2012 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
My maternal grandmother’s birthday was on May 11th, so even though it’s been almost 15 years since she’s been gone, I still think about her every Mother’s Day. My Omoto Ba-chan was born in 1908 in Southern California. She was the oldest of nine children, although I later learned that my great-grandmother actually had 11 children—the 10th child was stillborn and both her mother and the last infant died in childbirth. She married my grandfather and had six children before …
on the Memories of an Elephant
Feb. 7, 2011 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
Over the holidays, I was telling my niece about American Tapestry: 25 Stories from the Collection, the current exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. Two of my favorite artifacts from the exhibition are the 1939 Silvertone American short wave radio and a navy blue Schwinn bicycle with a lambskin seat cover. Both have similar heartwarming stories of friendship. Both were owned by Japanese American families prior to World War II and entrusted with friends, but never reclaimed after the …
Nima-kai Says…baka?
Jan. 4, 2011 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
We’ve been “testing” out something this year at Discover Nikkei. It’s a Family Feud-type survey game. The first couple of times I ran around asking co-workers, volunteers, and friends to answer a couple of questions. The last time we did it, we decided to post the questions online. Between October 30 and November 19, 2010, there were 80 people who responded. There were 12 questions, although not everyone answered each one. Yoko Nishimura (Discover Nikkei’s Project Coordinator) and I would …
on Real-Life Soundtracks
June 23, 2010 • Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda
I’ve always thought that our lives would be so much more interesting if it came with a soundtrack. Music adds so much in setting up the mood and tone of movies, TV shows, and plays. It also can prepare us when something bad is about to happen. I’m not advocating that we should break out in song like in musicals, but imagine how cool (and helpful) it would be if some sweet romantic song swelled in chorus when you meet …
