Thank you all

This year's Japanese Cultural Festival was held on May 2nd, Saturday with a great success.
We Japanese Teachers Association in Charlotte and Gastonia appreciate everyone who support the festival.
We will see you next year.

TV JAPAN

Japanese Teachers' Association and its Bunkasai committee appreciate the donation from TV JAPAN.


TV JAPAN broadcasts many of its live news programs with English translation as a secondary audio service or with English crawl. An additional few select programs are provided in English or with English subtitle. TV JAPAN offers exclusive live bilingual coverage of the Grand Sumo Tournaments.(http://www.tvjapan.net/en/)

Cleveland Yutaka Corporation

Japanese Teachers' Association and its Bunkasai committee appreciate the donation from Cleveland Yutaka Corporation.


Cleveland Yutaka Corporation (CYC) is a precision machining manufactuer of the automotive industry. Our 56,788 square foot facility is a mainstay of Cleveland County. The Japanese style landscaping has been described as a "Touch of the far east" by the local media and the garden is a major identifying factor for the CYC location. Our Japanese style garden helps to remind us of the importance of tradition. (http://www.clevelandyutaka.com/pages/1/index.htm)

Okuma America Corporation

Japanese Teachers' Association and its Bunkasai committee appreciate the donation from Okuma America Corporation.

"Okuma is a world leader in the development of computer numeric controls (CNC) and machining technology. Okuma vertical and horizontal machining centers, lathes, double column machining centers, grinders, and wheel machines offer users high throughout, high accuracy, reliable solutions to production machining operations.
Okuma machines are designed using Mechatronics, our full circle approach to equipment design that allows us to build machines that have the exact balance of power, speed and size to meet most any application.
We control every aspect of the design and production of the six core components on every machine: Automatic Tool Changer (ATC), motor/drive/encoder, base casting, OSP Control, turret, and spindle. That control blends mechanical and electrical development to assure that each piece performs exactly as expected, enabling you to achieve better results faster and with unrivaled reliability. Should your machine require service, our strong distributor network (the seventh exclusive component) offers fast access to expert technicians.
Okuma’s unique methodology regarding machine tool manufacturing delivers products, service and experience that push industry standards."
(http://www.okuma.com/products)

ASMO North Carolina, Inc.

Japanese Teachers' Association and its Bunkasai committee appreciate the donation from ASMO North Carolina, Inc.

Company Outline
Established: March 29, 1988
Main Products: DC Motors for the Automotive Industry
Quality Policy: "WE ARE COMMITTED TO QUALITY THAT EXCEEDS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS THROUGH CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT AND TOTAL INVOLVEMENT."
(http://www.asmo-na.com/anc/compout.htm)
(http://www.asmo-na.com/anc/qtlpol.htm)

Goulston Technologies, Inc

Japanese Teachers' Association and its Bunkasai committee appreciate the donation from Goulston Technologies, Inc.



"Recognized worldwide as THE LEADER IN FIBER LUBRICANT TECHNOLOGY, Goulston Technologies, Inc. has assembled a group of professionals with expertise in lubrication, surface and polymer chemistry, fiber production and downstream textile processing. This broad knowledge base enables us to develop formulated fiber lubricants and melt additives that allow our customers to achieve the highest levels of performance, economy, efficiency and throughput. Our goal is to always provide enhanced value to our customers."
(http://www.goulston.com/)

Japanese Culture Booths (Taiken Gakushuu/Experience and Learning)

Taiken Gakushu Booths (booths for experience and learning of Japanese culture) at 2008 Bunkasai were the following. This year, you will have more fun experiences!

1. Kazaguruma (Pinwheel) & Yo-Yo (by Smith Academy of International Language)



(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinwheel_%28toy%29)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo)


2. Kendama (by West Mecklenburg High School):

A kendama (けん玉 or 剣玉 or 拳玉) is a Japanese toy that consists of a hammer-like object with a ball connected to it by a string. The ball (called the tama) has a hole in it, and it rests on a spike (the ken) on the top of the kendama. The two sides of the "hammer" are concave dishes; one is smaller than the other. The larger side is called the oozara (large dish,大皿) and the other is the kozara (small dish,小皿).There is also a middle position dish at the bottom of the handle called the chuzara (smallest [1], middle position dish,中皿) and toughest to play with than other two dishes.
The basic object is to throw the ball upwards and land it on one of the concave dish parts of the "hammer", as well as landing the ball on the spike. More advanced techniques involve combination moves, different landing positions and even freestyle combinations.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilboquet)


3. Koma (by West Mecklenburg High School):

A koma, top, or spinning top, is a toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top)





4. Acchi Muite Hoi (by West Mecklenburg High School):
Acchi Muite Hoi is a Japanese game that is similar to freeze tag.

5. Omikuji (by Ashbrook High School)
*Omikuji (御御籤, 御神籤, or おみくじ) are random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines in Japan. Literally "sacred lottery."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omikuji)

6. Shuji/Calligraphy (by Japanese Language School　補習校)

7. Origami/Paper-Folding (by Japanese Language School　補習校)

8. Haiku (by University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
Haiku (俳句) is a kind of Japanese poetry. In English, haiku are written in three lines to equate to the three parts of a haiku in Japanese that traditionally consist of five, seven, and then five on (the Japanese count sounds, not syllables; for example, the word "haiku" itself counts as three sounds in Japanese (ha-i-ku), but two syllables in English (hai-ku), and writing seventeen syllables in English produces a poem that is actually quite a bit longer, with more content, than a haiku in Japanese). A haiku traditionally contains a kigo (season word) which symbolizes or intimates the season in which the poem is set with some reference to the natural world.
Possibly the most well-known of Japanese haiku is Bashō's "old pond" haiku:

