Kendo demonstration
Deena Maiko Umeda was crowned Miss Western L.A. by the 2025 queen, Samantha Kimiyo Cirelli.
Aikido demonstration
Judo demonstration
Venice Japanese Community Center held its annual Summer Natsu Matsuri Festival on June 27 and 28.
Entertainment on Saturday included demonstrations of iaido, kendo, aikido, judo and karate; drumming by VJCC’s own Koshin Taiko; and music by singer/songwriter Hana Effron.
Sunday’s program featured Zumba, hula, aikido, judo, karate and taiko.
A cultural expo offered demonstrations and displays of sumi-e, ikebana, shodo and bonsai as well as performances of shigin.
The ondo was held both days with taiko accompaniment and Dianne Fukawa (Fujima Seiyumi) and her students serving as lead dancers. Participants included representatives from other community centers and temples as well as the general public.
Miss Western L.A. Deena Maiko Umeda, sponsored by VJCC and Venice-West L.A. JACL, was crowned by the outgoing queen, Samantha Kimiyo Cirelli, a member of the 2025 Nisei Week Court. Umeda, 26, received her bachelor’s degree in Asian American studies from UC Santa Barbara and works at the Little Tokyo Service Center as a program coordinator for Okaeri and Changing Tides.
VJCC’s 2026 scholarship recipients were also introduced.
Food booths staffed by VJCC’s member organizations served such dishes as udon, somen, hot dogs, chili rice, chicken karaage, Spam musubi, gyoza, bacon fried rice, chashu bao, teriyaki short ribs, Chinese chicken salad, andagi and shaved ice.
The festival also included games for kids and a raffle drawing on Sunday.