SAN CARLOS, Calif. — City leaders and residents gathered on Sister City Lane on May 15, 2025, for the ribbon cutting of Blossoms, a Japanese-American-inspired mural, a collaborative effort by the community of San Carlos community last June 2024, commemorating San Carlos’s sister-city relationship with Ōmura, Japan. The 65-foot-long artwork marks the city’s Centennial and 13 years of cultural exchange with its Japanese counterpart.
About the Blossoms Mural
The idea of the mural is a joint creation by San Carlos-based artist Yucali Seki, known for her organic, textured works that reflect community and nature, and Japanese Calligraphy Master Housui Sato, from Ōmura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He began studying calligraphy at the age of five and has since developed a reputation for his expressive and dynamic brushwork. Together, they blended iconic imagery—cherry blossoms, Kushima Castle, California poppies, and the Drake Building—with brushstrokes spelling out “sister city” and other shared values in both Japanese and English.
The mural’s location along Sister City Lane was chosen for its visibility and accessibility, inviting passersby to reflect on international unity. Mr. Sato’s elegant calligraphy on the mural spells out phrases like しまいとし (sister city) and おおむら桜 (Omura cherry blossom), as well as the names San Carlos and Omura Japan, symbolically blending the two cultures on the wall. According to the San Carlos Sister City Association (SCSCA), the mural is a testament to the strong friendship between the two cities, embodying hope, unity, and the idea that both communities will grow harmoniously together.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was co-hosted by the Community Foundation of San Carlos, which helped sponsor the project, along with the San Carlos Sister City Association and the City of San Carlos. Attendees included San Carlos Mayor Sara McDowell, Ōmura Mayor Hiroshi Sonoda, and representatives from the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco, all celebrating the cities’ long-standing friendship.
Speakers included:
- Sara McDowell – Mayor of San Carlos, CA (host city)
- Hiroshi Sonoda – Mayor of Ōmura, Japan (sister city)
- Ray Mueller – San Mateo County Supervisor, representing the broader county community
- Yo Otsumi – Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Francisco (representing Japan’s consulate)
- Mr. Housui Sato – Japanese calligrapher and mural co-artist from Ōmura
- Yucali Seki – mural co-artist from San Carlos/ArtBias studio
Live Calligraphy Performance by Housui Sato
Following the unveiling, guests enjoyed a live calligraphy performance by Mr. Sato, who created large-format characters in real time with translation and cultural context provided by his team. Master calligrapher Housui Sato delighted onlookers by creating large brushstroke characters on the spot. With translator Yoshifumi Kobayashi narrating, Mr. Sato explained the meaning of the characters and the harmony between calligraphy and the mural’s theme. Community members, including children and art enthusiasts, gathered around to watch and even try a hand at calligraphy under Mr. Sato’s guidance. This interactive element turned the event into a mini cultural festival, reinforcing the day’s message of cross-cultural learning.
Lasting Friendship between San Carlos and Ōmura
Looking ahead, San Carlos and Ōmura intend to keep their friendship growing. The high school student exchange program, which has been running for almost two decades, remains a core part of the sister-city relationship. Plans are underway to resume or expand exchanges in the coming year, allowing youth from San Carlos to visit Ōmura and vice-versa, fostering mutual understanding. City leaders hinted at further cultural collaborations as well – the success of the Blossoms mural could inspire future joint art projects or community events.
The mural will remain a permanent installation in downtown San Carlos, serving as a colorful and heartfelt testament to collaboration across borders. As Mayor Sonoda remarked (through an interpreter) during the ceremony, the mural will greet visitors on Sister City Lane for years to come, reminding everyone that friendship, like a cherry blossom, can flourish across oceans.
Resources:
- Community Foundation of San Carlos official website
- California Japan Sister Cities Network
- Scot Scoop
About San Carlos Life
Mark Martinho and Vivienne Kelvin are the hosts of San Carlos Life and have been residents of San Carlos for years. While running San Carlos Life together with an awesome team, Mark and Viv are also in the business of real estate. They are the co-owners of Vabrato, a real estate brokerage with over 30 years of combined experience, serving the City of Good Living and the whole of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
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Mark is a Real Estate Broker and General Contractor, with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Law. He is also a long-time resident of Redwood City and San Carlos. Viv is also a Broker, respected Interior Designer, seasoned Marketing Expert, and trusted San Carlos business community leader, as well as a long-time San Carlos resident.
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