 | 1, 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 one's soul.
(Demonstration) - Tea Ceremony
(Participation) - Two Students are choosen to participate as guesta and all the students taste the sweets and MATCHA |
 | 2, 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 usung brush and SUMI-ink. |
| | 3, Hands on Calligraphy (2 unit)
This hands-on program is a half-day workshop to provide students with an opportunity to write Japanese characters on Japanese paper with SUMI ink. There will be an introduction to the Japanese Writing System at the beginning of the class. Suggested for G4 and over. Maximum 25 participants. |
| | 4, HAIKU (1 unit)
HAIKU is a type of Japanese poetry consisting of seventeen syllables. It has become very popular among children around the world. We explain how to write HAIKU in the calss.
(Participation) - Making HAIKU and bookmarks |
| 5, 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. |
| 6, 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 differnt types of KIMONO |
| 7, Toys and Games (1 unit)
Traditional Japanese toys are paper balloons, bamboo dragon flies, bean bags, KENDAMA (a wooden ball attached to a sword), HANETUKI (a pair of wooden rackets and a birdie) and DARUMA OTOSHI (striking out wooden cushions from the bottom). (Participation) - Playing with toys |
| | 8, 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 Japan has changed in last 50 years. Students discuss the differences and similarities between Canadian and Japanese houses, while looking at pictures and a model of a Japanese house |
| 9, Crafts (1 unit)
Age-appropriate craft activities may include KOKESHI doll or SHIORI (bookmark) doll. Objecta are made with exquisite Japanese papers supplemented by Canadian materials. Suitable for Grades 4 and up; SHIORI doll (shown at left) Grades 3 or low; KOKESHI doll |
| 10, "Medieval Japan & SAMURAI" (2 unit)
The SAMURAI were medieval warriors in Japan. With panels and video, students will learn about the SAMURAI and their contribution to the Japanese culture. Experience SAMURAI sppirit through KENDO participation. Suggested for G4 and up. Maximum: 25 participants. |
| | 11, Japanese Food & CHIRASHI-ZUSHI (1 unit)
Traditionally the Japanese diet has consisted mainlty 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 |
| 12, ORIGAMI (1 unit)
A sheet of ORIGAMI paper is a perfect square, colored 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 tide on strings will make you wish come true. (Participation) - All students get a chance to try making a puffy balloon, tricky boat, fancy box or warrior's helmets |
| 13, School Life (1 unit)
A short video is shown and students discuss the differences and similarities between Canadian and Japanese school. 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. Textbooks are provided free of charge and students keep them. Many schools have uniforms. |
| 14, Festivals & Dance (1 unit)
A short video shows annual events and community festivals throughout Japan.
(Participation) - BON-ODORI (casual dance). Each students wears a HAPPI (cotton jacket) and HACHIMAKI (headband) and joins in a circle to dance to the music of "TOKYO OND (Rhythm of Tokyo)" |
| 15, Canadian Trading Partner (1 unit)
Japan is Canada's important 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, electrical parts from Japan. We will also focus on Ontario-Japan economic ties in this session |
| 16, History of Japanese Canadians (1 unit)
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 |
| 17, Songs for Children (1 unit)
Sing Japanese songs in Japanese! 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 G5 |
| 18, Japanese Language Experience (1 unit)
Be 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. |
| 19, Printing (2 unit) Coming soon in winter
In the introduction to this 'hands-on' class, the students will learn about UKIYO-E, Japanese traditional multicoloured woodblock print. The students will be shown how to make their own stencil using cardstock and make prints using their stencil. Suggested for G4 and up. A smaller class is strongly recommended (optimum number is around 30) |
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