ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

November– December

M/M John Ciranna $125

Tobis Matsumura $23.48 (Truist)

Todd Mathes $65 (Truist)

M/M Akira Watanabe (Merchandise)

M/M Yuso Kurihara (Merchandise)

Carmen Maranon $50 in memory of

Roy Okimoto Sr.

Nobuyo Saito $60 (50th Anniversary)

C.T. Masuo $100

Ms Monica Delanty $500 (life membership)

Mrs. Shirley Oshiro $50

M/M Dan Ikemoto $200 (NDC)

M/M Yuso Kurihara $500

Mr. Joey Hosoda $40

Mrs. Miki Okimoto $300

Anonymous $1,000 in memory of

Dolphine Umeda

M/M Paul Ogasawara $100

Norwalk Kendo Dojo $500

Ms Margaret Saito $250 in memory of

Tom Saito

Rusty’s Automotive $140

Thank you for your kind generosity

and continuing support..

友

達

Southeast

Carnival is just around the corner (July 25th and 26th). For those who would like to

Tomodachi

Tomodachi

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E

Volume 19, Issue 1

January 2014 Newsletter

Southeast Japanese School & Community Center

14615 S. Gridley Rd. Norwalk CA 90650

Website: www.sejscc.org 562-863-5996

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Holidays. I just can’t believe the year

2013 has come and gone and the year 2014 is upon us already.

SEJS had their Advisory Committee meeting in December with a

dinner to say thank you to all the hard working volunteers at the Center.

It’s all of the volunteers that make the Center the way it is now. SEJS is

very appreciative. Thank you.

As you may know the SEJS did not have the annual meeting in De-

cember. The annual meeting has been moved to June 1 due to the fiscal

year end report.

Attention, all graduating seniors! We will be accepting applications

for the NERIO/SEJSCC Scholarship. The form is available on the SEJS

website (SEJSCC.org). The deadline for the Scholarship will be on

March 1, 2014. The scholarships will be presented at the annual Recog-

nition Dinner on Sunday April 13, 2014. Scholarship winners must be

present, at the dinner, to receive their award.

This year center clean up will be held on Sunday, March 23 from

9:00 to 12:00. The center would like several volunteers from each organ-

ization to help out. We will be working outside and cleaning inside.

Bring your gloves, rakes, buckets and cleaning supplies etc. The Center

appreciates all the help it can get to make this a wonderful center.

Richard Shinomoto IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Message p. 1

Japanese School p. 2

Hikari Taiko p. 3

Norwalk Dance Club p. 4

Norwalk Kendo p. 5

Nikkei Seniors p. 6

Calendar p. 6

Norwalk Karaoke Club p. 6

Norwalk Youth Sports p. 7

Norwalk Judo p. 8

Happy New Year

2014

Year of the Horse

Please support Japanese School

Purchase Marukai Gift Certificates Available in $10 denominations

Ask any Board member Also available at the Monthly Bingo

Page 2 Tomodachi

明けましておめでとうございます。

Thanks to all our supporters, our school had another

successful year. 2014 is the year of the horse. Our

school will begin January 4th.

Thanks to the Judo members, the students experi-

enced mochitsuki and tasted fresh made mochi. On

the last school day of the year, a very special visitor

from the North Pole came to school and visited all the

students and brought presents. On the first day of

school students will again experience culture with a

taste of ozooni, a tradition of mochi eating on New

Year's Day. The students will also listen to the story of

how the 12 animals were selected to represent the

years.

All students participated in the annual nengajo con-

test. The cards are on display in the hallway. Stu-

dents will vote for the best card in each age category.

A few of our best ones were sent to the national con-

test. In the past we had a number of winners from our

school.

After two long weeks of winter break, the students will

be ready for the end of the first semester. We will be

preparing for the mid-term examinations to be held at

the end of the month.

