The Fort Worth Japanese Society

Jan – Feb 2017 Newsletter www.fwjs.org

Our Mission: To foster understanding between Japanese and Americans by providing an opportunity to learn about Japan, it’s people, language and culture. Luncheon – Sunday Feb. 26th From 12:30PM at Yamagata Kaikan (Society Center) 3608 Park Lake Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133 Program: Overcoming Adversity Our luncheon this month will feature a video of Japanese Americans who contributed to mainstream American society and culture. This is especially significant because some of these people were unjustly imprisoned during WW II but overcame adversity to succeed in their fields.

Food: Gyudon (beef bowl) and sunomo Senator Daniel (Japanese salad). $12 for adults, $8.00 for Inouye receives children 8-12, free for children 7 and under. belated medal of honor Be sure to RSVP by Feb. 20th to Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email George Takei as Mr. Sulu in Star Trek [email protected] or [email protected].

Secretary Norman Mineta with Pres. Bush

Gyudon (Beef bowl) Sunomono (vegetable side dish)

- 2 - SOCIETY NEWS - RECENT EVENTS

SOCIETY NEWS – RECENT EVENTS

Bazaar – Dec. 4, 2016 at Yamagata Kaikan This was the first time we held our bazaar in our own facilities and it was a great success. We didn’t have the large teppan cooking tables like the ones we used when we held our bazaar at the Japanese Palace Restaurant, but we were able to be seated comfortably and visit with each other at a very relaxed pace. This was also the first time we had a few outside vendors offer their products at tables set at various locations in our kaikan. We earn some portion of these vendors’ sales so we had some financial benefit, but best of all, many of us were able to buy Japanese inspired merchandise that we could use as gifts for the holiday season. The obento sold at our bazaar was absolutely delicious Oshogatsu (New Year’s) Luncheon Sun. Jan 8, 2017 As usual, our Oshogatsu gathering was a great success. Over one hundred members enjoyed an amazing assortment of pot luck favorites, with many Japanese foods among our choices. Our Dondoko Taiko Drummers opened our event and we enjoyed the singing by the students of our children’s Japanese Language School. The raffle was enjoyed by all, with many, many winners. Kevin Martinez, the chef at Tokyo Café offered an omakase (Chef’s best selection) multi-course dinner for four worth $300 – which was won by David Bakutis. Congratulations to Chiga Oi and Dan Emmert for each winning the second prizes of $250 in cash and to Ian Yamagata for his good fortune in winning the $500 grand cash prize. Ian Yamagata celebrates his $500 first prize raffle.

- 3 - SOCIETY NEWS – continued

UPCOMING EVENTS

Luncheon – Feb. 26, 2017 from 12:30pm at Yamagata Kaikan The program for the luncheon this month will feature videos of four Japanese Americans who contributed to mainstream American society and culture. This is especially significant because some of these people were unjustly imprisoned during WW II but overcame adversity to succeed in their fields. Food will be gyudon (beef bowl) and sunomo (Japanese salad). $12 for adults, $8.00 for children 8-12, free for children 7 and under.

Be sure to RSVP by Feb. 20th to Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Shinbokukai (dinner-get-together) Fri. Mar. 3rd from 6pm at Tokyo Cafe We’re start this gathering in 2017 by re-visiting the site of our very first Shinbokukai, Tokyo Café (5121 Pershing Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107, Phone: (817) 737-8568). This is always a great time to relax and enjoy the company of our members. The restaurant is officially open again, to the joy of so many people who patiently waited for them to repair and renovate the restaurant after a fire closed them for over one year. RSVP by Feb. 27th to Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Luncheon – Mar. 19, 2017 from 12:30pm at Yamagata Kaikan We will celebrate Kodomo-no Hi which combines Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Day or sometimes called Girl’s Day – Mar. 3) and Tango no Sekku (Boy’s Day – May 5). We will observe this festival with Japanese games, kimono dress-up, koinobori (Japanese carp banners) and takeuma (stilts). We will serve chirashizushi and tonjiru miso soup which was so popular last time.

Japanese Garden Spring Festival – Sat. Apr. 22nd 10am-5pm and Sun. Apr. 23rd 11am-5pm It’s still a way off, but you can put in your calendar the upcoming festival. We always need many volunteers to make this a successful event. More information will be forthcoming.

