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The Fort Worth Japanese Society
Our Mission:
To foster understanding between Japanese and Americans by providing
an opportunity to learn about Japan, it’s people, language and culture.
The Fort Worth Japanese Society
Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter
Sept. – Oct. 2016
www.fwjs.org
Fall Festival
in the Fort Worth
Japanese Garden
Sat. Nov. 5th and
Sun. Nov. 6th
Sept. – Oct. 2016
www.fwjs.org
Fall Festival
in the Fort Worth
Japanese Garden
Sat. Nov. 5th and
Sun. Nov. 6th
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October Luncheon Sunday, Oct. 23rd from 12:30PM at Yamagata Kaikan
(Japanese Society Bldg)
3606 Park Lake Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133
This will be a relaxing luncheon (especially for those
of us who usually prepare the food). The program is
bingo and hanafuda (a Japanese card game). The
food will be potluck, so everyone should bring their
favorite dish to share with others.
Hanafuda
RSVP by Monday Oct. 17th. There is no charge for this luncheon, but
just so we will have an idea of the number who will attend, please RSVP
to [email protected] or call Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email
Hanafuda cards originated at the beginning of 18th-century Japan.
Legend says stewards of the Edo Shogunate created it from Portuguese
playing cards. A deck consists of forty-eight cards divided into twelve
suits of four cards each. Each suit represents one of the twelve months
of the year or individual plants (mostly flowers). Many different games
can be played with a Hanafuda deck. In the old days, the standard game
was called Hachi-Hachi (means Eighty-eight). Although it bears some
resemblance to the Western game Casino, Hachi-Hachi is a much
more complicated and subtle game.
Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden Sat. Nov. 5th – Sun. Nov. 6th
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer using the sign-up sheets at the Yamagata Center, online via
the FWJS website or contact the lead people as below:
Origami – Lisa Meyer: 817-919-1108 [email protected]
Calligraphy – Wes Noles 817-847-5821 [email protected]
Japanese Games – Elishia Flowers 817-534-6236 [email protected]
Kimono Dress-up – Haruko Herness 817-560-8761 [email protected]
Kamishibai - William Winston 817-370-2343 [email protected]
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SOCIETY NEWS - RECENT EVENTS
July “Tanabata” Luncheon
Everyone seems to like our “Izakaya” style luncheon, where we have tables around the
room offering a variety of Japanese food like yakisoba and takoyaki. It’s almost like filling
up on yummy appetizers. We had about 70 people in attendance. Alisha Sharp, the recipient of the Fort Worth Japanese Society’s scholarship to participate in the Fort Worth
Sister Cities student summer exchange gave a very interesting presentation on her visit
to Nagaoka. We also tied our wishes on our Tanabata bamboo wishing tree and watched
our Kamishibai theater.
September “Obento” Luncheon
This newsletter is very late, so by the time you receive this, we will already have had our September luncheon. This was our very first “obento” luncheon where we can select
many different Japanese delicacies and place them creatively into our Obento box. As of now, we have 66 RSVP’s, so it’s going to be another great luncheon.
In Remembrance
Elaine Yoko Yamagata, 94, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Elaine was
one of the founders and a driving force in the establishment and growth of the Fort Worth
Japanese Society. She spread the scope of our society by aligning us with other area
organizations with similar missions, the Fort Worth Sister Cities International and the
Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. She led an adventurous life and her inspiring
story is on another page of this newsletter.
Chef Julia Dunaway talked about “obento” and brought in samples of obento making accessories.
Madeleine shows
off her obento kit
which she won at at
our raffle, Her
mother, Aimee
Shinamoto Hunter
shows us how she
put it to use.
One of the obentos
made at our luncheon
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SOCIETY NEWS – continued
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friendship Painting Dedication Sunday, October 9th 2:00pm
Fort Worth Central Library 500 West 3rd Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Several groups representing Fort Worth, including the Fort Worth Japanese
Society, will reaffirm our friendship with Japan by celebrating the gift of Friendship
Paintings to be permanently displayed in the main lobby of the Fort Worth Library.
