The Japan Center together with the high school Japan Seminar class and all of grade seven recently developed and participated in a two-day program called “Hibakusha Stories of Survival,” aimed at understanding the impact of the Hiroshima atomic bombing on hibakusha (survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings). The program also served to prepare seventh-grade students for their trip to Hiroshima at the end of January. While the hibakusha survived the immediate effects of the blasts, they suffer from the effects of radiation sickness, loss of family and friends, and discrimination. Continue reading
Tag: Japan Center
Students Learn Soup from the Master
Tomoko Nakai’s HS Japanese 9 classes recently began their unit on traditional new year’s food and traditions are exploring traditional new year’s ozoni and how the soup differs in every region. Renowned Chef Hajime Kimura visited ASIJ to help introduce students to the world of washoku, and to introduce the techniques and ingredients used in making ozoni. Head chef at Takehashi Japanese Restaurant in Otemachi’s KKR Hotel Tokyo, Chef Kimura has more than 22 years of experience and served an apprenticeship for four years to legendary “Iron Chef” Koumei Nakamura. The Japan Center arranged Chef Kimura’s visit to help introduce this unit, at the end of which Japanese 9 students will present their research on a specific region’s ozoni soup. Continue reading
A Very Rainy Spirit Day
In September, ASIJ celebrates homecoming with a week of community-building activities. The flurry of activities culminates in Spirit Day—a day dedicated to cheering on the Mustangs sports teams, playing games, student booths, eating delicious food and, for the second year running, sumo! Although the weather was uncooperative, the rain did not wash away our students’, parents’, faculty and friends’ Mustang Spirit, as we witnessed an amazing turnout. Continue reading
Rakugo: Animated Storytelling in the Japan Center
Elementary school Japanese teachers recently coordinated an authentic rakugo experience through the Japan Center. Mariko Yokosuka and Kyoko Takano (Japan Center directors) write on the elementary school Japanese foreign-track classes’ exploration into Edo-period culture and a visit by rakugo master Kokontei-Komaji.
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Artist Mai Miyake Meets ASIJ Students
Japanese contemporary artist Mai Miyake recently visited with high school students to speak on art, inspiration and being a professional artist. Japan center co-director Mariko Yokosuka introduces Mai’s trip to ASIJ. Continue reading