Japan Society of Shasta County
OUR STORY
The Japan Society of Shasta County (JSSC) came into its meek existence in Redding, CA, in the beginning of February 2018. How this happened is our story of unity. It all started with two Japanese women meeting weekly to talk about family life and to pray for each other similar to how a mother and daughter would build friendship throughout the adult years. They dreamed of building a community of Japanese people and hosting a festival like the yearly cherry blossom festivals in San Francisco and Washington DC. They dreamed of donating cherry blossom trees bought with the festival proceeds to the city and filling our streets and avenues with pink petals of hope. They didn’t just dream on, however; they took action to make it all happen. This initial action sparked interests in many others in the community causing the cascade of actions that led to our success.
The timing of all this development was miraculous. It was around that time we met new Japanese and Japanese-American families in the area, and we hosted welcome events and luncheons to help make them feel at home. Our circle of like-minded people grew and was united under one goal of creating a community and working together to bring the Cherry Blossom Festival to Redding. Our first Festival was held April 2018, only two months after we dreamed about it. Much to our surprise, we welcomed over 800 guests. It was a success beyond our expectations credited to each one of us who worked together.
We continue to dream new dreams, dreams that will come true. Through our effort to bring cultural experiences to the community of Redding, we dream that the kids today will learn to appreciate our differences and celebrate diversity. May they grow and blossom into loving and respectful adults who create the culture of love and unity. As the cherry blossom trees we plant take deeper root in the soils of Redding, may such culture take root in the hearts of young people today.
Our dreams, and hopefully yours as well, can come true only if each one of us work together bringing our unique skills and gifts to the community. We are grateful beyond words to describe for the time and labor, financial support and sponsorships in which each one of you have invested. Please continue to support us in any way you can for the future of the JSSC, Redding, Shasta county, and beyond.
JSSC
始まりのお話
私たち、JSSC・Japan Society of Shasta Countyは、2018年２月にレディングにてその小さな産声をあげました。
それは毎週のように会って、家族や生活の事を話したり祈りあう、親子ほども年齢の違う日本人二人の、レディングに来て以来長年温めて来た夢が切っ掛けでした。『この地域に日本人、日系人のコミュニティーを作る事、そしてレディング初となる桜祭りを開催し、その収益金により桜の木をレディング市に寄付して、この街に桜並木を作ろう！』一瞬にして一致団結しました。
丁度その頃、嬉しいことにレディングに引っ越して来られる日系人（日本人？）ファミリーが増えてその方達を迎える歓迎会や食事会を持つようになっていました。更には日本人だけではなく日系アメリカ人、アメリカ人の方達にもその輪が広がり、同じ思いを持つ者同士が集まりました。
そしてこの素晴らしい方達との出会いと、多くの方のご理解とご協力の元、２０１８年４月に記念すべき一度目の桜祭りが開催され、８００名を超えるゲストを迎え大盛況のうちに終える事が出来ました。日本の会結成からわずか二ヶ月後の事でした。
私たちは引き続き夢見ています。この桜祭りにて、
国や人種の壁を超えて他国の文化を共に楽しむ時を体験して頂くことを通して、このシャスタカウンティーの将来を担う子供たちに、お互いの違いを理解し祝いあう、
そのような文化が桜の木の成長と共に、この地域に
益々根ざし育っていくことを。そして今、桜祭りを体験してくださっている子供達が親となった時には、
今度はその子供達と共に満開に咲く桜の木を愛でながら
桜祭りを楽しんでいただける、そんな事を夢見ています！
それには関わり助けてくださる、お一人お一人の力が
なにより大切です。
今まで賜りました多大なご協力に心から感謝すると共に、
これからもご理解とご協力を賜りますよう、
よろしくお願いいたします。
JSSC一同
Sakura project
The Sakura Project has been set up by the
Japan Society of Shasta County in hopes of bringing more
cherry blossom trees to parks and schools in the city of Redding.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival
go to purchase cherry blossom trees.
Help us bring cherry blossom trees
to the next generation of Shasta county children.
We have partnered with the church & society program through the First United Methodist Church and all donations are tax deductible.
Homemade Japanese Curry Recipe
meat of your choice
onion......................................................1
ginger & garlic.......................................1
curry powder.................1.5 tablespoon
flour...................................2 tablespoon
water.............................................300 ml
worcestershire sauce.....1/2 tablespoon
soy sauce.......................1/2 tablespoon
cocoa powder (unsweetened)..1/2 tspn
bouillon..................................................1
salt & pepper.........................as you like
1. Mince onion, ginger, and garlic. (add grated carrots & apples if you'd like to add flavor)
2. Cook your meat.
3. Cook garlic, ginger, and onion until browned.
4. Add meat, more vegetables if you like, and curry powder, turn the stove off and add the flour.
5. In a pot, add what you cooked in number 4, and add water and bouillon, salt and pepper.
6. Cook for 20 mintues. Add the sauces at the end.
7.Finish wish cocoa powder to deepen flavor.
8. Serve rice and curry.