Click here to return to our campaign overview and make a donation!
日本語でのご支援・ご協力はこちらのページをご覧下さい

Here is another story by one of our members from the 2019 team. It is thanks to donors such as you that we were able to provide this amazing experience to our dancers! We hope to be able to do it again in 2020 so we greatly appreciate your support!

Hi everyone, I am Barbara Johnson.

Born in 1951 in Tokyo, I was in Japan when Yosakoi started in Kochi in 1954. Who knew that in 2018 I would dance in Kochi!

In 1957, I moved to the US, where we faced bigotry, racism, and bullying. After WWII, Japanese faced much hatred; to be accepted, we tried to assimilate.

By the time my mother came to visit us after a period of 11 years, I was fully Americanized. I’m headed away to college so I didn’t have a good opportunity to relearn what I had lost. I have lived away from home since then, but very gradually over the years she has taught me Japanese ways.

To become less Japanese. I lost my native language and culture. I wish I could turn back the clock, but in real life, there is no time-slip.

Now being of Japanese is very important, but in a small rural town in Kansas, there is little access to Japanese culture. So when Yosakoi started at Kansas State in 2005, I wanted to join.

Both participants from Kansas, Ryan and Barbara made beautiful friendship bracelets for all the dancers.

I had no idea what Yosakoi was, but I wanted to participate in Japanese culture. I have been crazy about Yosakoi since!

In 2018, I was invited by Kochi City to become a Yosakoi Ambassador. I met Emiko Tanaka.

From this, came a chance to join Kizuna. Best decision!

Dancing with Kizuna has been the most incredible and wonderful experience! I am going to join again in 2020!

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of Kizuna!

- Barbara Johnson