Volume II, Issue 1

1st Quarter 2013

2013 Shinnenkai New Years PartyJanuary 27, 2013

Over 60 members of the Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai gathered at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello for the 2013 Shinnenkai (New Years) party. The skies threatened rain but, thankfully, no rain fell to dampen the fun! Before lunch was served, glasses were raised and Kaiji Katsumoto led everyone in a kampai toast. The invocation was delivered by Kiyoshi Igawa. After lunch, Entertainment Director, Patrick Seki, handed the microphone to each attendee who said a few words about themselves and their connection to Yamaguchi.

Kaiji Katsumoto

Kiyoshi Igawa

Everyone joined Dana Okamoto and Aki Fukuhara-Vaughn in singing Sukiyaki, and little Kenny Okamoto (Danas son) showed his whistling talent on the solos. Kiyoshi Igawa entertained with a beautiful Japanese song. A highlight of the luncheon was a presentation of gifts to honor our members 80 and 80+ years of age. The gifts were wrapped in kawaii koi (cute goldfish) bags (thanks to Millie and Steve Tani for putting them together).

Board Vice President Arturo Yoshimoto

Board President Richard Fukuhara

Master of Ceremonies, Arturo Yoshimoto, welcomed everyone in English and Japanese. Richard Fukuhara, wished everyone a Happy New Year and introduced Susan Uyemura, an oral historian, who has published books about her family in Yamaguchi-ken. A brief general business meeting was held with a report from Board Treasurer, Naomi Suenaka. Richard then presented the members with two amendments to the Bylaws, which were approved: (1) removal of a 2nd Vice President and Regional Representative from the Bylaws, and (2) removal of 2 Board Treasurer auditors from the Bylaws. The 2012 Naomi Suenaka Board members: President, Richard Fukuhara; Vice President, Arturo Yoshimoto; Secretary, Candace Watase; and Treasurer, Naomi Suenaka, were approved for the 2013 term.

Front row, l. to r.: Yoshiko Monji, Mitsuko Yamamoto, Haruko Morikawa, Tomiko Nakata, Aiko Sakamura, Tomiko Hirshfield, and Wally Hamano. Back row: Reijin Fujita, Hideo Morikawa, Henry Yasuda, Masaki Matsubara, Helen Yasuda, Yoshiko Kishimoto, Hisako Nagamine, Mitsuko Ono, and Yoshinobu Ono.
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2013 Shinnenkai PartyContd from pg. 1

A 2012 Year in Review slide show was presented by Richard and past president, Arlene Nakamura. Naomi, Candace and Arlene next hosted the popular Bingo games. The concentration on getting the winning numbers was so intense, you could have heard a pin drop! Closing out the day was the much-awaited raffle prize drawings with everyone either going home with goodies wrapped in pretty NYKdesigned bags (put together by Naomi & Candace) or beautiful orchid centerpieces that were created by Candace. Despite the ominous weather, welcoming in the new year was a great day to share with old friends of Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai! A well-earned thank you and thumbs up to our dedicated members who unselfishly helped to make the 2013 Shinnenkai New Year party a lovely day to remember! Richard Fukuhara Kiyoshi Igawa Kaiji Katsumoto Yoshiko Kishimoto Arlene Nakamura Patrick Seki Naomi Suenaka Millie & Steve Tani Bruce Thompson Aki & Mike Vaughn Candace Watase Helen & Henry Yasuda Arturo Yoshimoto Remi Yoshimoto
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Mitsuko Yamamoto

Wally Hamano & Candace Watase

Aiko Sakamura

Reijin Fujita, Arlene Nakamura & Ayako Fujita

Yoshiko Monji

Masaki Matsubara

Helen & Henry Yasuda

Hisako Nagamine

Naomi Suenaka & Candace Watase

Tomiko Nagata

Yoshiko Kishimoto

Tomiko Hirshfield

If you would like the photos above emailed to you, please contact Aki Vaughn at aki.vaughn@yahoo.com. You can also find more photos on a site created by NYK members, Fusako & Bruce Thompson: http://fusako.com/nyk2013. Also, Steve & Millie Tani have posted photos on our Facebook page at Yamaguchi-Kenjinkai-Los Angeles.
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Victor Seiji Fukuhara

