PJCI 2010 Nisei Week Candidate

If you know anyone that might be interested in applying to be the PJCI 2010 candidate, please download the application form and return it by January 29, 2010.

The first meeting of applicants and their parent/guardians will be held on January 31, 2010 at 1:00 PM in the Pasadena Nikkei Senior Room at the Pasadena Cultural Institute (595 Lincoln Avenue).

Please call Mr. Ron Dyo for more information. (626) 862-1170 for more information.

11th Caregiver's Conference and Resource Fair

Presented by the Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro and the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute, with organizaing committee members from the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and the First Presbyterian Church of Altadena.

Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:00 am - Registration
8:30 - 2:00 pm - Program

This event be held at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple: 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena 91103

Topics include:

• Long-Term Care-What Are My choices?
• Breaking Though the Taboo-Talking with Parents about Long-Term Care
• Legal Issues of Caregiving-Leave Your Estate to Your Family, Not the Government

Register online at

Download the Caregiver Flyer

For more information or to register, please contacdt Kanako Kusano at (323) 980-2353, kkusano@keiro.org

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 c ulture. 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 2009

The Friendship group will be heading to Japan the week of August 17th. We will follow their progress via Facebook.

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.