Students from YLPMSAA Tang Siu Tong Secondary School and STFA Yung Yau College Experience Japanese Food Culture (2010/03/17) Students from Lingnan University experience Japanese Dance (2010/03/09) Japan Cultural Night celebrating the East Asian Games in Hong Kong (2009/12/28) Students from the School of Continuing Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong experience a Japanese tea ceremony (2009/12/07) Students from the University of Hong Kong experience a Japanese tea ceremony (2009/11/27) Koto demonstration at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (2009/10/26) Students of STFA Yung Yau College learn all about Japanese calligraphy (2009/10/20) Welcome reception for the Hong Kong High School Students’ Visit Japan Programme (2009/10/14) Students from Immaculate Heart of Mary College experience traditional Japanese dance (2009/10/05) Visit by students on the summer course of the Japan Society of Hong Kong (2009/08/11) Students from Yan Chai Hospital No.2 Secondary School get hands-on experience of ikebana with their parents (2009/07/16) Japanese tea ceremony during Tanabata (Star Festival) (2009/07/16) Students from the CUHK experience a Japanese tea ceremony during Tango no Seku (2009/05/06) Students from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Kon Ting Memorial College experience Japan’s traditional culture (2009/05/06) HKU students get hands-on experience of ikebana (2009/04/08) Japan Festival 2009 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2009/04/08) Japanese dance fans the enthusiasm of students of the University of Macau (2009/04/08) Mr Shigekazu Sato, Consul-General, enjoys a dialogue with students of the University of Hong Kong (2009/04/06) Students from the Hong Kong Baptist University experience a Japanese tea ceremony during the Doll Festival (2009/03/12) Students from the University of Hong Kong enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony at Setsubun (2009/02/09) Mini Ikebana Exhibition springs surprises with unusual materials (2009/01/15) Students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University experience the Japanese tea ceremony (2008/12/24) Mr Takeo Iwami honoured with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (2008/12/12) Dr Chow Yei Ching awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (2008/12/05)

17 March 2010 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from YLPMSAA Tang Siu Tong Secondary School and STFA Yung Yau College Experience Japanese Food Culture     At YLPMSAA Tang Siu Tong Secondary School     On Thursday, 4 March, students from YLPMSAA Tang Siu Tong Secondary School and STFA Yung Yau College (a total of 30 students, 15 from each school) participated in an event which gave them a chance to experience ‘Japanese Food Culture’. Under the instructions of Ms Keiko Sakurai, a cooking expert active in Hong Kong, the students made curry rice and onsen manju (hot-spring steamed buns, a kind of Japanese sweets). They said ‘Let’s eat!’ before they started eating, and finished all the food they made with their friends.   Related links Luscious Delicious Cooking Salon http://www.gerbera.com.hk/           9 March 2010 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from Lingnan University experience Japanese Dance   At Lingnan University     “The Additional Languages Extravaganza” hosted by Lingnan University saw 60 liberal arts students and lecturers take part in a Japanese dance demonstration and workshop on Monday, 1 March. During the workshop, student volunteers got a chance to try their hand at some traditional dance movements that require the skilful manipulation of folding fans. In addition, a seminar on studying in Japan held by the Consulate-General on the same day attracted a large number of students who showed a keen interest in Japan.   Related links Konokai, Wakayagi School, Traditional Japanese Dance http://www.konokaihk.com/index.htm           28 December 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Japan Cultural Night celebrating the East Asian Games in Hong Kong   Scenes from the piazza outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre     One of the accompanying events celebrating the East Asian Games 2009 in Hong Kong, the Japan Cultural Night was held in the piazza outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening on Friday, 11 December. Attracting a large crowd, the event featured presentations of two traditional Japanese dances, wakayagi-ryu and yosakoi soran, with the performers joined on stage for the second dance by the Japanese athletes taking part in the games together with their delegation leader Mr Mizuno. ＊ The 5th East Asian Games (EAG 2009) took place in Hong Kong from 5 to 13 December. Part of the mission of the EAG is to create greater opportunities for sports and cultural exchanges among the countries of East Asia. The fifth edition of this sporting event, the EAG 2009 saw competitions in 22 sports (the largest number in its history) and the participation of nine countries and regions, including Japan, China and South Korea. This year, Japan won a total of 190 medals, including 62 gold, 58 silver and 70 bronze.   