Upcoming Events

FUJINKAI GOLF Fri. June 3

KEIRO-KAI Sun. June 5 5 – 7 pm

• IBCJC Golf Social

Aug. 13-14

FALL BAZAAR Sat. Oct.

HARU MATSURI 2017 – April 23

SPRING NEWSLETTER

May 2016

VERNON JAPANESE CULTURAL SOCIETY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Chidori-Kai Dance 2

Temple News 2

Japanese School 3

Fujinkai Report 4

IBCJC Golf 4

Judo News 5

BC Nisei Bonspiel 6

Keiro-Kai is a special time

to honor the elders of our community

("Kei" means to honor or respect;

"ro" refers to the elderly).

Our Keirokai will be held at the Hall

on Sunday, June 5 from 5 pm to 7

pm. It's a potluck and includes

entertainment..

Volunteers for set-up please come to

the Hall on Saturday, June 4th at 7pm.

Many hands make quick work!

Fujinkai Golf The Hillview mini golf fun tournament is coming up very quickly (Friday, June 3rd) Play a 9-hole round of golf ($16) and stay for dinner ($20). Play starts at 4pm Right now we only have a few golfers so unless we get more participants we will have to cancel it. Can you please let Betty Murray know ASAP. You can email her at beerbetty@shaw.ca or call her at 545-9305 and leave a message.

page 2

MAY:

Kiyoto Yamada, Jyoji

Ohashi, Kuri Nakai,

Kiyono Aura, Hariye

Ohashi, Satarra Negrin

JUNE:

Saburo Sumioka, Eisuke

Yamaguchi, Tatsuyoshi

Yamamura, Nou

Nabata, Masakiyo Inaba

JULY:

Sigeo Ohashi, Chizue

Yamada, Mitsuo Sato,

Kiiko Natsuhara

AUGUST: Mieko

Tsutsumi, Yonekichi

Ishibashi, Mikizo

Oda, Hayako

Takarazaki, Yukitoshi

Yakura, Riyomon

Teramura, Donald

Cameron, Myojoin

Shakuni Myosei (Mino

Ikuta), Guhoin Shaku

Soken (Shoken

Yamasaki)

First Year Memorial

Obon

• Arnie Hayashi ,

•Reverend Michael

Hayashi •Kiyo Ohashi

As May is upon us, the

Vernon Chidorikai Dancers will be

performing at Keirokai

on Sunday, June 5 th, 2016.

Obon Odori practices will continue on

Thursdays from 7-8 P.M. Obon will be held

VERNON CHIDORI-KAI JAPANESE DANCING Submitted by Rose Okazaki

on Sunday, June 26 th,

2016 Anyone can learn the steps as they are

repetitive movements

(similar to line dancing).

For further information about Japanese (Odori)

Dancing or Obon Dancing, please contact

Rose Okazaki at 250 -

542-2912 or E-Mail rokazaki@shaw.ca

Thank you to everyone who attended our Hanamatsuri service and potluck supper. It was especially wonderful to have the youth and children participating. I hope you all got to try the Mindfulness Cake that they baked that day.

Our Intro to Buddhism night in May was well attended. We hope to have these more frequently. As a follow up we are having a DVD night on June 14th @ 7:00 pm at the VJCS Hall. We will watch the “Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama" This is open to the public, so please tell your friends about this free night.

Our services continue once a month with Miyakawa Sensei. Our next service is Obon on Sunday June 26th.

The schedule for OBON is:

• Saturday 25th at 7:00 pm. Cleaning the hall and SET UP

• Sunday at 1:30 pm. Graveside services at Pleasant Valley Cemetery

• 3:30 pm. Obon service at the VJCS hall

• 5:00 pm Potluck supper

• 7:00 pm Obon dance

The Obon service is based on one of Shakamuni Buddha's sutras in which he tells the story of one of his disciples. This man's mother had accumulated karma that lead her to a state of great suffering not because she was selfish for herself but because she always put the needs of her son before all other people and caused suffering to others. This disciple through the Buddha's

teachings saved his mother from her great suffering and danced for joy.

So we have our Obon service where we express our gratitude to all our ancestors because of everything they did that allows us to be who we are and where we are. Then we dance for joy to express that gratitude.

Rose Okazaki is again teaching Obon dances on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 pm at the hall. She really makes learning these simple Japanese line dances easy and fun!

After Obon, we will resume regular monthly services is September. Please call Mari @ 542-5633 if you can't find the dates since our regular service dates may be changing.

In gassho, Mari Cameron

VJCS NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016

The school started 2015 with a fun Shinnenkai 新年会 (new year's celebration)

Setsubun 節分 in February, a celebration of the upcoming

spring season, is among the popular cultural events in Japan. In

our Vernon class the children took turns to experience Mame-

maki 豆まき (soy bean throwing) to drive off evil spirits and bring

in good luck. They shouted 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' 鬼は

外！福は内！ (Evil out! Luck in!) while throwing the beans out

and in. The children then ate the same number of soy beans as their ages. It is believed by doing so

they will stay healthy for the rest of the year.

