Sample List of
Japanese Culture Workshop
Each session starts
with a brief discussion on geography, climate, and housing in Japan. Then Motoko
will move on to talk about the specific cultural topic, tell a folktale and do
an art activity related to the theme. Each workshop requires 45 minutes to an
hour.
1. Boys’
Day and Girls’ Day (Grades 1-4)
Discussion of how
children are celebrated in Japan. Motoko tells “The Princess Who Loved Bugs”, a
12th century Japanese tale of a girl’s courage and creativity. Then
students make warrior’s helmets for Boys’ day. Instructions for Girls’ Day art
activity will be given to the teachers.
2. Sumo Wrestling (Grades 1-4)
Discussion on
sports in Japan. Special focus on sumo
as a traditional sport that emphasizes respect and self-control. The session
includes a sumo story, and a paper sumo game that every child loves!
3.
Oni Monster in
Japanese Folklore (Grades 1-4)
The oni, an ogre, is a familiar figure in
Japanese folktales and legends. The session includes an oni story, and explanation for Setsubun,
a Japanese children’s ritual for driving away the monster. Each student makes a
paper oni mask.
4.
Japanese New Year’s (Grades K-3)
New Year’s Day is
the most important holiday for Japanese people. Motoko discusses food, clothing,
and customs, and tell a folktale that explains the origin of the Asian zodiac
system, which uses names of 12 animals for indicating the year. Students make
Lucky Smile Game, a traditional Japanese version of “Pin the Tail on the
Donkey.”
5.
Japanese Writing System (Grades 2-5)
In order to write,
children in Japan learn two sets of phonetic alphabets (hiragana and katakana) as
well as thousands of Chinese characters. Motoko teaches students to sing
Japanese “ABC” Song, demonstrate writing, and make everyone a nametag in Japanese.
Discussion also includes school life in Japan.