Little Tokyo Historical Society
20th Anniversary Photos
Little Tokyo Historical Society celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Shinnenkai lunch and lecture program - please see the photos of the event. A delicious bento buffet was served by Far Bar's Don Tahara - which featured a "build your own bento" which everyone enjoyed. After the lunch, the approximately 100+ guests enjoyed a breaking of the sake barrel ceremony and a sake toast to commemorate the anniversary. Bill Watanabe, the founder of the LTHS, gave a brief recap of how the organization got started and the first community meeting held at LTSC in July of 2006. This was followed by a powerpoint presentation by Prof. Hideaki Shimura and his work to preserve an historic neighborhood in Tokyo called Tsukishima. A panel discussion, moderated by Bill Watanabe, took place with Professor Shimura and Mr. Adrian Fine, the CEO of the LA Conservancy which is the largest historical society in America. Professor Shimura and Adrian Fine compared and contrasted how historic preservation takes place in Tokyo and in Los Angeles, and how different strategies and issues can help in both locales. The LTHS received many positive feedback comments about how interesting and informative and enjoyable it was to attend.