The work is by Hiroko Tanaka and depicts in paintings the statue of an American
Girl Scout with a Japanese Girl Scout and Brownie which stands in Yamashita
Park, Yokohama. The models for the Girl Scouts in the statue were Hiroko Tanaka,
and Libby Watson who resides in Fort Worth and was a former City Manager. Fort
Worth Mayor Betsy Price will accept the paintings and Consul General of Japan in
Houston, the Honorable Tetsuro Amano will speak on behalf of the Japanese
community.
Luncheon – Sunday, Oct. 23rd from 12:30PM at Yamagata Kaikan
This will be a relaxing luncheon (especially for those of us who usually prepare the
food). The program is bingo and hanafuda (a Japanese card game). The food will
be potluck, so everyone should bring their favorite dish to share with others.
RSVP by Monday Oct. 17th. There is no charge for this luncheon, but just so we
will have an idea of the number who will attend, please RSVP to [email protected]
or call Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email
Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden – Sat. Nov. 5th to Sun. Nov. 6th
It’s time again for the Japanese Garden Festival. Volunteer sheets will be on the
front table in the Yamagata Center. You can also volunteer online via the FWJS
website as well as contact the leads for each activity as shown on another page of this newsletter. Put these dates on your calendars so you won’t miss the fun in
volunteering for our various cultural demonstrations in calligraphy, origami, tea
ceremony, taiko drumming, Japanese games, Kamishibai, kimono dress-up, etc.
Mid-Nov Shinbokukai (“Dinner Get-Together”)
We are going to have another gathering at a local Asian restaurant in November. We have not selected the restaurant or date, but we’ll let everyone know as soon
as its determined.
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日本人会会報
最近の出来事
7月(七夕)ランチョン
みなさん、部屋のまわりにテーブルを起き、焼きそば、たこ焼きなどいろいろな和食を用意した「居酒屋」スタイルのランチョンを楽しまれたようですね。美味しいアプタイザーでお腹がいっぱいになったようです。出席者は70人にもおよびました。
フォートワース日本人会からの奨学金を授与し、国際姉妹都市協会の交換プログラムで長岡市へ訪問した アリーシャ・シャープさんがとても興味深いプレゼンテーションをしました。
私たちは七夕に願いを書いた短冊を飾り、紙芝居を鑑賞しました。
Elishia
Flowers
made some
examples of
creative
bento design
9月定例ランチョン
この会報は大変遅れているので、皆さんがこの会報を受け取る頃は 9月のランチョンを終えているでしょう。
私たちが各自、たくさんの種類の美味しいご馳走を選び、それぞれのお弁当箱にいれることができる、初めての「お弁当」ランチでした。66名からの出席のお返事があり、今回もまた素晴らしいランチになりそうです。
追悼
イレイン・洋子・山縣さん(94)は、2016年9月3日(土)に亡くなりました。イレインさんは、フォートワース日本人会の創立者のひとりであり、日本人会の成長を助けた原動力のひとりでした。
彼女は、私たちと同様な任務を持つフォートワース国際姉妹都市協会、及びダラス/フォートワースの日本アメリカ社会を持つ他の地域と提携しながら私たちの社会の領域を広めました。
冒険的な人生を送った彼女の感動的な物語は別ページです。
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予定されているイベント
友好絵画献呈、10月9日午後2時
フォートワース中央図書館、500 West 3rd St. Fort Worth, TX76102
フォートワース日本人会を含む、いくつかのフォートワースの団体はフォートワース図書館のメインロビーで、永久的に展示される親交絵画の献呈を祝福して日本と私たちの友好を再確認します。
作品は田中ひろこ氏による 山下公園(横浜)にある日本のガールスカウトアメリカのガールスカウトとブラウニーの彫像を描いたものです。彫像のガールスカウトのモデルは田中ひろこ氏と、フォートワース在住の元市政担当者であるリビー・ワトソン氏でした。
フォートワース市長のベッツィ・プライス氏は絵画を授与し、ヒューストン日本領事館の総領事である天野哲郎氏が日本のコミュニティのためにお話します。
10月定例ランチョン、10月23日(日)12時半より、山縣会館にて
この月のランチョンはリラックスした昼食(特にいつも食事を用意するボランティアの方達にとって)。プログラムはビンゴと花札です。
ランチはポットラックです。皆さんお好きな食べ物を持ってきて、他の人たちとシェアしましょう。
RSVP10月17日までに
10月17日までにお返事をください。ランチは無料ですが、出席人数を把握したいので、e
メールか、電話で連絡してください。 [email protected] or call Harvey Yamagata at
817-737-9166 or email [email protected]
秋祭り 日本庭園、11月5日(土)6日(日)
日本庭園のお祭りがやってきます。ボランティアシートは山縣会館の前のテーブルに置きます。フォートワース日本人会のウェブサイトからもボランティアの申し込みができます。このニュースレターの他のページに載っている個々の活動のリーダーに連絡することもできます。
カレンダーに日時を記入してください、そうすればこの楽しい書道、折り紙、茶道、太鼓、ゲーム、紙芝居、着物ドレスアップなどデモンストレーションのボランティアのチャンスを逃すこともないでしょう。
11月中旬、親睦会
11月に地元のアジアンレストランにおいて、親睦会をします。レストランか日程を選びましたが、決定し次第みなさまにお知らせします。
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FORT WORTH – Elaine Yoko Yamagata, 94,
passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 3,
2016.
Elaine was born in Walnut Grove, Calif. in 1922,
to Dr. and Mrs. Enichi Yamao. At 16, her family
returned to Japan. After graduating from Kobe
College, she married Tadashi Yamagata in March
of 1943. They then moved to Beijing China,
where Tadashi worked as a civilian in Japanese
occupied China, purchasing raw minerals for
export. Their son, Mark was born in December
1943. When the war ended, all Japanese in
China were placed in prisoner of war camps. Her
second son, Harvey, was born in the prison camp
in January 1946. The following April, the family
was deported from China to Japan, and settled in
Kure, near Hiroshima. While living there, Elaine
worked for the Atomic Bomb Casualty
Commission, helping victims of the atomic bomb.
In Memoriam
In January of 1951, Elaine and her husband
embarked on an adventurous and new chapter in
their lives, emigrating to the U.S. They settled in
New York City where they started an import
business pioneering in the marketing of
Japanese made consumer electronics. With
principals of Radio Shack, the Yamagata'
founded A&A International. When Tandy
Corporation acquired Radio Shack, Charles
Tandy recognized the importance of sourcing
products in Asia, and so acquired A&A. These
groups, together with Charles Tandy’s unique
understanding of retailing and chain store
operations, grew Tandy Corporation into a multi-
billion dollar company. After her husband’s
retirement, Elaine became the president of A&A
until her own retirement in 1989.
- 8 -
Throughout her career and after, Elaine was a community
leader. While in New York, she served as chair of the
board of the Japanese American United Methodist
Church. Elaine enjoyed playing piano, so it was natural for
her to be drawn to the Van Cliburn Foundation after
moving to Fort Worth. She served on the executive
committee of the board and as president of the Van
Cliburn International Piano Competition Japan Committee
from 1985 to 2002. In this capacity, she encouraged
numerous young Japanese pianists to enter one of Fort
Worth’s most prominent events.
For her generous gift of time and service, Elaine was
honored with many accolades: the Foreign Minister’s Award
from the government of Japan, the Nagaoka City Award of
International Goodwill, Sister Cities International Volunteer
of the Year Award, Outstanding Women of Fort Worth by the
City of Fort Worth, and the Bridges-to-Friendship Award by
the Japan America Society of Dallas / Fort Worth. In 2007,
Elaine was inducted into The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver
Ray, one of the highest honors conferred by the Emperor of
Japan.
In additon to her love of music, she was devoted to bringing better relations between the
Japanese and Americans. In 1986, she and her husband helped found the Fort Worth
Japanese Society. Elaine presided as president from 1988 to 1993 and remained
chairman emeritus until 2014. She joined the board of Fort Worth Sister Cities
International in 1987 where her efforts were instrumental in developing Fort Worth’s
relationship with Nagaoka, Japan. Over the last 29 years, about 1,500 Fort Worth and
Nagaoka young people have exchanged home stays making friends and learning about
each country’s culture. Elaine served on numerous other boards including the Japan
America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History,
and assisted groups such as Camp Fire, Fort Worth Symphony and Ballet. Elaine served
on the board of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles from its
formative years in the early 90’s to 2007. The museum serves as the main archive for the
history of Japanese-Americans – from early U.S. settlement, through World War II
internment and U.S. military service to contemporary individuals and organizations.
