This was submitted by Ella Tamny and Coleen Uchida-Tamny from Los Angeles County, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Traditions: Matsuri photo activity.

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Celebrating our culture and honoring our ancestors means so much to my family. Seeing Ella dancing dances that my parents and their parents, etc. performed with such exuberance filled my soul with joy. Today, 17 years later as she's off to college, these special traditions & moments are even more cherished.

Photo credit: Mark Tamny