Japanese

Konnichiwa from Japanese class! 

We had some fun with Ohanami "Cherry blossom viewing" and Kodomo no hi "Children's Day" events in the last two weeks. Students have introduced significant facts about Sakura and what people do during the Cherry blossom season in Japan around March and April. Then they designed their bento box with rice balls and sausages and fruits to make a nice nutritious lunch box. That inspired me to practice what we can make in the class within 50 mins. So I made my kid's lunch box to practice before I can demonstrate them in our class. 

We also learned about Kodomo no hi "Children's Day" on the 5th of May in Japan. Students made some Samurai hats called Kabuto and carp flags called Koinobori and made some Koinobori toothpicks. 

Japan Fun Facts

Friday last week was May 4 – Star Wars Day! Did you know that Japanese culture heavily influenced Star Wars?· George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, was inspired by the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, who directed many period/historical dramas, including The Seven Samurai and The Hidden Fortress. In Japanese, the word for ‘period drama’ is JIDAI GEKI. The term ‘JEDI’ came from this.· The helmet worn by Darth Vader was designed based on a samurai helmet.· In Star Wars, the light sabers used in battles are long and narrow like samurai swords. The style of fighting with the light sabers looks like the Japanese martial art of Kendo (Japanese fencing).· The character, Yoda, speaks using word order similar to Japanese. (English: He is playing in the park. Japanese: He in the park is playing.)

Please do not hesitate to ask any inquiries or suggestions to the Japanese class!

Bawden Sensei

kbawden@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au