Garbed in Yukata

The Japanese people have a very rich and interesting culture.  Their fascinating history and their way of living can be seen through many things, such as their food and clothing.

Today's feature is all about their traditional attire, the kimono.  According to wikipedia, the kimono is a traditional garment worn by men, women and children.  It is also called gofuku (which literally means "clothes of Wu").   Because Japan was heavily influenced by China, the Japanese also re-invented the kimono.

A traditional uchikake with cranes in its patterns

A wedding kimono:  I just don't know if I'd look good in this outfit

The formal kimono was replaced by Western outfits and the yukata for everyday wear.  The yukata looks like the kimono, but it is made of a lighter material.  Actually, when I was about to meet Japanese professors for the first time, I thought I'd see them in their kimonos.  They came wearing slacks and long sleeved shirts and ties.  

 Here are some pics of the yukatas I and my students wore:

 

This is a yukata with cherry blossom patterns in it:  with my sempai, Eduard-san.

Pretty in green:  Rojene, Micah, Camille and Angelica

Meara wears a blue while Carmina dons a yellow yukata

Dana glows in a pink one

Look at the pretty back details

Francis wears a boy's yukata with matching wig

This Is It

...And we thought it'll just be English in our lifetime.

With the help of DepEd and the Japan Foundation Manila, our school offered a Japanese language education program called Course on Japan for High School Students (CJH) last June 2010.  Initially, it is a two-year plan designed to teach both Japanese culture and language to selected students.  It's being offered right now as an elective for our sophomores, majority of whom belonged to the Course on Japan for High School students pilot course.  They are:

1. Joseph Gabriel J. Adaoag
2. Ynson Aldrich A. Amiller
3. Christian Joseph B. Anin
4. Allain Louies P. Dalisay
5. Leeroye John P. Flores
6. Francis Regulus R. Gomez
7. Ian Neil D. Gutierrez
8. Jan Kenneth P. Mati-Ong
9. Myron Danielle C. Montefalcon
10. Lorenzo E. Ortiz-Luiz
11. Mark Joseph M. Sacramento
12. Chelsea P. Alejandro
13. Katrina T. Almonte
14. Eloisa Ann J. Antinero
15. Lois Ayra N. Baay
16. Camille Ann O. Capitly
17. Maria Micah B. Cruz
18. Julie Ann D. Dao
19. Pamela C. De Guzman
20. Patricia Marie R. Faraon
21. Angelica Mae Z. Felipe
22. Meara Angela P. Galvez
23. Aliena Mari P. Miranda
24. Denise Mikhaela C. Ortiz
25. Danielie Anne B. Pacheco
26. Rojene A. Pajalla
27. Jaymie L. Reyes
28. Rein Coleen D. Sandoval
29. Melody R. Sombilon
30. Aniña D.C. Soriano
31. Diane Pauline O. Umali
32. Carmina Gabrielle A. Villena

Collectively, the students belong to a class named Pasteur under the advisorship of Ms. Cristina Sofia C. Del Rosario.  The class is being jointly handled by Ms. Sayaka Hanami, a Young Japanese Teacher (YJT) sent by the Jenesys Programme in Japan, and yours truly.

The CJH program and participants were recently featured in the latest issue of Merienda, the newsletter of The Japan Foundation Manila.

The official commencement of the CJH program was also announced in the worldwide website of The Japan Foundation.  The article can be found at http://www.jpf.go.jp/world/en/archives/1007.html#asia.

The seedlings of Japanese language education has just been planted in our school.  But we are hopeful that it'll grow up to be a sturdy and strong tree, bearing good fruit and making a lasting impact in the foreign language education scene in the Philippines.

And we're so proud to be part of this  :-)

Origami

One of the things that fascinates me about Japan is their origami, or the art of folding paper.  From elephants to hearts, to dogs to flying insects to stars --- well, name it, and they have an origami for it!  Amazing, isn't it!  You can transform a plain-colored paper into something awesome by just a few folds here and there.  Cool!

Last summer, when I attended the training course for Nihongo for High School students, one of our Senseis, Jon Sensei, asked his students to make origami for us.

Thank you, UP Hapon students for these cute gifts!  We're more than giddy with excitement with what you all these origami you gave us!

Which one?  There's just too many cute origamis --- maybe just bring ém all home?  :-)

My pick:  a cute bird in yellow, orange and blue.  Very summer.

Cool M. Piggy... in an equally cute bikini!

Dainty teddy bear

Lav picks up a teddy bear while Jon Sensei holds a bird origami. 

Thanks, Jon Sensei, for the wonderful suprises! 

Want to make some origami?  Check out these websites:

Origami Instructions

Origami That's Fun and Easy

Butsuri, Anyone?

I wish I had a textbook like this back when I was a high school student...

So cool, isn't it?

* Photo courtesy of Cecil Van Straten