Voices is short film series about the color of music, Los Angeles and what it means to be Asian American and Asian in America. These films will celebrate and highlight the powerful voices of Little Tokyo and how these incredible vocalist help to fight the erasure of culture. All songs are to be performed acapella in locations that are hidden, under threat or vanishing here in Los Angeles.
My mom, Atomic Nancy of the legendary punk hang out The Atomic Cafe sings Lands of the Rising Sun, in her home in J-Flats. She wrote this song when she was 17 as the lead singer for the band Hiroshima.
J-Flats is a Japanese American enclave between East Hollywood and Silver Lake. In the early 1900s, Japanese Americans started to settle into this farming community. Legendary, Fujiya Market on Virgil Avenue was founded by Keijiro Hoshizaki in 1932, and closed 80 years later. The Hollywood judo dojo on Middlebury Street was established in 1932 by Issei. The community had family homes and rooming houses for Issei bachelors.
Today, J-Flats is known as Virgil Village, is currently being overtaken by moldy jam and avocado toast enthusiasts. Recently Japanese senior residents of The Ozawa Boarding House have had their utilities shut off, leaving them with no heat or the ability to cook. Thank you to East Hollywood Tenants Union and J-Town Action と Solidarity for supporting these seniors.
Moritsugu Nishida
Born Los Angeles, CA.
August 11, 1936
Dog solider of the Humming Bird Clan of Evolving Japanese Asia Pacific Ethnic Peoples of Turtle Island.
Dedicated to harmony with Mother Earth and the dignity of all her children.
The Spirit Run Song was given to Mo on the last day of his second vision quest.
Performed at The Chinatown Ceremonial Space in Los Angeles, CA
©ZEN SEKIZAWA PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC.