Upcoming Events

• PREP & SET-UP FOR BAZAAR Fri. Oct. 18

• ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR Sat. Oct. 19

• RENTAL: ELECTIONS CANADA AS A POLLING PLACE Mon. Oct. 21

• HARU MATSURI 2020 PLANNING MEETING Wed.Oct. 23, 7 pm

• VJCS MEETING Nov 20, 7 pm

• BUDDHIST TEMPLE FUNDRAISING DINNER Nov. 23

FALL NEWSLETTER

FALL 2019 VERNON JAPANESE CULTURAL SOCIETY

Please join us for the

FALL BAZAAR

2019

SAT. OCT 19

2 - 4 PM

Regular dancing will be held on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. Events: Saturday, Oct. 5 75th Anniversary of the Vernon Judo Club. Tuesday, Oct. 15 7 pm – Diwali Festival For further information about Japanese (Odori) Dancing, please contact Rose Okazaki at 250-542-2912 or E-Mail rokazaki@shaw.ca

The annual Japanese Bazaar will be held on Saturday, October 19th at the VJCS Hall.

We will have for sale, chow mein, baking, raffle, produce and plants and a room full of

white elephant items. Come and enjoy strawberry shortcake and tea/coffee or juice.

If you can come and give us a hand it would be greatly appreciated.

- Chopping veggies for the chow mein on Friday morning, starting at 8:30 a.m. - Setting up the hall Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. - Cooking the chow mein starting at 8:00 am Saturday morning.

In order to allow time to price the items please bring your produce, plants, canning, craft,

white elephant items to the Hall on Friday evening. Sorry, we will not accept any used electronic items or clothes. White elephant items should be clean and in working order. Baking should be dropped off at the Hall, no later than noon on Saturday. Men – your help is and would be appreciated. This is a once a year fundraiser organized by the Fujinkai. Your participation is what makes it successful every year.

VERNON CHIDORI-KAI JAPANESE DANCING Submitted by Rose Okazaki

VJCS NEWSLETTER FALL 2019

Page 2

Monthly memorial services for the following will be ovserved during monthly services. Please come to give thanks for what they did and who they were.

SEPTEMBER: Yonetaro

Tainaka, Hisami Kondo,

Ayako Araki, Noriaki

Okazaki, Tom Yamada, Hisa

Kosaka, Sadao Yamamoto,

Yasuo Tatebe, Mavis Rowena

Cameron

OCTOBER: Shinjo Ikuta,

Gentaro Isobe, Rocky

Yamada, Masao Yamada,

Katsu Ogasawara, Arnie

Hayashi

NOVEMBER : Hiroshi

Yamada, Kame Obana,

Kizo Natsuhara, Harry

Nishimura

DECEMBER: Fumi Tanaka,

Ko Yakura, Sutezo Nabata

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful summer and have finished putting away

your gardens and the beautiful produce we are blessed with in Vernon.

Thank you to Miyakawa Sensei for starting our monthly Services again on Sept

21st. It will be our Autumn Equinox Service when our natural environment is in

balance so is the perfect time to hear the Buddha Dharma. We will continue

with our monthly Saturday services at 4 pm on the following days: October

26th, November 23rd and December 7th.

October service will be our Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada Day

when we contribute to our National Organization, the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist

Temples of Canada.

Our Obon service, dinner and Obon Dancing was a joyous gathering and I

thank everyone who came and made it such a wonderful day. Special thanks

to Rose Okazaki for teaching Obon dancing again and to Ruby Ohashi for her

beautiful flower arrangements. Our new Taiko was put to use and plans are

underway for lessons for next Obon.

Walking Meditation will continue on the second Tuesday of each month at 7

to 8 pm. October 8th, November 12th and December 10th. This is a very easy

and relaxing practice to learn so please come and join us.

We hope to have our annual fundraising dinner after temple in November to

raise funds to buy Christmas presents for those who can’t afford to have them.

Dharma school students and their parents have been raising funds and

delivering toys for many years now at our Temple. I will send details via the

VJCS email and our Temple email/ Facebook page closer to the day.

Any questions about our temple? Email Vernonbuddhisttemple@gmail.com

In gassho, Mari

Page 3 FALL 2019 VJCS NEWSLETTER

Woody Kuraoka

REALTOR®

CENTURY 21 Executives Realty Ltd.

• Phone Number 250-503-6169

• E-mail Address

woody.kuraoka@century21.ca

Wow, it’s fall already with a prediction of snow at Silver Star very soon. I'm not sure about you but I really didn't feel like

we had a summer at all….. okay, maybe I missed it, was there a summer? I do recall in past years the blistering heat, hot

sunny days and oh, yes, welcome to the “smokeanogan”. So it wasn't smoky this year - Yay. Not much of a trade off?