古池や蛙飛込む水の音
This separates into on as:

furuike ya
(古池-------や)
(fu/ru/i/ke ya): 5
kawazu tobikomu
(蛙-------飛込む)
(ka/wa/zu to/bi/ko/mu): 7
mizu no oto
(水----の--音)
(mi/zu no o/to): 5

Roughly translated:

old pond
a frog jumps
the sound of water

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku)

習字(calligraphy) Activities

文化祭では、習字を体験できるブースがあります。美しい字が書けるように、頑張ってください。
At Bunkasai, you can try writing calligraphy. Enjoy the Art of Characters!

Information Panels from Schools

文化祭では、シャーロット周辺の学校の、日本語プログラムを紹介するセクションがあります。
日本語を勉強したい人は、ここで、色んな学校の日本語プログラムの情報を聞いてみてください。
At Bunkasai, there is a section where you can get the information of the Japanese programs in schools in/around Charlotte.
If you are interested in studying Japanese, please get the information of the Japanese programs.

West Meck High School Japanese Program















Ashbrook High School (in Gastonia) Japanese Program















University of North Carolina at Charlotte Japanese Program















People having fun

Origami (Paper Folding) Booth

折り紙は、日本の伝統的な文化です。
文化祭で、折り紙をしてみてください。日本語補習学校の子どもたちが、お手伝いします。
Origami (paper folding) is a Japanese traditional culture.
You can try Origami at Bunkasai festival. Children from Japanese School in Charlotte help you there.

Omikoshi & So-ran Bushi Dance

日本のお祭りでは、よくおみこしをかついで歩きます。シャーロットの文化祭でも、子どもたちがおみこしをかつぎます。
In the Japanese festivals, people carry Omikoshi (portable shrine) and walk around. At the Bunkasai in Charlotte, children carry Omikoshi.


















また、文化祭では、子どもたちが、ソーラン節という日本の踊りを踊ります。
Also, kids dance a Japanese traditional dance, So-ran Bushi.

Japanese Taiko Drums

スミスアカデミーの小学生たちが、太鼓を演奏します。
Children from the Smith Academy Elementary School perform on their Taiko Drum.

Japanese Foods

At Bunkasai, we prepare many Japanese foods.
Last year, the foods were prepared by:

Japanese Food from MIZUHO Japanese Restaurant
Japanese Food from RUSAN’S Japanese Restaurant
Snacks and Drinks from Lotte
Japanese Bread from Mariko’s Bakery
Sushi and Drinks by the Smith Academy

Shops at Festival

文化祭では、いろんなお店があります。
本当の日本のお祭りのように、お面が売られたりします。

Bunkasai has a lot of shops.
Just like the real festivals in Japan, masks and other stuff are sold there.

Booth 紹介（しょうかい）

これは、文化祭のインフォメーションブースです。
UNC Charlotteの大学生が、文化祭に来た人を歓迎します。
他にも、Japanese Teachers Associationのスタッフが、文化祭の会場で、みなさんをサポートします。

Here is the information booth at Bunkasai.
UNCC college students welcome you at the information booth.
Also, teachers from the Japanese Teachers Association support you at the festival.

Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day)

The Japanese Cultural Festival also celebrates Kodomo no Hi (children's day), which is a national holiday in Japan.


*The picture is Koinobori, which is the symbol of the Children's day. The large carp at the top represents the father, the second carp represents the mother, and the third carp represents their children. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodomo_no_hi)


Kodomo no Hi (こどもの日; meaning "Children's Day") is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is part of the Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a National holiday by the Japanese government in 1948.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodomo_no_hi)

文化祭の目的 Japanese Cultural Festival's Goals

• この地域の人々の日本の理解を深める。
• To expand awareness of Japanese culture in our community.

• 日頃学習している日本語の発表の場を設け、生徒および学生の学習意欲を高める。
• To provide an opportunity for students to share what they have learned and encourage them to learn more.

• この地域で日本語が開購されている学校間の連帯を図り交流を深める。
• To maintain and strengthen the alliance among schools and collegest that offer Japanese language in our area.

• 日本語教材の購人や日本への短期留学などの寄付金を募る。
• To fundraise for authentic materials from Japan, Japanese competitions, and cultural field trips including a trip to Japan.

Poster for the festival 2009

Here is the poster for the Culture Festival of this year, designed by
Mariana Maradiaga from the West Meck High School.



第六回文化祭は五月二日（土）午後一時から牛後四時までスミスアカデミーで行われます。場所は「1600 Tyvola Road Charlotte NC 28210」です。

The sixth annual Japanese Culture festival will be held on May 2nd from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Smith Academy of International Languages which is located at 1600 Tyvola Road Charlotte NC 28210.

ゲームや踊りや剣道や書道など、日本文化に関係のあるアクティビティがたくさんあります。日本の食べ物もたくさんあり、日本文化や日本語に関する意識を高めることが目標です。

There will be many kinds of Japanese culture related activities such as games, dance, Kendo, calligraphy and more. There will be many types of Japanese food. The goals of the cultural activities are to create an awareness about Japanese culture and language.