New Year’s Day festivities in Little Tokyo included a kimono fashion show in Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza, presented by the L.A. Kimono Club. Pictured are the winners of the 2013 kimono contest: Keiko Terashima, Miss Kimono first runner-up; Lucia Scriven, Miss Kimono; Richard Satoshi Saito, Mr. Kimono first runner-up (with daughter Hana Siera Saito); Andrew Reeder, Mr. Kimono. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
Fashion show participants in Japanese Village Plaza doing mochi-maki — tossing mochi to the audience for good luck. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
The nine Miss Kimono candidates in Weller Court. There were four candidates for Mr. Kimono. Serving as judges were Mme. Fumi Akutagawa, Masako Kobayashi, Terry Hara, Mme. Machiko Suga and Hayahiko Takase. (JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo)
City Councilmember Jan Perry, Nisei Week Queen Emily Folick and her court did the mochi-maki ritual in Weller Court. (JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo)
Participants in the kagami-wari — breaking open sake barrels to start an auspicious occasion — included (second and third from left) Yoshio Aoki, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, Deputy Consul General Masahiro Suga and (center) Los Angeles City Council candidate Terry Hara. (JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo)
Matsutoyo Kai performed minyo (folk songs) from every region of Japan. (JUN NAGATA/ Rafu Shimpo)
Emi Takeoka tried her hand at mochitsuki with help from her dad and grandpa. (JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo)

 

 

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