Students from Japan showcase their culture to willing participants

Karryn Duhaime

Everyone in High Prairie received a true taste of Asia in style June 16 as the municipal library hosted a Japanese Culture Festival. The afternoon kicked off with introductions of the High Prairie Japanese exchange students and student teacher, Miki Tarui of Aomori, Riho Murase of Sendai, and Chizuru Yoshimura of Gifu (student teacher). Over the course of the afternoon, each girl hosted a traditional Japanese event. Tarui wore a white Gi to teach the karate class. She performed a short demonstration and then taught a short introduction to the children; showing them how to kick and punch. Following the popular karate demonstration the audience was treated to the Japanese delicacy Sushi. Asako Morita of Osaka, who couldn’t attend because of a swim meet scheduling conflict, had prepared a non-raw fish ‘Canadianized’ version for everyone’s enjoyment. After the snack, Murase, who donned a beautiful blue Yukata (cotton Kimono) for the occasion, taught a calligraphy class. She showed the class how to write hello in Japanese and also helped some children write their names in Japanese. Finally, Yoshimura capped off the afternoon with a session of Origami (traditional paper folding). The 80 some people who visited the library also had the opportunity to view photographs and memorabilia brought from Japan by the exchange students and from Karryn Duhaime, local reporter, who spent a year working in Japan in 2003-04. Event organizer, Janet Porter, was pleased with the afternoon and pleased by the event’s attendance. “The girls worked so hard. I am very happy with how smoothly the festival went,” said Porter, adding “these events seem to be getting better and better. I’m just so excited about our upcoming Philippine festival.”

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