Where were you born? I was born in Los Angeles, the first child of Henry Kiyoshi and Mary Sadako Fukuhara. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters: Sandi (Saiki), Richard, Aki (Vaughn), Larry and Trace. When my parents met, my father (who was born in Santa Barbara) worked at Union Nursery, and my mother (who was born in Portland), worked as a personal maid for a wealthy couple in Beverly Hills. After they were married in December 1939, my father became a gardener in Long Beach. Where were you during WWII? We spent the war years at Minidoka Internment Camp, Idaho. What did you and your family do after WWII? My parents started M.Hara Nursery in the early 50s. I graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Long Beach City College in the early 60s, majoring in auto mechanics. I attended the General Motors School in Burbank for 2 years and then was drafted into the U.S. Army where I spent most of my time at the DMZ in South Korea. After I was discharged, I opened M.Hara Lawnmower Shop in 1966 directly across the street from M.Hara Nursery. After a few years, I outgrew the facilities, and moved to a larger building in Signal Hill where the shop is still located. How did you get involved with Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai? I became involved with the Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai (NYK) through my father who had joined the kenjinkai in the 1960s. I was the president of the NYK Seisonenkai (young mens club) from 1990 to 2000 and then elected NYK president in 2000. I realized that the younger nonJapanese speaking generation felt neglected, so my goal was to get them more involved by using English in our kenjinkai. Are you married? If so, to whom and do you have children / grandchildren? In October, 1966 I married Masako Matsumoto, the daughter of the former police chief of Shibuya-ku, Japan. We have two children: Tony and Cindy. Tony and his wife, Carol, are the parents of our grandchildren, Paige (11-1/2) and Warren (2).
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Arlene Reiko Nakamura

Where were you born? Because Japanese Americans were not allowed to return to the west coast after the war, my family relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thats where both my sister and I were born. In fact, we lived in the attic of a small house on Columbus Avenue and I was born on Columbus Day. How about that for a coincidence? Where was your family during World War II? My parents were both interred at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. What kind of work did your family do after the War? My dad got a job as a linotype operator after the war. My mother stayed at home taking care of my sister and me. Where were you raised and where were you educated? I lived in Minneapolis until I was two years old. Then the family made a trip by ship to Yamaguchi, Japan before heading back to Los Angeles. We settled in Lincoln Heights, first living at Urban Apartments where we made many lasting friendships. When I was six years old, my parents bought a home in the same vicinity. It was an old California bungalow which is where I grew up, attending Griffin Avenue School and Lincoln High School, which at the time was both a junior and senior high. I attended California State College, now referred to as California State University at Los Angeles. My major was American Studies with a minor in Japanese. After graduation, I continued on to receive my teaching credential. My advisor at the time told me that if I also took a few more classes, I could earn a Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the same time. So thats what I did. In 1970, I began teaching at Evergreen Elementary School in East Los Angeles as a 21-year-old teaching 10-year-old 5th graders. I was only 11 years older than my students! I taught at Evergreen until 1979 when I took a 3-year leave to stay home with my children. When I returned to teaching, I taught 6th grade at Sierra Park Elementary in El Sereno and continued there for 22 years. During those years, I also obtained another Masters Degree in Educational Administration. However, I made the decision to stay in the classroom to teach for most of my career. Finally in 2004, I accepted a job at a brand new school, Harmony Elementary in South Los Angeles as Math Coach. Though I no longer had a class of my own, it was an opportunity to work with students, teachers, parents and administrators. I retired after 32 years with Los Angeles Unified School District.
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Victor Seiji Fukuhara

Do you have a special or proud memory (or memories)? I was a first assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troup 65 in Long Beach for 20 years. In 1990 I co-founded Kokoro Taiko with Jaime Kamei and to date we have played close to 350 performances such as: the annual Nisei Week Parade, Japanese Festival in Las Vegas, many kenjinkai picnics, the Long Beach, L.A., and San Diego marathons, and the opening ceremony of the Aquarium of the Pacific. I currently teach taiko at the L.B. Grace Presbyterian Church and the L.B. Japanese Cultural Center (LBJCC). I was recently selected to appear in a Scan Healthcare com-mercial on TV. (Additional comments from this newsletters publisher and biased sister: Victor made the KokoroTaiko drums from wine barrels and teaches others how to make them. He has the distinction of making the largest taiko outside of Japan that measures 6 in diameter and 8 long. He is a self-taught artist having created a Japanese-style stereo cabinet and metal and wooden sculptures. He has invented several useful gadgets and tools and sells hand-made fishing lures under the 544 Lures label. He is also very active in the community: past president of the LBJCC, the Harbor Optimist Club, and Harbor Fishing Club. He is currently the treasurer of both the Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City Association and LBJCC, and on the board of the Japanese American Credit Union and past board member of the Long Beach Historical Society.)

Arlene Reiko Nakamura

Are you married? If so, to whom and do you have children? I married John Nakamura in 1972. We have two children, Lora and Evan, and we have a granddog, Chucho, who is almost 11 or 77 in dog years.

1972

John, Arlene, Arlenes mom, Mitsuko Yamamoto (turning 96 in March), Lora (holding Chucho), and Evan.

