Instructors
Our instructors bring energy and excellence to every class we offer. From crafts to karate, fitness to food workshops, our professionals are fundamental members of our organization, and enhance the Center experience.
Mark Frey
Kabuki Theatre Appreciation Class
Mark Frey developed a passion for Kabuki theatre and Japanese performing arts while living and working in Japan on the JET Program. Since returning to the Bay Area, he has been an active member of the San Mateo Japanese American Community Center’s Kabuki Kai. In 2010, he founded JETAANC Kabuki Club and has led classes in our community ever since to foster a love of Japanese performing arts. Join Mark for a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of these treasures of Japanese culture in a casual and fun atmosphere.
Craig Hamakawa
Karate (Shorin Ryu style)
Craig Hamakawa (10th degree black belt) has practiced karate for 58 years and has been teaching for the past 52 years. He attained Shodan in 1973 and has taught in Hilo, Honolulu, Oregon, San Bruno, Millbrae and San Francisco. He is an instructor of the Nishioka Ha Goshin Karate, which is a non-profit organization based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. The instructors do not teach for profit and encourage the development of the character of their students. The school motto: "Through honesty and sincerity you are FREE, which stands for faithfulness, respect, effort and etiquette."
Kaeko Inori
Senior Chair Aerobics
Kaeko was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan. She became an independent fitness instructor in 1983 and taught a variety of classes such as aerobic dance, jazz dance, step exercise, weight training in water aerobics in both Japan and America. She graduated from San Diego Christian College with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology-Sports Medicine in 1999. She moved to the Bay Area in 2000 and started teaching our Senior Chair Aerobics class.
Ko Ishikawa
Shamisen and Koto
Kazuma Ishikawa (performing shamisen as Hidekyoharu Fujimoto) is a koto and shamisen instructor in the Bay Area. She has performed in the Bay Area, throughout California, and in Japan. Ishikawa sensei’s mission is to epitomize the Japanese spirit and Japanese culture through Japanese music here in the Bay Area and United States. She hopes by using the music of the Koto or the Shamisen, she can soothe the hearts of listeners.
Musical Training:
Koto: Grand Master (Dai-Shihan 大師範) Kazuma Ishikawa
Ishikawa sensei started practicing Koto in Japan with different Koto schools such as Miyagi Ryu （宮城流）and Todo Ryu 当道流）where she received 2 certificates. Later she studied Koto with the Ikuta-Ryu Chikushi School located in Fukuoka, Japan and became Grand Master (Dai-Shihan). She is currently the director of Ishikawa Kazuma Kai, and has been teaching and performing Koto in the Bay Area, throughout California, and Japan. She has been participating in the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival as a koto player since 1990.
Shamisen: Master (Shihan 師範) Hidekyouharu Fujimoto
Ishikawa sensei performs shamisen under the name Kyoharu Fujimoto, as she began her shamisen studies with Fujimoto Shamisen School located in Tokyo, Japan. She received Master (Shihan) and has been performing and teaching Shamisen since. She is the director of Fujimoto Hidekyouharu Kai through which she teaches shamisen for hauta, zokkyoku, kouta, minyo, and sangen for jiuta.
Suekichi Terakado
Watercolor Painting
Suekichi Terakado is an Illustration alumni award winner who graduated from the Academy of Art University, illustration department. He's worked in an art studio for several years specializing in watercolor and continued to practice art in several other styles afterwards. Suekichi continues to take on a variety of jobs and likes to draw in his free time.
Rochelle Lum
Washi Ningyo
Rochelle Paula Lum, a native San Franciscan graduated in Theatre Arts with emphasis in scenic design and puppetry. She has traveled and lived abroad in Japan studying their folk art culture and theatrical arts (ie Kabuki and Bunraku). She worked /studied traditional Bunraku and modern puppet construction at a puppet company in Japan.
It was during a Cherry Blossom Festival 20 years ago that she saw a Washi Ningyo Japanese Paper Doll demonstration by instructor Yurie Nakamura and decided to learn the art from her. This eventually lead to team teaching the art with her.
There is a uniqueness to the art of Japanese Paper Doll making. One could learn Japanese history and culture through the making of a single doll and at the same time see how the paper/dolls come alive through simple hand manipulations. There is a certain unexplainable beauty in this process.
