Tomodachi C ARNIVAL & ONDO J ULY 24-25

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1 Southeast Japanese School & Community Center Gridley Rd. Norwalk CA Website: 友達 Tomodachi Volume 15, Issue 5 September 2010 Newsletter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS July August Tobis Matsumura Utd Wy $38.44 Marie Otsuka $100 Pat Kawamoto $100 Isamu Murakami (in memory of Masako) $100 M/M Stanley Chow $100 M/M Dan Ikemoto $100 Anonymous $100 Sonoe Koyasu $300 M/M Mamo Higa $20 M/M Haruto Miyataki $20 May Ikeda Cambra $100 M/M J T Murakami $50 Norwalk Judo (Recycled Items) $ M/M Howard Koga $100 M/M William Matsubara $100 M/M Larry Oshiro $100 Akemi Jensen (For Ayame Kai) $125 James Ozawa $150 Okimoto s Auto Center $200 Yoshiko Honda $25 Roy Okimoto Jr $40 M/M Sumio Yasutake $100 M/M Fred Tanaka $100 M/M Roy Okimoto Sr. $200 M/M George Okimoto $100 June Tamura $300 Sonoe Koyasu $350 Anonymous $500 M/M Richard Hanki $100 Thank you for your kind generosity and continued support. P RESIDENT S MESSAGE Hi Everyone! The Center is in the planning stage to acquire a permit from the City of Norwalk for our annual Festival. Next year, we will change the name of our annual Carnival to Cultural Festival. There will be more to come in the future issues. In the future, the Tomodachi newsletter will be published every other month as is currently but the Flyer will be discontinued. You will be notified well in advance of any upcoming events at the Center. The Norwalk Dance Club has a themed social the 4th Saturday of each month; August was a Hawaiian theme. Na Wahine O Kawena Hawaiian Hula, directed by Karen Toyoshiba, performed several dances after the dinner. Our Ono Hawaiian Pancake Breakfast and Boutique is just around the corner. This year s event is scheduled for October 9th and the tickets are $5 each. Contact Carrie Nakatani with NYS or Judo for information. You can enjoy a great breakfast and do your Christmas shopping all in the same day. After you finish shopping, stop by the kitchen and pick up lunch. Judo will begin selling lunch items around 9 o clock. Richard Shinomoto C ARNIVAL & ONDO J ULY After hot days during midweek, we were really blessed with wonderful weather for our annual weekend event. That was such a relief and caused many smiles! Our members worked hard to offer good times for everyone who came whether it was for food, children trying their luck at games, young and old observing our cultural presentations and displays, and enjoying ongoing entertainment. Our Ondo drew happy and willing dancers many youngsters enjoying an old custom new to them. It was a time to sit with friends and absorb wonderful Japanese culture and satisfy appetites with great choices of food. We deeply appreciate all who came to support our fundraising event and we d like to think many annually come because they want to and enjoy the time here. Thanks to NYS and Board members who began before sunrise to help set up, thanks to entertainers our hula and ukulele classes, Ayame Kai classical dance, Hikari Taiko, Karaoke classes, Hawaiian Delites, and first time appearance by our Guitar class (we ll need to coordinate the sound next year). Thanks to Kendo, Karate and Judo for their demonstrations with informative narrations, and to Ikebana for their beautiful flower arrangements. We are grateful to the Japanese American Japanese National Museum group who come each year to offer information and advice and Asians for Miracle Bone Marrow Matches whose work is profoundly important. Thanks to Kathy Nishimoto for her Ondo direction during practices and the carnival. We thank our organizations for their various food and game booths which are major attractions to this event. A huge thank you to continued generosity from our friends in the nursery business who donate plants annually for our benefit: Garibaldo s Nursery of Bellflower, Pacific Nursery, Inc., Higo Nursery, both of Gardena, Green Spot Nursery of North Hollywood and S. Y. Nursery of Cerritos. Thank you to all who helped to close up on Sunday night and those who came on Monday night to clean-up the hallways, classrooms and kitchen.

