Five Manawatu secondary schools attended a Bunkasai (cultural festival) on July 7 2021, hosted by the Japanese programme at Massey University, Manawatu Campus. The event was attended by approximately 85 students, teachers, volunteers and Massey and IPU NZ Tertiary Institute staff.
As activities, students took part in a manga drawing contest, trivia quiz, origami contest and a formal Speech Contest (see below). They were also invited to dress in yukata (summer kimono), practise calligraphy, play kendama (a skill game) and take part in a tea ceremony. By good fortune the event coincided exactly with the Tanabata Festival, and students had the opportunity to tie their wishes to branches of sasa bamboo.
Artwork from the students was on display throughout the day
The Bunkasai allowed students to experience aspects of Japanese culture for the first time and enjoy the progress they have made learning Japanese with counterparts from other schools. It is hoped that the time on a university campus and learning more about Japanese at tertiary level from Massey and IPU staff will also encourage students to continue Japanese beyond school.
Speech Contest winners:
Category 1 (Year 11): Jake Cook, Awatapu College
Category 2 (Year 12): Anna Skiffington, St Peter’s College
Category 3 (Year 13): Floor Schalk, Awatapu College
Judges: Mr Toshi Yamauchi and Dr Penny Shino, Massey University.
