Hibakusha Remembrance Week

August 6th and 9th, 2020.

Hibakusha Remembrance Week — 75th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Communities are invited to join in Bell ringing and “making a righteous noise” at the time of dropping of the bombs.

Individuals are invited to set a reminder and take a moment to reflect… “Set a chime for those times”

On Thursday, August 6 and Sunday, August 9 church bells, hand bells and other appropriate devices are to be rung across Vancouver Island at the time the bombs exploded: 8:15 AM on August 6 and 11:50 AM on August 9.

The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society will ring the Morioka Friendship bell on David Foster Way.

Please join us. COVID-19 protocols for safety will be followed.

Hibakusha Remembrance Week

If you are planning on coming please email tsugkurushima@gmail.com.

All are invited to take part in the online educational event:

Thursday, August 6 at noon, a live Zoom presentation with a question and answer period on the current nuclear weapons threat, nuclear weapons and religious faith, and the public health and the environmental consequences of nuclear weapons. Register here to receive the Zoom Link.


The distinguished presenters for this event are two physicians and a brilliant young student activist.

Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford is past President of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War, winner of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. She has twice been awarded the Governor General of Canada Award and has participated in humanitarian missions to North Korea.

Magritte Gordaneer from Victoria is a student at McGill University. She founded McGill Students for Peace and Disarmament, the university’s only student peace group. Magritte travelled to Hiroshima to participate in the Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security presented by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Jonathan Down is President of Physicians for Global Survival. He is a pediatrician at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health in Victoria and an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.

Moderator for the program is Bill Geimer, US army veteran and Professor of Law Emeritus, Washington and Lee University.

Send any questions to Bill Geimer at peacevetcanada@gmail.com


The week of 2-9 August, 2020 is to be designated as Hibakusha Remembrance Week honouring the survivors of the bombings.

Find out more about the VNCS.

2020 Mochi-Tsuki Kai — Potluck Dinner

VNCS Members, join us for our 2020 New Year celebration: Mochi-Tsuki Kai!

What:  2020 New Year Celebration
              Mochi-Tsuki Shinnen Kai
              Potluck Dinner

WhenSunday, January 19, 2020
              2:30 PM – 6:15 PM 
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre
              527 Fraser Street, Victoria, BC

Join us to celebrate this New Year with a potluck dinner, entertainment, interactive participation including mochi-pounding, calligraphy writing and traditional games to celebrate this New Year.

This popular community event for all ages has a few guidelines that will be in place:

a) Attendees must be an active member of the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society, the Japanese Friendship Society, or the Victoria Heritage Japanese Language School

b) Admission is with a main course dish to share

c) Please bring sufficient food to feed your family plus 2 (two) other people

d) As well, please LABEL your serving dish and utensils with your name and your food item with an ingredient list

e) Drinks and dessert will be provided for guests 

Volunteer Help Still Needed!

We still require 8 – 10 volunteers to work on teams including: 

1. Reception Greeting
2. Food/Drink Tables Attending Crew
3. Room Set-up or Take-down Crew

If you are able to assist, please contact the Organizing Committee at:  info@vncs.ca
  
Excitement is mounting and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday, January 19, 2020!

餅つき新年会ポットラック・ディナー

「もう直ぐです、日曜日にお会いしましょう!!!」

何でしょうか? — 2020年新年会です。

日時:1月19日日曜日2:30 PM – 6:15 PM
会場:エスクァイモルト・レクレーション・センター (527 Fraser Street, Victoria, BC

ポットラック・ディナー、エンターテーメント、餅つき、書き初め、伝統的ゲームをしながら、皆さん、ご一緒に新年をお祝いしましょう。 

老いも若きも皆が楽しめる人気のコミュニティー・イベントですが、次のような決まりがあります。 

参加者はビクトリア日系文化協会、日本友好協会、またはビクトリア・ヘリテージ日本語学校の現役会員でなければいけません。 

参加費として、メイン・コースを一品ご持参ください。ご自分の家族分+2人分の分量で、皿や用具に名前をつけていただくこと、料理名と材料名を記していただくことをお願いします。 

飲み物とデザートは主催者側で用意します。 

ボランティア急募各作業チームで数名のボランティア(8-10名)を募集しています。受付食べ物・飲み物テーブルの担当台所作業会場準備または片付けお手伝いできる方は運営委員会にメールでご連絡ください。アドレス: info@vncs.ca 

日に日に楽しみが増してきます。

1月19日日曜日にお会いしましょう!

(和訳 フェドロー 美恵子)

Esquimalt Japanese Tea House Commemoration Initiative – We Need Your Help

We need your help to have the Township of Esquimalt build a multi-purpose building at Gorge Park that commemorates the Japanese history of that park!  Please complete this online survey  to vote for the multi-purpose building that incorporates Japanese design elements, Building 1.  Below is the architectural rendering of Building 1.  It incorporates modern Japanese architectural design elements.  There is a comparable building in the Japanese Gardens in Portland (see image at the end of this post).

