End of the School Year!
Wow! The school year is over! I can hardly believe that it is nearly summer again. I want to say that I enjoyed all my students this year and I wish them the best of luck in the next school year. 5th graders, I will miss you and have greatly enjoyed having you in my classes the last two years. 4th graders, it was a pleasure and I look forward to seeing you next year again. Study your Japanese!
Shamisen Concert
The Cherry Blossom Festival was a great success! Oyama x Nitto rocked the house along with Allison Brown and others. I saw several Richland Students there and was overjoyed by their presence. Thank you to all the parents who brought your student the the festival.
Cherry Blossom Festival
In 1912, Japan gave over 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C.. Since that time, our capital hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year, to commemorate the 100th anniversary, the Japan America Society of Tennessee (JAST) will be hosting a special Cherry Blossom event.
For this monumental event, the University of Memphis will be exhibiting many forms of traditional entertainment, from dancing, to singing to traditional Japanese instruments. The shamisen duo of Oyama and Nitto will be among the performers. For our part, we've been asked to join the U of M, White Station Middle and White Station High in singing the song Sakura Sakura. I have asked for volunteers with little response. The song will also be part of the 4th grade program on March 8th.
This event will be on Wednesday, March 21st from 6pm to 9pm. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated.
It will be a great event and a wonderful time to see some of the culture that your children are learning about.
If you have any questions please contact me.
For this monumental event, the University of Memphis will be exhibiting many forms of traditional entertainment, from dancing, to singing to traditional Japanese instruments. The shamisen duo of Oyama and Nitto will be among the performers. For our part, we've been asked to join the U of M, White Station Middle and White Station High in singing the song Sakura Sakura. I have asked for volunteers with little response. The song will also be part of the 4th grade program on March 8th.
This event will be on Wednesday, March 21st from 6pm to 9pm. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated.
It will be a great event and a wonderful time to see some of the culture that your children are learning about.
If you have any questions please contact me.
Calligraphy
On February 4th the Japan America Society of Tennessee will be holding a Japanese calligraphy day at the Memphis Botanic Garden from 1 pm to 3 pm. You will have the chance to learn some calligraphy, create your own work and have it judged. It'll be a fun time and is an excellent chance to learn some Japanese culture. There is a 10 dollar fee for this awesome cultural experience. For more information please feel free to contact me.
Taiko performance
Save the date! On December 11th the San Jose Taiko group will be visiting the Orpheum Theatre here in Memphis. Check the following link for more information. http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/events/detail/san_jose_taiko
Fall in Japan
The Japanese love nature. They find ways to incorporate it into their daily lives and take great pains to enjoy the natural world. One of the great yet simple pleasures to Japanese people is to go and watch the fall colors.
Typically, a family (or a group of friends) will travel to a quiet, natural area such as a park or mountain village, to watch the foliage change from the green of summer to the brilliant oranges, yellows, reds and browns of fall. Sometimes people take a picnic lunch with them. Other times they enjoy refreshments at restaurants which specialize in autumn delicacies.
Typically, a family (or a group of friends) will travel to a quiet, natural area such as a park or mountain village, to watch the foliage change from the green of summer to the brilliant oranges, yellows, reds and browns of fall. Sometimes people take a picnic lunch with them. Other times they enjoy refreshments at restaurants which specialize in autumn delicacies.