The annual New Year celebration dinner will be held

on January 25th at 6:30 PM in the dojo. It will be a

potluck. All students of the school will provide the en-

tertainment. Mark your calendars.

The Japanese School is planning a trip to Japan in

June. A group of students and some parents will be

participating. The parents are planning a series of

fundraising to help with the cost. The first event was a

bento sale. It was very successful. The bento sale is

scheduled for once a month. Check our calendar for

the next bento sale. Silent Auction and white elephant

sale will be conducted at the New Year Party January

25th. Please donate items for sale.

J A P A N E S E S C H O O L

Tomodachi Page 3

Mary Jane Mayeda

Happy New Year and a healthy, safe and prosper-

ous 2014 to all. The year 2013 has been very good to

Hikari Taiko. We ended it with a great Christmas party

on December 15th.

We thank the Judo Dojo for putting up the mats

and for Japanese School for leaving their Christmas

tree in that room so we can use it for our party.

We hope that this New Year will bring goodness

and success to all the organizations. We are truly

blessed to have such a great foundation and communi-

ty center with their loyal leaders to keep us going.

On a sad note, we will miss Kiyoko Tanaka who

passed away on Friday, December 13th. We will miss

her very much. Her vibrant energy, smile and determi-

nation to do all she loves is so remarkable. She was

with Hikari Taiko for 5 years and also in the Karaoke

Club and Ikebana Club. She even wrote a music piece

with her cat as an inspiration.

We wish her family deep sympathy but knowing

she is with her husband now in heaven. Thank you

Kiyoko for your inspiration.

We congratulate Yoko Kawamura for receiving the

Tak Murata award for 2013.

I also want to thank the Christmas committee who did

a great job decorating the judo dojo for our party. Sha-

ron Esparza and her mother, Kurt Hamra and his moth-

er Doris, Angela & Juve, Lou and Sharon, Helen, Lilly,

Linda, Harriet, Joyce, Mercedes, Jean, Gladys, Julie,

Michael and all the rest who stayed behind to clean up.

Happy New Year to all!

Reminder... Feb. 1 Host: Taiko

Serving lasagna

BINGO Mar 1 Apr 5 Host: NYS

6:30 pm

Dinner served at 6 pm

First Saturday Of the month

Come join us!

H I K A R I T A I K O

Tomodachi Page 4

Connie Ciranna

Norwalk’s November 23rd Dance

Another wonderful evening of 77 dancers

from Gardena, Langley, NDC, & friends attending!

Thanks to chairperson, Helen Hikiji, & her kitchen

helpers – Dennis & Aileen Muraki, Jean Ikemoto,

Sonita Seng, & Irene Yip, who prepared our snack for

the evening. On each plate they put on a slice of piz-

za, green salad, & a slice of delicious pumpkin

cheesecake roll.

To top off the evening, Harriet Yamada tested the

group by playing a Trivia Quiz Game with a Thanks-

giving theme. One question was “How many pilgrims

came over on the Mayflower? & What team started

the first Thanksgiving football game in 1934?” The

winner was King Yee with runner-ups.

Their prize was a dance coupon.

Oh, our DJ for the evening was Jim Noe, playing

music prepared by Yuso Kurihara who was having

fun with his wife Edna in Las Vegas. Thanks Jim!

N O R W A L K D A N C E C L U B 2013 New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance

Norwalk Dance Club

Harriet, Helen, & Edna did a fabulous job in

making this year-end dance such a success! As the 98

guests enjoyed a Buffet Dinner by Unique Catering,

they were also able to enjoy the decorations around the

room. The evening included not only dancing to the

music of our DJ, Yuso, but we were treated with special

performances by Laurin Tiangco (9 yrs.) & Alex Bannykh

(10yrs.), champion Latin Dancers, Kenny & Chiemi

Yukimasa (waltz), & Frank Trapp, Keiko Isshiki, James

& Andrea Gutman (Christmas Segue). There were also

line dances, door prizes, & a fun game called “Kleenex

Box Boogie”.

