2010 Annual Party

At the annual party, Jamie Hagiya was introduced as the PJCI Nisei Week Queen candidate. The 2010 Amy Utsunomiya recipients were presented with their awards.

Courtney Takeda, Kelsey Lee, Mark Castellanos, and Andy Fujimoto. Not pictured is Dana Heatherton. Awards were presented by Wade Utsunomiya.

Dana Fujiko Heatherton crowned 2009 Nisei Week Queen

Dana, sponsored by the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute, was selected as the 2009 Nisei Week Queen on Saturday evening at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles Downtown.

Dana is 24 years old and gratuated from the University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in American literature and culture. She enjoys a variety of activities and hobbies, including playing basektball, learning about Los Angeles history, traveling, cooking and working with the board of directors for the UCLA.

Photo by Daniel Tam Lung. Article from the Cultural News, Online Daily.

Friendship 2010

The Friendship group will be hosting students from Japan this summer. If you are interested in hosting some of the students, or want to have your child participate in the activities. Please contact Bryan Takeda or Ron Dyo.

Click here to view the
Friendship 2005 Japan Trip Photo Page

Click to download a PJCI Membership form.

2008 PJCI Cultural Heroes

L-R) Mayor Bogaard, Yaeko & Bruce Hisayasu, Yaeko Sakahara, Mrs. Shimoji, Maki Miyahara, and Hiroshi Furusawa (Japanese Consulate)

PJCI selected five honorees who have served countless hours promoting cultural awareness to hundreds of students to honor as our Cultural Heroes.At the PJCI annual party they received scrolls from the City of Pasadena and from County Supervisor Antonovich.

Yaeko and Bruce Hisayasu have been active at the PJCI for over 40 years. Both have been involved in teaching the art of Bonsai. Mrs. Hisayasu is recognized as a "Master" by the Bonsai Society. Mr. Hisayasu has been a member of the Pasadena Sister City Committee for over 40 years, and has served as the President of the PJCI, Crown City Gardeners and Pasadena Gakuen.

Yaeko Sakahara has been teaching Ikenobo (flower arrangement) and Urasenke Tea ceremony (chado) in the Pasadena area since 1967. She received seikyoju (highest rank) in the are of tea from Hounsai Iemoto. Her students' work can is on display at the Pasadena Obon each year.

The late Tom Shimoji began teaching at the PJCI in the early 1950's at the old Pasadena Community Center on Del Mar. He earned his black belt in 1947 at Maizuru Kodokan Judo Dojo in Kyoto. He also taught Judo at various community colleges and YMCAs. He retired as a go-dan (5th degree black belt) in 2000 after teaching for 49 years at PJCI.

Maki Miyahara is a living legend in the world of kendo. Internationally renown, he was introduced to kendo by his father, Hiroji, in the early 1930's. In 1955, Miyahara-sensei became the head instructor of the PJCI Kendo Dojo, and he has also instructed at Pomona College, Valley Kendo Club and the UCLA Kendo club. Miyahara-sensei is the highest-ranking kendo instructor in the Uninted States, holding the rank of hachi dan hanshi. He was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and in 2006 was honored as a Nisei Week Pioneer.

The PJCI 2009 Annual Party

On April 5th, everyone enjoyed the bento lunch and cream puff desserts. We were entertained by the "Halau Hula `O Nalikokauikawekiulani". A local halau that practices at the Altadena Presbyterian Church.

The Amy Utsunomiya Youth Community Service Award was presented to 2 deserving youths this year. These youths were all nominated to receive this award by members of the community. Kara Yoshihara and Alexis Shibata

Wade Utsunomiya presenting Kara Yoshihara with her award.