Japanese Culture Booths (Taiken Gakushuu/Experience and Learning)

Bunkasai Cultural Festival have the Taiken Gakushu Booths (booths for experience and learning of Japanese culture) such as the following. Have fun at the booths!

1. Kazaguruma (Pinwheel) & Yo-Yo



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


2. Kendama:

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 :

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. Shuji/Calligraphy

5. Origami/Paper-Folding

6. Ikebana/Flower arrangement

Information Panel 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















University of North Carolina at Charlotte Japanese Program















People having fun

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!

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.
The foods will be prepared by:

Japanese Food from MIZUHO Japanese Restaurant
Japanese Food from RUSAN’S Japanese Restaurant
Japanese Food from MAI Japanese Restaurant
Snacks and Drinks from Lotte
Snacks and Drinks from Hatoya

Japanese Traditional Clothes: Happi and Kimono

At Bunkasai, many people wear Japanese traditional clothings.

Shopping 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.

Information Booth

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 Culture 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)