2 Tomodachi Page 2 H IKARI TAIKO Mary Jane Mayeda N ORWALK KARAOKE CLUB Beginning taiko class is starting up October 3 rd of this year. If you ever wanted to try taiko drumming, this is the time to do so. Please contact Mary Jane at or mjmhikari@aol.com. All ages over 12 years old are welcome. Thanks to the following for helping out with Bingo Nite in August. Helen Hijiki, Linda Kusuda, Lou and Sharon Saenz, James Pon, Harriet Yamada and Nancy Aisawa. In August, we performed for the Candlewood Golf and Country Club in Whittier and for a private birthday party. This month we will be involved with the Silk and Thunder (Chinese, Japanese and Korean ensemble groups) to perform at the Levitt Pavilion Theater in Los Angeles. We also have a program for the cub scouts in Rancho Palos Verdes and for the Asian/Pacific Islander Community Alliance.. For schools, we have a 1 hr. taiko program consisting of performances, explanation of taiko, history, etc. and short workshop for the children in trying out the drums. If interested, contact Mary Jane for next year s schedule. G AKUEN NEWS Kimie Matsumoto Welcome back to the new school year. We are excited to have a new teacher at our school: Keiko Katayama will be teaching our Intermediate D class. After a two year rest, we have an adult class this year. It will be a beginner class only. We still have room in our kindergarten and beginner classes. Registration will be held the first day of classes on September 11 1h. School starts at 8:45 AM. Our Back to School Day will be held on September 25 th. Parents are encouraged to sit in the classes and talk to teachers about the organization of the classes. Schedules will be sent home soon. Undokai, the traditional field day held each year in Japan during the month of October will be observed at Gerdes park on October 2nd This will be a family event to welcome the new families to our school. We re looking forward to another wonderful year. Information about our school can be obtained on our website sejscc.org/school.htm NOTICE There will be no Center newsletter/flyer for the month of October. Our next issue will be our November newsletter. Members of the Norwalk Karaoke Club enjoyed the various activities and presentations at the annual ondo/carnival. The programs were well presented and members especially enjoyed performing their portion on both Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to singers Akemi Jensen, Chieko Kim, George Real, Nobu Saito, Kiyoko Tanaka, Patsy Tsuda and Tom Yokoyama. Joining the Norwalk Karaoke Club were members of the Hawaiian Karaoke Club Stan Shimomura, Don Hamasaki and Masamori Kishimoto. And as always a very special thanks to Tom Yokoyama who dedicates both days to M.C. responsibilities. Coordinators were Kiyoko Tanaka and Patsy Tsuda. It is a pleasure to feature Mary Nomura who joined the Norwalk Karaoke Club in December She was formerly a member of our sister organization, the Monterey Park Karaoke Group and she was also a student of Mrs. Mitsuko Ito, a popular karaoke instructor who is now retired. Mary was born in San Diego and raised in Los Angeles. While a young girl in Manzanar, she performed at many camp-sponsored events singing Japanese songs with a live back-up band. Coincidentally, two very talented singers both named Mary Nomura came from Manzanar. One of the Marys sang American songs and the other Mary sang Japanese songs. Surrounded with family members which includes 5 children and 11 grandchildren, Mary states that she has had a nice and easy life being able to be a stay-at-home mom most of the time. She was briefly employed for 10 years at an insurance company in Los Angeles and retired when she moved to Lakewood. She was very much an involved parent when one of her daughters, Debbie, was a student of Fujima Kansuma Kai, a Japanese odori group for over 10 years. Dedication is expected from not only the students but the student s family as well. Mary enjoyed it very much. She was also an active parent supporting her other children through all of their various activities as well. She is helpful each year during the carnival/ondo by tying the obi/sash of many of the ondo dancers. She attends the Grace First Presbyterian Church in Lakewood and we are honored to have her as a member. A