What We Brought: Japan House keeps traditional Japanese arts alive on U of I campus

The category "Asian American" — is one of the most diverse in the country. In 2023, there were nearly 25 million Asian Americans in the U.S., making up about 7% of the population, and that number is growing, with Asians being the fastest growing racial demographic in the country. But within that, the histories, the lives, the cultures stretch across generations and across borders.

This is What We Brought — a limited series about the Asian American experience in Central Illinois told through stories of resilience, adaptation, and identity. I’m your host, Nidhi Shastri. In this series, we’re diving into the stories about what we carry with us, whether it’s memories, food, language, or even the echoes of trauma.

The Asian American voices featured come from at least seven different cultures, each now calling Central Illinois their home. We’ll hear their stories — the journeys they took, the things they left behind, and, of course, what they brought with them. Today’s episode is about one of the most renowned and tranquil places on University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s campus: the Japan House.