The Isseis in the Hollywood Community established the roots for the present Hollywood Japanese Cultural Institute. On April 2, 1915, the Hollywood Japanese School was established at Carter Court near the southwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Street. Another group of parents from the Buddhist Church wanted to establish their own school; so, led by Mr. Yoshitaro Hirai, they raised funds and constructed a three-room school building. In March 1919, they moved to the new location at 1423 Cahuenga Blvd. near Sunset Blvd. The Hollywood Buddhist Church also moved to this location and conducted Sunday School classes. In 1935, due to the traffic situation on Cahuenga Blvd. and the changing environment, the Board of Directors decided to move the school to the Virgil area, where there was a larger population of Japanese.
The newly purchased land on Middlebury Street was on a slope and was covered with many eucalyptus trees. Through the efforts of Mr. Tomonosuke Ozamoto and many volunteers, the lot was leveled and cleared. A modern three-room building which could also be used as an assembly hall was built. In November 1936 the dedication celebration for the new building was held.
Envisioning a central place where Japanese in the community could gather, the Hollywood Buddhist Church and Hollywood Judo Dojo purchased the lots adjacent to the school. However, before any further plans could develop, the school was closed due to World War II, December 1942. There were many problems during the post-war period , but the school building was finally returned to the Japanese in the community.
In July of 1947, the school assets that the Issei pioneers had established were transferred to the Nisseis and the Hollywood Japanese Community Center was formed.
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