
Participants of the California Japan Sister City Network at Shoseian Tea House on Aug. 15, 2021. (Courtesy of the Friends of Shoseian)
On Aug.15, 2021 in Glendale, California, the Friends of Shoseian hosted a recognition of the Sister Cities in Japan which was celebrated at the Shoseian Tea House and Friendship Garden in Glendale's Brand Park.
Representatives from Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City and Santa Barbara, met outside in the garden to share some of their own history with the Sister City program and introduce the group to the Sister City they work with in Japan.
Representatives of the Calif/Japan Sister City Network in attendance were:
Michael Belzer - Glendale/ Higashiosaka
Diana & James Callhan - Burbank/ Ota
Kathleen Mccann - Culver City/ Kaizuka
Teruko Weinberg - Los Angeles/ Nagoya
Jeffrey Jarow - Santa Monica/ Fujunomia & Kizugawa
Takako Wakita - Santa Barbara/ Toba
Bryan Takeda - Pasadena/ Mishima
The event also featured artwork from several grades of elementary school students from both Higashiosaka and from the Japanese Immersion program held at Dunsmore Elementary school in Glendale.
Before the Covid 19 travel restrictions were in place there was a plan to visit Higashiosaka and take the artwork from the Glendale students over to the students in Higashosaka and present them as gifts of friendship.
The decision was made to display the artwork from both groups at the Shoseian Tea House as an interim celebration of friendship.
Members of the public were able to come in, enjoy the beautiful garden and look at all the colorful artwork on display.