The countdown to midnight began with a toast

to the New Year & then … The balloons from the ceiling

falls. Everyone scrambled to get a balloon with money

inside. What a scene! 2014 is here!

The Norwalk Dance Club wants to thank all

those who came to the dance & especially those who

volunteered with all the decorations! Geoff & Karen

Chow, Richard & Gloria Sakoda, Betty Oshiro, Kenny

Yukimasa, Lori & Katie Sunahara, Richard Shinomoto,

Doris Yarwood, Kurt Hamra, Helen, George, Edna, Yuso,

Jim, Harriet, & Ben. Last but not least, thanks to all the

generous Door Prize donors! Happy New Year!

Tomodachi

N O R W A L K K E N D O D O J O

Henmi Morihei sensei has been our chief advisor

since last year, after Yamaguchi sensei passed away

and Koh sensei retired back to Taiwan. Just shy of 80

years old, Henmi sensei was practicing kendo regularly

(and regularly beating us all up!), not to mention main-

taining an awesome golf game. So we were very

shocked when he announced he would be retiring from

kendo at the end of this year.

Henmi sensei joined Norwalk Dojo in April 1973 at

the age of 39. He received shodan in 1974 and ad-

vanced rapidly, receiving 7 dan in 1995. As an extreme-

ly serious and dedicated student of kendo, he devoted

his evenings and weekends to not only practicing ken-

do, but also studying kendo books and videos from Ja-

pan. He was head instructor of Norwalk Dojo from about

1985 to 2001, and it is largely due to his influence that

Norwalk Dojo places such a heavy influence on solid,

basic kendo today.

Our year-end party on December 20th was therefore

touched with sadness, as it was Henmi sensei’s last

Christmas party with us as an official member of our

teaching staff. We appreciate all he has done for us,

and are really going to miss him. While we wish him all

Page 5

the best in his retirement, we also hope he stays a

part of the Norwalk Kendo Dojo family in the years

to come!

We will have a full year in 2014, with many

events including the U.S. Kendo Championships in

June. It is also an important membership year, so

we hope all current kenshi return next year, and

that we have both new members and former mem-

bers (re)joining us at the dojo.

Norwalk Kendo Dojo practices Mondays from 7:00

to 8:30 pm and Fridays from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. We

also practice iaido from 9 to 10:30 pm on Mon-

days. New members are welcome; beginners are

accepted at the start of each odd month. Please

see our website at http://www.eanet.com/norwalk

for information about Norwalk Kendo Dojo, includ-

ing upcoming and past events as well as how to

join, or send email to norwalkkendo@gmail.com.

Norwalk Kendo Dojo kenshi and parents, in one last group photo with Henmi Morihei sensei (photo by Dennis Ralutin)

Tomodachi Page 6

CALENDAR

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Nerio Scholarship Applications

Download at sejscc.org

Application Deadline March 1, 2014

Operating Bd Mtg-1st Wed Monthly 7pm

Center Bd Mtg-2nd Wed Monthly 7 pm

Jan 4 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm

25 Monthly Dance 6:00 pm

25 Japanese School New Year Party

Feb 1 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm

15 CAJLS Seminar 9:00-4:00

22 Monthly Dance 6:00 pm

Mar 1 Nerio Scholarship Application Due

1 Monthly Bingo 6:30 pm

15 NYS Jr Banquet

23 Center Clean up 9:00 am

Apr 13 Recognition Dinner 5:00 pm

N O R W A L K K A R A O K E C L U B

It is with regret and sadness that the Norwalk

Karaoke Club has decided to terminate our class at

the Norwalk center effective on January 1, 2014.

Founded in 1987 by Rose Ozawa and Tokuishi

sensei, the group flourished under their guidance

together with the leadership of our late president

Kaz Miyake. We have many wonderful memories

participating in the many activities at the center.

