Performers & Presenters
Enjoy Performances on the main stage and the lobby
MC: Tomo Hoku Angie
Tomo (AKA Hoku) has been a bilingual emcee for many years in both Hawaii and Seattle, doing various events involving ukulele, hula, sports, information technology, and/or the food and hospitality industries. Tomo works freelance as an interpreter and translator, as well as a tour coordinator, in greater Seattle and Japan. And as if those gigs aren't keeping her busy enough, she also fulfills her creative interests by posing as a model at art schools such as Gage Academy of Art, the art department at various local colleges, or private sessions and ateliers in town. The hand-made “silly hat” for the emcee gig has become her trademark; she now owns more than 100 of them. Tomo would like to connect with everyone in the audience, with her motto from Mother Teresa’s quote in her heart: “Peace begins with a smile.” <Instagram: tomo.hoku.angie>
トモ（Hoku）は、ハワイとシアトルを拠点に、バイリンガル司会者として、ウクレレやフラ、各種文化＆スポーツイベント、IT産業やフード＆ホスピタリティ業界の分野で、ステージから笑顔を送っています。通訳者＆翻訳者としてのキャリアも長く、またツアー・コーディネータとして、様々な地域にて観光業務に携わっています。クリエィティブな分野では、美術学校やアトリエ・セッションでのモデルとしても活躍中です。トレードマークとなった“お手製かぶりもの“は今では100個を超えたとか。自身が尊敬する、マザー・テレサの言葉「Peace begins with a smile – 平和はほほえみから始まる」をモットーに、たくさんの方と繋がって行きたいと願っています。
Our dojo was established in 1968 and for the past 56 years, Budokan Dojo has been teaching Kodokan judo to hundreds of judoka in the greater Seattle area. We practice three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and have two classes Youth/Adult Beginner and Advanced/Senior. We have an exceptional group of Senseis that teach all of our classes and they are all VOLUNTEERS! Our dojo is focused on our families and our goal is to use judo to bridge cultures and develop wonderful people.
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Cabin Choir
Cabin Choir is an easy-going women’s choir that evolved out of a group of moms with little ones in pre-school. Our members span a wide range of ages and always have fun singing together. Anyone who’d like to join, is welcome!
At Cascade Kendo Kai we aim to build an inclusive yet rigorous environment of learning and self reflection.
We share our present understanding of kendo through a unique Japanese-American perspective while paying homage to the values and spirit of the pioneering kendo sensei who came before us.
Tankokai Seattle Association is a non-profit organization serving the Chado Urasenke practitioners and those interested in Chado in the greater Seattle area.
Our mission is to promote better understanding and appreciation of the rich culture and spirits of Japan through the art of Chado, “the Way of Tea”, commonly known in English as “Japanese Tea Ceremony".
Chanoyu Seattle Omotesenke-Ryu
Our mission is introduce Japanese culture through Chanoyu in the world.
Echo Chorus
Echo Chorus is a women’s choir on the east side that’s been singing Japanese songs for over 30 years. Anyone who speaks Japanese and likes to sing is welcome—we’re looking for new members!
The Evergreen Glee Club (EGC) is a 4-part Men's chorus group with a diverse repertoire of primarily songs in the Japanese language ranging from old classical through J-pop and anime. EGC participates actively within the Seattle/Puget Sound regions's large community festivals including Japan Fair, Japan Week @Bellevue College, Japan America Society of the State of Washington events, Figgy Pudding Holiday choral contest and have performed in large venues like Safeco Field before Mariner's games as well as Sakura-Con.
Ikebana International is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement.
Our activities include demonstration of flower arranging, exhibitions, lectures/programs on related arts, tours, and workshops where one can study Ikebana under the direction of various school Masters.
Japanese Choral Groups in Seattle - Sound Singers, Evergreen Glee Chorus (EGC), Cabin Choir, and Echo Chorus
A joint performance by four choirs consisting of Sound Singers, Evergreen Glee Club, Cabin Choirs, and Echo Chorus, who have started working together in support of victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. We have held a number of benefit concerts under the banner of the Songs of Hope since 2011.
Omoide is a writing program at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington. It encourages members to write down their memories of the Japanese American experience. Omoide has published several books of such memories which are written with 5th grade students in mind. The group has had its stories performed at Seattle REP and printed in the North American Post. The program is collecting stories for our newest volume, Omoide VII, which focuses on stories of kindness, camaraderie and resilience among the Japanese American and other ethnic communities.
KIMONO ART, under the supervision of Yu Ugawa, a renowned kimono master dedicated to reviving Japan's national attire and introducing it to the next generation, offers a variety of services including kimono rental and dressing, traditional Japanese wedding attire, kimono photography, and kimono maintenance.
