George Yamasaki Jr., San Francisco’s longest-serving city commissioner and the longtime “voice” of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, passed away in February. He was 86. “He was the ‘voice’ of the Cherry Blossom Festival for the decades of time he spent as the Grand Parade main stage announcer and the Peace Plaza stage,” recalled […]
George Yamasaki Jr., S.F.’s longest-serving city commissioner, dies
March 3, 2022 by Leave a Comment
KEEPING HISTORY: Samantha Beth Tsukiji crowned 2016 queen
April 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The 49th annual Cherry Blossom Festival crowned its 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen in an April 9 ceremony at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco’s Japantown. The program, emceed by KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama and KGO reporter David Louie, had Kona Melissa Kawai, Nicole Kiyomi Harada, Marisa Mari Sum, Samantha Beth Tsukiji, […]
Candidates for Cherry Blossom Queen Program announced
March 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Seven young Japanese American women, who will participate in the 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program, were introduced at a press conference March 12 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. The Queen Program, a highlight of San Francisco’s 49th annual Cherry Blossom Festival, will be held Saturday, April 9 […]
CONNECTING TO HERITAGE: Kelli Asako Sum crowned 2015 queen
April 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
With the start of the 48th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco, the 2015 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program chose its new queen and court April 11 at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco’s Japantown. The program, emceed by KTVU Fox2 reporter Jana Katsuyama and ABC7 KGO reporter David Louie, featured Taylor […]
2015 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen candidates announced
March 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
With the 48th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival a month away, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program introduced its four candidates for 2015 queen March 14 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. The program, to be held April 11, will select the new queen and court on the first […]
Japanese cultural classes
April 4, 2014 by 2 Comments
Taiko San Francisco GenRyu Arts Location: Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St., S.F.’s Japantown Contact: (415) 420-3151, info@genryuarts.org, www.genryuarts.org Maikaze Daiko Location: Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St., S.F. Contact: (415) 513-7798, info@maikazedaiko.org, www.maikazedaiko.org San Francisco Taiko Dojo Classes: 212 Ryan Way South San Francisco, CA 94080 Contact: (415) 928-2456, […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Cherry Blossom Festival
May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
桜 (Sakura) means “cherry blossom,” which consists of three parts. The left side represents a tree; the top right side represents a cherry flower necklace; and below that is a woman sitting. Together, the cherry blossom resembles a beautiful woman wearing a cherry blossom. 祭り (Matsuri) means “festival,” which consists of two parts. The top […]
Kelly Yuka Walton crowned 2013 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen
April 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Kelly Yuka Walton, an eighth-grade math teacher who grew up in San Francisco, was crowned the 2013 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen April 13 during the annual Queen Program, held at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco’s Japantown. “It’s been a lifelong dream to participate in this program,” Walton, 25, said after her win. “I […]
2013 Northern Calif. Cherry Blossom Queen Program candidates announced
March 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The five candidates who will compete for the title of Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were introduced to the public for the first time on Saturday, March 16 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. Michiko Marie Maggi, Jamie Sachiko Martyn, Tiffany Sieu Okimura, Kimberly Miya Sasaki and Kelly Yuka Walton will […]
Japanese government honors NorCal Cherry Blossom Festival leaders
June 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dozens of community members associated with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival gathered at the official residence of Consul General of Japan in San Francisco Hiroshi Inomata on the evening of May 30 to honor the work of the festival’s General Committee. The evening celebrated the presentation of the Commendation of the Minister for Foreign […]
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