In order to keep, preserve and share the Japanese Art of Washi Ningyo, it needs to be shown and taught. The support of JCCCNC in the heart of Japantown has allowed this to happen.
Many who came to see or learn, are from different walks of life and places. They may live close or travel from afar. But all who cross this path will leave with a smile knowing they experienced something very special.
Darlene (Dar) Masamori
Line Dancing
Darlene Masamori started line dancing in 2010 and has never looked back. In 2012, Dar as she likes to be called, started co-teaching a soul line dance class in San Francisco, CA, discovering her dedicated passion for the art. A part of the founding group of "Soul Inspired Line Dancers," Dar brings the spirit of step wherever she goes, from the five different soul line dance classes she teaches, the national workshops she attends and participates in, and now to our very own JCCCNC, carrying on the soul line dancing legacy of her mentor, and the Center's former instructor, Al Kitashima.
Ruriko Miura
Chorale May/ Ensemble Shiki
Ruriko Miura received a B.A. and M.A in Music Education at Tokyo Gakugei University. Afterward, she taught music at a private Catholic girls’ school in Tokyo for many years. In 2000, she relocated to San Francisco. Fifteen years later, she is delighted to be involved with three local choirs Ensemble Shiki, Chorale May and San Francisco Forest Choir.
Chizuko Nakamura
Ikebana
Chizuko Nakamura has taught Ikebana (flower arrangement) in the United States for over 30 years. She first learned Ikebana from her mother in Japan. After moving to the U.S. she learned the Ikenobo style, which is the oldest school of Ikebana and the most well known in Northern California, from Tada Sensei. In addition, Nakamura Sensei took flower arrangement classes at the City College of San Francisco. She recently started her Ikebana class at the JCCCNC several years ago. She loves flowers and goes to the flower market twice a week to get beautiful, fresh flowers for her class. She enjoys teaching Ikebana and hopes that more people become interested in Japanese culture through Ikebana.
Don Sadler
Ukulele
My interest in ʻukulele, Hawaiian music and culture began in the 90ʻs with visits to the islands. I began playing ʻukulele in 2002 and later discovered the ʻukulele classes at JCCCNC where I studied ʻukulele and Hawaiian music for over ten years. During that time I performed with the class at community events and festivals in the Bay Area and Hawaii and filled in as a substitute teacher when needed.
In January of 2013, I accepted the position as instructor for the ʻukulele program. Since then I have enjoyed teaching beginning and advanced ʻukulele classes at the Center and leading the class in performances throughout the Bay Area. I also enjoy teaching my “Ukulele 101” workshops for students just beginning their ʻukulele experience.
While Hawaiian music has remained my passion, I enjoy exploring other styles of music with the ʻukulele, sharing what I have learned with others and continuing to learn and grow as a musician myself. These are the things that keep me energized and committed to teaching ʻukulele at JCCCNC.
Rich Tokeshi
Beyond Basics Drawing
Rich was born and raised in Chicago right after WWII. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Illinois and was one of the original artists who established the Japantown Art and Media (JAM) Workshop in 1977. At JAM, Rich learned the art of “Silkscreening,” now called “Screenprinting.” Since the late 70’s, Rich has designed, produced, and helped other artists produce hundreds of screenprinted posters and other forms of prints for community groups. Rich has also taught many classes in screenprinting.
Yurie Nakamura
Washi Ningyo
Yurie Nakamura learned the art of Washi Ningyo in Japan and she received her teaching certificate in Kyoto. She has been teaching for over 25 years at the JCCCNC and when she first came to the United States, she taught Washi Ningyo out of her home. Nakamura loves Washi Ningyo, she loves seeing people’s creativity and personality come out through their dolls. As she becomes more familiar with her students, she can pick out their dolls just based on their personality.
Katie Furukawa Bonifacio
Sewing Workshop
Katie Furukawa Bonifacio (she/her) is a quilter, designer, and educator based out of San Francisco. An alumni of the Nikkei Community Internship program, she has remained active in various Japantown community activities since then. In 2022, Katie began her own handmade home goods business, Old River Design Co. You can see her work at www.oldriverdesign.co