Japan Day provides hands-on experience of various Japanese cultural activities to Hawaii's high school students. Japan Day is held at Hawaii Tokai International and is presented twice a year, once during the fall semester and once in the spring semester. Over 40 community presenters offer their expertise and resources to help students learn about bonsai, ikebana, bon dance, calligraphy, soroban, kimono wearing, crafts and the tea ceremony.

On April 4, 2007, the 29th Biannual Japan Day was held with Pearl City High School, Nanakuli High School and Hanalani Schools. Teachers at the high school level interested in being invited for this program are encouraged to call the Society at 524-4450 or email at ksoma@jashawaii.org

. : JASH conducts McInerny Foundation’s Japan Day for Spring 2008

Hawaii Tokai International College was again the scene for the spring 2008 offering of Japan Day. This Japan Day saw four high schools--Christian Liberty Academy and St. Joseph High School from the island of Hawaii and Kalani High School and Lutheran High School of Hawaii from Oahu--a total of 178 students attend. Attendance by the two Big Island high schools was made possible by a generous grant from the McInerny Foundation for which Japan Day for 2008 is named. Since 1993, over 4,500 students from 40 schools have experienced Japan Day. Japan Day gives Hawaii’s high school students hands-on experience with different cultural practices and reinforces and complements teachers’ classroom lessons. The event relies upon many volunteers who share their knowledge of Japanese arts and culture, passing on their unique heritage to the younger generation. The presenters this year were members of the Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club, Mr. Dan Tenney and members of the Hawaii Bonsa i Association, Mrs. Shokyoku Hashiro (Shodo-Calligraphy), Mrs. Kikuji Yonesato and members of the Kikufu Nippon bunka Kenkyu Kai (Crafts), Mrs. Jean Sakihara and students from the Kimono Project USA at Education Laboratory School (Kimono wear), Mr. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hioya Soroban School (Abacus), and Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa, Mr. Hiroyuki Ishikawa and members of Urasenke Foundation (Cha-do, Tea Ceremony).

Urasenke volunteer serves tea (top L); Mrs. Hashiro demonstrates calligraphy (top R); Mr. Oshima shows the magic of soroban (lower L); students create own bonsai (lower R)

Students learn proper kimono wear (L); a Japanese crafts class in session (R).

The event began with a taiko performance by the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. Kenny Endo also gave an explanation of taiko’s origin and popularity, as well as various uses of taiko to create moods in Japanese art and dance. On hand to lend support were special visitors Vice Consul Kuniko Nakamura, Aimee Yasutake, and Yoko Mae from the Japanese Consulate; Ms. Jean Rolles, JASH Director and Community Service Committee Chair; and Mr. Darryl Tokashiki, JASH Director. JASH would like to thank Hawaii Tokai International College for the use of their facilities to present this program.

Kenny Endo (L) and the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble thrill the students at the opening ceremony.