The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo kicked off 2014 with its annual Kotohajime performance at the Aratani Theatre on Sunday. Hirokazu Kosaka, JACCC artistic director and a member of Ikkyu, shot an arrow into the?kasumi mato(large archery target) in a purification ceremony. He was joined onstage by Terry Vuong and Wei-tarn Wilton Jap of Ikkyu.

Entitled “Hatsu-Kagami” (First Mirror), the event included harmonica improvisation by Tetsuya Nakamura (above left) and Imperial Court music and movement by Kinnara Gagaku/Bugaku (above right and below).

Madame Wakayagi Hisami and her group, Hana no Kai, performed traditional Japanese dance.

Speakers included (from left): Leslie Ito, president and CEO of JACCC; Consul General of Japan Jun Niimi; Tanner Blackman, representing City Councilmember Jose Huizar; and Henry Ota, newly elected chair of the JACCC Board of Directors.

Another New Year’s tradition was observed — the tossing of fresh mochi to the crowd.

Photos by MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo

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