メリークリスマス
Merīkurisumasu (Merry Christmas)!
GNA logo
GNA Group Photo
Guam Nikkei Association’s 10th Lantern Floating Ceremony 🇬🇺 🇯🇵🕯️
2024 Lantern Floating Ceremony Snapshots
Okayama Student Exchange Snapshots
Congratulations, GNA, on your 10th Anniversary!
GNA 10th Year Anniversary Celebration Gala Memorable!
2022 Lantern Floating Ceremony
8th Annual Proa Floating Lantern Ceremony Snapshots
IMPORTANT
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
July 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
GNA Monthly Snapshot:
GNA Monthly Meeting - July 11, 2024
GNA Chairman Frank Shimizu Conferred with Imperial Decoration
GNA Chairman Frank S.N. Shimizu
The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays Decoration Recipient
Congratulations to GNA Chairman Frank Shimizu for his Imperial Decoration Conferment by the Japan Guam Consulate Office and the MOFA Japan office! He was bestowed with The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays Decoration for his contribution to enhancing the welfare of the Japanese American community in the United States and promoting
friendly relations between Japan and the United States.
Congratulations, Kimie!
Consul General Snapshots
Farewell Dinner for Consul General Izumi Seki
GNA Pope Visit Snapshots - Nov. 26
GNA Pope Visit Snapshots - Nov. 26
GNA Donation
Marianas Business Journal Feature
Marianas Business Journal Feature
2018 Lantern Floating Ceremony
2017 Lantern Floating Ceremony
2017 Lantern Floating Ceremony
Featured GNA Video
2016 Guam Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony Video Available on YouTube
The 2016 Guam Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony (5 minute video) is now available on YouTube titled Guam Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony (GNA). You can also visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXqoubIyyeo. Enjoy!
Lantern Ceremony Snapshots
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2nd Annual 2016 Lantern Floating Ceremony Snapshots
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park, Ypao
KENDAMA
History
A kendama approved for use in competition by the Japan Kendama Association
The kendama today are made from a stick with a point at one end, three attached cups, and a ball with a small hole in one end. The cups on either side of the stick are called the big cup and small cup. The ball is connected to the stick by a roughly 40-centimeter (16-inch) piece of string. At the end of the stick is a point with which the player can attempt to spear the ball. At the other end of the stick is a cup called the medium cup.
The game is basically played by tossing the ball and attempting to catch it in one of the cups or to spear it with the point of the stick. Although it may sound simple, there are a nearly unlimited number of specific techniques for doing so.
A recreation of a bilboquet based on historical documents, and a Nichigetsu ball (photo provided by Maruishi Teruki, a member of the board of directors of the Japan Kendama Association)
Many people may think that kendama was invented in Japan, but this is not actually the case. While many different theories exist, there are records indicating that kendama originated in France in the sixteenth century. There are also theories that this game was developed in Greece or China, and the absolute truth is not known.
In France, this game was called bilboquet. Bilmeans "ball," and boquet means "small tree." This word expresses the fact that the game involved playing with a small wooden ball. The game as it was played then was different from what we know as kendama today; there was a large cup and a small cup on either end of a stick, to which a ball was attached with a string. The player would continually toss and catch the ball, alternating between the two cups.
Kendama is believed to have come to Japan via the Silk Road during the Edo period (1603-1868) into Nagasaki, the only Japanese city open to foreign trade at the time. While it may have entered the country around the middle of the Edo period in around 1777 or 1778, the exact date is uncertain. At the time, kendamawas apparently enjoyed by adults as a sort of drinking game. A player who made a mistake was forced to drink more.
As Japan entered the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Ministry of Education introduced kendamain the report on children's education that it put together in 1876, and the game gradually began to catch on among young people. In 1919, during the Taisho era (1912-1926), the forerunner of today's kendama went on sale. It was called Nichigetsu Ball (Sun-and-moon ball), because the ball looked like the sun, while the shape of the shallow carved cups was like a crescent moon. This toy became a huge hit, and from this time into the beginning of the Showa era (1926-1989), a variety of different types of kendama appeared, including a ball attached to a kind of paddle.
After World War II ended in 1945, kendama were sold in candy stores along with other popular toys, such as menko, bidama, and beigoma. In 1975 children's author Fujiwara Issei founded the Japan Kendama Association, which standardized kendama for competitive use and created standardized rules for the purpose of allowing a greater number of people to play the game together the same way.
The Fifteenth Cup of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, which was held in August 2003 (photo provided by the Japan Kendama Association)
With a set of rules and specifications for the equipment in place, kendamabegan to grow in popularity as a competitive sport. In addition to the Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, which is given to the winner of a kendama competition for elementary school students, there are tournaments for both students and adults held around the country, andkendama enthusiasts are working to increase the popularity of the game overseas.
