Finally, after watching both Jordyn and Tyler attend Nakayoshi Gakko for the past few years, Connor finally got his chance to go too. While at Nakayoshi, Connor will
learn Japanese culture in the forms of music, dance, food, flower arranging, origami, and anime. He'll also make new friends that we hope will be life-long.
This was Connor's second year at Nakayoshi Gakko. This year he was in Saru (monkey). He continued to learn Japanese culture in the forms of dance (odori),
painting (sumi-e), music (ongaku), flower arranging (ikebana), origami, drawing (anime), and cooking.
Front of the line for Taiso.
Bend.
Panda and Saru.
Front of the line again.
Stretch.
Reach high!
Rachel Sempai.
Rinka Sempai.
Mochi.
Pounding mochi.
Family mon on diplay at Open House.
This is a puppet of me that was also on display at Open House.
Connor attended Nakayoshi Gakko again this summer. This year he is in Kuma (bear). Some highlights this session included a field trip to Hakone Gardens and
a Sumo wrestling demonstration by former World and US champions.
Connor at morning Taiso - sigh (no audio due to copyright).
Former World Champ Byanba and former US Champ Kelly!
This is Connor's fourth year at Nakayoshi Gakko. He's in Zou (elephant) which means he's half way through. This year he went to the Don Edwards San Francisco
Wildlife Refuge Center where he learned about ocean life and seaweed. He also read Japanese folktales (Urashima Taro), learned about Japanese New Year, and
Japanese Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. We're always shocked how much information the kids are taught in such a short amount of time.
Nakayoshi Gakko always has afternoon demos. Today's demo (6/17/16) showcased Emmy Award Winning NBC Traffic Anchor, Mike Inouye. Mr. Inouye does a different
demo for Nakayoshi every year. One year he showed how traffic congestion in one place affects traffic all over. Another year he brought in a bunch of his comedian friends
and performed a routine. Whatever he does, it's always fun and entertaining. This year he used a bunch of students to show how a morning newscast works. He had two main news
anchors along with a meteorologist, finance anchor, traffic anchor, and a sports anchor. He also had students behind the scenes working a camera and mic. He prepared scripts
beforehand and directed everything to show what goes on to pull off a morning news show. Also, part of his demo included an interview with former Nakayoshi Gakko student
and Sempai, Kyle Nishimoto. Kyle works for the Golden State Warriors now and received a championship Warriors ring from last season. He brought it out so everyone could
take pictures. Mr. Inouye even brought out one of his Emmy's too!
2014-2015 Golden State Warriors NBA Championship ring!
This year, Connor's in Tora (Tiger)! Every morning the kids at NG line up in the gym for morning taiso. If you're familiar with the way they're arranged then you know they
go from youngest class to oldest class - left to right. It's hard to believe but Connor's on the right side of the gym now which means he's officially one of the older kids.
First Day 6/18/17
First day. In line for Morning Taiso.
Hakone Gardens Field Trip 6/27/17
Using bridge to feed the koi.
Mason and I looking for a good place to feed the fish!
Tsuru (crane) is the last year for students at Nakayoshi Gakko. Connor has participated since entering the First Grade (he missed last year, Ryu,
because he took a summer math bridging course so he could enroll in Advanced Math). He has made many friends at Nakayoshi Gakko, and while he might not be able to attend as a student anymore he can still come
back as a Sempai after his Freshman year in High School.
USS Hornet field trip 6/21/19
USS Hornet.
View from the flight deck.
442nd Museum Docent, Lt. Col. Brian Shiroyama (Ret.).
Last year Nakayoshi Gakko was canceled due to the COVID-19 situation. Now, a year later, with nearly 56% of California residents fully vaccinated (and almost 11% partially vaccinated) the state
reopened with much looser restrictions and protocols. Despite the changes, Nakayoshi still wasn't ready to open up completely. Ultimately, they decided to adapt their curriculum to an online format
(much like regular school). They still have a vast array of rich Japanese and Japanese American cultural activities like taiko, anime, origami, Japanese, soroban (abacus), and arts and crafts.
High School students can apply to be Nakayoshi Gakko Sempais upon completion of their Freshman year. After being a student for many years, Connor applied and interviewed for a Sempai position months
ago and was selected to be Ryu (dragon) Sempai. This was also fortuitous because when Connor was a student at Nakayoshi, Ryu was the only class he didn't take. That year he elected to take a summer math
bridging course so he could enroll in advanced math the following fall. So, he lucked out because after this summer he can truthfully say he took all the classes at Nakayoshi Gakko.
Last year Connor was Ryu Sempai at Nakayoshi Gakko but in an online format. This year he's Ryu Sempai again but in-person. In past years the Mountain View Buddhist Temple hosted Nakayoshi Gakko so
they could use the gym, classrooms, meeting rooms, etc.. However, the pandemic continued to be something that needed to be addressed in a careful and responsible manner, so all classes were held
outdoors. Connor enjoys helping and he loves being able to give back to Nakayoshi. Most of all, the friends he's made, first as a student and now as a Sempai, are the most important and fun aspects of
his time here.
Connor was Assistant Head Sempai this year! His primary duty was to oversee all Program Sempai during the two week program. Program Sempai are the backbone of Nakayoshi Gakko. They take care of set up,
prep work, clean up, and everything in between. At first he had difficulties in delegating tasks, but as the session wore on he learned to distribute jobs so everyone got involved. In the end, like every year,
he had the best time being with his friends and giving back to Nakayoshi Gakko.
Nakayoshi Gakko Sempai 2023.
As Assistant Head Sempai, Connor was pretty busy all day long. We've never seen him so tired in the evenings. Going to bed at 9:00pm was commonplace every night. In any event, while at work, he didn't get
many opportunities to take pictures of kids or activities. Any pictures he did take were of issues that needed addressing (mic doesn't shut off, chipped sink, ball on the roof, sponge on the roof - don't ask,
broken bins, etc.).
Chipped sink.
Sponge on the roof.
Nakayoshi Gakko 2023 Open House.
2023 Nakayoshi Gakko Sempai Skit (look for Connor as the Lorax)!
Connor was chosen to be Head Sempai for the 25th Anniversary of Nakayoshi Gakko this year! Similar to last year when he oversaw all the Program Sempai as Asst. Head Sempai, this year he also took charge
of the Classroom and Cooking Sempai. He found his duties a little easier this year having peformed similar tasks from last year. He understood how to delegate better and ensured everything got taken care of
efficiently. None the less, he was really exhausted at the end of each day, but he had the best time spending the two weeks with some of his oldest friends!
Morning Taiso on the first day (6/17/24).
Fundraiser at BJ's Brewhouse (6/25/24).
2024 Sempai skit.
Last Morning Taiso (6/28/24).
One big circle.
Other side.
Open House 6/28/24
2024 NG Open House.
Head Sempai.
Head Sempai - Connor Sato.
All the Sempai.
Special gift for the graduating senior.
Four Nakayoshi Gakko graduating seniors.
I'm just Ken from the Barbie Movie during the skit.