Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Angra dos Reis • Ilha Grande

JAPANESE COMMUNITY ON ILHA GRANDE

Japanese and Caiçara cultures in total harmony

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It is known by everyone that Ilha Grande boasts numerous charms and surprises. Yet very few people know that during the first half of the 20th century Japanese immigrants settled in the region and started to produce dashiko (dried, salted and smoked sardines often used as seasoning), having built several processing facilities and employed Japanese as well as residents from the region and surroundings. To this day there are many Japanese and their descendants in a quiet part of the island’s north side, who live in perfect harmony with caiçaras and for decades have been sharing the customs of both cultures.

The Nakamashi family stands out among the oldest, and had a sardine plant at Praia do Bananal. When the plant was closed down in 1987, the family had to find a solution to make use of the spacious building. Kiyoshi Nakamashi and his wife Noriko had the idea of converting the former processing plant into a guest house. Kiyoshi, also known as “Preto”, used his nickname and the guesthouse became known as Pousada do Preto, which can house 114 guests in a simple but welcoming environment where traces of Japanese culture are evident in the beautiful inner garden and the photo panels with his family’s background. Pousada do Preto has its own vessel that makes the crossing from Angra dos Reis twice a day.

In this same cove of Bananal, at Praia do Matariz, there are the ruins of a former sardine processor. Should it be restored, this would be a perfect spot for cultural attraction. The project is one of the dreams of the magnetic Amanda Hadama, and of the entire community. She is a niece of Preto and lives with her family at Praia do Matariz, and would be extremely pleased to display Japanese culture and its specific customs, such as the traditional altars to revere ancestors.

An annual Japanese culture festival used to be held in the beautiful Praia do Bananal scenario at Ilha Grande, with performances free of charge with the best in Japanese culture: music, dancing, theater, martial arts, food, workshops and exhibitions, among other attractions. The three-day festival was very successful until 2010, when it was suspended owing to a lack of funds, but with the expectation of sponsorship to be resumed. Records of this event may be viewed at www.ilhagrande.org.br.

We have all crossed our fingers so that Japanese persistence will overcome the obstacles in order to gain support and retrieve this great event, which above all witnesses the community spirit between the Japanese inhabitants and their welcoming local neighbors.

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