January 12nd 2020 O.A.

Oshougatsu in Little Tokyo 2020

Different New Years’ events took place at Little Tokyo for New Years.
“Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo” took place on January 1st. This year is the 22nd time where attendees can experience the Japanese New Year.
The event is held by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of SoCal. President, Kaoru Kawata and Consul General, Akira Muto of Consulate General of Japan in LA appeared at the opening ceremony to state their greetings.
Breaking of the sake barrel by the representatives of the different Japanese American organizations and mochi pounding happened afterward.
Chairman, Hiroko Ikuta of the Japanese Calligraphy Society did the first writing for the year of the rat and festive performances took place on the stage, celebrating the new year.
Street foods lined up on Onizuka Street like takoyaki,
yakisoba, mochi, and amazake. Many came to pray for good fortune for the new year at the mini shrine.
A New Year’s service was held at the Koyasan Temple.
Families from all over came again to pray for their well being and a peaceful year. Afterward, a long line was formed to find out their fortune and purchasing good luck charms.
The weather was very nice this day and about 10 thousand people enjoyed the New Years’ event.

Kotohajime 2020

“Kotohajime” happened on Sunday, January 5th at Aratani Theater.

This annual ceremony is held by the JACCC and marks the 37th year.

Directed by Master Artist, Hirokazu Kosaka of JACCC, the stage depicts LA where the art culture of east and west unites as one.

Many artists based in LA and active both locally and internationally participated in the event.

Old Japanese court music and dance by the Kinnara Group of Senshin Buddhist Association.

Sufi whirling, an Islamic religious ritual performed by Yuval Ron and Aziz.

Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko

And the first bow was drawn by the LA Kyuudo Association accompanied by Tetsuya Nakamura and Yuval Ron’s musical performance.

After the performance, Patricia Wyatt who took the post last September stated her greetings. She broke the sake barrel and made a toast with related individuals.

Also at JACCC, Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center opened on B1 and a ceremony was held at the 1st floor Doizaki Gallery by the SoCal Ikebana Association, celebrating their new ikebana exhibit. Attendees were served amazake.

The ikebana exhibition will be going on until January 19th.