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WLA Buddhist Temple honors Tanomoshi
From the January 2006 Edition of the WLABT Bulletin
In a previous issue of the Bulletin, it was announced that Tanomoshi terminated its operations officially on June 30, 2005. The Sunday Service on October 23, 2005 was dedicated to expressing the Temple’s deep appreciation to the Tanomoshi organization for its many, many years of dedicated efforts to raise capital for the development of this Temple. Their accomplishments are tremendous by any measure (see the reprinted article below). Representatives of Tanomoshi included; George Ozamoto, Ben Tabuchi, Mary Ozamoto, and Bob Matsumoto (Tanomoshi President). Lunch in the Social Hall followed the service.
(Reprinted from WLA Buddhist Temple 50th Anniversary Commemorative Album, 1950-2000)
WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST CHURCH
TANOMOSHI Explained
Tanomoshi was organized before World War II by Kenzo Ikkanda, Hidenori Kishi, Ryuhei Sato, and Katsumi Yahata to assist temple members in their financial affairs.
After World War II, Hiroshi Naramura, Katsusuke Shirasawa, Tozo Yahata, Bob Iwamoto and Takeo Yabuta were the officers in charge of the Tanomoshi. George Ozamoto was requested to assist as an officer in 1949. They had the foresight to raise additional funds for Temple operation and to minimize membership fees. The Tanomoshi made contributions to various temple projects such as:
Sawtelle commercial building
Dormitory and minister’s residence construction
Purchase of Purdue properties
Social Hall construction
Hondo renovation
Structural reinforcement of Temple building after the Northridge earthquake
Scholarships
Resurfacing the parking lot
Purchase of cushioned folding chairs
The Tanomoshi also contributed toward the Temple’s general expenses during the years 1950 to 1980.
After many years of successful operation and contributions to the Temple, the original Tanomoshi decided to cease operating by 1984. However, since there was a strong need for the Tanomoshi felt by the community, Kay Okamoto, Hisashi Kojima and George Ozamoto decided to organize a new Tanomoshi on June 3, 1982 in anticipation of the termination of the original Tanomoshi, and became its first officers.
Kay Okamoto was the first chairman of the new Tanomoshi. He and his wife contributed many hours toward managing the Tanomoshi until Mrs. Okamoto’s illness. George Ozamoto then became chairman. He relinquished his position as an officer and chairman to Bob Matsumoto in January 1998. At the same time, Ben Tabuchi also became an officer. Sam Hada and George Ozamoto are the current advisors.
(Note: Since 2000, when this reprint was originally written, Tanomoshi continued to contribute to many Temple programs, including startup of Taiko. One major project underwritten by Tanomoshi was the installation of a computer-controlled audio-video system connecting the hondo to the Social Hall.)
© 2008 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Online
