Kinokawa and Shin-yu with ASIJ’s Early Learning Center students. ASIJ
The American School in Japan’s Roppongi campus Early Learning Center (ELC) had a fun January filled with Japanese cultural special events, thanks to the support of the ELC PTA and our Alumni Council.
They started the New Year with the Japanese tradition of omochi (rice cake) pounding. The Azabu Juban Neighbourhood Association shares this tradition with the school by demonstrating omochi pounding for the students. The children all dressed in happi coats and hachimaki, to pound and eat omochi.
They also had a return visit by a kamishibai (“paper theatre”) troupe from Yokohama. The kamishibai stories consist of 12 or 16 large, sturdy, beautifully illustrated cards. On the back is the English translation of the text, with the original Japanese beside it. The children learn traditional Japanese folk tales, and some of the kindergarten children will be writing and illustrating their own kamishibai tales to share with their parents.
Another highlight of the New Year was a visit by two sumo wrestlers at the invitation of the PTA. Kinokawa and Shin-yu looked mighty big to the ELC’s little ones! The children found them very impressive. It was so wonderful to have this traditional sport brought into the lives of the students. They were able to appreciate the ritual and the fighting strategies because of instruction they have been receiving and their own sumo practice on the playground and in the community room.
The New Year always ushers in an in-depth study of Japan. The ELC teachers are dedicated to helping the children experience and understand the culture in which they are so fortunate to live. There is evidence of this study all over the school, in the traditional Japanese games, the sumo matches on the playground, the daruma paintings on the walls, the children dressed in kimono, and the tatami mats and Japanese dishes and food in the playhouse areas. Not only do the children enjoy these amazing cultural experiences, but also, by interacting with many visitors from the community, they are learning to be good guests and good hosts!
— JUDY BENEVENTI
