Dec 3rd 2017 O.A.
Kimono class
Sunday, November 19th was a kimono class at the Shoseian, located inside Glendale’s Brand Park. This event was held by Glendale and Friends of Shoseian. Varieties of cultural classes are held every month at this tea ceremony room. The Nadeshiko Organization participated this time to spread the kimono culture. This class concentrated on kimonos for adults, and kimono demonstrations were done by 2 former Miss Hanagasa winners as models. The participants had the opportunity of actually wearing the kimono and experienced the Japanese culture. The Shoseian was found in 1974 celebrating the friendship between the city of Glendale and Higashiosaka, Japan. Lately, the tea ceremony has aged so the local volunteer group, Friends of Shoseian are calling for donations to the repairing fee. 20 people participated in this event They enjoyed the Japanese culture while helping out the fundraiser.
LA Nebuta Part 1
“Kintoki” the second Nebuta the LA Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai made, participated in this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade. “Nebuta” always lives up the summer Nisei Week Festival and the winter Hollywood Christmas Parade. This nebuta was made this October, taking 3 weeks in making. It was made by the nebuta maker from Aomori, Hiroh Takenami and 6 other craftsmen of LA Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai. The model of this nebuta is the great warrior, Kintoki Sakata known in old Japanese fairy tales as “Kintaro”. His bravery and the koi depicts a bright future for the nebuta culture. LA Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai was formed after the nebuta of Takeda Shingen was made in 2007. The heart of wanting to spread the Japanese nebuta making in the US reached the mainstream of Aomori, Japan. Since then, the craftsmen of the two countries have deepened their friendships. A celebration happened on November 25th at the Little Tokyo’s Nanka Aomori Kenjinkaikan to congratulate the nebuta appearing in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Cheer groups from all over Japan attended this celebration and united everyone together. The next morning, the truck carrying the “Kintoki” drove to the Hollywood Christmas Parade.