reminder OCTOBER 2 hosted by JUDO 6:30 pm serving Won Ton Soup, Orange BINGO Chicken with Broccoli, Rice, Salad at 6 pm. NOVEMBER 7 hosted by NaWahine O Kawena and Ukulele serving Kalua pork, cabbage salad, and rice at 6 pm. Come join us! Play $5 per card all night. Southeast Japanese School & Community Center Activities List If you are interested in any of the activities at the Center, please contact the person listed below Southest Gakuen: Kimie Matsumoto Hikari Taiko: Mary Jane Mayeda Shuji (Calligraphy): Matsumoto Sensei Norwalk Nikkei Seniors: Toby Fusato Ikebana (Flower Arrgmt): Ogawa Sensei Japanese Classical Dance: Akemi Jensen Guitar Class: Yuji Hata NaWahine O Kawena: Karen Toyoshiba Norwalk Youth Sports: Rich Tamaki Hawaiian Karaoke Club: Leslie Goshi Kendo: Jean Kodama Sensei norwalkkendo@gmail.com Ukulele Class: Kamaki Keawe Call Karen: Karate: Brock Nishimura Norwalk Dance Club: Edna Kurihara Norwalk Karaoke Club: Ed Korin Tanden/Yoga Class: Mrs. Koyasu Judo: Jim Glick Tanden/Yoga Class: Mrs. Koyasu

3 Tomodachi Page 3 N ORWALK YOUTH SPORTS Carrie Nakatani The summer is coming to a close and it is time for everyone to go back to school. Our NYS teams had a great summer. Here are some of the results from the recent tournaments. The Blue Krush team (3rd grade girls) won their first championship at the Jet/Jetts Tournament. They went on to Las Vegas and took championship again at the Hollywood Dodgers tournament! These girls won back to back championships! Coach Rich said They all played their hearts out and the parents were all very supportive. None of it could have happened without the kids enthusiasm, parents unwavering support and dedicated coaching staff. I am very proud of them!!! The Dragons (4th grade boys) also took championship at the Hollywood Dodgers tournament. The White Dragons (now known as the Rebels 8th grade boys) Norwalk Rebels took 8th grade Silver Division. Champs. L-R Jacob, showed their stuff and they too, took championship in Vegas. Bryce, Jared, Jeremy, Jeff, Owen, Elijah, Brett wearing award T-shirts. The Hot Shots (4th grade girls ) fought hard and took second place at the Dodgers tournament. The Ballaholics (7th grade boys) placed second at the Nikkei games 3 on 3. What a great way to end the summer congratulations to all of our teams! Hollywood Dodgers BB Tourney in Vegas: All teams playing in 2nd grade boys division received medals. Proud Norwalk Blazers are in blue uniforms, center right. Blue Krush 3rd Gr. Team won champs in both Jets and Hollywood Dodgers Tourneyments. Way to go girls! Blue Lightning won the gold in the 11 year old girls Silver Division at the Nikkei Games 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Pictured here are L R: Bea, Keiley, Lauren and Heather with coach Gene Kuwahara. N ORWALK NIKKEI SENIORS Our Seniors Boutique tables did quite well at the carnival generating $1601 in sales due mainly to our ladies lending a hand making scrubbers, water bottle holders, kitchen towelettes, colorful beaded/flowered hair clips, and donations of new/unused items. Dave Fusato has kindly taken on the task of making our past best seller the whirligigs. George Ishii made them and has now retired from the project. Dave made them with a different twist some with our Center logo and colors and others with whimsical designs. They all sold. Thank you Dave for your initiative and dedicated work. The Seniors still prepare our newsletter/flyers for mail each month. The work has lightened quite a lot since they now mail to 350 addresses; most read our publications online. On August 24, two of our special ladies Marie Chikami and Eunice Kusunoki demonstrated, prior to our meeting, how to make mochi with an using the microwave. There were quite a few in attendance and they re grateful to Marie and Eunice for the lesson. Following the meeting, everyone proudly celebrated Ocean Miyake s 99th birthday with sheet cake and ice cream from Nancy Ohira. This auspicious occasion is more special because he is in good health and still enjoys coming to our meetings. The annual BBQ luncheon is scheduled for Sept. 24th. It s a time when they can feast on juicy hamburgers and hot dogs with loads of condiments, salads of all types and desserts. It will surely be a light dinner night.

