In February of 1989, Gerald Kondo and Mark Takeuchi attended the Buddhist Churches of America National Conference representing the Watsonville Buddhist Temple as Board Chairman and Vice-President. During that three-day conference, the two discussed their mutual interest and desire to understand more the Japanese-American culture. They saw the need to preserve and restore their unique culture, whic
h the few surviving Issei, (first generation) pioneers brought from Japan during the early 1900’s. Many of the Nissei, (second generation) experienced their culture but as Sansei, (third generation) Mark and Gerry felt a lack of knowledge and background to effectively pass on an understanding of the Japanese-American culture to their children. It was that desire to give their children a solid foundation in their Japanese-American cultural heritage, which began Mark and Gerry’s road to establishing Kokoro no Gakko. San Jose’s Suzume no Gakko was extremely helpful in the search for a format and direction. Their next goal was to find educators to staff the school. They were rewarded by finding seven teachers who eagerly accepted the task of establishing a school in June of 1990. Mark, who is a music teacher for Pajaro Valley Unified School District, took the difficult task of principal. He researched and developed a curriculum and organized the staffing. The first year’s teachers were outstanding—Mark Takeuchi from Rolling Hills Middle School, Marcia Hashimoto and Jane Jofuku from T.S. McQuiddy Elementary, Michiko Matano from Mar Vista Elementary, Candace McCarty from E.A. Hall Middle School, Sandy Momii from Hall District Elementary and Eiko Stewart from Moss Landing Middle School. For the 1991 school year, we were fortunate to have our 1990 staff and we were able to add the following teachers to our wonderful faculty: Dolas Koga, a former Amesti Elementary School teacher, Sachi Snyder, a North Monterey County teacher and Shirley Tsudama. Gerry in the meantime brought together an eager, hardworking and well-organized board of directors who were responsible for fundraising, assisting the teachers and organizing the parent co-op. The Board of Directors for the founding year were: Gerald Kondo, Chairman; Mark Takeuchi, Principal; Aileen Tsukiji, Secretary; Gayle Uyematsu, treasurer; Joanne Hayashi, Terry Hirahara, Jeanni Kadotani, Patricia Kondo, Barbara Sakae, Patt Takeuchi and Tom Takano. The same board agreed to serve for the 1991 school year and we were fortunate to add the following members to the Board of Directors: Bruce Mori, Lori Rasmussen, and Debra Kosaka. The goal of the program has been to cultivate an awareness of the Japanese-American heritage and to establish a positive self-image in children. The staff emphasizes a hands-on approach to teaching. Board member, Tom Takano thought of the perfect name for our Gakko. “KOKORO” means coming from the heart. Kokoro no Gakko, when translated into English means, “school with a heart”. A Japanese dictionary dated 1909 explains that “kokoro” can mean mind, heart, an idea, thought or with all of one’s heart. It is with this “feeling”, that our Gakko has become successful because of this “kokoro” spirit. The community support has been outstanding. Grants have been received from the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, the Westview Presbyterian Church and the Watsonville Japanese-American Citizens League. We have had numerous guest lecturers from our community who have demonstrated Japanese art, Ikebana, calligraphy, bonsai, music, cooking, to name just a few. The children have been taught by several generations of Japanese-Americans. Itaru Nitao, Mr. Haneta, and Mr. and Mrs. Nagamine opened their nurseries to the children. They were given a tour of traditional Japanese gardens with koi fish and waterfalls. Mrs. Y. Matano, a local flower arrangement master, instructed the children in traditional Japanese flower arranging. The Watsonville Buddhist Temple Women’s Group has patiently taught sushi making to the children. Retired Westview Presbyterian Church Minister, Rev. Sumio Koga, has demonstrated the grace of Japanese calligraphy. The parents of the children are also energetic, hard working, and come from all cultural backgrounds. The common denominator of all those involved in the Gakko, has been this spirit of “kokoro”, and a willingness to glean the best of a culture and to share the experience with their children and friends. The program is held every summer as a parent cooperative venture requiring 100% support from all of the children’s parents or grandparents.
