T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Japan America Society of Iowa Cultural Coordinator Takeshi Hayasaka presents a lesson on calligraphy to MHS college students in Rebecca Erickson’s portray and superior portray courses on Tuesday morning.
Many Individuals have a minimum of a cursory data of Japanese tradition by the island nation’s meals and standard leisure, however the Japan America Society of Iowa seeks to strengthen these bonds by numerous outreach efforts and packages.
On Monday and Tuesday, Govt Director Yoko Tanaka and Cultural Coordinator Takeshi Hayasaka visited Rebecca Erickson’s artwork class at Marshalltown Excessive College (MHS) to current on calligraphy and permit college students the possibility to attract after which paint their very own characters and symbols.
Tanaka, who was born in Tokyo, has lived within the Des Moines space for many years, and she or he famous that whereas the Japanese-American group in Iowa is comparatively small outdoors of faculty college students in Iowa Metropolis and Ames, she appreciates the chance to share a bit of her residence nation past the broadly identified facets like anime, Pokemon, sushi, ramen and different meals.
“We’re doing it to share the tradition in a perspective that we’ve and for (Individuals) to understand that what we do isn’t that totally different from what they do,” she stated. “To me, it’s essential and I actually take pleasure in it after they say ‘Oh yeah,’ they received it.”
The Society places on packages at numerous faculty districts round Iowa, and Erickson was glad that MHS was one of many stops.
Japan America Society of Iowa Govt Director Yoko Tanaka paints Japanese calligraphy symbols at Marshalltown Excessive College on Tuesday.
“We’re so grateful that they’re sharing their data and experience with our college students, and the scholars are very, very welcoming to them,” she stated.
Hayasaka introduced to the category, educating college students the intricacies of accurately portray the visually placing characters of Japanese calligraphy. He hails from the Miyagi Prefecture within the northern a part of the nation and might be returning residence this summer season after about two years stateside.
“I’m sharing Japanese tradition as a result of I’m studying your tradition as nicely,” he stated. “Once I got here right here, I had no thought what Iowa is.”
He joked that some individuals nonetheless consider his residence nation is filled with samurais working round with swords — for example, the latest adaptation of “Shogun,” set within the early 1600s, was a large hit on Hulu — however like all nations, Hayasaka added, Japan has modernized and the ronin are lengthy gone.
Calligraphy, he stated, is one thing everybody learns in Japan, and it’s additionally a type of meditation as a result of it requires quiet and endurance. And as he prepares to go again residence, Hayasaka will take a little bit of Iowa with him — he significantly beloved the annual Asian cultural celebrations and the State Honest.
“I like Iowa as a result of you may have so many occasions,” he stated. “I’m gonna miss these occasions.”
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Contact Robert Maharry
at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or
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- T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Japan America Society of Iowa Cultural Coordinator Takeshi Hayasaka presents a lesson on calligraphy to MHS college students in Rebecca Erickson’s portray and superior portray courses on Tuesday morning.
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- Japan America Society of Iowa Govt Director Yoko Tanaka paints Japanese calligraphy symbols at Marshalltown Excessive College on Tuesday.
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