Cultural programs at the Orange County Buddhist Church were officially begun when the present location became the permanent home for the Sangha. There was a very strong desire on the part of the many members to pass on to the ensuing generations, many of the customs and culture of our ancestors. There was also a need to accomodate and provide an outlet for the talents of many trained practitioners of various disciplines in Japanese cultural arts.

This serendipitous marriage has provided the church over the years with outstanding teachers who have trained their students well, in disciplines that span the spectrum of almost every imaginable cultural art form.

Japanese School
A small Japanese language class was started in a remote Orange County farmland over 50 years ago. Shortly after World War II, every Saturday a minister came to the small classroom all the way from the Los Angeles Hongwanji Betsuin and taught the Japanese language class. Along with the general population explosion during the 1950's and 1960's, a number of young Japanese American families found new homes in Orange County. Likewise, the Japanese school enrollment increased to more than 100 in the early 1960's. During the 1970's, as the Orange County Buddhist Church membership continued to expand, the student body made a phenomenal growth to 400 by the middle of the decade.

Students in the early years attended only up to the sixth grade completing the elementary school division. By 1964 many students started completing a nine year junior high school division course. In 1974 the school established the senior high school division and in 1977 the first group of students graduated from the twelve year course of Japanese language study. Today the school affers a comprehensive Japanese language education from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

During the 1980's the school enfollment had grown to 600 students and 31 instructors and had become the largest Saturday Japanese language school in the United States. In the early 1970's the Japanese school began researching the provisions of California Education Code 8705-8707. The California law authorized public schools to grant a high school foreign language credit for lessons offered at a private Japanese language school. After several years of negotiations, the Board of Education in each school district adopted a regulation authorizing its public high schools to allow the Japanese language credit starting in 1976. Since then, the school has been offering the Japanese I, II, III and IV credit tests each year and those students who successfully pass the tests have been granted the credit from their public schools up to 40 units in four high school years. About 50 students receive ten units of high school credit each year. The fine reputation of this institution is a testimony to the quality of its educators and administration.

Ikebana
One of the very first classes started at the church was begun in 1965 by Madame Shunsui Kamimura. Currently there are some thirty members. Madame Kamimura teaches the classic Ikenobo style of flower arrangement that utilizes the beauty of live cut flowers. Ikebana is a much anticipated exhibit at the Hanamatsuri festival due to the beauty of the arrangements created by the students.

Aikido
In 1965, the church asked the late Mr. Harry Ishisaka, who at the time was head instructor of the Orange County Aiki Kai, to put on a demonstration of Aikido at the Hanamatsuri Festival. To this day this same group has annually performed this much acclaimed activity at the celebration of Buddha's birthday. In the meantime in 1979, the church was approached by Dr. Dan Kawakami to start a class in Aikido. Approximately 20 students turned up for the initial class. Today, there are some thirty students combined in the adult and children's classes.

Nihon Buyo (Japanese Classical Dancing)
Madame Misao Bando (Ms. Nancy Shibata) has taught odori to many of the young ladies and young men of Orange County since 1970. Her students have performed at many public as well as private functions and are especially in demand at commemorations and festivals at church. Madame Bando also is head instructor for the annual Obon Festival/Bon Odori, where she teaches the dance steps to many assistants, who in turn teach the students. Japanese Classical Dancing is one of the most recognized forms of Japanese culture.

Kimekomi Dolls
Mrs. Kyuka Kanesaka, Master of Kimekomi Doll making of the Kyugetsu School, began the classes in 1981 with between 15 to 16 students. Today there are 5 serious practitioners. The class works on summer programs to interest young students in the culture of Japan and makes art objects to display at Mother's Day and Hanamatsuri.

Taiko
The OCBC Daion Taiko, which was formed in 1978 by approximately a dozen adults and children under the guidance of Sharon Koga of the Kinnara Taiko Group, has become a force in the development of the taiko movement. The group welcomes new young members and encourages participation at all levels. The activity has proven itself to be a dynamic and wholesome endeavor for many of our young members and many have continued their association to this day. Currently, Daryl Doami, Frank Yada and Craig Ishii are the leaders.

Kendo
Mr. Yoshimichi Takeda started Kendo classes in 1978 with a handful of students. During the ensuing years, membership in the Southern California Kendo Federation has kept the group busy with local as well as national and international tournaments. One outstanding example has been Jason Yamamoto, who as a preteen started as a student of the OCBC Kendo Club and went on to become a semifinalist in an international tournament in France. Currently, he is furthering his studies in both Japanese and Kendo in Japan. The group sponsors its own tournament on every fifth anniversary of its founding. Practice is held every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Dye Coloring
The fabric dye coloring class was started by Mrs. Yoshiko Urushidani in 1986. Classes are held every other Monday mornings.

Demonstrations
Many other cultural groups have given demonstrations of their specialties at special Hanamatsuri festivals and other church functions. Some, such as the All Japan Karate Federation, led by Mr. Fumio Demura, has supported the church by appearing at every Hanamatsuri for the past thirty years.

Other classes and clubs who have been regular exhibitors at OCBC functions are as follows: Clay Doll making, Bonsai, Koi Club, Bunka Shishu (Embroidery), Sumi-e (brush painting), Sword, Chigiri-e, Origami, Oriental Antiques, Kamon (Family crests), Shuji (Japanese Calligraphy), Okinawa Buyo, Suna-e (Sand painting).