Queen & Court Rules & Regulations
[Qualifications] [Rules &, Regulations] [What to Expect] [Time Commitment] [Monetary Commitment]
Nisei Week Queen Candidate Application Qualifications
Age: Applicant must be at least 19 years old and not older than 25 years old on the day of the coronation; August 7, 2004.

Citizenship: Applicant must have been born or naturalized in the United States or living in the United States as a permanent resident.

Nationality: Applicant must be a minimum of 50% Japanese Ancestry. Applicant will supply parent's names and birth certificate if requested.

Marital Status: Applicant must be single, not divorced or separated, and without children. Applicant may be engaged, but in the event that she is awarded a Nisei Week title, she must remain unmarried for the duration of her reign.

Conflicts of Interest: Applicant must not enroll or participate in any other beauty or popularity contests from the date of application to the official completion of the Queen's reign, i.e. Coronation Ball of the following year, without the expressed written consent of the Executive Board of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

Eligibility: Each Candidate's application must be sponsored by an organization recognized by the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

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Nisei Week Queen Candidate Rules and Regulations
[general requirements] [conduct] [attendance] [training] [new otani conduct] [expenses] [gifts] [miscellaneous]
  1. General Requirements [back to menu]

    • Candidate must be sponsored by an organization recognized by the Nisei Week Foundation and meet application qualifications.
    • Candidates must follow and maintain guidelines set forth by the Nisei Week Queen Committee and Committee Chairperson and of the Nisei Week foundation.
    • Required submissions of:
      • Nisei Week Queen Candidate Rules and Regulations signature required
      • Nisei Week Queen Application rules
      • Nisei Week Queen Candidate General Application
      • Profile Outline.
    • Applications must be turned in to the Nisei Week Queen Committee by the Sponsoring organization along with the entry fee of $500. This entry fee will help defray expenses borne by the Queen Committee.

  2. Proper Conduct [back to menu]

    • As a representative of your sponsoring organization and the Nisei Week Foundation, it is your responsibility to conduct yourself properly at all times. Your role as a goodwill ambassador for the Nisei Week Japanese Festival is very important, therefore, appropriate behavior and conduct is required at all times, including, but not limited to:
      • Be mature, courteous, and respectful at all times to everyone you meet
      • Smile when meeting people, especially during official visitations and events
      • Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages, chew gum or use profanity at official events or during Nisei Week while in Little Tokyo
      • Avoid the sun and tanning until after the Coronation Ball

  3. Attendance and Punctuality [back to menu]

    • Attendance and punctuality are key responsibilities as representatives of Nisei Week and is considerate to other candidates. Disqualification can result if requirements are not met. You will be expected to make necessary arrangements to participate in all required events and activities. Tardiness is frowned upon and will be reported to sponsoring organizations if a problem develops. The following are mandatory:
      • All training sessions, rehearsals and cultural classes
      • All formal and non-formal social events during Nisei Week
      • The Nisei Week Coronation Ball
      • All Nisei Week Court appearances or requests to act as representatives during the year
      • New Year's Day Celebration in Little Tokyo
      • The following year's Nisei Week Opening Ceremony
      • The following year's Nisei Week Coronation Ball
    • Please try to make yourself available for all events associated with Nisei Week. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to make all events, but understand that affiliated organizations requesting a visitation look forward to meeting everyone. Report any schedule conflicts to the Nisei Week Queen Committee as soon as possible. Please be aware that the candidate who is crowned Nisei Week Queen must attend every event.

  4. Training [back to menu]

    • The preparation and training you will be receiving prior to the Coronation Ball is beneficial and a positive experience that will help you in years to come. Remember that the individuals assisting you in preparation for Nisei Week, most of who are volunteers are doing this for you. Please keep the following in mind:
      • We ask that you give 100 percent effort at all training and rehearsal sessions, your full attention is requested; therefore please refrain from unnecessary talking and chatting, Cell phone use is NOT permitted during training and rehearsals
      • Opinions are welcome, but please use discretion during rehearsal sessions
      • Please cooperate fully with the instructors, directors, choreographers, make-up and hair stylists
      • The Nisei Week Queen Committee will provide you with a notebook to keep all pertinent information, including training instructions, schedule of events, phone numbers and thank you lists. You are required to bring this notebook to all meetings and training sessions.

