Community Strength Reflected in Children’s Smiles

Kodomo no Hi Celebration Held in Sawtelle

By TOMOKO NAGAI
Rafu Staff Writer

A Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) celebration was held on May 2 in West Los Angeles’ Japantown district, drawing large crowds of families and community members.

Organized by the Sawtelle Japantown Association (SJA), this year marked the fourth edition of the event, which highlighted the importance of nurturing the next generation through cultural activities and stage performances organized by the community as a whole.

The venue, West L.A. Buddhist Church, was filled with booths offering games, shaved ice, face-painting, and other activities in which children happily participated throughout the day. Numerous Japanese American community organizations, along with Japanese culture clubs from local high schools, joined the festivities.
The stage program opened with a performance by West L.A. Taiko, founded in 2004. Both youth and adult groups delivered powerful drumming performances that energized the crowd. Other performances included a children’s chorus by Cosmos Gakuin, hula dancing, a first-time appearance by the Japanese folk music group Chikureikai, and a magic show, making this year’s program especially diverse.
At opening, emcee Ron Kato thanked the temple for once again hosting the event and also acknowledged the area’s Methodist and Holiness churches. Stressing the importance of community ties in today’s increasingly divided and uncertain society, he said the three religious institutions serve as “a spiritual foundation where the community can live in peace and harmony.”

Jyushoku Koho Takata of West L.A. Buddhist Temple then addressed the audience and explained the meaning of Japan’s Children’s Day, describing it as “a day to respect children’s personalities and celebrate their happiness.” He encouraged parents and children alike to respect one another and enjoy the day together.
Co-emcee Sandra Endo of Fox 11 News emphasized that the celebration was not only for children, but also for the wider community. She described the event as a kickoff to AAPI Heritage Month.

“This is not only a day to celebrate our children and bless the next generation, but also a day for families, neighbors, and the broader community to come together,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for the Japanese community to express gratitude and share a part of our culture with everyone.”

Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes Sawtelle Japantown, also spoke, emphasizing the city’s ongoing efforts to create environments where young people on the Westside can thrive.

“Creating opportunities for young people to thrive and enjoy life on the Westside is something my team and I work on every day,” Park said.

She also noted the growing attendance at the annual celebration. “Seeing hundreds of families and children come through today has been incredible. We’re expecting even more children to attend this year than in previous years.”

Park concluded by thanking the organizers and volunteers for their efforts, as well as the temple.

Community Support for Children

The event also included recognition of longtime contributors to the community.
Emily Cook, who has long been active at West L.A. United Methodist Church, was honored for decades of service, including student support, fundraising efforts, and Thanksgiving meal programs.

Also recognized was Isao Henry Ikehara, who immigrated from Okinawa in 1961 and has long supported Japanese-speaking seniors and immigrants in the area. Now 98 years old, he continues his activities at West L.A. Holiness Church and remains a trusted advisor in the community.

Connie Yahata, who has been active at West L.A. Buddhist Temple for more than 25 years, was also honored. A former temple president and Fujinkai leader, she organized support efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing meals and tablet devices to seniors. Yahata encouraged attendees to return for the temple’s Obon Festival later this summer.

The Japanese Institute of Sawtelle, a Japanese language and cultural education organization with more than a century of history, was likewise recognized. Speakers highlighted recent initiatives, including facility renovations and the launch of a Japanese-language preschool, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to preserving community culture for future generations.

Young community leaders were also honored. Nicholas De La Torre of Palisades Charter High School was recognized for founding his school’s Japanese Culture and Japanese Language Club, as well as for participating in community cleanups and student government activities.

The club, where Nicholas serves as president, operated a chopsticks game booth at the festival. A spoon version was also prepared for younger children, and prizes such as origami and candy were distributed to participants. According to club members, they have participated every year since the Kodomo no Hi event began.

Palisades Charter High School, a charter public school with approximately 3,000 students, was heavily impacted by the Palisades fire in January 2025. Nicholas, whose mother is Japanese and who himself graduated from Japanese language school, said the club typically gathers about 12 students each week.

“A small group, with a big passion,” he said with a smile.

He added that while many students first become interested in Japan through anime, he hopes to introduce aspects of Japanese culture that are less widely known in an approachable way.

Nicholas is set to graduate this year and plans to attend the University of Minnesota this fall.

Inside the venue, exhibits introduced the history of Sawtelle Japantown and future community initiatives. Randall Fujimoto, who is involved in efforts to pass local history on to younger generations, announced that the “Sawtelle Stories” project — a location-based interactive storytelling platform that allows visitors to explore Japantown history using smartphones — has entered a trial phase. He also revealed plans for a community-participation mural project along Sawtelle Boulevard.
Throughout the venue, colorful koinobori streamers swayed overhead as people of different generations and backgrounds gathered together in a warm atmosphere centered on community connection.

The event seemed to symbolize a long-standing spirit within the Japanese American community: that children are supported not only by their homes and schools, but also by a caring wider community that includes churches, temples, and local civic organizations.

The children pass through “three doors” as they grow up — the door of the home, the door of the school, and the door of the community.

Naomi Kageyama, co-chair of the event, expressed her hopes for the future of the celebration.

“We want this to become a beloved tradition in Sawtelle,” she said.

For more information about the Sawtelle Japantown Association, visit: https://sawtelleja.org/