By GWEN MURANAKA, RAFU SENIOR EDITOR
Under the watchful gaze of Robert Vargas’ Shohei Ohtani mural, Nisei Week concluded its 82ndfestival on Aug. 18 with a joyful nod to both the past and the future of Little Tokyo.
Thousands filled First Street as the historic Downtown neighborhood celebrated its 140thanniversary steps from where Hamanosuke Sugita opened the first Japanese-owned business, Kame Restaurant, in 1884, now the site of Bunka-Do gift shop.
The crowd tossed colorful streamers into the air to celebrate the anniversary, led by Kristin Fukushima of Little Tokyo Community Council and Mike Okamura of the Little Tokyo Historical Society.
Joann Shin Cordeiro, president of the Nisei Week Foundation, gave special recognition to the 2021 Nisei Week Court: Queen Jaime Sunny Hasama, First Princess Brianne Mari Yasukochi and Princesses Michelle Toshiko Murakami, Kiyoko Alicia Nakatsui, and Princess Kendra Alana Motoyasu.
The festival was canceled in 2020 and altered in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. Still, Shin Cordeiro said Nisei Week is what continues to bring the community together.
“We recognize how fortunate we are to have this celebration for 82 years,” she said. “We have so many multiple generations that are a part of this festival This year we celebrate connection, that is the theme and it really is inspired by the beautiful and meaningful ways we come together as a community to celebrate Japanese and Japanese American heritage and tradition.
“What makes me so inspired is to see our young rising leaders and they are going to be representing our community this year.”
James Okazaki and Junko Goda served as emcees, standing atop the yagura in the middle of First Street. They provided encouragement to the dancers, welcoming all to join.
“I notice we filled up the street! San Jose is claiming to have the largest group of ondo dancers at one event,” said Okazaki. “They’re claiming 3,500 so we’re hoping we get more people joiing us to beat that number. Let’s get 4,000 people out there!”
Leading the dancers were Nisei Week Queen Morgan Mayuko Gee, First Princess Seia Loraine Watanabe, Miss Tomodachi Amy Ryoko Kubo and Princesses Carina Aiko Sakimura, Anita Sumi Yayi Komatsu,and Caitlyn Tera Sasaki.
Dance groups included Hanayagi Rokufukumi Kai (led by this year’s Nisei Week choreographer), Japanese American National Museum, L.A. Bando Ryu, Go For Broke National Education Center, Bando-ryu Kyo no Kai, Fujima Kansuma Kai, Japanese-Speaking Parents Association of Children with Challenges, Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program, Kotobuki no Kai Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai, Nippon Minyo Kenkyu Kai Hoshun Kai, San Fernando Valley Meiji Dance Club, Valley Japanese Community Center, Long Beach Ondo, Terminal Islanders, Little Tokyo Dance Club, Team Kawachi Ondo L.A. Kansai Club, and Nisei Week Public Community Ondo Dancers.
Dancers lined the street performing popular ondo dances including “Sho Tokyo Ondo,” “Kyushu Tanko Bushi,” and “Nagoya Maruhachi Ondo.” “Bambutsu no Tsunagari” was performed by “Atomic” Nancy Sekizawa and Mariko Rooks with Sean Miura on shamisen. Live music was provided by Minyo Station, L.A. Taiko Collective and Ryujin Taiko.
Consul General Kenko Sone awarded special recognition to Robert Vargas for his mural “L.A. Rising,” which was recently unveiled on the side of the Miyako Hotel. Vargas will be throwing the first pitch at the Dodgers game on Sept. 8 with Shohei Ohtani catching.
As the dancers took a break, Tamlyn Tomita introduced the cast of “Ultraman Rising,” a Japanese-American co-production which is being shown on Netflix.
After the dancing, certificates were presented to participating groups and the final raffle prizes were awarded.
Steve Kaneshiro traveled from Honolulu to experience the festival. His uncle Edwin Yoshida worked for NASA and was a close friend of Ellison Onizuka, the late astronaut who was a Nisei Week grand marshal.
“I passed the Ellison Onizuka Memorial. I love (Little Tokyo), all the decorations, the buildings. Everyting is so quaint, it’s like an old town. I love it,” Kaneshiro said.
Sean Lee brought his family for Nisei Week. He owns Cap Robot on First Street North and said he has been part of Little Tokyo for seven years.
“The community is good,” Lee said.
Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS and JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo