Nisei Week Court Unveiled
Saturday, July 19, 2008

The 2008 Nisei Week Festival kicks off with opening ceremonies at JANM.

Photos by JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo
The 2008 Nisei Week Court, from left, Lindy Sumiko Fujimoto, Kimberly Midori Kitaura, Kie Flora Ito, Lisa Takehana, Jill Kaori Hiraizuimi and Marissa Asako Ishii were introduced at the Nisei Week Opening Ceremony Sunday at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Dancers from the Azuma School perform the official Ondo choreographed by Madame Sumako Azuma.

The Nisei Week Foundation held its Opening Ceremony on Sunday at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), officially commencing the 68th Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

Special guests included Councilwoman Jan Perry (9th District), Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Los Angeles Consul General of Japan Junichi Ihara.

This year’s program included music from Jose Tanaka on the flamenco guitar and a special ondo demonstration of Hiroshima’s songs “Obon” and “One Wish” that were both choreographed by the 2008 Nisei Week Parade Cho­reographer Madame Sumako Azuma.

Reverend Alfred Tsuyuki of Konko Church of Los Angeles blessed the event by performing the annual puri­fication ceremony.

And the 2008 Nisei queen candidates were given their introduction. The court includes: Lisa Takehana (Japanese Restaurant Association of Southern California), Kimberly Midori Kitamura (East San Gabriel JCC), Kie Flora Ito (WLA JACL and Auxilliary and Venice JCC), Marissa Asako Ishii (Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council), and Jill Kaori Hiraizumi (Gardena Eve­ning Optimist and the Loft Hawaiian Restaurant).

“This year we host another excit­ing nine-day summer event, including our Street Faire appropriately themed “Going Green,” which will promote environmental awareness here in the Little Tokyo community—plus include the usual Japanese American food and entertainment,” said Helen Ota, 2008 Nisei Week Foundation President. “We hope everyone from all over the Southern California region will come out and celebrate Nisei Week, our culture and our community.”

The 2008 Nisei Week Japanese Festival takes place in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo District from August 16-24. For calendar of events and volunteer information on the 68h Nisei Week Festival, please log onto www.NiseiWeek.org or call the Nisei Week Foundation office at 213/687-7193. The Nisei Week office is located at 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 303, Los Angeles, CA 90012.