The Ishizue Award Dinner 2026
The JCCC Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the 8th Ishizue Award and accompanying dinner will be held on Thursday November 19, 2026.
The Ishizue Award acknowledges and expresses our appreciation and respect to members or friends who have made exceptional contributions to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
The name Ishizue, meaning cornerstone or foundation, pays tribute to the 75 families who, at significant personal financial risk, guaranteed the original mortgage on the JCCC at 123 Wynford Drive in the early 1960’s. These families provided the foundation upon which the JCCC was built, and their support for the JCCC will forever be recognized as the cornerstone for who we are as a community.
The recipients of this annual award are a very distinguished group of people who have each made significant life contributions to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. They are:
- Ken Fukushima: Long time Judo program sensei since 1995 now retired
- Harry Kawabe: Entertainer from 1970’s at JCCC Caravan and head of clubs such as ukulele and now promotes programming for the Japanese Seniors
- Akiko Maruoka: Japanese language head instructor since the 60’s
- Dave Ohashi (posthumous): Photographer and technical support at events for over 40 years
- Connie Sugiyama: Past JCCC Board member and current Advisor. Founder of Building Together Campaign, Crane Tribute and the Sedai Project
- David Tsubouchi: Past JCCC Board member from the 80’s, chaired the Antique Road show, a Cabinet Minister and helped strengthen the JCCC and also Sakura Gala Chair over many years.
We cordially invite you to honour these distinguished award recipients at an intimate and elegant dinner on Thursday November 19th at 6:30pm at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Black tie optional. Tickets are $180 each (plus HST). Maximum of 10 guests per table.
To purchase tickets please order through the button below or in person at the JCCC, starting September 21, 2026, and ending November 9, 2026. Please contact Sharon Marubashi for any further information by email or phone (647-291-4751).
On behalf of all of the directors of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, we look forward to spending a special evening of recognition and celebration together.
Agenda
- Cocktails
- Dinner
- Evening's Greetings
- Catering by Spectrum Catering
- Entertainment
- Koto Performance by Aiko Fujii
- Greetings from JCCC President Chris Hope
- Award Ceremony
- Group Photo
- Closing Remarks
Aiko Fujii
Aiko Fujii started learning at the Ikuta School of Koto and Jiuta Shamisen at an early age. She is a licensed teacher at Kyoto Todokai School of Koto and Shamisen. In addition to performing, she is actively involved in cross-genre collaborations and teaching.