Related links Konokai, Wakayagi School, Traditional Japanese Dance http://www.konokaihk.com/index.htm East Asian Games 2009 http://www.2009eastasiangames.hk/en/ Leisure and Cultural Services Department http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/home.php Hong Kong Tourism Board http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/ Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd. http://www.hongthai.com/tc/home.html (Chinese only)           7 December 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from the School of Continuing Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong experience a Japanese tea ceremony   Students at the School of Continuing Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong     On Monday, 7 December, the School of Continuing Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong played host to a tea ceremony jointly organised by the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong and the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association and attended by 51 students and teachers. After watching a demonstration of the ceremony, the students had a go at making some tea themselves, and they all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/ Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf           27 November 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from the University of Hong Kong experience a Japanese tea ceremony       Students at the University of Hong Kong   On Friday, 27 November, the University of Hong Kong’s Hornell Hall played host to a tea ceremony jointly organised by the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong and the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association and attended by 25 students and their lecturer. After watching a demonstration of the ceremony, the students had a go at making some tea themselves, and they all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/ Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf           26 October 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Koto demonstration at the Hong Kong Institute of Education   At the Hong Kong Institute of Education     A demonstration of the art of the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, was held at the Hong Kong Institute of Education on 26 October. After a fascinating talk introducing the instrument and its history, the speaker performed several pieces on the koto for the HKIE students, who then got the opportunity to learn the basics of the instrument and even to try their hand at playing it in the workshop that followed.   Related links The Hong Kong Institute of Education http://www.ied.edu.hk/index_c.html           20 October 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students of STFA Yung Yau College learn all about Japanese calligraphy       STFA Yung Yau College   A Japanese calligraphy demonstration and workshop was held at STFA Yung Yau College in Tin Shui Wai on Tuesday, 20 October. The 30 students who took part paid rapt attention as the speaker wrote a Japanese haiku to highlight the skill and beauty involved in this art, and in the workshop afterwards they got to try it for themselves with the chance to write one of their favourite Chinese characters on an uchiwa (paper fan).   Related links Taigen Shodo-kai http://ameblo.jp/taigenshodo/           14 October 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Welcome reception for the Hong Kong High School Students’ Visit Japan Programme     Organised by the Japan-China Friendship Center and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, a welcome reception for the students on the Hong Kong High School Students’ Visit Japan Programme was held at the Hongkong Japanese Club on Wednesday, 23 September. Launched in 2008 under the umbrella of the JENESYS programme,* the project this year saw 55 Hong Kong high school students stay in Japan for nine days from 8 to 16 July. Primarily taking part in exchange activities with their peers in Tokyo and Yamanashi Prefecture, the students also got a chance to visit waste incineration plants, disaster prevention facilities and science museums as well as see some of Japan’s famous sights, such as Mount Fuji.    *The JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) Programme is a 35-billion-yen youth exchange programme that was announced by Japan at the second East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2007. With the co-operation of the EAS member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) and related organisations, a variety of projects are being implemented that will see about 6,000 young people mainly from EAS member states invited to Japan every year for five years with the aim of laying strong foundations for Asian solidarity through the expansion of youth exchanges.   Related links Japan-China Friendship Center http://www.jcfc.or.jp/           5 October 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from Immaculate Heart of Mary College experience traditional Japanese dance     On 17 September, more than 100 students from Immaculate Heart of Mary College took part in a Japanese dance demonstration and workshop held in the school hall, with 20 volunteers getting the chance to try out traditional dance movements that feature the skilful use of folding fans.   Related links Konokai, Wakayagi School, Traditional Japanese Dance http://www.konokaihk.com/index.htm         11 August 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Visit by students on the summer course of the Japan Society of Hong Kong   Students compete in the kendama contest held in the multifunction room and learn seiza in the washitsu at the Consulate-General of Japan   179 students taking the Summer Certificate Course in Japanese Language and Culture run by the Japan Society of Hong Kong spent some time at the Consulate-General of Japan on the 23 and 24 July. As well as visiting the library and the washitsu (Japanese-style room), the students learnt how to sit and bow formally on the tatami, and they also had a lot of fun playing with traditional Japanese toys such as the kendama (cup-and-ball) and the koma (spinning top).     