Japan America Society of Southern California
Building Japan-America Relationships Since 1909
Thank You, Toki-san!
Mikio Toki
September 17, 1950 – November 12, 2025
The Japan America Society of Southern California family mourns the loss of one of its own, Traditional Edo Kite Master, Mikio Toki.
Since 2001, Mikio Toki has led the JASSC Japanese Kite Workshops, teaching over 18,000 Southern California elementary school students for more than 20 years how to build and fly a traditional Japanese kite made of washi paper and bamboo. Toki sensei not only introduced Japanese culture to the students but opened their eyes to a whole new world and realm of possibilities outside of their local neighborhoods. Through the joy of kites, he instilled in them a “you can do” attitude.
Many of the schoolchildren whom Mikio Toki taught were from under-resourced neighborhoods. The kite workshops were offered at no cost to the schools and the students. Toki sensei truly served the children where his reward was the children’s bright smiling faces as their very own kite that they built soared high into the sky.
Mikio Toki did not only introduce the joy of kites to children in Southern California and Japan but also to children in other parts of the United States and in other countries around the world. His wish is for children everywhere to discover the joy of kite making. For substantively and significantly enhancing the Japan - United States relationship, he was awarded this year the JASSC International Citizens Awards, Kokusai Shimin Sho.
Mikio Toki was very friendly, gregarious, and personable. He was extremely talented and there seemed to be nothing he could not do. He made and had many friends. Of course, we will miss his kite making and kite flying talents, but most of all we will miss him as a loveable human being who shared his joy of kites and talents with many people around the world.
Japanese Kite Workshops
Since its inception in 2001, every Fall Semester, the Japan America Society of Southern California has organized and coordinated Japanese kite-making workshops for under-served elementary school students in the greater Los Angeles region. These workshops are offered at no cost to the schools and are part of our mission to share Japanese culture and creativity with the local community.
For over two decades, Master Kite Maker Mikio Toki visited Southern California from Japan to lead these workshops, joined in recent years by his apprentice and daughter, Asami Toki. Over the course of five days each year, they guided students through hands-on experiences at selected elementary schools, teaching them how to build and fly their own traditional Edo-style kites made of bamboo and washi paper.
These workshops offer meaningful cultural exchange and joyful opportunities for students to express their creativity, engage with Japanese traditions, and take pride in creating something with their own hands.
Let the kites soar—and imaginations take flight!
Since its launch in 2001, the Japan America Society of Southern California has proudly organized the Japanese Kite Workshops every Fall Semester, reaching under-served elementary school children in the Greater Los Angeles region. These workshops are provided at no cost to the schools and are part of JASSC’s mission to share Japanese culture with the people of Southern California and beyond.
Over the years, the workshops have brought laughter, excitement, and big smiles to thousands of students. Faculty and volunteer parents have warmly welcomed the program, actively participating alongside the students. One child said, “Thank you for the tako (kite) making class. I had a great time. It was my first time flying a kite!”
Another shared his dream: “I want to become a pilot when I grow up, and seeing my kite fly so high, I know I can fly high and become a pilot.”
Many of the participating schools are in historically underserved neighborhoods where students face significant challenges. At almost every school visited, students are served breakfast or lunch as part of school-provided meals, which are often their only meals of the day. These kite workshops create magical moments, sparking imagination and confidence. By sharing Japanese culture through traditional kite-making, the workshops open students’ minds to new perspectives and give them the space to hope and dream.
For over 20 years, the workshops were led by Master Kite Maker Mikio Toki, and occasionally joined by other renowned Japanese kite masters. These “hands-on” in-classroom experiences introduced students to Japan and Japanese culture through the process of building a small traditional kite made from bamboo and washi.
To date, more than 17,600 under-served students have benefited from this program!
In addition to constructing their first kite, students experience:
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Bamboo and washi paper Japanese kite kit
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Support from JASSC volunteers assisting the Japanese Kite Master (promoting a positive image of Americans and Japanese working together)
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Kite Master(s) wearing traditional Japanese kite-flying kimono
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Introduction to the history of kites in Japan
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Display of two dozen hand-made Japanese kites
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Explanation of materials and traditional kite-making techniques
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Opportunity to decorate their kite in Japanese style
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Practice writing their name in Japanese katakana characters
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Mini-Kite Festival on the schoolyard where students fly their first kite alongside the Kite Master
Through the Japanese Kite Workshops, schoolchildren with the greatest need are given a joyful and positive introduction to Japanese culture. These workshops help foster creativity and encourage a strong “I can do it!” spirit. Teachers often report that, in end-of-year reflections, many students cite the Japanese Kite Workshop as their favorite educational experience of the school year.
Help Us Reach More Students
You can help increase the number of children served.
Make a gift today by clicking the “Donate” button below:
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact: info@jas-socal.org