"suggests" that the Japanese schools in São Paulo "were as much an affirmation of Nipo-Brazilian identity as they were of Japanese nationalism." Recreation and culture The Museu Histórico da Imigração Japonesa no Brasil (ブラジル日本移民史料館 Burajiru Nihon Imin Shiryōkan) is located in Liberdade. Exhibits on Japanese Brazilian culture occupy two floors of the museum. The Pavilhão Japonês, an exact replica of the Katsura Imperial Palace, is located in the Ibirapuera Park. Built in Japan, this pavilion was presented as part of São Paulo's 400th anniversary celebrations. The Instituto Tomie Ohtake, a cultural institute occupying two floors of a building, opened in November 2001. It was one of several buildings in São Paulo designed by Ruy Ohtake, the son of Tomie Ohtake. Every April the Hanamatsuri is held. Every July the Tanabata Matsuri is held. Japanese festivals take place around the Liberdade area. Notable residents Ruy Ohtake (architect) - Anna Fitzpatrick, a contributing reporter of The Rio Times, wrote that Ruy Ohtake's architecture, including the institute and the hotel Hotel Unique, give "a look of modern Japanese style to the city." See also Japanese Brazilians References Lesser, Duke. A Discontented Diaspora: Japanese Brazilians and the Meanings of Ethnic Militancy, 1960–1980. Duke University Press, September 14, 2007. , 9780822340812. Notes Further reading Shibata, Hiromi. "As escolas Japonesas paulistas (1915-1945)" (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Sao Paulo, 1997). External links BUNKYO Sociedade Brasileira de Cultura Japonesa e de Assistência Social (ブラジル日本文化福祉協会) ACBJ Aliança Cultural Brasil, Japão Asian-Brazilian culture in São Paulo Japanese Brazilian People from São Paulo Sao Paulo Sao Paulo History of São Paulo