Members and guests of the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California at their New Year’s luncheon in February at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance.
The Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California will celebrate its 120th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center, located at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo.
Attendees can enjoy a tea ceremony, kendo demonstration, Japanese dance (buyo) performance, and displays of calligraphy (shodo), flower arrangements (ikebana), and batik (roketsuzome), all within the beautiful surroundings of the James Irvine Japanese Garden.
JWSSC, a nonprofit organization, began on March 27, 1904 in Los Angeles as the Rafu Fujinkai, when a group of women began sending care packages to Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.
In 1930, the Fujinkai brought together Buddhist, Christian, and other women’s organizations to coordinate their activities under the Nanka Fujinkai Renmei (Federation of Southern California Japanese Women). A golden era followed the Fujinkai’s volunteer work, which expanded into many areas of social welfare. The Fujinkai also introduced and promoted the Japanese cultural arts to build goodwill and friendly relations between Japan and the U.S.
In 1937, over 3,000 people witnessed the dedication of the Fujinkai’s 23.5-foot stone monument at Evergreen Cemetery in Boyle Heights to honor deceased Japanese pioneers. In 1953, Crown Prince Akihito of Japan recognized the monument with the planting of two trees and a dedication plaque. To this day, a service is conducted at the monument every Memorial Day.
In 1956, the organization adopted its present name, Nanka Nikkei Fujinkai (南加日系婦人會). After 120 years, the JWSSC continues to volunteer support in the community, including by yearly participation in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California’s (JCCSC) Oshogatsu Festival; in Memorial Day services at Evergreen Cemetery; in the Women of the Year event co-sponsored with the Downtown L.A. JACL; and at Nisei Week.
Other special participations have been the JCCSC year-end charity drives and donations for the 9/11 tragedy, Hurricane Katrina, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and Love to Nippon Project.
The JWSSC also provides annual monetary support for other nonprofit organizations as well as visitations to Kei-Ai Nursing Home. Its senseis and other members continue to share the Japanese cultural arts of ikebana, chado, shodo, koto and odori in their community.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. with a tea ceremony at 10:15 a.m. and the program/lunch at 11:45 a.m. The cost of $90 can be by check or cash (no credit cards). Registration must be made by Sept. 27. For more information, email [email protected] or contact Kitty Sankey at (213) 709-7438.