August 26th 2018 O.A.

Nisei Week Coronation

The summer festival for LA Japanese American community¨ Nisei Week was held for a month since July and attracted many people.
The LA Tanabata Festival was held on August 11th and 12th at the JANM.
This is the 10th year for the event held by the Nisei Week Foundation¨ Little Tokyo Koban and Visitorßs Center and the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai.
The colorful decorations made by local organizations¨ individual and companies entertained the visitors.
The Nisei Week Coronation was held at the Aratani Theater on August 11th.
Nisei Week Coronation is an event where the Nisei Queen is chosen.
Participants must be a female under the age of 25 who is elected by the Japanese organizations in LA. 6 were nominated as candidate this year.
They all performed manners¨ dance and speech they practiced for 3 months.
The decision was based on elegance along with how intellectual the candidates are and personality.
And the results.
Alice Amano was given the gown and tiara from 2017 Queen¨ Jordyn Adachi.
Kelly Midori Tsunawaki was chosen as the 1st Princess.
Juli Ann Drindak was chosen as Miss Tomodachi.
The Queen and court will represent the Japanese American community for a year and appear in various events held in LA. They will also visit locations nationwide and act as an ambassador when visiting Nagoya, Japan the sister city of LA.

Nisei Week Grand Parade

The following day, August 12th was the Grand Parade.
It is the main event where cultural organizations, companies and government officials participate. The street was filled with huge gallery watching the parade.
The veterans who served in WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War started the parade.
This year’s Parade Marshal was actor and comedian, Aaron Takahashi.
Vincent Okamoto, a former American judge and a Vietnam War veteran was chosen as the Grand
Marshal.
Bon dance is held every year living up the event. This year’s theme was “Tokyo Olympics 2020” and “Victory.”
It was choreographed by Fujima Kansuma who became 100 years old this year.
Then came taiko drums, karate and judo organizations with anime and cosplay organizations following.
The “Nebuta” catching the spotlight for the last few years came out on the second half of the parade.
The appearance of the second generation nebuta float excited the
audience.
Lastly came the new Queen and court who were crowned the day before.
They wrapped up the festival by
waving and smiling to the audience.

Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship

The World Gyoza Eating Contest by Day-Lee Foods, Inc. was held at the JANM on August 18th.
This contest is officially recognized by the Major League Eating (MLE) and is the 12th year.
The Nisei Week staff and the Queen and court of the previous year competed at the opening act.
Followed by the LA Fire Department fighting against the LAPD.
“Helping Hands” Nininbaori act contest was held between Kenjinkais, too.
At the main event, 18 food fighters competed.
Joey Chestnut is last year’s winner and currently ranks 1st in the world for MLE.
All the eyes were on him and Matt Stonie who ranks 3rd and Geoffrey Esper, last year’s runner-up.
The one who eats the most gyoza in 10 minutes is the winner.
The competitors stuff their faces with gyoza.
Joey Chestnut defended his title. He ate 359 gyozas in total.
A winning trophy and $2000 were granted to him.
Geoffrey Esper was the runner-up eating 297 gyozas. Matt Stonie finished 4th place eating 222 pieces.
Day-Lee foods will be donating 1 case of food products to the LA food bank for each plate eaten at the contest.

Sake & Food Exhibition

The event by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. that imports Japanese food products was held on August 4th at Anaheim Business Expo Center.
This event is annually held for food industry individuals and is the 11th year.
The eating utensils were popular at the event.
This is a project organized with vendors from Japan and attracted many restaurant individuals since good as new utensils were available at a great deal.
30 brewers from Japan exhibited at the sake booth.
Local junmai, ginjo, daiginjo, beer and shochu from all over Japan was
introduced.
“Tan taka tan”, a Hokkaido shochu using Japanese shiso and the popular “Karuizawa Beer” attracted attention.
More than 50 Japanese food related companies participated at the food booth.
Other than the popular ramen and takoyaki, unique vegan sushi using tomatoes were introduced.
1200 people have attended this year and was busy throughout the day.