- 4 - 日本人会会報

最近の出来事バザー１２月４日（日） 2016 山縣会館にて日本人会会館で初めて行ったバザーは大成功を収めました。ジャパニーズパレスで行っていた時に使っていたような大きな鉄板はありませんでしたが、快適に座り、リラクックスしたスペースでお互いに雑談することができました。そしてまた今回、初めて外部からベンダーが会館内でテーブルを設置し様々な商品を販売しました。ベン Preparing obento for the bazaar ダーの売り上げの一部を得たことは日本人会の財政的な利益にもなりましたが、私たちもホリデーシーズンのギフトとして日本の素晴らしい小物を購入できました。

お正月ランチョン１月８日（日） 2017 いつものように、お正月のランチョンは大成功でした。１００人を超えるメンバーは沢山のお気に入り食べ物と日本食のポット Chiga Oi shows off her $250 raffle prize ラックを楽しみました。どんどこ太皷の奏者によってイベントが開催され、日本語クラスの子供たちの歌を楽しみました。ラッフルも沢山の勝者で盛り上がりました。 Tokyo Caféのシェフ、ケヴェン・マルチネスさんが３００ドル相当のおまかせディナー４人分を寄付し、デーヴィッド・バクティスさんに当たりました。大井ちがさん、ダン・エマートさんに２等賞金＄２５０が当たりました。おめでとうございます。そしてイアン山縣さんが幸運にも１等賞金＄５００ドルが当たりました。

- 5 - 予定されているイベント

ランチョン２月２６日（日）１２時半より山縣会館にて２月のランチョンのプログラムは、アメリカの社会と文化に貢献した４人の日系アメリカ人を紹介したビデオを鑑賞します。第二次世界大戦中、不当に強制収容所に入れられながらも、様々な分野で成功するため、逆境に打ち勝った人たちのビデオです。メニューは牛丼と酢の物。大人１２ドル、子供８歳から１２歳が８ドル。７歳以下の子供は無料です。

参加希望者は２月２０日までにお知らせください。ハービー山縣817-737- 9166、またはEメール [email protected] or [email protected].

親睦会３月３日（金）Tokyo Café 2017年の親睦会を私たちが最初に親睦会をしたTokyo Café (5121 Pershing Ave, fort Worth, TX76107, Phone :(817)737-8568)を再訪問して行いましょう。いつも私たちメンバーが仲間とリラックスして、楽しむことのできる素晴らしい時間です。火事のため、１年以上閉まっていましたが、修理、修繕を辛抱強く待っていた多くのお客さんのために公式にオープンしています。参加希望者は２月２７日までにハービー山縣817-737-9166 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. まで。

ランチョン３月１９日（日）2017/01/18 １２時半から山縣会館にてひな祭りと端午の節句を合わせて子供の日をお祝いします。日本のゲーム、着物ドレスアップ、こいのぼり、竹馬などでお祝いします。ランチは前回人気のあったちらし寿司と豚汁です。

日本庭園春祭り４月２２日（土）午前１０時から午後５時、２３日（日）午前１１時から午後５時まで、まだ先ですが、カレンダーに春祭りの予定を入れましょう。このイベントを成功させるためには常に多くのボランティアが必要です。詳細については後日。

- 6 - Images from Recent Events

David & BJ Bakutis making okonomiyaki Ian Yamagata and Alex Sam Sumner making Taiyaki Dunaway making yakisoba

Sam and Elishia Flowers made Taiyaki Dan Emmert won a $250 Our Bazaar featured vendors Raffle Prize selling Japanese inspired gifts

Harvey Yamagata at the White House with President’s special advisor

Ikebana Int’l hosted a demonstration of Ikebono Delicious pot luck at our by Emiko Suzuki, Master Oshogatsu Teacher

- 7 - Help us raise funds for our society – use Amazon Smile Amazon Smile gives 0.5% of every qualified purchase to the Fort Worth Japanese Society

Each year, the Fort Worth Japanese Society runs a deficit, which is made up through the generous donations by our members and supporters. However, costs continue to rise, so we have joined Amazon Smile to raise some very needed cash.