Esquimalt Concept Building 1 (more details available once you complete the survey).

When you complete the online survey you will have an opportunity to see more information about the buildings being proposed and you can even suggest other Japanese design elements that they should consider such as a Zen Garden, bamboo garden or sliding doors and screens.  You could even suggest a room to perform Japanese cultural demonstrations.  The Township of Esquimalt is also going to hold an Open House on September 19 at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre from 6 to 8 pm where you can speak to staff and the architects about the proposed building.  You might like to attend the Open House.  However the key action that needs to be taken is completing the survey by Sep 29.  The more support we show, the greater the probability of the of the Esquimalt council proceeding with the Japanese style building. 

We are very close to achieving our goal to have the Township of Esquimalt erect a multi-purpose building that commemorates the Japanese history of Esquimalt’s Gorge Park.  Let us not be complacent and let this once in a lifetime opportunity slip through our fingers.  Complete the survey and recruit others to do the same.  You can forward this infromation to others to vote for the Japanese style multi-purpose building.

Thank you
Tsugio Kurushima
President,
Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society

Japanese Building Design at Portland’s Japanese Garden.

Japan Fest 2019

Save the date – don’t miss our second annual Japan Fest on Saturday, July 27th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM!

Experience the taste and culture of Japan at Japan Fest on July 27, 2019 at the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre. Enjoy powerful Japanese drumming by Uminari Taiko, graceful Japanese folk dancing by award winning Furusato Dancers and savour delicious Japanese cuisine provided by FUDO Japanese Restaurant.


FUDO will be providing a special $7 snack menu. This event is a family friendly FREE event that will run from 3:00-5:00 PM in the court yard outside of FUDO.

NEWS RELEASE – Japanese community concerned with Victoria’s cherry tree removal

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2019

Japanese community concerned with Victoria’s cherry tree removal

Victoria – The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society is worried the City of Victoria’s urban forest plan could threaten the future of the culturally and historically significant cherry trees lining many streets in Victoria and beloved by the entire community.

Victoria’s first blossoming cherry trees were purchased and donated by the Japanese community more than eight decades ago after their float won first place and $300 in prize money in the Victoria’s 75th anniversary parade in 1937.

“It’s disappointing that City Hall has failed to consult with Victoria’s Japanese community and the wider community about council’s plans that could uproot history,” said VNCS President Tsugio Kurushima. “It’s ironic that the history of Victoria’s cherry trees has been ignored at the same time VNCS is working with the Township of Esquimalt to right the historical wrong of the destruction of the Japanese tea house during the Second World War.”

Kurushima pointed out the cherry trees were selected by Victoria’s parks superintendent in the 1930s because native trees like firs and maples were buckling sidewalks. Cherry trees are also easier to maintain, require less watering, and prove hardier than many native trees.

“Sakura, or cherry blossoms, are a sign spring has arrived in Victoria and so many people love to celebrate the beauty they bring to our community,” Kurushima added. “For more than 80 years these trees have survived and thrived, and it’s clear that they can continue to spark joy for people many more decades.”

Kurushima noted that the points being made that climate change and drought resistance being the reasons to replace cherry trees has been debunked by University of Victoria forest biologist Dr. Patrick von Aderkas.

“Rather than climate change, it’s old age that is impacting the health of some of these 80-year-old trees. In fact, that time span is an incredible accomplishment for an ornamental tree,” Dr. von Aderkas said. “The reality of these cherry trees is the exact opposite of claims being made – they have an excellent adaptation in the face of climate change due to the superior water-seeking abilities of their roots. They are tough urban trees that are low on maintenance.”

Kurushima encouraged Victoria residents who share the Japanese community’s love of the cherry trees and their annual blossoming to share their concerns directly with the mayor and city councillors.

-30-

Media contact:
Tsugio Kurushima, President, Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society
(250) 384-2654

2019 Mochi-Tsuki Shinnen Kai and Potluck Dinner

Kagamimochi

2019 MOCHI-TSUKI KAI and POTLUCK DINNER

Presented by the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society, the Japanese Friendship Society and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Esquimalt Rec Centre
2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

Please join us for a potluck dinner, entertainment and interactive participation which includes mochi-pounding and traditional games to celebrate this New Year.

As this is a popular community event for all ages, there are a few guidelines that will be in place:

  • Attendees must be Active Members of the Host Organizations
  • Admission with a Main Course Dish to share: Please bring sufficient food to feed your family plus 2 (two) other people.
  • As well, please LABEL your serving dish and utensils with your name and your food item with an ingredient list.

Drinks and Dessert will be provided for guests.