Community Treasures

2011 Honorees

- Arthur Nakane - The One-Man-Band

- Kimekomi Dolls

Celebrating its 35th anniversary since its founding, Yukari Kai is under the instruction of Kyuka Kanesaka. Kyuka is one of the top ranking certified teachers in the United States from the Kyugetsu School of Kimekomi Dolls, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. She is the ambassador of Kyugetsu to the United States. As a group, Yukari Kai has been active in promoting the Japanese culture to the American community since its founding. Yukari Kai has been featured at the Disneyland Japan Festival, St. Louis Japan Festival, Festival of Nations in Minnesota, Phoenix Japan Festival, and various other festivals through the United States, not including being an active participate in local festivals through out Los Angeles.

2010 Honoree - Okinawa Association of America, Inc. www.oaamensore.org

2009 Honorees - LA Kimono Club & Koyasan Scout Troop 379

LA Kimono Club

HOW THE CLUB WAS BORN:
In August,1999,during the annual Nisei Week parade in downtown Los Angeles,,　Hayahiko  Takase , then the President of Japanese Chamber Commerce, rode in an open car while clad in traditional formal Japanese men’s wear (montsuki  haori  hakama) .  Akira Tsurukame saw him and thought it might be an excellent idea to spread the spirit of Japanese Culture among people in the foreign countries through Kimonos, which express dignity, simplicity and serene beauty. Thus, they decided to form a club “KIMONO O KIYOU KAI (i. e ”Club to Encourage the Wearing of Kimono”)

On New Year Day at 1PM (1-1-1), 2000, five gentlemen wearing Kimono gathered in front of the sculpture by a famous sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, in JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo, So began an annual event of the LA Kimono Club, the 1-1-1 Group Photo Session in Kimono.

On March 15, 2003, approximately 40 men & women who love Kimono met to form a club with the agreed objective of  promoting mutual understanding and cultural exchanges between US and Japan through Kimono. They officially formed the club now called “LA KIMONO CLUB” with club rules and selection of officers.

THE ACTIVITIES OF KIMONO CLUB:
Throughout the year, members of the LA KIMONO CLUB have the opportunity to share the joy of Kimono amidst good company at a host of events, including:

• New Year ‘s Day group photo in Kimono.
• Kimono Fashion Shows in Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo, and other occasions.
• Annual New Year meeting with Traditional Japanese cultural programs, such as Koto and Shamisen Music, Japanese dance, the screening of films on Kimono, Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration, lectures on Japanese culture, and so forth.
• Cherry and/or Plum blossom viewing parties. .                         
• Participation in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Pasadena and Little Tokyo, by joining in the Parade or Fashion Show.               
• Santa Anita Japanese Cultural Festival , which includes viewing the Tokyo City Cup horse race.                  
• Annual  holiday celebration of Tanabata Star Festival (July 7),and Otsukimi Moon Viewing (October 15) .
• They have a KIMONO de series ( Attending various events which members of the Club attend while wearing KIMONO – Some in this Series include:
  • KIMONO de PHOTOGRAPH SESSIONS (in parks, Arboretums, museum---)
  • KIMONO de RESTAURANTS (such as newly opened or famous Japanese restaurants)
  • KIMONO de KABUKI/NOH/BUNRAKU(traditional Japanese theater arts.)

Koyasan Scout Troop 379

Boy Scout Troop 379 was founded in 1931 at the Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo.  The troop has endured for over 75 years through the thirties, Internment years at Heart Mountain, the return to Los Angeles through to today.  The program has grown from the Boy Scout Troop to a complete program for young people with the Cub Scout, Girl Scouts and Venturing Crew.  Since its creation, Boy Scout Troop 379 has had over 800 members with more than 25% reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.  The Scouting Program celebrated its 75^th Anniversary in 2006.

The Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1932.  Today’s Corps is under the direction of Mr. David Hayami, with the entertainment unit under Jackie Thorpe.  The Corps is an active presence in various parades in Southern California including Nisei Week, Chinese New Year and 4^th of July Parades.  The scouts also participate in the Nippon National Scout Jamboree every 4 years, their next trip is planned for 2010. 

Young people and their parents are invited to join the Koyasan Scouting Family.
We welcome you to be a part of this proud tradition.