It is that time of year when the hall is once again feeling the energy of all the user groups. The church has resumed

regular services once a month and, as well, as some walking meditation sessions are being offered. Contact Mari

Cameron for more details on those events. The Japanese School is holding two classes - one for the younger students

taught by Ritsuko Yoshikawa and one for the older students taught by Mitsuyo Kaneda. We have the Shotokan Karate

Club holding their training sessions once a week in the center, as well as Odori being offered by Rose Okazaki. As the

Vernon Judo club has begun their season, they will be celebrating their 75th anniversary. Congratulations from all of us.

There is no easy way to get to that level without the commitment of their coaches and other volunteers that have made

the club what it is today, well done everyone involved.

Aha… Good lead up ……. speaking of volunteers, I call on your support, your mind and spirit….. Okay, how about your

hands for the annual chopping, cooking and preparation for the Fall Bazaar. Thanks to the ladies and gentleman involved

with the Fujinkai we are once again ramping up to host this wonderful event on the 19th of October prep with set up on

the 18th. Hoping to see many of you there as half the fun is being part of your community, so let's get involved!

Another event we encourage you to be part of is the Spring Festival, now in the planning stage. The teachers from the

Japanese school are hoping to get enough support to put the event together. I personally will try to be a small part of it as

my group will do the J-dogs. Anyone who can help or offer some time to man or set up our displays or activities –

anything to do with our culture will be greeted with open arms! Please contact anyone from the school or any member

of the VJCS.

I leave you all with a thought. How can we as one, make a difference? Maybe as one it would be difficult, but as we band

together to prepare and hold these events we are suddenly many. Things get done quicker and easier as the many hands

work for the common goal. At the last event we held there were adults, younger kids, some youth (get in there Youth)

and the job went quickly and was done efficiently. And it was all because you as one said, “I’ll go maybe and see if there

is anything for me to do”. Get in there everyone, have some fun - you will walk away with a good feeling as you become

part of something that has helped your community and the cultural center that is there for you.

Rick Ogasawara, VJCS President

BOARD UPDATES

NAJC: We received a grant from the NAJC to hold a taiko performance as a fundraiser

for VJCS.

HALL MANAGER REPORT: Very pleased with the refurbished outdoor sign with thanks to

Grant Goldie, Stu Kawaguchi and Tom Ouchi who re-installed it. Thanks to Aubrey Comley

for new signage inside the hall.

HALL RENTALS: Rates for hall rental are $475/day; conference room is $100/day. If you

wish to make an Inquiry on renting the hall, contact Rick at 250-549-4555 (evening only) or text him at 250-938-3933.

Pre

sid

en

t’s

Me

ssag

e

Page 4 VJCS NEWSLETTER FALL 2019

Classes are underway for the VJC 2019-20 75TH Anniversary season. As our first event, we held an Open

House at the hall September 23rd. After a regular kids’ class, Kathy Hubble (of the Lake Country Judo Club)

and Aubrey Comley demonstrated the kata they’re working on for yondan grading (Goshin Jutsu) and

everyone enjoyed refreshments and memorabilia, including some old video from 60s and the club’s 50th

Anniversary Shiai.

Hosted with Judo BC, over 250 athletes

and coaches attended the Inter-

Provincial training camp at Seaton

Secondary, September 27-29. The

special coach this year is Olympic

medalist Antoine Valois-Fortier, fresh

off a bronze medal showing at the

world championships in Tokyo.

We recently celebrated the 75th

anniversary of the Vernon Judo

Club. We had 100 at the Gala

banquet at the Vernon Lodge on

October 5th. In addition to being

recognized by Judo BC (Executive

director Katie Thomson and our very own JBC President

Donna Hanson) and Judo Canada for this milestone, we will

have more video, memorabilia from our members past and present (Brian Yakura prepared a

commemorative book and Judy Mori prepared a slide show remembrance of Yoshitaka Mori), and we were

entertained with performances from Raiden Taiko of Kamloops and our very own Chidorikai dancers.

We have space in both classes. We held a Bring-a-Friend night October 3rd; free 2-week trials can be

arranged by contacting the club and we are collecting names for a proposed 5-6-year-old’s group.

For more information on the VJC, contact George Okazaki 250-542-2912, Aubrey Comley 250-260-3885, email vernonjudo@gmail.com, find us on Facebook or visit our website http://vernonjudo.ca.

Page 5 FALL 2019 VJCS NEWSLETTER

V

E

R

N

O

N

J

U

D

O

C

L

U

B

Sensei George Okazaki & Dean Yakura with Antoine Valois-Fourtier

Club athletes Teigan Bixbie and Kiyoshi Comley (foreground blue

& white) and Nadine Bondt & Lillie Croteau-White (back kneeling blue

& standing white)

Friday night at Seaton

Currently in our children's division, we run two classes; one for school-age students and the other for preschoolers/kindergarteners (and toddlers). For some of our elementary students, we have

incorporated 教科書 kyoukasho (text books) that are used in schools across Japan. With little or no

experience in the Japanese school system, the children have a mountain to climb but are all eager to learn the new and face the challenge. One fascinating thing I have recently discovered is that

both Japanese and Canadian children in grade 3 learn 俳句 haiku poetry. I myself remember the excitement of

creating my own haiku when I was 10 or so. What touches me is that while haiku is a form of literature that is universally cherished, it is simple enough for young children to compose and enjoy, even though they may come from such distinct cultures and backgrounds.

