Photos by GWEN MURANAKA /Rafu Shimpo
Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California gathered for a 120th anniversary celebration on Oct. 5 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo.

Group marks its founding with displays of cultural arts and charitable donations.

By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU SENIOR EDITOR

With demonstrations of ikebana, calligraphy, dance, kendo and tea, the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California celebrated its 120th anniversary on Oct. 5 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo.

Mami Sone, honorary JWSSC president, is served during a tea ceremony demonstration by members of Urasenke School of Tea.
Dancers Kelsey Fung and Stacey Suzuki perform during the luncheon. Their teacher is Seiyumi Fujima.
Kyoko Makiuchi and Noriko Towata gave a kendo demonstration.

Emcee Kitty Sankey shared a quote from former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt that captured the moment.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience … The Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California is celebrating our 120th anniversary because members have reached out eagerly and without fear and have looked for newer and richer experiences,” Sankey said.

More than 150 attended the gathering, which highlighted the work of its members. The organization was founded in 1904 as the Rafu Fujinkai by a group of women who began sending care packages to Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.

Marie Tanaka

The luncheon was also a time to mourn the loss of Marie Tanaka, administrative secretary of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and active in numerous organizations, including JWSSC, where she served as an officer. Former president Itsuko Ramos led a moment of silence for Tanaka, who passed away suddenly on Sept. 12.

Robert Perez, a deputy for Councilmember Kevin De León, presents a proclamation to Shirley Tanaka Tsunekawa in honor of her late sister Marie Tanaka.

Yuriko Shikai, JWSSC president, noted that helping charitable groups has been at the core of JWSSC since its founding.

“Since then the Fujinkai has established a long and rich history as a charitable organization that seeks to better our community and promote Japanese culture and arts and support friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States,” Shikai said.

In recent years, the women’s group has donated to victims of the 2011 tsunami and earthquake in northeastern Japan and the New Year’s Day quake on the Noto Peninsula. Donations were given to the JACCC, Little Tokyo Senior Nutrition Center, and Union Church of Los Angeles.

“Today let us not only celebrate our past but also look forward to working together for a better future,” Shikai said.

George Kita, president of the JACL Downtown L.A. Chapter, led a congratulatory toast.

Mami Sone, honorary JWSSC president and wife of Consul General Kenko Sone, noted that a diplomat in Geneva once told her that Japan’s greatest resources are its people.

“With so many talented members sharing their skills through origami, tea ceremony, so many things, I am so proud to say that our greatest resources has always been our people,” she said. “Watching you work at the Nisei Week bazaar in sweltering heat, it is evident that you have been our best resource since 1904. However, the legacy cannot endure without the support and understanding of the wider community. I hope the legacy … will continue for many years to come.”

Members displayed their talents in kendo, calligraphy, ikebana and batik. Former presidents Itsuko Ramos, Tomoko Sakurai and Joyce Chinn were recognized for their service to the organization.

Congratulatory messages were given by Kazue Kitagaito, president of Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California (Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai) and Haru Takehana, president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California.

Donation recipients Patricia Wyatt (JACCC), Darlene Kuba (Little Tokyo Senior Nutrition Services), with Shikai and Rev. Ruben Nuno of Union Church of Los Angeles.
JWSSC past presidents (from left) Joyce Chinn, Tomoko Sakurai, Itsuko Ramos and current President Yuriko Shikai.
Perez presents Certificates of Appreciation to Shikai, Kitty Sankey, Chinn and Yuko Uyesugi.

Takehana noted that JWSSC has persisted long past its original mission to raise donations for the Russo-Japan War. Like The Rafu Shimpo, JWSSC, then known as Rafu Fujinkai, had its origins in the early Japanese community in Southern California.

“I’d like to express our gratitude to Fujinkai for its partnership and friendship. These days Nikkei women are more active not only in workplace but also in the Japanese community. It is truly encouraging to see Nikkei women are more active and taking leadership roles,” Takehana said.

The afternoon concluded with the a group photo in front of the JACCC. Their next event will be the annual New Year’s celebration in Little Tokyo’s Weller Court.

Sankey concluded the day with a positive message:

“I leave you to think of next year’s theme from the National Women’s History Alliance – ‘Moving Forward Together, Women Educating and Inspiring Generations!’ And the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California will indeed do just that. As we move into 2025, we will CONTINUE to educate and to inspire future generations,” she said.