Kazuko Shimbashi (Inaba) was born on October 28, 1927 in Osaka, Japan. She passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at Sakura Gardens in Los Angeles, Calif. She was 98 years old and predeceased by her beloved husband Shigeo (Sam) Shimbashi.
Kazuko is survived by her two children: son, Gary Shimbashi (Misako) and daughter, Setsuko Yamamoto (Leonard); 4 grandchildren, Kyle (Kelli) Shimbashi, Lisa Shimbashi-Bailey, Andrew (Diana) Yamamoto and Erin (Jamie) Gove; and 9 great-grandchildren: Luke & Finn Bailey, Evan & Emiko Shimbashi, Austin, Dylan, Logan & Lily Yamamoto, and Sayla Gove. She is also survived by siblings: sisters, Asako Inouye (Japan), Shizuko Kusumoto (San Diego), Akiko Nakagawa (Japan), and brother, Mitsuji Shiokawa (Oxnard); and many nieces and nephews in Japan and California.
Kazuko taught the art of flower arrangement and tea ceremony. She was well respected and beloved by her peers and her students. During her 60-year career, she earned many awards and accolades, highlighted by the achievement of the Purple Ribbon (Shiju-hosho) at the Imperial Palace for promoting Japanese art of Ikenobo flower arrangement as well as Urasenke tea ceremony from the Japanese government.
She moved to Keiro Retirement Home (now called Sakura Gardens) in 2013. She always had a smile on her face and loved seeing all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at family gatherings. She will be truly missed.
A private family burial service was held at Green Hills in Rancho Palos Verdes on February 24, 2026.