Alton Takiyama-Chung

Following the sold out success of OKAGE SAMA DE (I am what I am because of you), performer and storyteller, Alton Takiyama-Chung returns with a new show, KODOMO NO TAME NI (For the Sake of the Children).  Once again Chung tackles the complex Japanese-American World War II experience using history-based stories focusing on the US based Internment Camps, the front lines in Europe, and the return of the Japanese to the West Coast.

Among the new stories included in this new show is that of Kazuo Masuda, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for single handedly turning back a German counterattack in Italy as part of the all Japanese 442nd Regimental Combat Team.  Masuda was later killed in action in service to the US.  Shortly after his family was allowed to return to Orange County California from the Gila River Japanese Internment Camp, they were threatened and terrorized by vigilantes.

Chung will also bring to life the story of Fred Korumatsu, whose Civil Rights case stemming from the Internment of the Japanese rose to the level of the US Supreme Court.  The show will also include the story of Ben Kuroki, the only Japanese-American to fly in a B-17 Bomber over Europe and his encounter with the No-No Boys in the US based Internment Camps, who refused to fight for the US until their Civil Rights were restored.  Chung's storytelling is complemented with music by Mike Van Liew.