Our introduction to ひらがな、カタカナ hiragana and katakana (letters) class aims to help the

younger children reach the grade 1 Japanese. Thanks to our hardworking teachers, the class is always filled with creative activities and games. If you swing by and walked in the hallway on a Friday afternoon, you may hear the kids singing the calendar and counting songs. You couldn't help but smile!

Our next school project is a どら焼き dorayaki fundraiser

for the bazaar coming up. Dorayakis are sweet fluffy

pancake sandwiches with あんこ anko filling (sweet 小豆 azuki beans). As they were popular at the

last 春祭り Harumatsuri, we thought they would make another hit. We

have a parent team of cooks along with the students who will make up

the packaging crew using handmade 折り紙 origami labels. We look

forward to working with you all at the bazaar! We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteers and parents. I have never seen our classes as enthusiastic as they are now. It only gets better every week, as each and everyone involved brings unique and meaningful ideas for the best of the children. Most of all, we couldn't have been where we are without the support of the VJCS. Again, on behalf of the Japanese school, students and parents, I would like to thank you all for your continued support.

いつもありがとうございます。Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu.

Thank you always.

Japanese School 日本語学校 submitted by: Ritsuko Yoshikawa

Page 6 VJCS NEWSLETTER FALL 2019

法被セール Happi Sale for VJCS Members

Introducing the one and only VJCS 法被 happi, custom-made and

shipped straight from Japan!

Perfect for Harumatsuri, Keirokai, Obon, the bazaar and any

special occasions.

On the back and collars, it reads バーノン日系会 Vernon Nikkei Kai, meaning Vernon Japanese Cultural Society.

Our VJCS happi design has a special message: 円陣 enjin (circle)

The circle comes from the Japanese 円陣 enjin, meaning circle. Traditionally, people with same minds get

together to achieve one goal. Inside the circle are the names of our society: the one in Japanese

calligraphy style indicating new Japanese immigrants, and

the other in English with the long and rich Nikkei history

harmoniously co-existing. The name gently melds with

the circle, showing our community’s vibrancy. The enjin

is our warmly adopted home and yet it is not a

constricting boundary.

We are taking individual 法被 happi orders for members $50 for adults' & $45 for children's

Taxes and shipping are included.

For additional $5, you can have your name printed in English and/or Japanese on a sleeve.

We would be more than happy to help if you are not sure how your name is written in

Japanese.

You will receive an e-mail containing the ordering

instructions.

Please e-mail vjcsschool@outlook.com to place your

order by Thursday October 24th, 2019.

Any questions? E-mail us or find us at the bazaar!

FALL 2019 VJCS NEWSLETTER

Page 8 Page 7 VJCS NEWSLETTER FALL 2019

In the next few submissions I will be taking excerpts from a cook book I started in

2005 called Friends & Family Cook. Too many of my friends & family members

have passed away but their memories remain with me thru my cook book.

Good Eats by Irene Oizumi

Vernon Japanese Cultural Society

2019/20 Executive

President: Rick Ogasawara

1st VP: Brian Yakura

2nd VP: Aubrey Comley

Treasurer: Darrell Oshiro

Secretary: Janie Crockett

Youth Delegate: Hana Ogasawara

NAJC Reps: Janice Buick/Rick

Ogasawara

Hall Manager: Tom Ouchi /George

Okazaki

Hall Rentals: Rick Ogasawara

Communications: Aubrey Comley/Brian

Yakura

Newsletter Editor: Janice Mori

Fujinkai Rep: Agnes Sakakibara

Buddhist Temple: Mari Cameron

Japanese School: Ritsuko Yoshikawa

Odori Club: Rose Okazaki

Judo club: Aubrey Comley/Yosh Ouchi

FEES ARE NOW DUE FOR 2020: 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:_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Donations to VJCS (2019 to date) Coates/Mori – in memory of Margaret

Comley, Aubrey & Marilin

Crockett, Janie

Erie, Ken & Carol

Hoshi, Kazumi & Hiroko

Isobe, Dave & Jess

Kawaguchi, Gary

Mori, Nobby

Mori, Terry & Janice

Natsuhara, Kari & Stan

Ogasawara, Rick & family

Ohashi, Ruby

Okazaki, Rose

Ouchi, Suzie

Ouchi, Tom & Nina Langdon

Ouchi, Yosh

Sasaki, Joe

Sakakibara, Mas & Fumi

Sakakibara, Stacey & Brendan Robertson

Sato, Don & Mieko

Sato, Harold & Sachie

Shibata, Kazu & Naoko

Tabata, Toshiko

Vernon Buddhist Association

Yakura, Tosh & Masay

Yamabe, Chiyo

Page 9 VJCS NEWSLETTER FALL 2019