Start of Hiroshima Ken Jin Kai
October 1, 1900
Seattle Hiroshima Club started in October 1900, when eleven men met to form a mutual society that would look after the many people coming from Japan to the “New World”. Founding Fathers of “Koryo Gikai” : Fujii, Chojiro Fujikawa, Tsunesaburo Iwami, Miyojiro Iwamura, Jiro Kirahra, Iwakichi Kusumi, Ryusaburo Masuda, Yasutaro Nakata, Iwakichi Nakata, Naoichi Sakuma, Yoshio Shiwamura, Sensuke Takenawa, Ichiroji Wada, Naoichi Watanabe, Tamejiro
Helping the War Effort
August 28, 1907
The club raised $658.50 to help establish the Imperial Japanese Voluntary Fleet and $434 was collected and sent to Hiroshima for flood releif
AYPE | Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition
June 1, 1909
The club participated in the Alaska-Yukon-Exposition -AYPE
Hiroshima Ken Jin Kai Publishes a Book
October 1, 1920
To commemorate the 20 years history of The Pacific Northwest, Hiroshima Ken Jin Kai published a book. For the period of 1921 to 1945 written information and photographs are almost non-existent because records were either lost of destroyed during the World War II. From 1941 to 1945 club activities were suspended because members were incarcerated in various internment camps.
Governor and Mayor of Hiroshima visits
April 10, 1950
The Governor of Hiroshima Tsunei Kusunose as well as the Mayor of Hiroshima Shinzo Hamai made a seattle visit.
16-Day Tour
October 1, 1955
Seiso Bitow Organized a 16 day tour of Washington State
Governor Ohara from Hiroshima Prefecture
July 10, 1956
A welcome dinner was held for Mr. Ohara, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture
Japanese Community Queen
May 1, 1960
It started on May 1950, May (Tsutsumoto) Mori, was chosen by Seattle JACL to represent our city in the National JACL Convention and to participate in the National Queen Pagent in Chicago. She was the daugther of Club members Mr. and Mrs. Tsutsumoto. Ten years later in 1960 Japanese Community Queen program began with a vision of Minoru Tsubota, who proposed a Nisei Queen Pageant be organized. Many daughters of Seattle Hiroshima Club members have been selected as the Seattle Japanese Community Queen since the inception of the program.
Oshoro Maru Crew Welcome Dinner
August 1, 1960
The club held a welcome dinner for the seven Hiroshima crew members from the Oshoro Maru training ship. This marked the beginning of hosting crew members from variety of training ships
First Hiroshima Club Scholarships
July 1, 1964
In an effort to aid members in fullfiling the hope and dreams of higher education for their childres, Hiroshima Club established a college scholarship program. The scholarships recognized outstanding highschool seniors. The first awards were given to four Hiroshima descendants, Hiroshi Hoida, Marcias Kadoguchi, Susan Kihara and Carole Kouara. Since that time more than 130 students have been the recipients of the Hiroshima Club scholarships.
25th Atomic Bomb Anniversary Service
August 8, 1970
Mr. Masato Uyeda led a group of members to attend Hiroshima’s 25th Atomic Bomb Anniversary in Hiroshima City, Japan to present flowers from the Seattle Hiroshima Club.
Gov. Miyazawa and Kenshin Treatments
April 4, 1977
Gov. Miyazawa of Hiroshima Prefecture visited and a doctor from Hiroshima visited Seattle for kenshin. Kenshin is a physical examination of atomic bomb survivors from WWII. This visit signals the bi-annual visits by a doctor from Hiroshima to the present time.
80th Year Anniversary Celebration
January 18, 1981
Hiroshima Club celebrates the 80th year anniversary at Settle Buddhist Church Auditorium.
1st Seattle Hiroshima Club Golf Tournament
May 23, 1984
A new type of Activity was initiated when the first Seattle Hiroshima Club Golf Tournament was introduced on 1984. It was played at the Jefferson Park Golf COurse and was won by Smith Morimoto.
Hiroshima Museum Rep. Pays a visit
May 30, 1987
A representative of the Hiroshima Museum visited Seattle to interview members and collect materials for the museum. As it had done in the past, the Club responded whole-heartedly to request from Japan, members collected and shipped three containers of materials including a farm worker’s shack, horse driven farm equipments, oyster harvesting equipment, office machines and books
Governor Takeshita of the Hiroshima Prefecture visited Seattle
May 30, 1989
Governor Takeshita of the Hiroshima Prefecture visited Seattle. A ten-day tour of Japan was organized by Tsu Horike. A group of musicians from Hiroshima performed Taiso Koto at the Seattle Buddhist Church Auditorium.
Taisho Koto Performers of Seattle
July 9, 1989
A group of Taiso Koto players from Hiroshima performed at Seattle Buddhist Church. Taisho Koto is a unique Japanese four string musical instrument modified from the traditional Japanse Koto. Ayako Horike started a Taisho Koto group in Seattle
“From Hiroshima to Hope” Lantern Floating Ceremony
August 7, 1993
The Club Started yearly donations to “From Hiroshima to Hope” lantern floating ceremony program in remembrance of the atomic bomb victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Youth Exchange Program
July 14, 1997
Two descendants of Hiroshima Club mebers, Julie Nakayama and Damon Ono attended a Youth Exchange Program in Hiroshima, Japan. The main purposes of this project were first to promote international understanding and encourage communication and personal exchanges between foreign youht ans the youth of Hiroshima and second to promote new networks for the next genera tion.
Chairman Toshihiro Hiyama visits Seatle
October 5, 1998
Approximately 100 members including those from Oregon Hiroshima Club attended dinner to celebrate the reception for Chairman Toshihiro Hiyama and nine delegates of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. Mr. Hiyama presented and award to 19 members attending the dinner out of 82 current members who are 80 years and older. And a special appreciation award to Tsu Horike, Masao Yamaguchi, and Paul Hosoda for their many years of service to the Club.
Kagura Performance at Seattle
April 16, 1999
The Kagura performers, a 20 member troupe from Hiroshima Japan performed Yamato Oroshi- a play about the eight headed giant serpent- at the 24th Annual Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at the Seattle Center
International Sport Festival
October 12, 1999
At the invitation of Governor Yuzan Fujita, Our Members Masao Yamaguchi, Sumiko Yamaguchi and Mary Fujita attended the International Sport Festival at Hiroshima Stadium
1,000 Mizuhiki Cranes named “Tree of Peace”
February 19, 2000
Haruko Shimizu, a talented teacher of the ancient craft of mizuhiki, crafted and presented the “Tree of Peace” to the Hiroshima Peace Park. This work of art consisted of 1,000 mizuhiki cranes in various colors as a sumbol of peace. Mrs. Shimizu was assisted by Hiroshima Club, Seattle Betsuin women, and Dharma class students in this project.
Supervisor of Youth Affairs from Hiroshima
December 15, 2003
A dinner reception was held in honor of Mr. Yoshiki Nakagami who is the supervisor of the Youth Affairs Office, Environmental & Citizens Affair Department of the Hiroshima Prefectural Government. The Club assisted Mr. Nakagami during his three day visit to Seattle to contact educators at International Innovations and Seattle University to learn and hear the programs being conducted to promote youht developments in the USA. The Youth Affairs Office is searching from new methods in which can be incorporated into their programs to promote involvement from families, schools and local communities and to invigorate youth developments activities in their local communities.