Sunday

07-20-2025 Vol 2027

Nisei Week Festival 2025: Celebrating Gratitude with a Royal Crown

The 83rd Nisei Week Festival officially kicked off on July 13, 2025, with a vibrant opening ceremony held at the Japanese American National Museum’s Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo.

The festivities were attended by distinguished guests, including Kenko Sone, who serves as the consul general of Japan in Los Angeles, Shinichi Fujinami, president of the Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA), Yuko Kaifu, president of Japan House Los Angeles, and Ann Burroughs, CEO of JANM.

Family and friends, along with representatives from various community organizations, gathered to celebrate the onset of this cherished Japanese American festival.

Festival chair Helen H. Ota, marking her second tenure since 2008, declared the official commencement of Nisei Week 2025 with an enthusiastic address at the opening ceremony.

The ceremony included congratulatory speeches from dignitaries, a traditional kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening), and an exciting preview of dances to be showcased in this year’s Grand Parade.

As part of the event festivities, seven queen candidates sponsored by various community organizations were introduced, earning warm applause from the audience.

These young women will compete for the coveted title of Nisei Week Queen at the Coronation Ball, which is set to take place on Saturday, August 9.

In addition, the festival unveiled the grand marshal and parade marshal for the upcoming Grand Parade, scheduled for Sunday, August 10.

The awards presented at the festival include the Pioneer Spirit Award, the Inspiration Award, and the Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award, recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations to the Japanese American community.

The 2025 festival theme, “Kansha” (Gratitude), emphasizes the importance of appreciation, running until August 17 and culminating in the Ondo Public Street Dancing and Closing Ceremony.

Nisei Week, renowned for celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture, ranks as one of the longest-running ethnic festivals in the United States.

Rooted in rich traditions, the festival features a wide array of events, including calligraphy, tea ceremonies, flower arranging, martial arts, taiko drumming, folk songs, and dance.

During the opening ceremony, Ota remarked, “We could not present the festival without the tremendous support of the community, and because of that, I’m happy to share that our theme for 2025 is ‘Kansha,’ or gratitude.”

She highlighted the special opportunity this year presents to express heartfelt appreciation and honor the Nisei who originally founded the festival in 1934.

This year’s Grand Parade will include two noteworthy dances: “Kawasaki Odori,” performed by Harumi Miyako, and “Sore ga Daiji,” presented by Daiji Man Brothers Band.

Madame Bando Hidesomi, who represents the Bando School of Japanese classical dance in Los Angeles, also serves as the choreographer for the performances, having selected the accompanying music.

Members of the Bando troupe are expected to lead the parade dance procession, with an array of other groups following.

For those enthusiastic to take part in the festivities, public dance practice sessions will be conducted at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center Plaza on July 22, 24, and 29.

The San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center has announced that it will be hosting the Nisei Week Baby Show on Saturday, July 26, and is currently accepting applications from participants.

The Coronation and Award Celebration, marked as one of the festival’s highlights, is scheduled for August 9 at 6 p.m. at the Aratani Theatre.

Following this event, the Grand Parade will commence on August 10 at 4 p.m. in the streets of Little Tokyo, promising to be a spectacle of community pride.

The tradition of the queen program, which dates back to 1935, makes 2025 a significant year, marking the 90th anniversary since Alice Watanabe was crowned as the first queen.

In a heartwarming connection, Thomas Iino, this year’s grand marshal, is the son of the inaugural queen.

During the Coronation, queen candidates will take center stage, showcasing their talents, wit, and leadership qualities as they prepare to represent the Japanese American community.

The Grand Parade will see participants proudly marching from various community organizations, receiving cheers and enthusiastic support from crowds lining the streets.

In addition to these grand events, other significant celebrations include:

– Japanese cultural exhibits on August 9-10 and 16-17 at the JACCC.
– The Mika Fumiyo Megumi Dyo show by the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.
– A Karate Exhibition and Tournament on August 9 at 1 p.m. at Terasaki Budokan.
– A Japanese Song Show on August 10 at the Aratani Theatre.
– A Plaza Festival on August 16-17 at the JACCC Plaza.
– The Dekocar Car Show on August 16 at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
– The Natsumatsuri Family Festival on August 16 at 12 p.m. at JANM.
– And a Taiko Gathering on August 17 at 11 a.m. at the JACCC Plaza.

The Ondo Public Street Dancing and Closing Ceremony is scheduled for August 17 at 4 p.m. on First Street between San Pedro and Central, showcasing local dance groups and featuring more live music than ever before.

The Pioneer Spirit Award Luncheon is also set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, at the JACCC, where community contributors will be honored for their efforts.

Tickets for the events can be purchased through the Nisei Week website, available in both English and Japanese.

Recognized honorees for this year include:

– Grand Marshal: Thomas Iino
– Parade Marshal: East West Players
– Inspiration Award: Japanese American Vietnam Veterans, Michael Okamura
– Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award: Chris and Doug Aihara
– Azay Pioneer Award: Miya Iwataki, Gene Kanamori, Katsuyoshi Miyazato, David Miyoshi

The 2025 Queen Candidates, representing various community organizations, include:

– Mia Miyoko Takatsuka from East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center
– Samantha Kimiyo Cirelli from Venice Japanese Community Center and Venice-West L.A. Japanese American Citizens League
– Megan Ayumi Miyamoto from San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
– Casey Mariko Kuramoto from the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council
– Kimi Look from Gardena Evening Optimist Club
– Emma Yasuko Shojinaga Fukunaga from the Japanese Restaurant Association of America.

image source from:rafu

Abigail Harper