However in recent years, our class has fallen into

hard times with declining membership due to

death, old age, our inability to attract new members

and general lack of interest. In an attempt to at-

tract more members, we will be relocating to a

more centralized area in Orange County. We thank

the Norwalk Community Center for allowing us to

participate at the Center for all these years. We

leave with many fond memories.

N I K K E I S E N I O R S

Toby Fusato

The Nikkei Seniors enjoyed their many activi-

ties for this 2013 year and look forward to

more of the same for 2014 with new activi-

ties. Under the Co-chairs of HARRIET SUGITA,

ARLENE TAKESHITA, BETTY OSHIRO and

BECKY SHINOMOTO, the Nikkei Seniors en-

joyed a delicious Christmas luncheon held at

the Tokyo Buffet and some lucky game win-

ners won wonderful prizes.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY

NEW YEAR to all from the Nikkei Seniors.

S E J S C C

B O A R D M E M B E R S

If you wish to contact any of the board members, please call the Center and leave a message. Jim Niiro

Calvin Chang

Lynn Chang

Linda Kusuda

Kimie Matsumoto

Fred Matsumoto

Mas Onoda

Richard Shinomoto

Tosh Teramoto

Bob Yamada

Carrie Nakatani

Ted Yoshimura

“Tomodachi”, 14615 Gridley Rd.,

Norwalk CA 90650.

Tel: 562-863-5996. Published 6 times annually by

the Southeast Japanese School and Community

Center. A no charge newsletter informing all

participants of activities on a one per household

basis. Bulk Mail Postage Paid at Norwalk, CA.

Editor: SEJSCC Staff; Advertising & Mailing:

SEJSCC Staff, Mas Onoda, Gakuen PTA and

Norwalk Nikkei Seniors.

Southeast Japanese School & Community Center Activities List

If you are interested in any of the activities at the Center, please contact the person listed below

Southeast Gakuen: Kimie Matsumoto 562 926.2536 Hikari Taiko: Mary Jane Mayeda 562 924.1454

Shuji (Calligraphy): “ “ “ Norwalk Nikkei Seniors: Toby Fusato 562 .860.7368

Ikebana (Flower Arrgmt): Ogawa Sensei 714 893.1245 Guitar Class: Yuji Hata 562 695.1908

Japanese Classical Dance: Akemi Jensen 562 691.2764 Na Wahine ‘O Kawena: Karen Toyoshiba 562 863-5996

Norwalk Youth Sports: Rich Tamaki rytamaki@yahoo.com Hawaiian Karaoke Club: Stan Shimomura 562-865-9672

Kendo: Jean Kodama Sensei email: norwalkkendo@gmail.com Ukulele Class: Kamaki Keawe 714-928-7157

Karate: Brock Nishimura 714 826.9128 Norwalk Dance Club: Edna Kur ihara 714 847.1173

Judo: Bill Matsubara 562 483 9374

Tomodachi Page 7

N O R W A L K Y O U T H S P O R T S

Santa’s Elves in Royal Blue and White

In the spirit of giving, NYS Blue Angels and Blue

Diamonds joined forces on Sunday, December

15th, 2013 at Garden Grove High School during

the SEYO League games in a fundraiser to help

fulfill another child’s wish for his mother.

Thirteen year old Jacob Manetta’s only wish for

his mother, Shawna who has stage IV breast can-

cer, is to take her to Italy before she passes away.

Jacob reached out to friends and family back in

November 2013 asking for any donations

(recyclables, loose change, etc.) to help him raise

money for the trip. Madeline Jacobe of the NYS

Blue Diamonds is good friends with Jacob’s sister,

Emma, and wanted to do something to help. After

obtaining permission from the SEYO Board to hold

the fundraiser at Garden Grove High School on

two Sundays during the SEYO Winter League,

Madeline asked her team, Blue Diamonds, and

her sister’s team, Blue Angels, to help with the

fundraiser.