By hosting kimono shows at this Japan Fair, we will actively engage in preserving and promoting kimono culture.
Kotojazz is variations of traditional Japanese koto music and “nature-inspired” melodies with an infusion of western rhythm and jazz.
We are called Koto no Wa and we are a Japanese harp performance group that plays in all areas in the greater Seattle area. We play both traditional and modern songs.
Emmy award winning journalist Lori Matsukawa reads "Brave Mrs. Sato" - a heartwarming story of intergenerational friendship, immigration and courage. Based on her real-life babysitter and real-life grandma who was a picture bride, Lori's debut children's book shows us we are all braver than we know. Lori graduated from Aiea High School, Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and received an MA from the University of Washington. She was Miss Teeange America 1974. She and her husband live in the Seattle area.
Mark Canlis, owner of Canlis Restaurant and Penny Fukui, former Canlis server in the 1950's, will be discussing the legacy of Japanese hospitality at Canlis, and the beautiful ramifications that has had on the fine dining industry in America.
Necchu Gakuen, a non-profit organization in Tokyo, is a sister school of Seattle Necchu School in Bellevue, and it oversees 17 local schools for lifelong learners in Japan. Last year, we launched a gastronomic school in Tokyo to introduce American cuisine to Japanese rural areas. These areas boast diverse food cultures and offer unexpected regional delicacies. Our goal is to foster mutual understanding between consumers and producers and revitalize local communities in Japan.
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Japan's Gastronomic Adventure Tour Info
食の熱中小学校 現地実習ツアー情報 (2024)
Our group is made up of approximately 30 active multi-generational performers from Olympia, Yelm, Tacoma, Seattle, Port Orchard, and Oak Harbor areas. Members' ages range from toddlers to the elderly. Each of our members has their own unique background some from Okinawa and others local to Washington state.
Our ancestors believed that the ocean was a bridge that connected all people and made peace with all nations. Our Okinawan drums send forth a wish of peace to each and every person with our sincere appreciation in harmony with one another
Sakura-Con is an annual anime convention held in Seattle, Washington, organized by the Asia-Northwest Cultural Education Association (ANCEA). As one of the largest anime conventions in the Pacific Northwest, it attracts thousands of attendees each year. The event features a wide range of activities, including cosplay contests, panel discussions, gaming tournaments, screenings of anime and films, concerts, and vendor halls.
Sakura-Con celebrates Asian pop culture, including anime, manga, music, and fashion, providing a vibrant and immersive experience for fans.
Sakura-Con takes place next April 18th - 20th 2025! We hope to see you there!
Seattle Kokon Taiko (SKT), Washington’s first performing taiko ensemble, is based in the local Japanese American community and has performed at schools, arts festivals, street fairs, community programs, corporate events and in concert throughout Washington and Oregon. SKT combines the ancient with the modern; our repertoire is a mix of traditional pieces and contemporary compositions. Through taiko, we hope to contribute to the development of a uniquely Japanese American art form –Japanese in origin, American in expression– that weaves threads of continuity between generations and builds bridges of understanding among people of all nationalities and walks of life.
Shintokan Dojo has been teaching classical martial traditions in Woodinville since 1995. Koryu Bujutsu are martial arts whose teachings and techniques have been passed down from teacher to student since the feudal period when the bushi, or warrior class, used them for survival in combat.
Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu is the oldest extant tradition and the curriculum includes iaijutsu (sword drawing), kenjutsu (sword art), bojutsu (staff art), and naginatajutsu (glaive art), among many other teachings that have survived for 600 years.
Shinto Muso Ryu is a 400 year old style that originates in Kyushu, in southern Japan. The curriculum's focus is on the use of the jo (stick) and sword, but also includes juttejutsu (truncheon art) and kusarigamajutsu (sickle and chain art).
Sound Singers
We are a Japanese mixed choir from north of Seattle founded in 2009.
CHIKIRI & The School of TAIKO provides various programs of Taiko & Japanese musical instrument; Performances, Classes, Educational programs, Recordings & more. Led by professional performer Ringtaro Tateishi & co-founder Asako Tateishi based in Seattle.
Washington State Speech Contest is held every year and invites applicants from all over Washington state. Starting this year, the 41st annual Speech Contest was hosted solely by the Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese (WATJ). Many students with a passion for improving their Japanese skills applied for the contest this year as well. We were able to send a student from the winners to the National competition along with funded travel expenses. In addition, the winner of level 4 received an air ticket to Japan as a prize. Next year, college students will have a chance to participate in the speech contest as well as high school students. We are waiting for many students to apply next year!
Washington Shotokan Association is a non-profit organization that has served the Eastside community for over 50 years. We focus on teaching the traditions of Shotokan Karate while providing a safe and respectful environment for learning for all ages.
