The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo kicked off 2014 with its annual Kotohajime performance at the Aratani Theatre on Sunday. Hirokazu Kosaka, JACCC artistic director and a member of Ikkyu, shot an arrow into the?kasumi mato(large archery target) in a purification ceremony. He was joined onstage by Terry Vuong and Wei-tarn Wilton Jap of Ikkyu.
Entitled “Hatsu-Kagami” (First Mirror), the event included harmonica improvisation by Tetsuya Nakamura (above left) and Imperial Court music and movement by Kinnara Gagaku/Bugaku (above right and below).
Madame Wakayagi Hisami and her group, Hana no Kai, performed traditional Japanese dance.
Speakers included (from left): Leslie Ito, president and CEO of JACCC; Consul General of Japan Jun Niimi; Tanner Blackman, representing City Councilmember Jose Huizar; and Henry Ota, newly elected chair of the JACCC Board of Directors.
Another New Year’s tradition was observed — the tossing of fresh mochi to the crowd.
Photos by MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo