Akebeko Project #2, March 2015

This weekends event search took us back to one of our regular haunts, The Pasadena JCI.
Today they hosted the Akebeko Project.
This link has a few wonderful pics of some of those involved.

PCJI website Link to their piece on the Akebeko Project







Website for the Akabeko Project

All proceeds benefit a film making project to by Pacific Film Currents in order to continue to bring our awareness to the on going needs of the people of Fukushima.

Donations can still be made at the website:
Donation Tab Link








Here are a few pictures from today's event.

We began to fill up right as the doors opened.

We started with a paper unpainted doll. Mine was a Daruma.

As the Day progressed, there was a constant flow of participants.

Comunity members became artists for the day. 

Even my family and I had our own creations too.

We went to the Annual Luncheon at the PJCI - Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute today.

We've been going every year for quite some time.
This year was special because they honored a long time supporter and friend, Pasadena Major Bill Bogaard. Mayor Bogaard has announced his plan to not re-run for the Mayor position, so this was an opportune time to present his award.

Consul Izuri Shimura from the Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles Office was also in Attendance.

We arrived 1/2 hour early and it was already beginning to fill up. As always the Luncheon was very well attended. The Pasadena Nikkei Seniors are always especially generous.

The event was opened by one of PJCI's own performance groups, Kodama Taiko.

There were of course many community members who were honored along with Mayor Bogaard.

Mrs. Kiku Matsumoto and Ms. Michiko Iwamoto were presented with PJCI's 'Outstanding Service Awards'.

'Youth Achievement Awards' were given along with the 'Amy Utsunomiya Memorial youth Community Serevice Awards presented by Mr. Wade Utsunomiya.

The Introduction of our 2015 Miss Pasadena JCI was done.

The closing performance was given by Bando Hidesomi, another group that does their practice at the PJCI.

2014 Oct. PJCI Bazaar

Every year, on the first Sunday of October, The PJCI (Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute) has a wonderful Bazaar.
www.pjci.org


People roll in about 7:30 to begin the preparations, like making sushi and chirashi rice. Setting up tables and canopies.

The opening ceremony event was provided by the resident Taiko Group.
Kodama Taiko Contact: Karren Tsutsui, (888) 493-2879
Website: http://www.kodamataiko.com

This picture as only a few of the many food and craft booths.

I enjoyed the martial arts demos. Kyudo; Kendo; Naginata; and Aikido too.
Nanka Kyudo Kai
Contact: Rick Beal at 626-367-9157

• Saturdays: 5:30PM-9:30PM

Pasadena Kendo Dojo
Contact: James Yamasaki

• Tuesdays
• Beginners Class  6:00PM-7:00PM, Advanced Class from 7:00PM-8:30PM,  (Iaido from 8:30PM-10:00PM)
• Fridays: 7:30PM-10:00PM

Pasadena Naginata Dojo
Contact: Cathy Mikuni at (626) 375-4876 before coming

They even included a great shiai between Naginata and Kendo

Pasadena Aiki-kai
Email: info@pasadenaaikikai.com

• Wednesdays: 7:00PM – 9:00PM 
• Sundays: 9:00AM – 10:30AM

Though I missed the chance at a picture. Ernie Fukumoto gave a talk on the art of Qi-Gong.
Qi-Gong
Contact: Ernest Fukumoto at (626) 833-1935

• Tuesdays 9:00AM - 11:00AM

The current Miss PJCI (Here with Bryan Takeda, a prominent board member at the PJCI) who was joined by several of the past Miss PJCI for a great event.

July 19, 20 2014 Obon Pasadena Buddhist Church

June 22nd Sunday Pasadena BBQ Matsuri

fundraiser for the Miss Pasadena JCI.
Please come support them.

This past weekend the Takeda Family organized a host of volunteers and over 100 participants for their Akabeko Project. We came later in the afternoon, so many had already finished painting their Akabeko, But the Center (PJCI - Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute), where the event was held, was still quite lively.

The Akabeko Project was organized to create a fun and educational event at the PJCI for the community.
By participating and donating funds were raised for Ohana Ouenjya.

According to the post card handed out to participants:
"Ohana Ouenjya is a non-profit organization supporting children with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities. They provide early child developmental support for children ages 2 - 5 years old with known or suspected disabilities. In addition, the organization provides developmental support, after school service, and transportation for youth ages 6 - 18 years old. Due to the limited capacity within the adult facilities, greater numbers of high school graduates are joining their organization.

Ohana Ouenjya is located in Motomiya city, the center of Fukushima Prefecture. They provide services to some children who were affected by the nuclear disaster. Because of their home's proximity to the power plant, their hometowns are now categorized as evacuation zones. They were forced to evacuate from their hometowns and live in new places they are not familiar with including temporary housing, rented homes, or with family and friends.

Many parents worry about radiation, therefore limit the amount of time their children can play outside. The children cannot enjoy the outdoors as they used to, as they are not allowed to play in parks, playgrounds, pools, the river, and other areas.

Yachiyo, Amy, and I each painted one of our own; though I didn't get a picture of Amy's, here's what Yachiyo and I came up with. enjoy.

http://akabekoproject.wix.com/akabekoproject#!event-details/c1nzq

March 2, 2014 PJCI Annual Luncheon

PJCI Annual Luncheon March  2 2014.
PJCI - Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.

Every year the PJCI hosts a beautiful little Bento Box Luncheon.
As always the host of volunteers at the PJCI did a great job!
The PJCI is a completely 100% volunteer organization.
Today was well done and coordinated.

The event was opened by their resident taiko group 'Kodama Taiko'.

The current and previous Nissei Week Miss Pasadena JCI Queens, Princesses, and Candidate were there.

Other members of the Nissei Week 2013 Court came out to support the event as well.

The New Officers and Board members were introduced. www.pjci.org for details.

Councilman Gene Masuda and his wife attended again, it's always great to have a representative from the local goverment take their time and energy to show support for a local group.

Outstanding Service Awards were presented to 7 Community members.

 I was lucky enough to sit across from one of the receipients, Mrs. Mary Uchiyama. Well into her 80's she still goes to work, and also finds time to Volunteer with the PNS (Pasadena Nikkei Seniors); she's been on the board there for 25 years, she began there helping to translate the newsletter, served as Secretary, and also as Vice President. I was amazed by her youthfulness and vitality. The other recipients were all like this as well, volunteering tirelessly, and looking great. They were all humbled and surprised by the attention; they truly embodied all of the great aspects of Japanese Culture.

2 Youth Achievement Awards were given. One to a Pasadena Gakuen student name Akiko Akanuma, and the other to Cedrik De Guzman from the Kendo Kai..

Entertainment was provided on the Koto by Ms. Hiroko Masuda.

The 10th annual Amy Utsunomiya Memorial Youth Community Service Award was presented  to Nancy Izumi Chin. Just as the seniors example this young girl volunteered tirelessly. If she's like this at 16 years old, what a great role model she's going to be for all of us.

The volunteers put all of this together in a 2 hour program. Another great afternoon for me in the Japanese Community.