Kanreki Productions, Inc. is a tiny business with a bursting desire to celebrate quiet community heroes, tell stories about artists, and create timeless artifacts with meticulous care for nuances and aesthetics.
In the Japanese language, “kanreki” means rebirth and returning to infancy after completing the lunar calendar’s cycle of 12 animals and five elements, making a circle back to the beginning after 60 years. The company's name embodies its creative and collaborative nature—a mindset akin to that of a beginner, embracing boundless possibilities, playful exploration, and the infusion of ancestral wisdom.
about
“Leave behind something wonderful.”
VISIONING
PRODUCTION
STORYTELLING
MESSAGING
GENERATIVE COPY
ARTIFACTS
We joyfully engage in film, digital, and print mediums, carefully attending to enrich the subtleties of each scene, script, and phrase. Our sweet spot lies in amplifying marginalized voices, collaborating with underserved communities of color, and leaving behind impactful legacies. We are drawn to endeavors that spark the human soul and promote social progress.
Pear Urushima, the founder, is a third-generation Japanese American with a background in marketing, production, directing, and writing, hailing from Los Angeles. With over 25 years in Silicon Valley's high-tech marketing and branding landscape, she has adeptly navigated countless creative obstacles. Her portfolio showcases the intricacies of marketing, multimedia content creation, and storytelling.
projects
film
INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONProduction partners: Kanreki Productions, Inc., Menuez Pictures, LLC
Creative brief: To produce a wonderful, timeless, and breathtaking documentary art film that highlights the 50-year journey of PJ & Roy Hirabayashi, Japanese American artists who found identity in taiko drumming.
Client: A Network for Grateful Living
Creative brief: Produce a series of vignettes highlighting members of Grateful Living’s community and their messages about living gratefully for publishing on the Grateful Living website. Directed by Doug Menuez.
Client: A Network for Grateful Living
Creative brief: Produce a short film with excerpts from the book “99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life” with voiceover by the author, Brother David Steindl-Rast. Directed by Doug Menuez.
Client: TaikoPeace
Creative brief: Produce a highlight reel of the taiko song “Ei Ja Nai Ka” by PJ Hirabayashi that celebrates the many places it’s been performed and danced in communities around the world.
websites
Film’s web site
Creative brief: Provide the concept, website and content strategy, artistic direction, messaging, and writing.
Artist website
Creative brief: Provide the concept, website and content strategy, artistic direction, messaging, and writing.
Artists website
Creative brief: Provide the concept, website and content strategy, artistic direction, messaging, and writing.
events
Creative brief: Produce, co-direct, write, promote, market, and manage the live show celebrating a historical musical and artistic journey spanning 50 years.
artifacts
Commemorative Photobook
A souvenir artifact from the show - “The Race for Free Spirit: A 50-Year Uprising”
Creative brief: Produce and print (hardcopy) a beautiful touchstone of this historic milestone event with a curated selection of black and white photos and inspirational quotes.
A wearable artifact reflecting Japanese American heritage worn at obon festivals.
Creative brief: Produce traditional Japanese festival garments with a modern design (inspired by Harumo Sato and designed into fabric by Devon Menuez) to capture the spirit of “Ei Ja Nai Ka”, a taiko song and dance by PJ Hirabayashi.
If you build them, they will drum
Creative brief: Build 20 taiko pipe drums for community enjoyment to make taiko accessible to people of all ages and walks of life. Each drum contains a secret message of hope, healing, and peace.
generative copy
Sparks of imagination
Blue sky thinking
Key theme identification
Outline and structure
Story arc exploration
Character & plot refinement
Script iterations
Copy edits
Polishing
slow drum press
Publisher of unsung, undeniably poetic works.
Coming soon.
manifesto
We will forever seek the beauty of the truth, the allure of authenticity, and be ever willing to be surprised and delighted by the common and the uncommon, with a constant openness to astonishment and joy. We will stay accountable and responsible for our creative actions while daring to be different, stretching boundaries by crossing the edges ever so gently, yet boldly, and with the utmost integrity and kindness.
And to every artist, musician, teacher, contributor, editor, crew member, designer, writer, administrator, family, friend and community member who crosses our path, we extend a warm hug of appreciation and gratitude. Whether our collaborators are near or far, we will always be close at heart.
say hello
All kind inquiries, questions, and comments are more than welcome. We respect your privacy and your contact information will not be shared.