Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

@vkm

Nima of the month: April 2017

I’m a Yonsei, occasional artist and writer, and full-time Digital Program Manager at the Japanese American National Museum. I was born in Los Angeles and have lived in Southern California almost my entire life. I am fluent in English, can understand about 80% of conversational Japanese, and don’t know any Spanish or Portuguese (although after having worked on Discover Nikkei for so long, would like to learn someday). I love working in Little Tokyo and living in Gardena. Both areas give me wonderful access to Japanese/Nikkei food, community, and culture. I bowl in a Nikkei league once a week, and spend my free time eating, sleeping, playing on my phone and computer, rooting for the Dodgers, watching TV and reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. I love working on Discover Nikkei and learning about so many different Nikkei experiences around the world!

Nikkei Interests

baseball communities families family histories festivals food Japantowns Los Angeles Dodgers music Spam musubi taiko travel

Oshogatsu 2021

In this most unusual year, Russ & I welcomed the new year at home, but “together” with my parents & Omoto cousins virtually via Zoom. We spent New Year’s Day at my parent’s house with ozoni and shabu…

food holidays Japanese confections Oshogatsu ozoni shabu-shabu soba toshikoshi soba traditions yuzu

My Collection of Daruma

Daruma are traditional Japanese dolls that are symbols of perseverance, determination, and optimism. Often used as good luck charms to fulfill a special wish or resolution, it’s customary to paint in…

Daruma dolls dolls folk art

Seattle Japanese Garden

I visited the Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum during a visit with my relatives in July 2007. My cousin and I went in the afternoon. This collection includes photos from our w…

2000s gardens Japanese gardens Seattle Seattle Japanese Garden Washington Washington Park Arboretum

Mitsuwa Natsu Matsuri 2007

My husband and I headed out to dinner tonight. On the way to the restaurant, we drove by Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance and saw that they were having a Natsu Matsuri (summer festival). The restauran…

2000s California festivals food games grocery stores Japanese food masks matsuri Mitsuwa Market Southern California summer festivals Torrance toys

Kubota Garden

Kubota Garden is a public garden that is now owned by the City of Seattle and maintained by the Department of Parks & Recreation. In 1981, it was designated an Historical Landmark of the City of Seat…

2000s gardens Japanese gardens Kubota Garden plants ponds Seattle trees Washington waterfalls

Exploring My Family "Garden"

I have many uncles on both sides of my family. A large number of them worked (some still work) as gardeners, either full-time with their own routes, or part-time helping their brothers. In addition, …

2000s California families gardeners Southern California

My early J-Town memories

These are some of the sites that still exist in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo that I have fond memories of while growing up. Actually, we never used the name Little Tokyo in reference to the area. Saying…

Japantowns Little Tokyo Los Angeles

My Hinamatsuri

Every year for as long as I can remember, my mother brings out our family's hina-ningyo to celebrate hinamatsuri. These colorful dolls were special because they were only brought out for a few days e…

2000s dolls Girl's Day Los Angeles

My Oshogatsu 2007

I come from large extended families on both my mother's and father's sides. Actually, my mother's family is large (she's one of 8 kids). My father's family is extra large (he is one of 15 kids). The …

2000s food Japanese food Los Angeles mochi Oshogatsu ozoni

National Cherry Blossom Festival 2005

In April 2005, my husband and I spent our first anniversary in Washington D.C. to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival. That year, the sakura trees were in peak bloom, perfectly in time for the f…

cherry blossoms flowers Washington, D.C.

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