Okinawan dancers and musicians performed at the opening reception on Jan. 13.

Dick Jiro Kobashigawa, who has long been active in Los Angeles’ Okinawan community, is profiled in the exhibit along with dancer Kinuko Mototake (not pictured).

Eriko Ikehara of Bay Area Okinawa Peace Network curated the exhibit.

Photos by J.K. Yamamoto

A closing reception for the exhibit “Chimu ni Sumiri: The Heart to Heart Journey of Okinawan Culture” will be held on Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at the National Japanese American Historical Society, 1684 Post St. in San Francisco Japantown.

The exhibit opened Jan. 10 and is scheduled to run through Monday, March 31, It is a celebration of the richness of the Okinawan community and culture, featuring objects such as musical instruments and dance accoutrements; video interviews with such individuals as community leader Dick Jiro Kobashigawa and dancer Kinuko Mototake; and historical photographs of the Bay Area Okinawan community.

In conjunction with the exhibit, two panel discussions were held: “A Historical Perspective on Okinawa” on Feb. 16 with San Francisco State University professors Wesley Ueunten and Ben Kobashigawa and Professor Ikue Chinen from Okinawa; and “Identity, Culture, History and the Space ‘In-Between’ ” on March 9 with performance artist Denise Uyehara and anthropology graduate student Mitzi Uehara Carter.

“Chimu ni Sumiri” was curated by Eriko Ikehara and designed by Steve Wake, with Ueunten serving as advisor.

For more information, call (415) 921-5007 or visit www.njahs.org.

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