By GWEN MURANAKA, Rafu Senior Editor
Wishes for hope and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon highlighted the Venice Japanese Community Center’s annual Shinnen Kai and Keiro Kai, held on Jan. 21.
More than 200 gathered at VJCC and were welcomed by the booming sound of the drumming of Koshin Taiko. Boy Scout Troop 764 performed the flag ceremony.
“We look forward to a year of hope, creativity and prosperity for the whole community,” said emcee Jeff Shimoyama.
Robert Onishi, VJCC president, welcomed the gathering and said he researched the term “shinnen kai” on Wikipedia and found it to mean a time of self-reflection.
“Shinnen kai, in my interpretation, is really looking at the year in reflection, thinking about things we accomplished, things we didn’t accomplish, and taking that time as we move forward to the following year,” Onishi said. “Now we know what worked out well, where we’re a little short. Now we know what to do to move and and we celebrate that.”
Congratulatory messages were given by City Councilmember Traci Park, Consul General Kenko Sone and Marian Ensley, representing Mayor Karen Bass.
Sone expressed gratitude for the support for the people of Japan’s Noto Peninsula following the Jan. 1 earthquake and announced that the consulate would start collecting donations for quake relief.
Gayle Hirami was recognized as the VJCC Person of the Year. She coordinates the senior wellness nutrition program and was hailed as an “Energizer Bunny” for her willingness to volunteer her time to help at the VJCC.
The highlight of the luncheon was the introduction of this year’s Keiro honorees. Members of Boy Scout Troop 764 escorted the seniors to the front, where they were handed gifts and proclamations from Park.
Keiro honorees for 2024 are: Kay Endow, Darleen Fujita, Kei Fukuda, Susan Guggenheim, Rosalind Harper, Jane Honda, Miyako Kadogawa, Rachel Koza, Delcene Kuwata, Ligee Low, Eunice Maekawa, Thomas Oshima, Henry Quock, June Rose, Michael Rose, Frances Saito Oshima, Thomas Sakaguchi, Yoshiko Shimasaki, Toshiko Shimizu, Anna Maria Stevenson and Harriet Woo.
Centenarians honored by the VJCC were Frank Goya, Rikio Ishikawa and Mae Kakehashi.
With everyone raising cups of apple cider, Dave Hirota led a kampai toast for the coming year.
The second half of the luncheon featured performances of taiko, Japanese dance and hula.
VJCC was established more than 100 years ago to preserve, share and promote Japanese and Japanese American culture and offers various classes, clubs and community events. More information at www.vjcc.com.
Photos by GWEN MURANAKA/Rafu Shimpo