Association for Japanese Culture

School Trip Program

Please choose 2units of programs for each morning or afternoon session.

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TEA CEREMONY (1 unit) CHANOYU or SADO is an aesthetic form of serving and drinking powdered green tea called MATCHA. The spirit of the ceremony, influenced by Zen, aims to purify oneÁs soul. (Demonstration) - Tea ceremony (Participation) - Two students are chosen to participate as guests and all the students taste the sweets and MATCHA.

JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM (1 unit) KANJI, HIRAGANA, and KATAKANA are the three kinds of characters used in writing the Japanese language. KANJI was brought from China in the 5th century. HIRAGANA and KATAKANA contain 46 letters each. (Participation) - Writing Numbers in Japanese (Demonstration) - Calligraphy, an artistic form using brush and SUMI-ink.

HANDS ON CALLIGRAPHY - NEW!! (2 units) Half Day Workshop. Suggested for G4 and older. Maximum number of participants in one class is 25.

HAIKU (1unit) Haiku, which is a type of Japanese poetry consisting of seventeen syllables, has become very popular among children around the world. We explain how to write Haiku in the class. (Participation) - Making HAIKU and bookmarks.

STORY TELLING (1 unit) KAMISHIBAI (paper drama) is a form of storytelling accompanied by a sequence of pictures. This gives a more dramatic effect than telling stories with an ordinary book. An old Japanese fable is told in this method.

KIMONO (1 unit) This traditional Japanese costume is now worn only for special occasions such as weddings, tea ceremony, formal parties, and festivals. KIMONO is worn with OBI (sash), TABI (socks) and ZORI (footwear) or GETA (clogs). (Participation) - Several students are chosen to model some of the many different types of KIMONO.

TOYS and GAMES (1 unit) Traditional Japanese toys are paper balloons, bamboo dragon flies, bean bags, KENDAMA (a wooden ball attached to a sword), HANETSUKI (a pair of wooden rackets and a birdie) and DARUMA OTOSHI (striking out wooden cushions from the bottom). (Participation) - Playing with toys.

JAPANESE HOUSE (1 unit) A traditional house is built with wooden framework, plaster walls, slate roofs and TATAMI (straw mats) or wooden floors. The living style of Japanese has changed in last 50 years. Students discuss the differences and similarities between Canadian and Japanese houses, while looking at pictures and a small model of a Japanese house.

CRAFTS (1 unit) Traditional Japanese toys can be made with recycled materials found around the house. (Participation) - All students make KENDAMA, KOMA (tops) or a greeting card decorated with a Japanese paper doll.

JAPANESE FOOD (1 unit) Traditionally the Japanese diet has consisted mainly of rice, seafood, soybean products, and fruits and vegetables, reflecting Japan's characteristic topography and climate. It was only in the 19th century that Japanese started to eat meat and dairy products. International dishes are now appreciated and are cooked at home or served in restaurants. Typical dishes are explained using plastic models. (Demonstration) - Chirashi-Zushi cooking (Participation) - All students use chopsticks to sample Chirashi-Zushi.

ORIGAMI (1 unit) A sheet of origami paper is a perfect square, coloured on only one side for contrast. The creativity for transforming a sheet of paper into dimensional shapes is infinite. It is said that the creation of one thousand folded cranes tied on strings will make your wish come true. (Participation) - All students get a chance to try making a puffy balloon, tricky boat, fancy box or warriors helmet.

SCHOOL LIFE (1 unit) A short video is shown and students discuss the differences and similarities between Canadian and Japanese schools. Japanese school starts in April and ends in March. A hot lunch is served in the classroom. All students have to take part in cleaning the school every day. Text books are provided free of charge and students keep them. Many schools have uniforms.

FESTIVALS AND DANCE(1 unit) A short video shows annual events and community festivals throughout Japan. (Participation) - Bon Odori / casual dance Each student wears a HAPPI (cotton jacket) and HACHIMAKI (headband) and joins in a circle to dance to the music of TOKYO ONDO (Rhythm of Tokyo).

CANADA'S TRADING PARTNER (1 unit) Japan is Canada's second largest national export market and source of imports. Canada exports materials such as lumber, coal, grain/seed, and pulp&paper to Japan. Canada imports goods such as machinery, vehicle/parts, and electrical parts from Japan. We will also focus on Ontario-Japan economic ties in this session.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JAPANESE CANADIANS (1 unit) - New!! A brief history of Japanese Canadians through the personal experience of the presenter. Photographs are projected on an overhead screen. Suggested for G5 and older.

1877-first Japanese immigrant to Canada, Manzo Nagano. Early settlement. Discriminatory, unjust removal from homes and incarceration of Japanese Canadians during World War ll. Further dispersal even after war ended. April 1, 1949 finally, last of all restrictions removed; freedom and all rights as Canadian citizens restored. Other information

Medieval Japan and Samurai (2 units) - New!! The Samurai were a warrior class that appeared in Medieval Japan. It was the time when the arts and culture flourished in Japan. The Samurai spirit was based on bravery, honor, self-discipline, and loyalty; its practice of self-respect continues to live on even in the modern Japanese.

The program includes a general introduction to the Samurai, using panels and video, as well as the opportunity to experience the Samurai Spirit through watching and participating in Kendo. Suggested to Grade 4 and over. The maximum number of participants per session is 25. Thursdays only at this point.

Songs for Children - New!!
Sing Japanese songs *in Japanese*! Children will learn the simple Japanese phonetic sounds and basic vocabulary such as colour, numbers and body parts. The rhythmical songs selected are recommended for G2 to 5.

Japanese Language Experience - New!!
Become acquainted with Japanese sounds and expressions in an interactive environment. Participants will learn how to introduce themselves with appropriate etiquette and increase their awareness of Japanese culture. Practice dialogues include greetings, Qs & As with vocabulary cards, and proverbs. Suggested G5 and older.

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