Hokkaido Cultural Exchange: Trainees Experience Japan

Traditional Japanese culture was recently explored by thirty trainees who took part in a special cultural programme held in Kushiro. Organised by the non-profit organisation Glocal Mirai Net, the event took place at the Chukaikyo Hokkaido Training Centre within the city.

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The initiative aims to allow participants to experience Japanese history and culture firsthand, encouraging them to share the appeal of Japan with others after returning to their home countries. The programme has been running annually since 2021, and this session featured four distinct booths dedicated to different traditional arts: calligraphy, kimono dressing, flower arrangement, and the tea ceremony.

Traditional Activities and Creative Workshops

Participants began by experiencing kimono dressing, after which they enjoyed taking commemorative photographs in their traditional attire. At the calligraphy station, attendees used unfamiliar writing brushes to write their own names using ateji characters.

Meanwhile, the flower arrangement section allowed participants to choose flowers of their preferred colours as the main focus. By carefully arranging the positions of branches and leaves, they successfully completed unique floral artworks.

Participant Impressions and Future Goals

Fatma Dwi Halima, a twenty-year-old participant, shared her thoughts on the experience with a smile, stating that she was delighted to finally wear the kimono she had long admired, and noted that she is looking forward to eating sushi and sakuramochi in Japan.

Mitsuaki Okura, the representative director of Glocal Mirai Net, expressed his hopes that touching upon Japanese culture would help participants develop a fondness for the country, even if only slightly, and confirmed that the organisation intends to continue providing such support moving forward.

Practical Tips

• Location: Chukaikyo Hokkaido Training Centre, Kushiro City, Hokkaido

• Organiser: Glocal Mirai Net NPO

• Programme Activities: Calligraphy, kimono dressing, flower arrangement, and tea ceremony

Source

https://hokkaido-nl.jp/article/42389