4 Tomodachi Page 4 N ORWALK DANCE CLUB Rosie San Miguel NDC Hawaiian Social August 28 The fragrance of white ginger blossoms scented the entrance as an estimated 90 guests arrived to enjoy an informal Hawaiian night. Shell and fresh crown flower leis with pretty plumeria blossoms perked each table, special touches from Edna Kurihara. Former Hawaii residents and hostesses Karen Chow and Gloria Sakoda and their husbands Geoff and Richard have an easy friendly style and experts in organizing a local favorite. The menu consisted of spam musubi, tsukemono, and array of watermelon and cantaloupe slices. Karen and Gloria wish to acknowledge kitchen crew helpers Helen Hikiji, Edna Kurihara, and Miyuki Katayama. Donating the delicious tsukemono were Haruko Yoshida, Chiemi Yukimasa, Itono Nakagawa, Rosie San Miguel, Harriet Yamada, and Geoff Chow. formations emitted a special element and It is always an honor to welcome everyone attending the socials and stepping out to join the your calendar for the upcoming anniversary spirit of aloha at intermission. Please mark NDC members and friends were the neighboring dinner dance, September 25th. dance clubs: The Gardena Valley Nisei Club, Em Yamada, Prudy Gin, Kazi Kato, and Langley. We missed our bartender, George Ishikawa and wish him a speedy recovery from a recent surgery. And always, thanks to MC Harriet Yamada and DJ Yuso Kurihara for his musical arrangements. Mahalo nui loa to director Karen Toyoshiba for her unique choreography and the Na Wahine O Kawena, featured entertainers for the evening. Their graceful and impressive performance of five hula songs in transcending NaWahine OKawena entertaining on stage during the carnival. N ORWALK KENDO DOJO The first ever All United States Kendo Federation Junior Nationals were held July 25 in San Jose. Norwalk Kendo Dojo participants included Yoon Courtney (10-11); Kim Patrick, Kim John, Nagasawa Jeffrey, and Chung Alex (16-18); Kim Esther and Hahn Danielle (girls 13 and under). Congratulations to Kim Esther, the first Girls 13 and Under Champion! Congratulations also to Chung Alex (2 nd place), Yoon Courtney (best 8), and Hahn Danielle (best 8). And to top it off, Kim Esther was sempo (lead off player) for the Southern California Kendo Federation girls team A, and Yoon Courtney was taisho (captain) for the SCKF girls team B, both of which took 3 rd place in the team competition. Great job everyone! Unfortunately most of us could not be there to share in the excitement of the Junior Nationals, as the SEJSCC carnival was held the same weekend. Thank you very much to all kenshi and family members who helped in our food booth and goldfish toss booth. This was our most important fundraiser of the year, and we appreciate everyone s support. Thank you also to everyone who participated in the kendo demonstration: Henmi sensei, Kodama sensei, Yoshimura Steve sensei, Okuno sensei, Kariya Yoshijiro, Kato Takumi, Chang Jeffrey, Azama Eric, Yang Jeanwon, Toh Shauna, Matsuda Kane, Kim Christie, Broshears Nicholas, and Tram Rick. On Aug. 14 we held an all day gasshuku (kendo camp) for all dojo members, from beginners through yudansha and even including the parents. In the morning we had kyu training sessions by the senseis assisted by yudansha, and in the afternoon we had tournament training and games. A good time was had by all, and everyone learned a lot. Thank you to the parents for preparing the delicious lunch, dinner, and snacks. The next day was the Nikkei Games Kendo Tournament held at the CSULB Pyramid. Participants included Yoon Brian (1 dan); Chu Michael (2 dan); Nguyen Emil and Hahn Rex (3 dan); Hahn Danielle; Yoon Courtney, Kim Esther (0-4 kyu team); Kim Patrick, Nagasawa Jeffrey, Kim John (3-1 kyu team); Yang Jeanwon, Yoon Brian, Nguyen Emil (kachnuki team A); Huang Michael, Hahn Rex, Chu Michael (Kachnuki team B). Congratulations to Hahn Danielle, Yoon Courtney, and Kim Esther for winning 1st place in the 0-4 kyu team tournament, and to Yang Jeanwon, Yoon Brian, and Nguyen Emil for winning 1 st place in the kachinuki team tournament! The Nisei Week Kendo Tournament was held 8/22 in Little Tokyo. Norwalk participants included Kim Christie, Hahn Danielle, Yoon Courtney, and