Thanks to the generous support and sponsorship from JASH Director and Community Service Committee Chair Ms. Jean Rolles, JASH was able to organize another successful Japan Day held on May 5, 2010 at Hawaii Tokai International College. The Spring 2010 Japan Day included 128 students from Farrington High School, Iolani School, Kapaa High School (Kauai), St. Francis School, and Waipahu High School who were provided with hands-on learning experiences of the Japanese culture. Thirty-nine volunteer experts from the community donated their time, energy and supplies to this half-day educational program. The Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Kenny Endo, began the program with their creative taiko music pieces and rhythm and demonstration and explanation of various sounds that taiko drums can make to simulate nature. Following the taiko performance, students were treated to various cultural classes where they learned bon dance, bonsai, calligraphy, traditional crafts, gyotaku (fish printing), kimono wear, soroban (Japanese abacus), and the tea ceremony.
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Clockwise from top left: Students learn how to make kabuto (hats) in crafts class; Volunteer experts assist students with planting bonsai; Kimono wearing class; Students make their own gyotaku fish prints.
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Over 4,650 students from 52 schools statewide have experienced Japan Day since its inception in 1993. Japan Day is one of two programs JASH offers to Hawaii’s high schools and students, the other being the Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition. Japan Day teaches various aspects of Japanese culture, but the underlying purpose is to show how culture, art, and lifestyle of different societies enrich people’s lives. JASH feels that appreciating other cultures and cultural practices helps one to be tolerant and understanding of other peoples and their customs, contributing to peaceful coexistence. JASH would like to thank all the volunteer experts for their dedication to the program: Mrs. Kuni Morita and members of the Moiliili Senior Minyo Group, Mr. Dan Tenney and the bonsai group, calligraphy master Mrs. Shokyoku Hashiro and Mrs. Setsusen Tokumine, Mrs. Kikuji Yonesato and members of the Kikufu Nippon Bunka Kenkyu Kai, Mr. Brandon Tengan of Prior 2 Pupu Productions, Mrs. Jean Sakihara and members of Kimono Project USA, Mr. and Mrs. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hiroya Soroban School, and Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa, Mr. Hiroaki Yoshida, and members of Urasenke Foundation. We would also like to thank Hawaii Tokai International College for the use of the auditorium and classrooms for this event. For more information on this educational program, please contact Kelsey Soma Turek at 469-4646, or via email at ksoma@jashawaii.org.
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