March was marked by Hina Matsuri 雛祭り (Girls' Day), then came Tango no Sekku 端午の節句 (Children's Day / Boys' Day) in May. Needless to say, Haru Matsuri 春祭り

in April was a great success! It was an honour for the school members to join the fundraising team and was truly a memorable day. Besides the seasonal celebrations we have been active in the classroom. Having a wide range of age groups from preschoolers to adults, the teachers and volunteers give their best efforts to help the students achieve their goals. They bring in new and exciting ideas so the students have opportunities to develop and learn to their fullest potential while having fun. The class isn't just a place for education but one where social skills and friendship are built over the years. It is amazing to see how much the children grow and influence one another in their weekly study-and-play environment. Lastly, we would like to send our appreciation to Mrs. Akiko Ikeda for her donation of bookcases and a sofa for the classroom. We would also like to thank VJCS for providing a pair of storage cabinets. We had been in search of these items for a long time so are very happy. As always, we are grateful to be part of VJCS, our 'cultural centre'. Without you

we wouldn't be here. ありがとうございます！Arigatou gozaimasu!

Japanese School 日本語学校 submitted by: Ritsuko Yoshikawa

page 3 VJCS NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016

Friday, June 3, 2016

TIME: Starting at 4PM PLACE: Hillview Golf Club COST: $36 for 9 holes of golf & dinner. Dinner only: $20 For more information or to register, contact Betty Murray at 545-9305

or beerbetty@shaw.ca

Deadline for registration: May 29th Come support this fun event of golf, dinner, laughs

& a good time with fellow golfers

Fujinkai

28th Annual Interior British Columbia Japanese Canadian

Golf Social

DATE: Aug. 13th & 14th (Saturday & Sunday)

PLACE: Spallumcheen Golf Club

TIME: 1 PM shotgun both days, if we have 100 golfers

FORMAT: 4 person scramble

COST: To be announced.

Includes 2 days golf, prizes & 2 meals.

Once again we appreciate donations for door prizes & silent auction. Through your generous

donations we have been able to maintain the cost of the entry fees. For pick up call: Irene

Oizumi: 542-7128 or e-mail zoom22@telus.net

We look forward to your continued support for our 28th Annual Interior British Columbia

Japanese Canadian Golf Social. Nice to see the regulars return each year. Maybe you can invite

a friend to have a taste of this FUN GOLF SOCIAL.

For more information or entry forms call: Agnes Sakakibara: 542-9330 or e-mail a.takasakakibara@gmail.com Tosh Oizumi: 542-7128 or e-mail: zoom22@telus.net

Fujinkai Report - April 2016

The Fujinkai held their 3rd Annual Pre-sold Chow Mein

sale in April. Thanks to all the volunteers who came

out to help prep the veggies and meat on Thursday,

cook, cool and package the chow mein on Friday, the

task of making 450 containers of chow mein went

quickly and smoothly.

All 450 were sold and picked up or delivered. Tom

Ouchi sold the most - selling over 50!

Thank you all for selling tickets and coming out to help.

More hands make the job easier and it's also great to

see and visit each other while working.

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The Vernon Judo Club ended the regular season with a potluck and promotions picnic at Kin Beach May 5th. We usually take a break over the summer but may meet as we have some judoka that should be learning kata for upcoming gradings. The season was exceptional in that we sent more people to nationals that possibly ever before in our 72-year history. Avery Collinson and Sydney Grevatt both competed in the Women’s U16 -57kg division and Brendan Yakura returned to Men’s U18 -60kg in Calgary May 13 and 14th. Brendan was not able to meet his silver placing from the last two nationals, losing to the gold medalist in the second round and again in the repêchage. The girls also advanced one round and lost two which is a great showing and we’re proud of all three. Since the nationals events in 2017 and 2018 will also be held in Calgary, we are hoping to send even more competitors in the coming years. At the potluck, we also got to recognize the achievements of many of our recreational and competitive judoists alike with promotions and some judo bags. We also thank the numerous parents and volunteers that made this season – and our BC Open tournament April 15 and 16th – a great success. The numbers were down a bit for the tournament but we were able to do more round robin divisions as a result and get more competition for the athletes. We also used a new version of the JudoShiai software that former member Andy Duffy identified and was adopted by Judo Canada. A special thanks goes out to Judy Mori who took a number of action and candid photos for the event. Thoughts for the club also turn to upcoming milestones. It is not too early to plan for our 75th anniversary in 2019, or even the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Regular Monday and Thursday night classes will resume after Labour Day. For more information on the VJC, contact George Okazaki 542-2912, Aubrey Comley 260-3885, email vernonjudo@gmail.com or visit our website at vernonjudo.ca.