Kim Esther (11-13); Joe Kyung (14-15); Yoon Kay and Toh Shauna (women s kyu); Balacanao Darryl, Trost Jeffrey, Yang Jeanwon, Toh Shauna, and Azama Eric (adult 0-4 kyu); Joe Soo Yong, Kim Patrick, Huang Michael, Kim John, Nagasawa Jeffrey (adult 3-1 kyu); Yoon Courtney, Hahn Danielle, Kim Esther, Kim Patrick, and Kim John (team tournament). Congratulations to Kim Esther (2 nd place) and Nagasawa Jeffrey (2 nd place), and our team put out an awesome effort, very narrowly losing to first place Torrance Dojo. Several Norwalk Dojo members traveled up to Fresno over Labor Day weekend for the All California Open Tournament, which is held every 3 years. Participants included Yoon Courtney (13 and under), Yoon Brian and Kariya Yoshijiro (1-3 dan), and Yamaguchi sensei (shinpan). Congratulations to Yoon Courtney and Kariya Yoshijiro, who were selected to be on the SCKF team which won 1 st place in the team tournament. As previously mentioned, November 7 th we will be celebrating Norwalk Kendo Dojo s 45 th anniversary. We are calling on all dojo members to help put on this major event. Past dojo members: there is plenty of time to re-enlist, get back into kendo, and be part of the festivities! Please see the dojo news page ( for information, as well as details on past Kendo demo at carnival and future events. Norwalk Kendo Dojo practices Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm and Fridays from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. New members are welcome; beginners are accepted on the first Friday practice of each odd month. The iaido group practices from 9 to 10 pm on Mondays; iaido beginners are accepted in January, April, and July. For information about Norwalk Dojo, including upcoming and past events as well as how to join, please see the dojo website at or send to norwalkkendo@gmail.com.

5 Tomodachi Page 5 Ongoing outdoor entertainment. Judo crew at work NYS popular refreshment! Tom Yokoyama sets up his audio system early AM and is a great MC. Kathy Nishimoto Ondo instructor Yuji Hata s guitar class performing. Odori by graceful Akemi Jensen Ikebana Display For years the Yamamoto family has helped teach Ondo.

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8 Southeast Japanese School & Community Center Tomodachi A Bimonthly Newsletter September 2010 Norwalk CA NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.Postage PAID Permit No. 109 Norwalk CA Join us on October 9th Pancake Breakfast & Boutique Southeast Japanese Language School Begins Sat. Sept. 11, may register that morning. Have a delicious breakfast and do your Christmas shopping early at our. OCTOBER 9 Sat. 8:00-2:30 PM Fabulous handmade Crafts, Clothing, Jewelry, T-shirts, Giftware, Books, Silk Flowers, Sushi, Foods etc. Over 40 vendors. For information call Edna Kurihara , Helen Hikiji :00-11:00 AM Benefits Youth Sports program and scholarships. Tickets..$5.00 Breakfast includes eggs, rice, Portuguese sausages, pancakes, pineapple slices, juice, tea and coffee. CALENDAR Highlights Sept 11 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm 11 Gakuen Classes Begin 25 NDC Anniversary Dance Oct. 2 Monthly Bingo 630 pm 9 Pancake Bkft & Boutique VFW BB Tourney 23 NDC Halloween Social Nov 7 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm 7 Kendo 45th Anniversary 27 NDC Fall Social Dec 4 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm 5 Annual General Mtg Luncheon Judo s Mochitwuki Norwalk Judo Dojo Norwalk Judo Dojo is now taking pre-orders for baked and/or steamed Char Siu Baos and Chicken Baos from Chinatown Bakery and Deli. A limited number of Char Siu Baos will be available for purchase at the Boutique for $1.50 each or $18 per doz. Chicken Baos will be $1.75 each. Orders may be picked up at the Holiday Boutique Kitchen window on Saturday, Oct. 9th. Thank you for your support cut and return with check by Sept CHAR SIU BAO & CHICKEN BAO Pre-Order Form Doz. STEAMED Char Siu $16 Total Enclosed Doz. BAKED Char Siu Check No. Pick up orders Sat. Oct. 9th between 9 am to 130 pm Doz. STEAMED Chicken $18 Please make check payable to NORWALK JUDO Mail to: Norwalk Judo Dojo Name: c/o Carrie Nakatani Address Laurelbrook Circle City: Phone: Cerritos CA 90703