Dharma School Summer Program

Kids Summer Program: “Matsuri: Festivals and Celebrations”
Submitted by Tina Zumoto Ko

Could you feel the rumble of excitement around the temple this summer? 80 students in 1-6th grade, 5 teachers, 14 Jr. Assistants, and over 20 volunteers and specialists daily were creating, and learning throughout the temple during the week.

Rinban Fujii and Rev. Castro started our days with informative and inspirational services including ego & selfishness, Amida-Man and Daruma-san. Chanting of the Juseigei accompanied by wood blocks was a great way to awaken our spirits.

Our teachers this year were Patsy Abe (from Oregon), Erin Ikegami Taylor, Penny Atcheson, Nina Tomita-Kato and Karen Akira. Teacher assistants were Joyce Kato, Molly Yoneyama, and Norimi Kusanagi. What an enthusiastic bunch!

The spectacular and boundless talents of our temple members were shared during the week. These included: shuji/calligraphy: Aiko Fujii and Kinue Kuwahara; sumie-e: Sat Ichikawa; kimono and the Girls Day dolls: Joyce Kato, Fujie Yamasaki, Masako Kubo, Yoshi Mamiya, & Ruth Aoki; Boys Day koinobori, swords, yukata: Fumiko Groves and Miyoko Tazuma;
Ritsuko Kawahara led the BWA ladies to another rousing cooking session featuring New Year’s Day food. Assistants include: Sadie Yamasaki, Martha Taniguchi, Michiko Fujii, Fumiko Groves, Yoshi Hiroo, Kiyo Takashima, Aiko Fujii.

We were treated to a lively judo demonstration & instruction by Budokan Dojo’s Eric Tomita, Calvin Terada and Blair Sordetto over at their dojo. Susanne Umeda and Gail Florence came and led workshops on the “kachi-kachi”dance and tanko bushi.

Donna Zumoto, of Matsuri Taiko, led 5 different taiko sessions daily. Michiru Suzuki Suzerris provided skilled choir instruction each morning as the students learned Oshogatsu, Koinobori, Genkotsu yama and Sadako’s 1000 paper cranes in Japanese and English which students performed at Keiro for the residents. Performances of taiko and the choir, with live piano accompaniment arranged by Michiru, highlighted the Family Matsuri night performance.
Jr. Assistants were led by Irene Goto and helped in the classrooms, with activities and in leadership & support roles. They were: Alyssa Arinobu , Alexa Aratani , Sara Umeda, Sean Leonard, Jason Quan, Sani Kato, Aaron Tokita, Mariko Keltner, Robin Momii, Jason Yokoyama, Travis Suzaka, Blair Sordetto, Sara Katayama & Alexa Sasaki.

Once again we were honored with generous donations from: Patsy Abe $50, Nina Tomita Kato $20 in memory of Mrs. Charlotte Yamane, Kinue Kuwahara $162, Karen Akira $525, Abe, Mizumoto, Taketa in honor of Susie Yamane, Lance Butler $35, West Coast Printing (lots of paper), Miyoko Kaneta (Japanese language cards), Daisy Kuramoto (karuta cards), Grace Ichikawa (Bon Odori Dancer book), Tomiko Zumoto (books), Cam . Loaned materials: Mae Yamasaki, Grace Ichikawa, Miyoko Kaneta, Steve Hasegawa (sword). Gayle Sordetto did craft prep, while Cam Sata and Jon Nishida donated their time to make 168 handmade kachi-kachis for the students.

Shizu Kaku greeted everyone with smiles and along with Jack Matsui aided in “making it all work”. We thank all who lent their talents & time to the program this year. We really could not have done it without temple members support. Please forgive us if we’ve missed anyone, and let us know. Co-chairs Lani Carpenter, Pam Horn and myself all extend a heartfelt Domo arigato gozaimashita to all!