Elaine never acknowledged a “glass ceiling” and set an example not just for women, but
for all who have loved her and have had the privilege to work and live alongside her. We
will miss her greatly even as she remains in our hearts.
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Weekly or Bi-Weekly Society Activities
Classical Japanese Dance This is a relatively small group meeting at the Society
every Monday morning from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The
instructor is Mrs. Keio Miyamoto, an accredited master of
Fujima School. If anyone is interested in Japanese
dances, please come and join us. The group enjoys
dancing with other Fort Worthians at the spring and
autumn Japanese Festival. Contact: Teruko Green Cell:
817-723-3213
Kurumi Ningyo This group makes Japanese crafts and meets
from 10:00am to 2:00pm every other
Wednesday. Contact: Nobuko Foshee
Dondoko Taiko (Drum Group) This group performs at many metroplex
festivals and special events. Practice
every Sunday 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Contact:
Asako Cosby 817-737-6581
Japanese Language Class Adult classes Mondays 6:00-7:30pm. (There may be
other evenings, depending on class size.) Children’s
classes Mondays 4:45-5:30pm (must be over 3 years
old). Very reasonable tuition. Visit our website at
www.fwjs.org. Contact: Harumi Sharp. Email
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Join the Fort Worth Japanese Society www.fwjs.org Tel: 817-294-5004
MEMBERSHIP FORM for 2016 Date _________________
Name _____________________________________ Born/Raised _________________________
City/State/Country
Name _____________________________________ Born/Raised _________________________
City/State/Country
Current Address: No. & Street _____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _________________________________________________________________
Tel. No. Home ______________________________ Mobil _____________________________
Email ________________________________________________________________________
I would like to receive my newsletter by (check one): Mail eMail
I would like to be notified of coming events by (check one): Telephone eMail
If you will let us know what activities are of interest to you, such as Japanese Dance, volunteer at our the
Fall and Spring Japanese Garden Festival, etc., let us know. Also, if you wish, let us know your age range
and we will let you know what activities might be of interest to you. Your comments: ___________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Please mark (x) in front of the classification you are joining.
____ Family Membership $40.00 annually
____ Single Membership $30.00 annually
____ Associate Membership (Students) $20.00 annually
Make check payable to Fort Worth Japanese Society.
Mail to: Fort Worth Japanese Society
c/o Harvey Yamagata
4220 Ridgehaven Road
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Optional: Membership dues do not cover all expenses such as maintaining our building which
facilitates all our activities. These expenses are augmented by donations and fund raising events.
If you wish to make a donation at this time, please mark (X) in front of the level of donation.
___ Maple $10.00 - $49.99
___ Ginko $50.00 - $99.99
___ Sakura $100 and over.
Donations will be recognized in our newsletter. The Fort Worth Japanese Society is a not-for-profit
organization and contributions are tax deductible.
- 11 -
The best way to contact us is via email to [email protected]
Local Business Supporters Arigato Gozaimasu
Would you like to advertise
in our Newsletter?
Contact Harvey Yamagata at
5121 Pershing Ave Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 737-8568
Natsuko E Piano Studio 3209 Lawndale Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Tel. (818) 481-1384
Piano lessons for all ages and levels.
Over 10 years of teaching experience.
- 12 -
Fort Worth Japanese Society
3608 Park Lake
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Fort Worth Japanese Society www.fwjs.org Tel: 817-294-5004
Mailing Address: 4220 Ridgehaven Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76116
Kaikan (Meeting Center): 3608 Park Lake Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133
SAVE THE DATE
Friendship Painting Dedication Sunday, October 9th 2:00pm
Fort Worth Central Library 500 West 3rd Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Luncheon – Sunday, Oct. 23rd from 12:30PM at Yamagata Kaikan
The program is bingo and hanafuda (a Japanese card game). The food will be
potluck, so everyone should bring their favorite dish to share with others.
RSVP by Monday Oct. 17th. There is no charge for this luncheon, but just so we will
have an idea of the number who will attend, please RSVP to [email protected] or
call Harvey Yamagata at 817-737-9166 or email [email protected].
Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden – Sat. Nov. 5th to Sun. Nov. 6th
Volunteer to help demonstrate Japanese culture. You can join in the fun by signing up
on the sign-up sheets on the front table in the Yamagata Center, or online via the
FWJS website or contact the leads for each activity as shown on another page of this
newsletter.