The Japan Kendama Association is hopeful that kendama will become known around the world one day, and its members are making efforts to foster international exchange.
GNA Awards Cepeda for Design & Construction of Proa Lantern
Chairman Frank Shimizu, President Monica Guzman, Vice-President Gloria Duenas Cruz, and GNA board members Julia Caguioa and Monte Mesa present JFK sophomore Joshua Cepeda with a Certificate of Appreciation for designing and with the help of his troop, constructing 400 proa lanterns for GNA's 2016 2nd Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony.
Wednesday, 28 December 2022
Thursday, 1 December 2022
GNA Meeting - Dec. 1
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
December 1, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
As our community navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and in our efforts to keep our members safe, the Guam Nikkei Association monthly December meeting will be held via Zoom. Refer to the Zoom link sent by President Karl Soto or Cathy Rivera Castro.
Memorial Park Clean-Up
Please join us for the annual clean-up of the Memorial Park in Yigo on Sunday, July 10, 2022, beginning at 7:45 a.m. We hope to see you there!
Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Happy Thanksgiving!
Biba Ha’ånen Mannå’i Grasia! Have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration with the familia! 🦃 🥮 🥘
Thursday, 10 November 2022
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
GNA Meeting - Nov. 10
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
November 10, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
As our community navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and in our efforts to keep our members safe, the Guam Nikkei Association monthly November meeting will be held via Zoom. Refer to the Zoom link sent by President Karl Soto or Cathy Rivera Castro.
Thursday, 13 October 2022
GNA Meeting - Oct. 13
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
October 13, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
As our community navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and in our efforts to keep our members safe, the Guam Nikkei Association monthly October meeting will be held via Zoom. Refer to the Zoom link sent by President Karl Soto or Cathy Rivera Castro.
Sunday, 18 September 2022
8th Annual Proa Floating Lantern Ceremony - Sept. 17
Here's a look at snapshots from this year's 8th Annual Proa Floating Lantern Ceremony held September 17, 2022 at the Governor Joseph Flores Beach Park (Ypao). We will always remember our loved ones who have passed away. God bless, and please stay safe!
Friday, 26 August 2022
Tuesday, 23 August 2022
8th Annual Guam Nikkei Association Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 24, 2022
8th Annual Guam Nikkei Association Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony
Tamuning, Guam - The Guam Nikkei Association announces the 8th Annual Guam Nikkei Association Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Beach Park (Ypao Beach), at 5:30 P.M.
The Proa Lantern Floating Ceremony is a symbolic event to give respect and honor to our loved ones who have passed before us in the spirit of love, harmony, understanding and inafamaolek. Having experienced great loss within our GNA family recently, this year’s event is especially meaningful as we mourn the passing of GNA Board Member Paul Shimizu.
The event will open at 2:00 P.M. inside the Main Pavilion at Ypao Beach where individuals will be able to register for a proa lantern and design/write messages to their departed loved ones onto the lantern sleeves. The sunset ceremony will begin at 5:30 P.M. with a traditional chant, live music, and special words from community members who have experienced tragedy and loss in their lives. The highlight of the event will be the lighting of the latte torch and over 300 proa lanterns which will then be floated on Tumon Bay, carrying personal messages in honor of our
loved ones along the water’s currents.
In its 8th year, after a hiatus due to the pandemic, the event has grown in partnership with various community organizations such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Community of Guam, Japan Club of Guam/ Consulate General of Japan, Korea Association of Guam/Korean Sports Association of Guam, Young Men’s League of Guam, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Visitors Bureau, the Tumon Bay Rotary Club of Guam, Ambros, Galaide Group and the Pacific Daily News.
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For more information, please contact Monte Mesa at 671.888.1944 or
montemesa671@gmail.com or Pauline Okada at 671.929.8823 or pauline.okada@gmail.com
Thursday, 14 July 2022
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Annual Clean-Up of Memorial Park in Yigo - July 10
Memorial Park Clean-Up
Please join us for the annual clean-up of the Memorial Park in Yigo on Sunday, July 10, 2022, beginning at 7:45 a.m. We hope to see you there!
GNA Meeting - July 14
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
July 14, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
As our community navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and in our efforts to keep our members safe, the Guam Nikkei Association monthly July meeting will be held via Zoom. Refer to the Zoom link sent by President Karl Soto or Cathy Rivera Castro.
Thursday, 21 April 2022
Condolences for the Shimizu Family
The GNA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Paul San Nicolas Shimizu. He passed away March 31, 2022. May Paul's family members be comforted with loving memories. He is now resting in the peaceful arms of our Savior.
Tuesday, 1 March 2022
Congratulations to the new GNA Officers for 2022!
INCOMING 2022 GNA OFFICERS:
President - Karl P. Sotto
Vice President - Jesse M. Fujikawa
Secretary - Pauline Okada
Treasurer - Monte Mesa
Thursday, 10 February 2022
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