After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai held its 2022 picnic on June 12 at George Elder Park in Monterey Park.
Activities included games such as mochi-maki, tamaire (in which balls are thrown into a basket) and “Pass the Daikon”. Patrick Seki and Larry Fukuhara hosted the entertainment and games.
Participants of all ages also took part in the ondo dance. The instructors were Aki Fukuhara Vaughn and Beverly Toyama.
The menu included bentos, hot dogs and shaved ice.
This year’s kenjinkai fellows were introduced. Pictured from left to right: President Arturo Yoshimoto; Futures Academy graduate Luca Mukai, son of David Mukai and Sue Matsumoto, who will attend Chapman University, majoring in electrical engineering; Kenneth Okamoto, son of Yoshio and Dana Okamoto, a graduate of Temple City High School, who will attend Cal Poly, majoring in human resources; Madison Hashibe, daughter of Eric and Elizabeth Hashibe, a graduate of United Christian Academy, who will attend UCLA, majoring in engineering; Fellowship Chairman Mike Vaughn.
Special guests included Richard Watanabe, Japan Prefectural Association of Southern California; Kihei Otani, Ehime Kenjinkai; Yoshitaka Morioka, Nanka Hiroshima Kenjinkai; Frank Kawase, Kanagawa Kenjinkai; Izumi Hasegawa and Erica Hayashi, Shimane Kenjinkai; Mari Kawaguchi, Club Tottori.
Photos by JK YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo
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