This link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/75-2080094 will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of our organization so you won’t have to search for us among almost a million other organizations. It’s the easiest way to help us to carry on our mission.

More Images from Recent Events

Chiga Oi and Haruko Herness dressed Harvey Yamagata was surprised with a birthday cake. Maryliz and Komal into their kimonos He turned 71 on Jan 8, 2017.

- 8 - Weekly or Bi-Weekly Society Activities Dondoko Taiko (Drum Group) This group performs at many metroplex festivals and special events. Practice every Sunday 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Contact: Asako Cosby 817-737-6581

Kurumi Ningyo This group makes Japanese crafts and meets from 10:00am to 2:00pm every other Wednesday. Contact: Nobuko Foshee

Classical Japanese Dance This is a relatively small group meeting at the Society every Monday morning from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The instructor is Mrs. Keio Miyamoto, an accredited master of Fujima School. If anyone is interested in Japanese dances, please come and join us. The group enjoys dancing with other Fort Worthians at the spring and autumn Japanese Festival. Contact: Teruko Green Cell: 817-723-3213

Japanese Language Class Adult classes Mondays 6:00-7:30pm. (There may be other evenings, depending on class size.) Children’s classes Mondays 4:45-5:30pm (must be over 3 years old). Very reasonable tuition. Visit our website at www.fwjs.org. Contact: Harumi Sharp. Email [email protected]

- 9 - Join the Fort Worth Japanese Society www.fwjs.org Tel: 817-294-5004 The best way to contact us is via email to [email protected] MEMBERSHIP FORM for 2016 Date ______Name ______Born/Raised ______City/State/Country Name ______Born/Raised ______City/State/Country Current Address: No. & Street ______City, State, Zip ______Tel. No. Home ______Mobil ______Email ______I would like to receive my newsletter by (check one): Mail eMail I would like to be notified of coming events by (check one): Telephone eMail

If you will let us know what activities are of interest to you, such as Japanese Dance, volunteer at our the Fall and Spring Japanese Garden Festival, etc., let us know. Also, if you wish, let us know your age range and we will let you know what activities might be of interest to you. Your comments: ______Please mark (x) in front of the classification you are joining. ____ Family Membership $40.00 annually ____ Single Membership $30.00 annually ____ Associate Membership (Students) $20.00 annually Make check payable to Fort Worth Japanese Society. Mail to: Fort Worth Japanese Society c/o Harvey Yamagata 4220 Ridgehaven Road Fort Worth, TX 76116 Optional: Membership dues do not cover all expenses such as maintaining our building which facilitates all our activities. These expenses are augmented by donations and fund raising events. If you wish to make a donation at this time, please mark (X) in front of the level of donation. ___ Maple $10.00 - $49.99 ___ Ginko $50.00 - $99.99 ___ Sakura $100 and over. Donations will be recognized in our newsletter. The Fort Worth Japanese Society is a not-for-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible.

- 10 - Local Business Supporters Arigato Gozaimasu

[email protected]

Natsuko E Piano Studio 3209 Lawndale Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76133 Tel. (818) 481-1384

Piano lessons for all ages and levels. 5121 Pershing Ave Fort Worth, TX 76107 (817) 737-8568 Over 10 years of teaching experience.

Would you like to advertise in our Newsletter?

Contact Harvey Yamagata at [email protected]

- 11 - Fort Worth Japanese Society 3608 Park Lake Fort Worth, TX 76133

SAVE THE DATE Luncheon – Feb. 26th 2017 from 12:30pm at Yamagata Kaikan Food will be gyudon (beef bowl) and sunomo (Japanese salad). $12 for adults, $8.00 for children 8-12, free for children 7 and under. Be sure to RSVP by Feb. 20th to Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Shinbokukai (dinner-get-together) Fri. Mar 3rd from 6pm at Tokyo Cafe This is always a great time to relax and enjoy the company of our members. RSVP by Feb. 27th to Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Fort Worth Japanese Society www.fwjs.org Tel: 817-294-5004

Mailing Address: 4220 Ridgehaven Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76116

Kaikan (Meeting Center): 3608 Park Lake Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133