Japan Society of Fairfield County
Ohanami 2006
Before our Ohanami
began, nature paid us another visit that won't soon
be forgotten. A weekend of rain fell, flooding roads and washing away
the cherry blossoms at the Greenwich Japanese School. The
Japanese kanji to the left is the literary character "kouu" and refers
to the rain falling over the cherry blossoms which literally means
"rain of rouge". It is derived from the image of rain drops
falling from the blossom that are stained taking the color of the
petals. This was brought to our attention by Masaki
Sugamiya, Director of General Affairs at the Consulate General of Japan
in New York. It was the perfect union for our rainy ohanami and
kendo demonstration.
Our event began with introductory remarks by Vernon Beck,
president of The Japan Society of Fairfield County, followed by
remarks from Greenwich Japanese School Principal Ryuichiro Toki,
translated by our
vice president Harry Sakamaki. Ryuichiro Shima of the Japan
Educational Institute addressed us next, followed by Masaki Sugamiya of
the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Our remarks were
concluded by Gregory Boyko, honorary consul general of Japan in
Connecticut. Mr. Boyko is CEO of Hartford Life International and
a US citizen. 
His
company has achieved great success in Japan,
having the largest market share of the annuity business. To help him
promote good relations between Japan and the United
States, Mr. Boyko regularly receives briefings from
the Japanese government so that he can present the Japanese view to the
largest possible audience.
We enjoyed a delicious bento for lunch from
Tokushin Restaurant in
Greenwich. The Westchester Fairfield Hebrew Academy is in the process
of purchasing the campus of The Greenwich Japanese School and the two
schools plan share the campus into the foreseeable future. We chose
to commemorate this union by inviting representatives of WFHA to join
us and having kosher bentos.
Fujima Konishiki of the Soke Fujima School choreographed our Japanese
dance presentation. Fujima Konishiki, is the name granted to our
own Kyoko Ohnishi, a licensed instructor in the Soke Fujima
school. 
The dance
Sakura, Sakura (Cherry, Cherry) was presented by Alisa
MacDonald , age
4. She has just started taking dance lessons and wore a blue kimono
with sakura patterns made especially for this
occasion by her mother, Chika. Yumi and Alice
Kaori McDonald and Erica MacDonald (7) joined Alisa in demonstrating Sakura,
Sakura to the audience which joined in a second round.
Our own Yumi McDonald, JSFC Membership Chair, had her solo dance
debut, presenting Harusame (Spring Rain).
At this point we moved from the GJS cafeteria to the Gymnasium for a
superb educational program on kendo presented by Robert Gordon, Esq. of
Kyodokan Kendo Dojo in Scarsdale. He began with a discussion of
the history and philosophy of kendo and then he and fellow kendoists
Tadaki Kawae, Soo Chul Bang, Masato Nakamura, Takuya Sawaoka, and Amy
Iwazumi
demonstrated and explained how kendo is executed
and scored.
Details on Kendo Presentation
Kyudokan Kendo Dojo Brochure
Photos courtesy of Harry Sakamaki
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