Easter weekend saw 32 curling teams converge at the Vernon Curling Club. A committee of Vernon Nisei curler hosted the 49th Annual BC Nisei Curling Bonspiel. Ten teams from Vancouver, 7 from Kamloops, 6 from Vernon, as well as teams from Kelowna, New Westminster, Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, Penticton, Winfield and Greenwood competed in the 3 day event. It was great to have 8 "family" rinks enter the bonspiel and seeing a number of young people participate in the sport, some of those who do not curl regularly. The youngest curler was 11 years old.

Three Vernon teams made it to the semi-finals with one of them losing in the final of the "C" event. Event winners were:

Richard Omori - Vancouver Hiro Hasebe - Burnaby

Dave Kobayashi - Vancouver Daniel Wenzek - Vancouver

Bruce Taiji - Winfield Blake Kimura - Vernon

Terry Uyede - Edmonton Kate Horne - Kamloops/Salmon Arm

Thanks to our raffle and bonspiel donors for making this bonspiel a success.

Interior Japanese Canadian Golf Social Holiday Inn J-Don Restaurant Maharoba Restaurant Prospera Credit Union (Darrell Oshiro) Rogers Foods Spallumcheen Golf Course Vernon Curling Club Terry & Janice Mori

Betty Murray Carol Sawada Helene & Bob Hatanaka Roy Kawano Alan & Barb Yamaoka Kim Asao Fred & Grace Takagi Ev & Barb Miyasaki

A special thanks to Grace Takagi and Helene Hatanaka for looking after the registration desk and the pay per win Thank you also to Janie Crockett for making inari sushi. baking dessert and helping with the Friday bento. Also thanks to those who made squares and desserts for Friday evening. The Friday bento was supplied by KT's O Bento and the Saturday banquet was served by Don Eyers of the Stone's Throw Cafe at the Curling Club. 50th BC Nisei Curling Bonspiel will be held on April 13-16, 2017 in Richmond

Apologies if we have missed

anyone. Please confirm your

membership with Darrell Oshiro

Paid Membership 2016

Membership List not

Available Online

Vernon Heritage Fair 2016

sponsored by the North Okanagan

Optimist Club

Held April 8th at the Schubert Centre

VERNON JAPANESE CULTURAL SOCIETY

2016/17 Executive

President: Rick Ogasawara

1st VP: Aubrey Comley

2nd VP: Brian Yakura

Treasurer: Darrell Oshiro

Secretary: Janie Crockett

Youth Delegate: vacant

Hall Managers: Tom Ouchi

Consultant: Tosh Oizumi

Hall Rentals: Rick Ogasawara

Communications: Aubrey

Comley

Newsletter Editor: Janice Mori

Fujinkai Rep: Agnes Sakakibara

Buddhist Temple: Mari Cameron

Japanese School: Ritsuko

Yoshikawa

Ikebana Club: Rose Scott

Judo club: Aubrey Comley/Yosh

Ouchi

Highlights of the Annual General Meeting held Sunday, April 3

• Election of Officers for 2016/17 • Treasurer’s Report: Approximately $12,000 is required annually for Hall expenses. Revenue comes from membership fees, Haru Matsuri, hall rentals and donations from the Buddhist Church and Fujinkai • With labour donated by Yuri Bos, the hot water tank, circulation pump and pressure reducing valve were replaced at a cost of just over $3000. The new Power Smart lighting installed for $3500 – with over $5000 in savings realized with the donation of labour costs by electrician Ken Walkden a rebate from BC Hydro, and projected savings in hydro costs. • NAJC – the annual membership fee of $600 has been paid. Rick Ogasawara is the rep for VJCS. Brian Yakura will attend the NAJC conference in Calgary (Sept 8-11). Still looking for a youth delegate. The NAJC is offering a $2400 “renewal” grant for centres who wish to upgrade their buildings. VCJS would like to use this grant to replace flooring in the hallway, conference room, bathrooms and kitchen. • Hall Manager Report: Projects completed this year – Power Smart lighting in the hall and conference room; hot water tank and painting walls. Quotes have been received for replacing the gutters on the back side of the building. • Hall Rentals – the fee is $375. Renters must get insurance from Baron Insurance and pay the SOCAN fee. One booking for 2017. • New BC Societies Act comes into effect in November 2016 and all societies must transition by November 2018. The Board will start looking at the required changes at the next meeting.

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VJCS NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016

FEES ARE NOW DUE FOR 2016: FAMILY MEMBERSHIP - $20 SINGLE - $10 Complete the following and send with appropriate remittance to:

VERNON JAPANESE CULTURAL SOCIETY BOX 566, VERNON, BC V1T 6M4

NAME: ___________________________________________________________________

OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS: ___________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________

CITY: ____________________________________ POSTAL CODE: ____________________

PHONE: _____________________ EMAIL: ______________________________________

VJCS NEWSLETTERS WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED

TELL US HOW YOU COULD VOLUNTEER WITH THE SOCIETY:_____________________________________________

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