The Blue Angels and Blue Diamonds packaged

baked goods and treats to give out with each $5

donation received. With much energy and enthu-

siasm, the two teams took turns during the hours

between their games to walk around the gyms

with their baskets of goodies asking for donations.

The girls were touched by the generosity of the

SEYO Community, who helped make the first day

of the fundraiser a huge success. The second

By Ngoc Tram Vu

day of the fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, January

19, 2014.

Thank you to the NYS Blue Angels and Blue Diamonds

and to the entire SEYO Community for your generous

support!!

By June Uyekawa N O R W A L K J U D O D O J O

Page 8 Tomodachi

As we look forward to the coming year with hope,

optimism and good fortune, let us congratulate those

individuals that were awarded for their accomplish-

ments this year.

First and foremost, a big DOMO ARIGATO to those

who pounded, rolled, packed over 300 lbs of mochi

this year.

Saturday, December 7th proved to be a day of

great effort and fortune for Albert Lee as well, for he

placed first place in the Boys 13-14 64 kg Advanced

Division in the 2013 Winter Nationals held at the Fe-

lix Event Center on the Azusa Pacific University cam-

pus. Congratulations Albert, your hard work and per-

severance has brought you accolades from your

peers and family.

Our potluck Holiday party on December 20th was

filled with great food, good company and did I say a

lot of delicious food ?

Another hidden talent that emerged was the

evening’s emcee Kris Witowich, a well-travelled

yudansha member---my goodness, he had the kid’s

attention.

Without further ado, our deserving recipients

were as follows:

Fighting Spirit Sportsmanship

Robyn Shin Kyle Morishima

Billy Matsubara Louis Zhang

Desmond Wong Darwin Juan

Best Technique Most Improved

Joshua Chen Owen Lee

Albert Lee Joshua Nam

Kris Witowich Frank Om

Most Tournament Wins

Conor Uyekawa

Kay Sugahara

Godwin Obele

Our distinguished Judoka of the Year was presented to

Albert Lee

Congratulations to all of our awardees.

We also celebrated the most deserving award to

one of our longest yudansha member, Bill Shears

Sensei. He has been a member of Norwalk Judo Dojo

since 1964, represented Nanka on numerous teams,

recipient of countless awards, and a student of the late

great Sensei Shigeo Tashima. He was also on the Good-

will Mission Team which traveled to Japan. He has the

honor of promotion to Roku dan (sixth degree) black belt

judoka which is reflected by the presentation of a red

and white striped belt. Only a select few have reached

this pinnacle and we are fortunate to house three, Fuku-

ma Sensei (7th degree), Nagatoshi Sensei (7th degree)

and now Shears Sensei has obtained 6th degree. Such

honor and prestige have gone unnoticed because of the

humbleness and skill level to the art of judo from our

esteemed senseis. Our sincerest congratulations to you

Shears Sensei. We celebrate your accomplishment with

you.

We continue to look forward for that is the direction

we are going; our accomplishments speak for them-

selves, our commitment and dedication is evident. We

thank you for your continued support and look forward

to sharing our life with you.

I leave you with the words of the infamous Mrs. Ju-

do, Keiko Fukuda---the first woman in the world to attain

a 10th degree black belt:

Be strong

Be gentle

Be beautiful.

2 0 1 3 Y E A R I N R E V I E W

Page 9 Tomodachi

Tomodachi Page 8

David B. Akiyoshi, D.D.S. Family Dentistry

1133 W. Gardena Blvd.

Gardena, California 90247

Senior Discounts (310) 327-7165

Sat. & Eve. Appts.

Tomodachi Page 11

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Southeast Japanese School & Community Center

“Tomodachi” A Bimonthly Newsletter

November 2013

Norwalk CA 90650

Cerritos Center Office

18616 South Gridley Road

Artesia, CA 90701

Tel. (562) 865-7917

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Maha Rayan Branch Manager

Vice President