For you tuna lovers, head to Seiwa Market on Dec 31 for a big MAGURO Bluefin Tuna carving demonstration, 12pm-1pm. Following that, the bluefin tuna will go on sale and there will also be sashimi sampling for the public! There will also be sake demonstrations and samplings that day. Mark your calendars and head out to Seiwa Market, 1801 S. Dairy Ashford, Houston TX. Happy New Year!
今年も「博多祇園山笠」が無事に終了しました！毎年、攻の故郷である福岡で行われるこの伝統的なお祭り。Fukuoka Now が表現している通り、「大きな音、速い動き、混沌とした雰囲気、そして深い伝統―福岡で体験できる最も忘れられないイベントのひとつ」 です。なんとこの祭り、780年以上も続いているのをご存知ですか？15日間にわたって、街中をさまざまな「流（ながれ）」が走り抜け、クライマックスは7月15日午前4時59分、「追い山（おいやま）」と呼ばれる最後の全力疾走で幕を閉じます。攻の家族は「西流（にしながれ）」で毎年参加しており、私たちの3人の息子たちも小さい頃は毎夏一緒に走っていました。今年も参加された何千人もの男衆の皆さん、本当にお疲れさまでした！しっかり体を休めて、また来年も頑張ってください！
Another year of Yamakasa is in the books! Every year, this traditional festival takes place in Koh’s hometown of Fukuoka. As Fukuoka Now describes it, it’s ‘loud, fast, chaotic, deeply traditional- and one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Fukuoka. Can you believe this festival has run for more than 780 years?! It lasts 15 days with many different runs throughout the city, and culminates on July 15 at 4:59am with the last run which is called the “Oiyama”. Koh’s family runs in the Nishi Nagare and all 3 of our sons have also participated every summer when they were little. Otsukaresama to the thousands of men who participated in the even this year and take a good rest before doing it all over again next year!
For more than 2,000 years, saké has been deeply intertwined with the history and culture of Japan. Crafted through a meticulous brewing process, saké was used during religious or formal ceremonies but has become an integral part of weddings, celebrations, and everyday life.
As the popularity of saké outside of Japan has boomed in recent years, exports to the U.S. doubled between 2012 and 2022. With this increasing interest comes new opportunities to explore the drink’s various varieties, production techniques, and uses.
Join Asia Society Texas, the U.S.–Japan Council, Genji Saké, and Mutual Trading to celebrate the diverse world of Japanese saké. At this evening tasting event, sample a dozen different varieties while industry experts share the brewing techniques and tasting notes. Appetizers from local restaurants and vendors will be served, as well as fun activities such as origami samurai hat crafting, Gacha ball surprises, lucky Japanese coin necklace crafting, selfies with Mt. Fuji, and more.
Guests must be ages 21 and up and will be required to show valid I.D. upon entry.
The Houston Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world and it happens every year in March for 3 weeks. It is of course done for this year, but Susan’s committee, the 700 member International Committee is actually active all year long. When not in season, the committee thanks its sponsors by doing appreciation dinners monthly. They also interact with guests from around the world through their digital newsletter and international visits. Every 3 years, the top of the international committee changes hands and 2025 is actually the third and final year for the current chairman, Randy Pauly. It will be exciting to see who will become the new chairman next year! To thank Randy for his outstanding leadership, we held an Appreciation event on April 27 at a beautiful venue in Brookshire called Venue 116, owned by committeemen Jon and Shawn Johnson. 2025 is the last year for Susan to serve as one of four Division Vice Chairmen under Randy’s leadership. It’s been an amazing ride and from the bottom of my heart, here’s a huge THANK YOU to Randy for choosing me to be on his leadership team with Nelson Ocampo, David White, and Tammy Barrier. #Blessed
シェブロン選手権は、LPGAツアーの5大メジャー大会のひとつで、世界最高峰の女子プロゴルファーたちが競い合う大会です。舞台はテキサス州にあるThe Club at Carlton Woods（ジャック・ニクラウス設計のコース、パー72）。4日間にわたって熱戦が繰り広げられました。スーザンにとっては、今回が初めてのプロ女子ゴルフトーナメント観戦。ザックのコーチからチケットと駐車パスをもらい、4月28日（土）に一緒に現地へ行ってきました。スーザンとザックのお気に入りの組は、西郷真央選手／Lindsey Duncan選手／Yan Liu選手の3名。間近で観戦しながら、実力拮抗の白熱したラウンドに大興奮！3日目を終えて、西郷選手は首位タイで最終日へ突入。18番ホールのグリーン周りのスタンドから選手たちのショットを見届け、その後、3選手全員のサインももらうことができました！そして迎えた最終日。西郷選手は5人によるプレーオフに突入し、見事1ホール目でバーディを決めて優勝！今回の勝利は、西郷選手（23歳）にとってLPGAメジャー初優勝となり、賞金は120万ドル（約1.8億円）。本当に素晴らしい快挙です！西郷真央選手、本当におめでとうございます！
The Chevron Championship is a professional women’s golf tournament. It is an event on the LPGA Tour, and is one of the tour’s five major championships. The Club at Carlton Woods (Jack Nicklaus Signature Course) is a par 72 course and where the 4 day tournament is played. Susan has actually never watched a professional ladies tournament live before, so when Zach’s coach gave him two tickets and a parking pass, Susan and Zach said YES and went to check out the action on Saturday April 28. Wow, it was so so so exciting to follow around our favorite group- Mao Saigo/ Lindey Duncan/ Yan Liu- watching the three of them battle for #1. In the end, Saigo ended the round tied at first and headed into the 4th and final day. It was exciting watching the players approach the green of the 18th hole from the grandstands, and to get the autographs of all three players before they headed into the players lounge. On day 4, Japanese player Saigo was in a 5 way tie for first, then won the entire tournament by getting a birdie on the first play off hole. It was 23 year old Saigo’s first major LPGA victory and she won $1.2M. Congratulations!
