Fun-Raising Events

Nippon Minyo Kenkyu Kai based in Nagoya Japan is one of the largest Minyo Odori dance groups in Japan. This group performs regularly at Keiro Nursing Facilities, Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival, Little Tokyo Cherry Blossom Festival, and several local Senior Citizen Centers, Hospitals and Community Centers. They also perform annually at the Nisei Week Parade and Street Ondo held every August in Little Tokyo.

Performers: Susan Imoto-Imoto Hoshun-Jyu, Miwa Hashimoto-Hashimoto Hoshun-Ki, Lisa Hashimoto-Elardo-Hashimoto Hoshun-Bi, Hideko Ishibashi-Ishibashi Hoshun-Shu, Christine Inouye, Megumi Igarashi, Neil Hashiba, Leslie Naritoku

Genchi Minyo Kikuta Kai was formed by Madam Kiyoko Kikuta in Northern California in 1972. Later in the 1970s, she moved to Los Angeles on invitation of the Southern California Minyo Association President. For the next 30 years, until her retirement in 2005, she taught numerous students the art of Japanese folk dancing, and held recitals every 5 to 10 years. At present, the senior members tutored by Madam Kikuta continue to teach dancing to the younger generation in Southern California.

Kikuta Kai has been regularly invited by community organizations to provide folk dancing entertainment at various events. Providing community support through folk dancing performance is an important mission of Kikuta Kai.

Aki Onouye is a multi talented musician and composer. She said that composing Electronic Music is a lot of fun and a lot of work with auditioning the sounds, adding and mixing tracks, and more to create the original compositions. Aki was born in Japan and studied music there and came to the United States in 1987. She began playing piano at age four, and started to sing aria at age twelve. She got many awards for her musical talent. After she came to America, she involved with the musical theater group as a musical director and provided live music for the many shows with her electronic music. She can make the world more meaningful and spiritual with her music in any scene and occasion.

This is about my song.
"Think About Tomorrow" is Aki's original song based on a true story...."Kaachan"(mother in Japanese), wherever you are when I find you, I hope you can be proud to call me a big boy. Paper crane flew from overseas brought us hope to think about tomorrow.

Marisa Kosugi was exposed to Minyo-Japanese Folk Music through her mother, Matsutoyo Sato of Matsutoyo Kai, who has been performing & instructing in the Northern & Southern California for over 45 years.

Marisa was always inspired by her mother's creativity and passion in the Japanese Arts. At the age of 21, Marisa decided to dedicate herself to Minyo and moved to Tokyo, Japan, in hopes to learn more about this unique Music, & the Japanese Culture under Madame Makiko Kosugi & the Late Master Iwao Yoneya, Headmaster - Iemoto of Yoneya Kai.

Marisa became an apprentice for 3-years, learning the language and etiquette so she would have the capability to assist her mother and continue to share Minyo with others. She lived with 4 Upperclassmen- who took the time to teach her the ways of understanding this lifestyle. Being an American, it was a challenge in all aspects, but fortunately, her Masters and Upperclassmen encouraged her to do her best which gave her the determination to understand all she could during her training.

At age 24, she received her Certified/Stage Name MARISA KOSUGI than returned to the States and has been performing along with Matsutoyo Kai at Cultural Events, Festivals, Nursing/Retirement, Private Parties & etc.

When Minyo Station and BellTheCat Music was formed, it gave her more motivation to learn, to express her self openly to the audience in hopes to grasp those who had no clue what Minyo is. The most fun is the participation from everyone at a performance. It is a joy to watch and listen to the children who stand on stage and help with the singing and dancing. Minyo is special.