The UTM Japanese Language and Culture Club teamed up with Takasaki City University of Economics students to host the annual “Japan Day” from 2:30-4:30 on Feb. 21 at the C.E. Wheldon Public Library.
The Japanese club members and TCUE hosted activities for kids and young teenagers such as a challenge involving moving different objects with chopsticks and teaching kids how to play Japanese games.
Some activities that were also included were learning Japanese words using flashcards, reading books of Japanese folk-tales and writing Japanese calligraphy with special paper and brushes.
“Since we live in such a small community, I think it’s hard to sometimes learn about other cultures,” said Sarah Friend, a sophomore international studies major and president of the Japanese Language and Culture Club from Memphis.
“I really hope with this sort of event that we put together that we share Japanese culture with people in the community, especially children, and just expose them to something new that they haven’t seen before and maybe find something they can enjoy as well,” Friend continued.
“I think it was interesting that the kids got to come out and experience new things about Japan that they’ve never heard about before. I’m glad the kids were excited to learn about Japanese culture and just have fun,” said Jenna Damore, sophomore history major and Japanese club member also from Memphis.
For more information about the UTM Japanese Language and Culture Club or Japanese language courses, you can contact Kyoko Hammond at (731) 881-7484 or kyhammond@utm.edu.
Sarah Friend, Jenna Damore, Kyoko Hammond, Ben Ide and Shun Kato participate in “Japan Day”. (Photo Credit:Â Ashton Priest)
