42nd Annual Kotohajime: Hatsu-Ho 初穗 (First Crop)

Nobuko Fukatsu is a Los Angeles-based biwa (lute) player who has been studying biwa and singing under the esteemed biwa musician Yoshiko Sakata in Japan since 2005. Her versatile performances span cultural gatherings, festivals, and educational events, and her artistry has also been featured in entertainment media, including the video game Trek to Yomi (2022) and the short film The Old Young Crow (2023).

Nobuko’s repertoire includes classical narrative biwa music, modern instrumental compositions, and narrative pieces written in contemporary Japanese. She performs using instruments with deep historical significance, including those that survived the Japanese-American internment experience during World War II, keeping history alive through her music.

On December 22, 1957, Disneyland hosted its very first themed Christmas parade, dedicated by Walt Disney to "all peoples of the world." Among the civic organizations invited to represent global cultures was Kansuma Kai, named during this event by Walt Disney himself and the late Madame Fujima Kansuma. For over eight decades, Kansuma Sensei served as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, costume designer, and cultural ambassador. Alongside Kansuma Kai and their families, she introduced audiences to the artistry of Nihon Buyo, captivating them with its beauty, energy, and mystique.

Today, her daughter, Fujima Kansuzu, carries forward this rich legacy alongside Kansuma Sensei’s cherished Natori-sans and students. Together, they strive to preserve and share the art of Nihon Buyo, continuing to unite communities and inspire joy and wonder through Japanese culture.

Hirokazu Kosaka leads the Los Angeles Kyudo Kai in performing the ceremonial archery at the 42nd Annual Kotohajime. Founded in 1916 in Little Tokyo, the Los Angeles Kyudo Kai is one of the oldest kyudo (archery) groups in the United States. Historically, their original range was located on the site of what is now the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters.

Rooted in an 11th-century tradition, kyudo has been practiced as a ceremonial art of purification within Japan's Imperial Court, Buddhist temples, and Shinto shrines. To achieve the perfect shot, an archer must act with immediate precision, free of distraction. Today, the Los Angeles Kyudo Kai regularly practices at the Angeles Gate Dojo in San Pedro, continuing to uphold this timeless art form.

Nadeshiko Kai is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Takako Sasaki to promote and preserve Japanese culture and traditions. Dedicated to serving the culturally diverse communities of Greater Los Angeles, Nadeshiko Kai engages in events and activities that highlight Japanese customs, with a special focus on kimono culture.

Through their efforts, the organization ensures the rich heritage of Japanese culture is passed down to the next generation, fostering understanding and appreciation among all communities they serve.