How did you get involved with Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai? I got involved with Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai in 2001 when my family went on a trip to Yamaguchi planned by the kenjinkai. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the land of my ancestors, visit my moms childhood home, meet four of my aunts and several of my cousins. It was also a time of bonding with other kenjinkai members. We were treated as VIP by the prefectural government, met Governor Sekinari Nii, made the local news, stayed in a lavish Japanese ryokan owned by Mrs. Sakamuras brother who made the arrangements for our stay, visited the onsen on several occasions, toured the kintai bridge, watched the cormorant fish, learned about Hagiware...well, I could go on and on, but that was my introduction to our kenjinkai. Do you have a special or proud memory (or memories)? We wear many hats in our lives. So as a mother, of course, the birth of my kids was amazing. As a teacher, coaching an underdog team of 6th graders to compete on the TV show Kid Quiz, and watching them win the championship on National TV was truly a "Cinderella Story" to be proud of. As a professional, to be chosen as one of L.A. Countys Teachers of the Year was very humbling. As a member of the Japanese American community, participating in the kenjinkai has brought another dimension to my life that I didnt expect. Representing our nanka group (as they refer to us in Japan) as the first female president at the 3rd World Meeting in Yamaguchi was a very proud moment. Where have you traveled? We love our annual trips to Avila Beach, June Lake and Palm Desert. Occasionally we venture out to visit other countries including Spain, France, Japan and China. In the future, wed like to visit more of the National Parks in the U.S. and to see more of the countries in Europe. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Now that Im retired, I am enjoying many weekly classes that help me stay active and healthy: qigong, yoga, line dance and golf. I also look forward to meeting with friends once a month to play mah jong. As for TV, I love any type of game show. I also enjoy the daily crossword puzzles and sudoku puzzles in the newspaper. Submitted by Arlene Nakamura
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Kokoro Taiko with the largest taiko outside of Japan.

Metal Sculptures made by Victor.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I still work at the lawnmower shop 5 days a week, 10 hours a day, with my wife and son, but I try to make it a point to go fishing at least once a week. I am currently crafting pens, bowls, pepper mills, cheese cutting boards, keychains, shoehorns, an even back scratchers, all made of wood. I am constantly trying to improve my wood-crafting skills by studying videos of Japans famous woodcraftsmen. For the Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City Associations 50th Anniversary in October, I am restoring a 900 lb. mikoshi that was a gift from Yokkaichi to Long Beach in 1963.
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Submitted by Vic Fukuhara

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Scholarship Applications
Scholarship applications are now available to graduating seniors who are descendants of Yamaguchi. Contact Scholarship Chairperson, Arlene Nakamura Email: arlenenakamura@gmail.com Phone: 626.281.6548 You can also find the application on Facebook at Yamaguchi-Kenjinkai-Los Angeles.
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Join Us at Our Annual Picnic!

Our annual summer picnic is one of the highlights of the kenjinkai. It's a time when we commonly see four generations sharing the shade of a tree as well as sharing laughter, memories, food and shaved ice! There are races and games for toddlers, teenagers and seniors. Everyone who wants to sing Karaoke in Japanese or English, learn ondo and the latest line dance are all welcome; and everyone gets a chance to win terrific prizes. It's a fun time for all and we hope you can join us in the festivities! When: Where: Time: Sunday, June 23, 2013 Elysian Park's Leo Politi Picnic Grounds Usually around 11:30 AM, however, definite start time will be announced at a later date.

There are 13 cities in Yamaguchi. Where did your family come from? Hagi Hikari Hfu Iwakuni Kudamatsu Mine Nagato San'y-Onoda Shimonoseki Shnan Ube Yamaguchi (capital) Yanai

We can always use extra hands to set up/clean up and help with the various events. If you are interested, please contact any one of our board members below.

Traits of the Snake: A person born in the year of snake is wise and enigmatic. He/she can become a philosopher, a theologian, a politician or a wily financier. A thinker who likes to live well, who loves books, music, clothes, and fine food; but with all his fondness for the good things of life, his innate elegance gives him a dislike for frivolities and foolish talk. 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013. Famous people born in the Year of the Snake: Bob Dylan Greta Garbo Audrey Hepburn Carole King Abraham Lincoln Alfred Nobel Grace Kelly Jackie Kennedy Sarah Jessica Parker Brad Pitt
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2012 Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai Picnic.

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J.K. Rowling Shakira Martha Stewart Oprah Winfrey Virginia Woolf

Like Us on Facebook
Check out the fantastic Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai Facebook page, created and administered by Steven & Millie Tani, where you can find loads of information about upcoming NYK events, photos and newsletters, as well as general news about the Nikkei community.

2013 Board Richard Fukuhara......................................... President richard@fukuharafoto.com Arturo Yoshimoto.................................. Vice President kensay@usa.net Candace Watase .......................................... Secretary kencanlau03@gmail.com Naomi Suenaka............................................ Treasurer NSDerr@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor Arlene Nakamura ......... arlenenakamura@gmail.com Newsletter Creator & Publisher Aki Fukuhara-Vaughn ........... aki.vaughn@yahoo.com Contributors to this Issue Henry Yasuda (translation) and photographers: Richard Fukuhara, Steven Tani and Bruce Thompson.

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