Nisei curling roots are deeply embedded within many communities throughout British Columbia. In 1967 a challenge went out and many curlers of Japanese descent answered the call to gather in Greenwood and Midway to decide which teams were the best Nisei curlers in BC. After many games in the small (two and three-sheet) country curling rinks, copious amounts of beverages, sumptuous bento boxes and dinners, and hours of laughter and good times, winners were eventually declared. The drives home for the tired curlers and hosts must have been particularly arduous!
What also emerged was a consensus that this bonspiel was something special and there was a strong desire to keep this event going. Leaders from within the Nisei curling communities scattered through BC agreed to ensure this would become an annual spring event with the opportunity for various communities to serve as hosts. Spurred on by the prospect of camaraderie and great competition on the ice, the community leadership and volunteers within each community where the event was held were determined to make each year at least as good as, or better than, the year before.
To remember these remarkable accomplishments, on the occasion of the 50th Annual BC Nisei Curling Bonspiel, all former and current community centres agreed to establish a Wall of Honour recognizing and honoring special individuals that through their athleticism, participation, volunteerism and other forms of support made the annual bonspiels possible and special.
When thoughts turned to whose names should be installed on this Wall of Honour, many worthy individuals sprung to mind. It quickly became evident that the list could be long and the choices very difficult. For that reason, a nominating committee has been established that is populated with representatives from many of the communities. The inaugural list focused on those special individuals who helped establish the annual bonspiel tradition in the early years. It was announced during the 50th Annual BC Nisei Curling Bonspiel in Richmond in April 2017.
It is with great pleasure and privilege that the committee recognizes the following inductees who through their athleticism, sense of community, and dedication made these BC Nisei curling bonspiels a reality to be celebrated:
2017: | Mas Imai | Greenwood |
Bill Omae | Greenwood | |
Seiji Onizuka | Greenwood | |
Gordon Shimizu | Greenwood | |
Shig Uyeyama | Greenwood | |
Al Trick | Hope | |
Shirley Trick | Hope | |
Ken Kashino | Kamloops | |
Arnie Kuroyama | Kamloops | |
Rob Kuroyama | Kamloops | |
Mary Miyahara | Kamloops | |
Tom Miyahara | Kamloops | |
Sho Yamada | Kamloops | |
John Kakuno | Kelowna | |
Mel Kawano | Kelowna | |
June Imai | Vancouver | |
Rita Imai | Vancouver | |
Tony Imai | Vancouver | |
Saiji Inouye | Vancouver | |
Fuji Miki | Vancouver | |
Seiji Mukuyama | Vancouver | |
Roy Murao | Vancouver | |
Tom Ono | Vancouver | |
Ron Shimizu | Vancouver | |
Roy Tateyama | Vancouver | |
Dr. Y.V. Yoshida | Vancouver | |
Agnes Sakakibara | Vernon | |
2018 | Terry Uyeda | Edmonton |
Dick Sawada | Kamloops | |
Dave Kobayashi | Vancouver | |
Edna Mukuyama | Vancouver | |
Victor Shimizu | Vancouver | |
Dianne Tasaka | Vancouver | |
Stephen Tasaka | Vancouver | |
Jim Tateyama | Vancouver | |
Julie Tateyama | Vancouver | |
Dwayne Uyede | Vancouver | |
Ben Yoshida | Vancouver | |
2019 | Lenny Tateyama | Kamloops |
Lance Yamada | Kamloops | |
Richard Omori | Vancouver | |
2022 | Alan Yamaoka | Kelowna |
2024 | Tim Araki | Kamloops |
Trevor Miyahara | Kamloops | |
Brent Yamada | Kamloops | |
Kim Asao | Kelowna | |
Ben Nishi | Vancouver | |
Vivian Omori | Vancouver | |
For a list of past Annual BC Nisei Curling Bonspiel results, click here.
For a list of the BC Nisei Curling Association Outstanding Achievements and Contributions recipients, click here.