Related links   Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf The Japan Society of Hong Kong http://www.japansociety-hk.org/               16 July 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Japanese tea ceremony during Tanabata (Star Festival)   In the washitsu (Japanese-style room) and library at the Consulate-General of Japan   The tea ceremonies hosted in the washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan in co-operation with the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association are proving to be increasingly popular, and two groups of students from New Asia Middle School came along on 4 July to gain a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of Japanese culture. The 26 students in the morning and 31 students in the afternoon also got the chance to experience Tanabata (Star Festival), which is held on 7 July in Japan. Based on a Chinese legend, the festival celebrates the one day a year on which Altair, the star of the herdsman, and Vega, the star of the weaver-princess, are able to overcome the great distance that separates them across the Milky Way and meet. After watching the tea ceremony demonstration, the students stepped up to the tatami to have a go at making some tea themselves, and then, as is the custom during Tanabata, they wrote wishes on strips of fancy paper and hung them on branches of bamboo trees.   Related links Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/ Kids Web Japan http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/manga/0707/index.html Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf                 16 July 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong     Students from Yan Chai Hospital No.2 Secondary School get hands-on experience of ikebana with their parents   At the Consulate-General of Japan   Students from the Yan Chai Hospital No. 2 Secondary School and their parents were among a group of 50 people who took part in an ikebana demonstration and workshop held on Friday, 26 June, in the Multifunction Room of the Consulate-General of Japan. During the workshop, the students got the chance to create their own flower arrangements, and they made inspired use of vases and spiked holders for their designs. The students all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links Sogetsu Foundation http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/           6 May 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong   Students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong experience a Japanese tea ceremony during Tango no Sekku   The washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan   On 17 March, around 60 students from the University of Hong Kong participated in a Japanese flower arrangement demonstration and workshop as part of the “Japanese Semester” organised by the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences. After watching the demonstration, the students tried their own hand at the art of ikebana, making use of plastic bottles for their flower arrangements. The students all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf Sogetsu Foundation http://www.urasenke.or.jp/             6 May 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong   Students from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Kon Ting Memorial College experience Japan’s traditional culture   Students try out traditional Japanese clothing and festival accessories   　　Visiting the Consulate-General of Japan on 21 April, 24 students from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Kon Ting Memorial College had a lot of fun trying out the carp streamers and the armour that are an integral part of Tango no Sekku, the “Boys’ Festival” that falls on 5 May. This annual event celebrates the healthy growth of children and is a day when families with boys bring out a replica helmet or samurai dolls to display inside the house and fly koinobori (carp streamers) outside.   　　The enthusiastic students also got a chance to play with traditional Japanese toys, and in the washitsu (Japanese-style room) they stepped up to the tatami and learnt how to bow and to sit on their heels Japanese-style.   Related links Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf       8 April 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong         HKU students get hands-on experience of ikebana     At the University of Hong Kong   　　On 17 March, around 60 students from the University of Hong Kong participated in a Japanese flower arrangement demonstration and workshop as part of the “Japanese Semester” organised by the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences. After watching the demonstration, the students tried their own hand at the art of ikebana, making use of plastic bottles for their flower arrangements. The students all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links HKU Japanese Semester http://www.hku.hk/socsc/globalvision/japan/ Sogetsu Foundation http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/         8 April 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Japan Festival 2009 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University   On the podium at Hong Kong PolyU   　　On 25 March, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University hosted its Japan Festival 2009 with the support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong. Performances of Japanese dance, judo and iaido – a traditional Japanese martial art using swords – were all presented on stage, while a chorus of Japanese-language students also sang some traditional songs. Several booths were set up that offered visitors a chance to have a go at Japanese chess and other traditional Japanese games, while others promoted Japan as a tourist and cultural destination.   