4月26日ハワイ大学にて、HIBISCUSプログラムに参加中の本学科2年生によるJapan cultural day (日本文化の日)が開催されました。イベントに訪れたハワイの方々へ、グループごとに用意した折り紙・かるた・書道などの日本文化体験を披露しました。学生たちはこの経験を通して、海外の方が持つ日本への関心など、様々な気づきが得られたようです。

Japan Cultural Day
Nanami Yoshioka

April 26 was Japan Cultural Day. We divided into 16 groups and each group showed aspects of Japanese culture to Hawaii people. We offered Origami, Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy and many other cultural exhibitions, and my group introduced KARUTA, (a Japanese card game). We made it more enjoyable by making Karuta cards depicting scenes from Japan. Also we prepared a Power Point so that we could explain these cards. More people came than I had expected. I thought they enjoyed our games and exhibitions. I was glad to know that people who came to our Japan Cultural Day liked Japan. They could be introduced to the scenery of Japan and Japanese food.
In addition to cultural day, we made Japanese foods. (Rice balls, Miso soup, and Somen) We enjoyed the cooking time together. I was happy to eat salmon rice balls that I hadn't eaten in ages. Thanks to our teacher, Gina, she prepared the ingredients and brought utensils and plates so all Yasuda girls could have a meal together. I think we did a good job. I hope to enjoy the rest of my stay and hang out with my friends in Hawaii.

Japan Cultural Day
Rina Sugahara

April 26th was Japan Cultural Day. On this day, I introduced Japanese traditional games to people on campus. My group provided Good Luck charms (Fukuwarai) and Paper Sumo Wrestling (Kamizumo). I was mainly in charge of Paper Sumo Wrestling. The day before Japan Cultural Day, I considered the English description of the Paper Sumo Wrestling. I could learn how to do it because I didn't know how to play Paper Sumo. On Japan Cultural Day, I was very worried about how it would work. I thought that the game of Paper Sumo Wrestling is something that is known to foreigners. But most foreigners didn't know it. I was very surprised. However, they were very interested in Paper Sumo Wrestling because they knew the sport of Sumo Wrestling. They enjoyed the game. I was very happy when they said that this game was their first experience or that it was very interesting. In addition, some people said that they wanted to bring back the Paper Sumo we made. I felt very happy. I thought that Japanese culture was widespread in Hawaii, but I felt that there are still parts that can be shown to demonstrate the charm of Japan to foreign countries. Also, I'm very grateful to them for listening carefully to my English. I want to be able to speak to a lot with foreigners. And I want to be able to talk smoothly.

Japanese Culture Day
Minori Tamaru

On April 26th, we held Japanese Culture Day at UH. Each group chose one aspect of Japanese culture to introduce to our guests. For example, karuta, kendama, and kimono dressing. At first, we decided to introduce soran- bushi. But, we noticed that some locals already knew about it. So, we decided to dance para-para which is not known to locals and probably more exciting than soran-bushi. Japanese Culture Day was held from 11:00 to 2:00. Many people came to this event. Guests listened to our explanations attentively and they were sometimes surprised. I was also surprised, because they were very interested in our explanations more than I had imagined. In our group, we explained about para-para and danced together. Para-para is very easy. So, many guests could dance this even if it was their first time. They enjoyed it and all of them were smiling. Some people said they wanted to dance para-para again. We were so happy. In other groups, they introduced calligraphy and they wrote their guests' names in kanji. Guests don't have a name in kanji, so, this group's members made names in kanji. The guests were very happy and received their name in kanji to take home. It also made the guests happy. I thought that people from other countries are very interested in kanji. Due to this event, I discovered that it is very important for us to share our Japanese culture. In this way, we can make friends. I want to know about other cultures too. I think this event was a good chance for us to share our cultures. And the happiest thing for me was that most of the guests said that they want to go to Japan and that they were interested in Japan. I was so happy. I didn't think my country was so interesting to other people. This discovery made me happy. And, I think I have to learn more about Japanese culture so that I can share my identity and traditions with people around the world.