The following remembrance by Charlotte Onishi appeared in a booklet created in 2008 for the 70th anniversary of Jikoen Hongwanji.

My ties to the Jikoen Temple date back to 1938 when my birthday preceded the temple’s establishment on Houghtailing Road by one month. There was a hibiscus hedge with a gate located along the rear boundary of the temple grounds and our residence. Under these circumstances it was only natural for me to have spent a good deal of my early years at the temple.

Lily Miyasato was one of the spirited young temple leaders who encouraged us to actively participate in a variety of temple activities. She also introduced me to her piano teacher, Mrs. Shizuko Mukaida (whose mother, Mrs. Aki Kohatsu was a charter member of the temple), and I became a student of hers for many years. Lily and I shared an interest in music. I believe that my Jikoen introduction to music has played an important role in my spiritual and life development.