Oshōgatsu 2026

First Congregational Church, Fairfield CT

JSFC held its 2026 Oshōgatsu celebration on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at a NEW location, the First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

Patricia Doña, president of Matcha Amor, came and served free samples of matcha lattes, made from their barista blend matcha powder. This blend is created specifically for making matcha lattes, offering a smooth taste, balanced sweetness, and a bright green color that pairs perfectly with milk.

Hachiroku of New Haven was our caterer. We offered a choice of either an osechi (traditional New Year) bento or a non-osechi bento (pork tonkatsu, chicken teriyaki, American Wagyu Beef, vegan tofu, or a special Tokusen Chirashi bowl).

Our Oshōgatsu featured live entertainment by Duo YUMENO. New York based Duo YUMENO creates a singular fusion of sound, inspired by tradition but with a contemporary sensibility. A proponent of new music, the duo has commissioned works that explore the dialogue between classical Japanese and western music.

Koto / shamisen player and singer Yoko Reikano Kimura was awarded the First prize at the prestigious 10th Kenjun Memorial National Koto Competition. As soloist, she has performed with numerous string quartets, chamber ensembles and chamber orchestras.

Hikaru Tamaki was a prizewinner in the Viva Hall Cello Competition and served as the principal cellist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He is currently a member of the Berkshire Opera Festival Orchestra and the Albany Symphony.

We held our traditional mochitsuki 餅付き, during which attendees could take turns pounding hot cooked rice in a wooden usu using a kine (mallet). Our thanks to the Greenwich Japanese School, which for years has loaned us their usu and kine for this event.