Thursday, August 31, 2023
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We will miss our close friend, Masako Stoehrer. She was so supportive of my wife, Chieko Williams, in organizing the 15th Anniversary of Okinawa Kai. Emiko Eiland, Masako and Dennis Asato made this event successful. Very smart, insightful, and she was always there for us and the success of Okinawa Kai, to include both the Spring Festival and the Fall picnic. Her efforts made Chieko famous during the fifteen anniversary and fall picnic. She liked the boat ride on Fort Belvoir with my son as Captain on our 15 passenger pontoon boat, celebrating our 15th annual fall picnic. We will always remember her smile and laughter. She was part of the foundation that Okinawa Kai was built on. She was born on Ishigaki Island, which produced some of the great singers of Okinawa Folk Songs. Masako loved these songs. I wish I could sing them for you. Please listen to “Tetsuhiro Daiko.” to get a small flavor of those sounds.
Masako was one of the Original Members of our Okinawa Sanshin Group of Washington DC and performed at different events including the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, The World Wide Okinawa Festival in 2001 and 2006 and many other venues.
I was glad she brought her son Frank to the 2001 festival and we partnered-up to enjoy the events together, from a different perspective. Eyes wide open for sure. He was totally happy! The little children made us laugh - they were so serious about their culture. And the little performers were so impressive. Very attentive to Performing. What a great time we shared together! Can you imagine over 24 countries participated. Unbelievable.
