North America Okinawa Kenjinkai Summit

On June 13 and 14, the North America Okinawa Kenjinkai Summit was held in Downtown Los Angeles.

This event was organized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government to strengthen networks with people of Okinawan descent living in North America.

Currently, there are said to be 55 Okinawa Kenjinkai across North America, including in Hawaii and Canada.

This summit is also part of the lead-up to the 8th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, scheduled to be held in 2027.
In preparation for the once-every-five-years global reunion in Okinawa, Kenjinkai representatives from across North America took part.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki joined the summit for discussions and idea exchange.

The summit also featured cultural exchanges through traditional performing arts.
A proclamation was presented by Al Muratsuchi, a California State Assemblymember originally from Okinawa.
Instead of the traditional sake barrel ceremony, the Awamori Ceremony was performed.
Kenjinkai from each region showcased Ryukyuan dance, performances of sanshin and eisa, and the lion dance, celebrating Okinawan culture.

As a special highlight, Governor Tamaki himself gave a demonstration of Okinawan karate.

Sushi & Washoku School

On Thursday, June 25th, a graduation ceremony was held at the Miyako Sushi & Washoku School in Little Tokyo.

Miyako Sushi & Washoku School was founded by Mutual Trading, a Japanese food importer and wholesaler, in partnership with the Katsu-Ya Group, which operates restaurants like Sushi Katsu-Ya.
The school aims to train chefs equipped with traditional Japanese culinary skills and spirit, and its predecessor sushi school was founded in 2008.

The curriculum was created by Katsu-Ya Group’s owner-chef, Katsuya Uechi, and experienced chefs from the group serve as instructors.
The students range from complete beginners to working cooks, and from those who enjoy cooking as a hobby to those aiming to become professionals.

In the classes, students learn practical foundational skills such as how to use knives and frying pans, how to prepare and fillet various fish, how to roll sushi, and how to make nigiri sushi.
Great importance is placed on learning hygiene management, Japanese food culture, and the mindset of sushi chefs, which reflects the true meaning of Washoku.

Miyako Sushi & Washoku School offers both Sushi and Washoku of California Cuisine courses. Detailed information can be found on the school’s website.