Artist and adventurer Sally Hensel joins Madeline for a conversation about her experiences as the daughter of a Japanese immigrant and an American of western-European descent. We discuss the tenuous cultural balance she navigated growing up in the primarily-white Central Valley in California, and how that affected the quality of her experience living and working in Japan in 2019. We also chat about the impact of generational trauma and ask ourselves how we can acknowledge positive changes for future generations. Our conversation covers everything from playground bullies, favorite homemade snacks, and unexpected friendships in times of need.

Host Madeline Hamaguchi is joined by Sacramento-based author and historian Herb Tanimoto to explore the journey of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the establishment of their colony in the California foothills, now known as the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm. We brush up on our terminology, learn about a samurai war, and discuss Herb's historical fiction novel Keiko's Kimono.

Proceeds from purchases of Keiko's Kimono by Herb Tanimoto are donated to American River Conservancy to benefit Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm, Placerville, CA. Buy it on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/iBbC849

Review the terminology covered in this episode, explore links to curated resources, and more at vacancyarts.org

Creative and Production team members are Madeline Hamaguchi, Evan Hamaguchi, Gia Battista, Tom Abruzzo, and Rob Salas.

Theme song by Alex Chong
Sound editing and stings by Gia Battista

The Mochi Project is made possible through an Impact Projects grant from California Arts Council.