  5. Rules to Follow While Staying at the New Otani Hotel [back to menu]

    • Following the Coronation Ball, all Court members will stay at the New Otani Hotel during Nisei Week. You will participate in various events and visitations related to the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. You may visit with family and friends in the Rendezvous Lounge or hotel restaurants upon notifying a Queen Committee member or Queen Chairperson of your whereabouts. Please do not leave the hotel without prior permission. Please remember the following:
      • Show consideration to your roommates, e.g., do not keep late hours
      • Do not allow anyone in hotel rooms except Queen Committee members
      • Do not use the room telephone excessively
      • You must stay at the hotel every night except when granted leave
      • You must pay for your incidental expenses upon checking out

  6. Expenses/Trips [back to menu]

    • Each year, the Nisei Week Queen and court are invited to represent Nisei Week during festivals in Nagoya, Japan, Hawaii, Seattle and San Francisco. The Nisei Week Queen will typically have her travel expenses (airfare, hotel) paid for by Nisei Week. The 1st Princess, Miss Tomodachi, and Princesses are also invited to attend, but must pay for their own trip and travel expenses.
    • Other expenses incurred during the year can be parking, gas, additional attire as the court chooses.

  7. Gifts/Awards [back to menu]

    • As a Nisei Week Queen and Court member and representative of Nisei Week, you will receive a number of items from Nisei Week including, but not limited to: sash, crown, formal gown, business attire. These items will be provided to you as a representative of Nisei Week and once provided, you will be responsible to take care of these items. In the event of loss or extreme wear, it will be the Nisei Week court member's responsibility to replace the item.
    • In the event that you decide to forfeit your participation as a Nisei Week Court member, all these items must be returned to Nisei Week.

  8. Miscellaneous [back to menu]

    • All Court members will be required to live in the Southern California area during their term.
    • Candidates are required to sell tickets for the Coronation Ball and Fashion Show. All funds will be collected by the candidate and checks made payable to the Nisei Week Foundation, please do not have checks written to you. Please coordinate the selling of these tickets with your sponsoring organization to be sold to your members and supporters.
    • As a representative of the Nisei Week foundation you will receive many gifts, lunches and dinners. You will be expected to write thank you notes to everyone from whom you have received gifts, as well as to those who dedicated their time and energy to Nisei Week. This is a very important part of your responsibility that will enable future candidates to benefit from Nisei Week supporters. Please keep a daily list of gifts you receive and the contact person in your notebook.
    • The Nisei Week Queen and Court are not to wear their crown or sash or represent the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in any way unless approved by the Nisei Week Queen committee. This includes in any fundraising event for Nisei Week and sponsoring organizations. As representatives of the Nisei Week foundation, the Court is excluded from any personal fund raising unless approved by the Queen Committee.
    • Each year the Nisei Week Court plans the following events:
      • Sayonara Party: Thank you party in late August or early September to thank sponsors and Nisei Week participants. Coordinate with the Queen Committee to compile a mailing list.
      • Opening Ceremonies: Introduction of the new Nisei Week Queen candidates, the current Court is requested to host the event and the Queen acts as Mistress of Ceremonies
      • Party for Hawaii Cherry Blossom Festival
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What to Expect
Being a part of the Nisei Week Queen and Court is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Not only are young women able to learn more about their Japanese American heritage and meet other young women interested in their heritage, they are given the opportunity to represent their community as ambassadors to the Southern California community as well as Japan, Hawaii, Seattle and San Francisco.

Given this honor and opportunity does not come easily as many past queen and court members may agree. To better assist your consideration to run for a local title to become a Nisei Week Queen Candidate, we have outlined some information you will need to know about being a candidate, and ultimately part of the Nisei Week court.

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Time Commitment
Training: Training to become a Nisei Week Queen Candidate is a four-month commitment.

These sessions are mandatory for each candidate.
  • There will be training practice at night at least once a week for four months.
  • There will also be educational sessions an additional evening for four months.
  • There will also be dance practice on an additional day/evening.
  • Candidates will be offered cultural classes as part of the training during the weekends.
  • Following Coronation, the Nisei Week court will spend the entire week at the New Otani Hotel.

Court: Being a part of the Nisei Week court is a YEAR-LONG commitment.
  • Throughout the year, the Nisei Week Queen and court will be invited to participate in events including, but not limited to:
    • Annual Nisei Week visitation and trips (Japan, Hawaii, Seattle, San Francisco)
    • Community service
    • Community appearances
    • Cultural events
    • Nisei Week sponsor events
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Monetary Commitment
There will be some personal costs involved in the training process and being a member of the Nisei Week Court. While Nisei Week and sponsors attempt to offset as much of the cost as possible through donations, there will be personal items candidates/court members will need to purchase. These items include but are not limited to: personal undergarments, nylons, shoes, attire, make-up, etc.

In addition to personal items, any travel expenses during the year will be the responsibility of the court members. Travel expenses for the Nisei Week Queen are typically sponsored.

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