Tokyo City Cup. Japan Family Day. 03.28.2015

April 11 and 12 2015. Orange County Buddhist Church Hanamatsuri Bazaar

Little Tokyo. Los Angeles, California. Saturday March 4 2015

Our weekend end jaunt found us in our familiar haunt. The Little Tokyo area of downtown Los Angeles, California.

For lunch we decided on Udon.

Monzo Udon on 1st Street, makes the noodles in sight, on site, right before your eyes; it's very delicious. But I shouldn't tell you, cause it was already a bit of a wait for the table.

Link to Yelp Reviews of Marugame Monzo Udon Restaurant

Of course we had to visit our teacher, Hirokazu Kosaka Sensei, at the JACCC -Japanese American Community Cultural Center on San Pedro.

Today's exhibit included Kado - Ikebana exhibits, plus the Shodo - Caligraphy and dolls from Hinamatsuri were still up.

Youtube Slide Show of JACCC March 14, 2015

After the exhibits we like to hang out at U-Space Cafe. The Cafe is inside the JACCC.

A great day in the community with friends and family. Thank you all!

Have a nice day.

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.

2015 Kotohajime in Little Tokyo Los Angeles

A Year To Prepare Culminates is a Fantastic Hour Long Performance.

The JACCC / JAT and it's artistic directro Mr. Hirokazu Kosaka do it again.

Thank you to Leslie Ito and all the staff and Volunteers at the JACCC / JAT 

in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles California

Kotohajime Hatsu-Yuki (First Snow) Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 1:00PM at Aratani Theatre 244 S. San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Welcoming the the year of Sheep with performance titled, Hatsu-Yuki (First Snow) featuring the traditional Japanese dance by Mai no Kai,  Cambodia dancer from the Khmer Arts Academy, and Zen archery by IKKYU. The kagamibiraki (breaking of the sake barrel). and other Japanese traditions are performed in celebration of the new year."With special guest performance by Japanese students from the Tohoku region in ongoing support for Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake as part of the TOMODACHI-Honda Cultural Exchange Program