10/05: Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California will celebrate its 120th Anniversary on Oct. 5 at the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center located at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)
The Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California (JWSSC). Photo by the Rafu Shimpo. Courtesy of the JWSSC.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a tea ceremony, watch and learn the art of Kendo and Buyo (Japanese dance), and enjoy the displays of calligraphy, flower arrangements, and batik (Roketsuzome) all within the beautiful surroundings of the James Irvine Japanese Garden.
The Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California (JWSSC), a nonprofit organization, began on March 27, 1904, in Los Angeles when a small group of women, as Rafu Fujinkai, began to send care packages to Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.
In 1930, the Rafu Fujinkai brought Buddhist, Christian and other women’s organizations together under a single women’s organization, the Nanka Fujinkai Renmei (Federation of Southern California Japanese Women), to coordinate their activities. A golden era followed the Fujinkai’s volunteer work which expanded into many areas of social welfare. Fujinkai members also introduced and promoted the Japanese Cultural Arts to build goodwill and friendly relations between Japan and the United States.
In 1937, over 3000 people witnessed the dedication of the Fujinkai’s 23.5-foot stone monument at Evergreen Cemetery to honor the deceased Japanese Pioneers. In 1953, Crown Prince Akihito of Japan recognized the monument with the planting of two trees and a dedication plaque. To this day, a service is conducted at the monument every Memorial Day.
In 1956, the organization adopted the present name of Nanka Nikkei Fujinkai (Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California). After 120 years, the JWSSC continues to volunteer support in the Japanese American community, including by yearly participation in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California’s (JCCSC) Oshogatsu Festival; at Memorial Day services at Evergreen Cemetery; at the Women of the Year event co-sponsored with the Downtown LA JACL; and at Nisei Week.
Other special participations have been the JCCSC year-end charity drives and donations for the 9-11 Tragedy, Katrina, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and Love to Nippon Project.
The JWSSC also provides annual monetary support for other nonprofit organizations as well as visitations to Kei Ai Nursing Home. Its senseis and other members continue to share the Japanese Cultural Arts of Ikebana, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, Koto and Odori presentations in their community.
The JWSSC invites community members to this special event. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with a tea ceremony at 10:15 a.m. and the program/lunch at 11:45 a.m.
The cost of $90 can be by check or cash (no credit card). Registrations must be made by September 27, 2024. For more information, please email jwssc1904@gmail.com, or contact Kitty Sankey at 213-709-7438.
