災害救援 MLS Teams Pledge Aid to Japan Disaster Victims

The tragic events following Japan’s most devastating earthquake has found an ironically named sports franchise to come to their aid. The San Jose “Earthquakes” have stepped up to the plate to be the first sports franchise in the United States and in the MLS to come to the aid of Japan’s many disaster victims. The San Jose Major League Soccer franchise  announced today that they would donate part of their proceeds of their 2011 Season Opening game at Buckshaw Stadium in San Jose on March 19^th 7:30PM PST.

In addition to this announcement, the SJ Earthquakes have partnered with the American Red Cross to set up donation bins so fans may contribute to the growing relief effort. The team also plans to donate $50.00 USD for every goal defended by their goal keeper for the entire year. Considering they saved some 119 goals this could add up. Every little bit helps.

As quoted from the San Jose Earthquakes website “We were deeply saddened by the events that transpired in Japan on Thursday,” said Earthquakes President David Kaval. “As an organization, it’s our mission to be a leader in the community. We recognize that there are thousands of families in the Bay Area who were affected by this tragedy and I would like to personally encourage all of our fans to make a donation to the relief effort.”

As admirable as San Jose MLS franchise efforts they are not to be the only American Soccer team in this effort. The Seattle Sounders have also partnered with the American Red Cross to join in on the relief effort. The Seattle Sounders have invited fans to donate to the relief fund for Japan in their 2011 MLS Season Opener against the LA Galaxy this March 15^th at Qwest Field. Seattle has a large Japanese community with strong ties to Japan. Both teams and players have expressed compassion for the victims and seek to involve their fans in the relief efforts. Turnouts are expected to be large and we at American Mishima encourage all soccer fans to please come and donate to the Red Cross.

It is often in moments of tragedy that people come together and express both their compassion for their fellow man as well as their generosity. We applaud San Jose and Seattle for their help for the People of Japan. It is our hope at American Mishima that other MLS teams will join the relief effort as well as other sports franchises. Should more MLS teams join in we will write about them here.

May all your family and friends be safe. Our hearts and prayers go out to the People of Japan.

Please visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone to support

The American Red Cross emergency and disaster relief efforts.

ども ありがとう ございます.

津波の悲劇 - Tsunami Tragedy 2011

No words can begin to descibe the unfolding tragedy caused by the devestating series of Tsunamis in the wake of a most terrifying earthquake near Sendai Japan. We at American Mishima offer our prayers and norito to the People of Japan. It breaks our hearts to see this tragedy unfold before our tearfull eyes live on television. If there is anything we can do to help the People of Japan we would gladly offer our assistance. Please pray for the People of Japan and for those lost and those still searching for loved ones yet unaccounted for.

二月十一日 American Mishima Milestone

 二月十一日
Today marks a milestone for American Mishima.
As of today we have achieved our first 10,000 hits.

This is remarkable considering we only have less than a dozen official followers.
We thank you none the less.

Please continue to read and support American Mishima.

ども ありがとう ございまして!

仏教 Hoshi Matsuri 2011

This last weekend brought in the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit which for many will be a year of multiple opportunities. We spent ours at the Hoshi Matsuri at the Koyasan Betsuin in Little Tokyo which drew large numbers of people to partake in this most important of festivals. Understanding that Emperor Meji had moved Japan to the Gregorian calendar, this Buddhist ceremony still coincides with the earlier New Years traditions of Japan. It is an opportunity to seek universal wealth and harmony. Also known as Setsubun, The Hoshi Matsuri is also set to ward off misfortune hence the throwing of soy beans at the “Oni” with shouts of おに わ そと!(Oni wa soto - Get Out demons!) This was our second Hoshi Matsuri and as fun as the last spent eating as many soy beans equal to the years of your age and participating in this most traditional of services (as one can see from the video clip below).

So please continue to read American Mishima in good health and enjoy!

日本サッカー Japan's Samurai Blue Takes the 2011 AFC Asian Cup!

It’s official! For the fourth time in a row Japan’s National Team the Samurai Blue has taken the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar the future site of the 2022 World Cup. Japan enthralled its large numbers of supporters that flew in from Japan to watch their team sweep through past Qatar in a 3-2 victory in the quarter finals then onto an outright slugfest in the semifinal against South Korea in a 1-1 tie. Korea would go on to face Uzbekistan third place in a 3-2 victory while Japan would face Austraila in the final match to ultimately triumph over Australia’s Socceroos in a 1-0 victory in Khalifa Stadium the Asian Cup Final. Well done boys! Bonzai! Bonzai! Bonzai!  To read more results from the 2011 Asian Cup please visit:

一日の画像 Picture of the Day

The Los Angeles Koyasan Buddhist Temple Taiko Players welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit at the annual Los Angeles Koyasan Buddhist Temple New Years Gathering Saturday 15th, 2011 in Little Tokyo.

Enjoy!

2011 Usagi no Toshi

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! And a Happy New Years! American Mishima officially turns a year old in the Year of the Rabbit and Heisei 23. Just as the year prior, I have reposted a photo of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito delivering his traditional New Years greetings from the Imperial Residence in Japan. Though we could not be in Japan, we celebrated this most important of holidays in Little Tokyo. Starting with our traditional visit to the Koyasan Betsuin for the end of the year service and returning the next morning for the first service of the year to a packed house and a three Bonzai cheer sake toast that makes this worth negating any previous night’s hangover not to be missed! But wait! The New Years Festivities don't end there. Over at Weller Court more festivities could be found including the annual Miss Kimono Contest put on by the LA Kimono Club. As well as demonstrations and taiko performances both there and in the Japanese Plaza. But seriously all this fun aside we had our duties to perform to which we had done so diligently.

As with any morning and in particularly on such holidays we cleaned and placed offerings before our Kamidana followed by purification and Norito. Since there is no Shinto Shrine locally, our Shinto practice is confined to our home and with kindred spirits. Like many people in Japan, we too practice both Shinto and Buddhism which means no sooner than I make my last ceremonial bow, we make haste to help out at the Koyasan Betsuin before the First Service. This takes place no matter how hung over we are. Last year we stayed up late chasing sake with everything else we drank earlier with our good friend Julian Ikeda and we paid for it dearly during last year’s service. Having learned from this mistake, we made sure we operated within moderation to ensure a fully operational mind frame to partake in this service. As with years prior, the Koyasan Temple never disappoints and every New Years it is packed to capacity with Buddhists and other people seeking good fortune for the year to come.

But no New Years in Little Tokyo is complete without Kotohajime – First Performance put on by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC). Their annual Oshogatsu show is not to be missed starting and ending with purification rites by IKKYU – LA’s very own Kyudo Archery Dojo. Concluding the dazzling performances which included Taiko by Koji Nakamura, Korean performances, Shimasen by Atsushi Gushi and awesome shimasen extraordinaire Mike Penny, and a most moving Okinawan Dance performance by the Mijikina Honryu Group. When I think of moments that I could capture in time and relive over and over again, the Okinawan Dance captured a soul fulfilling experience that leaves one in awe. If you are ever in Little Tokyo on New Years, make it a point to see Kotohajime. Your soul will say ありがとう! 2010 was a long busy year and 2011 has only just begun. I hope you will continue to visit my little blog and help support it throughout the year. ありがとう ございまして ございます!

Thank you for reading and please continue to enjoy!