5 July 2014: Japanese Movie Night

7/5

Word of the day: Kazoku (family)

Yahhou! やっほー

Yesterday the student’s in Otani sensei’s culture class were treated to another extravagant lesson in the art of the taiko drum. Otani sensei and Tomomatsu senpai taught students synchronization via repetition and utilized metronomes to instill that sense of togetherness amongst the students. Taiko drummers mutter short “battle cries” to communicate what move is being performed which include:

Don + Kon – Heavy hit

Su – Pause

Tsu- Light hit

The students utilized these simplistic motions to create an extended pattern of taiko drumming and rumor has it that a performance may be scheduled for the closing ceremony (spoiler alert). 

- Antoine

Saturday evening we had the chance to watch the Japanese comedy, The Magic Hour.  This followed the story of a young man under the employment to the town’s boss and his attempts to save his life and his girlfriend. When the boss demands to see the hit man, Della Togashi, the young man hires an amateur actor, who believes he is acting the role in a movie. Of course hilarity ensues as the young man pretends to be a director and lets no one know the reality of the situation.

-Melissa

Japanese Movie: The Magic Hour

29 June 2014: Arts & Crafts and Movie Galore!

6/29 

Our First Art Class

Sunday, the students participated in our first art project: paper mâché Daruma. The craft was named after the Buddhist monk, Daruma. He meditated for so long that he lost control of his arms and legs. The Daruma doll traditionally is a red head with exaggerated facial features. Legend says that after crafting the doll, one must make a wish and fill in one of the eyes. If the wish comes true, the creator then fills in the second eye. If the wish is not fulfilled, most Japanese people will burn the Daruma during New Year’s celebrations. After learning about the legend of the Daruma, students created their own. Whether intentionally or accidentally, many students ended up covered in the paper mâché paste! Most only finished sculpting the shape of the doll, but we all enjoyed the activity. We are all looking forward to finishing our Darumas sometime during the upcoming week.

- Lindsey

Daruma doll

Sunday was jam packed with fun activities, including an opportunity to watch a film called Water Boys.  Together, we snuggled up in our PJs with pillows, blankets and a variety of snacks. The film was loosely based on a true story about a male synchronized swimming team. The movie was very comedic and strange as we followed the story of the boys as they trained for their school’s festival.  The swimming team became famous through an unlikely incident.  Their fame is credited to a family who called emergency services to report what seemed like a group of boys drowning, but in actuality the team was practicing their synchro routine. This live action Japanese film utilized physical and situational comedy that was able to appeal audiences around the world. After the movie we celebrated two birthdays of James G. and James M. , with singing, candles, wishes, and cake.   

-Melissa

Japanese Movie: Water Boys