Related links JNTO http://www.jnto.go.jp/ Konokai, Wakayagi School, Traditional Japanese Dance http://www.konokaihk.com./ Hong Kong Polytechnic University http://www.polyu.edu.hk           8 April 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Japanese dance fans the enthusiasm of students of the University of Macau   At the University of Macau   　　A presentation of traditional Japanese dance was hosted by the University of Macau on 26 March. Jointly organised by Konokai, Wakayagi School of Traditional Japanese Dance, the event proved a highly enjoyable success with approximately 90 students and teaching staff of the university taking part. A workshop held before the presentation saw students learn the basics of Japanese dance featuring the use of folding fans.   Related links Konokai, Wakayagi School of Traditional Japanese Dance http://www.konokaihk.com./ University of Macau   http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/                 6 April 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong         Mr Shigekazu Sato, Consul-General, enjoys a dialogue with students of the University of Hong Kong   The Consul-General answers questions from students   　　As part of the “Japanese Semester” organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, the Consul-General Mr Shigekazu Sato took part in a dialogue on Japan’s soft power with HKU students on 10 March. About 65 students attended, and they heard Mr Sato first outline the concept of soft power and then detail Japan’s approach to it, covering aspects such as manga, music and food. A question-and-answer session followed, and judging by the topics they raised, which ranged from Hong Kong’s soft power, through youth culture to Japan-China relations, the students found the Consul-General’s speech very stimulating.   Related links HKU Japanese Semester   http://www.hku.hk/socsc/globalvision/japan/           12 March 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong   Students from the Hong Kong Baptist University experience a Japanese tea ceremony during Doll Festival   Students drink tea against the backdrop of a display of hina dolls   　　On 3 March, the washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan welcomed 24 students from the Hong Kong Baptist University – all members of the Student Union’s Japanese Culture Club – at a tea ceremony jointly organised with the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association. Hina dolls adorned the washitsu and participants were also served sweet sake as part of the celebrations of Hinamatsuri*, or Doll Festival. After watching the demonstration, the students stepped up to the tatami to have a go at making some tea themselves, and they all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   * Hinamatsuri Families with daughters celebrate 3 March by displaying hina dolls on stepped shelves to express their wish that their daughters grow up healthy and strong.   Related links Web Japan http://web-japan.org/factsheet/pdf/21AnnualEvents.pdf Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/         9 Febuary 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Students from the University of Hong Kong enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony at Setsubun   The washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan   On 7 February, the washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan welcomed 27 students from the University of Hong Kong – all members of the university’s Japanese Society (A.A.H.K.U.S.U.) – at a tea ceremony jointly organised with the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association. After watching the demonstration, the students stepped up to the tatami to be served as guests, and some of them even got to make the tea themselves. At the end of the demonstration, roasted soy beans were scattered in line with the custom practised during the annual event of Setsubun*. The students all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese tea culture.   * Setsubun Setsubun is a ceremony held on 3 February, the day before the advent of spring, in which people scatter roasted soy beans to drive away goblins and attract happiness. People pick up and eat the number of beans that corresponds to their age to express their wish for good health.   Related links Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/ Kids Web Japan http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/manga/0702/index.html           15 January 2009 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Mini Ikebana Exhibition springs surprises with unusual materials   Some surprising materials on show at the exhibition   　Based on the theme of “DIY vases”, the Mini Ikebana Exhibition held on 8 and 9 January in the Consulate’s Multifunction Room showcased 14 works arranged using some everyday and household objects – including CDs, a handbag, a cheese grater and cardboard – in creative and surprising ways. A workshop was also held on 9 January, at which the participants got a chance to learn more about the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement.   (In collaboration with the Hong Kong Branch of the Sogetsu Teachers’ Association)   Related links Sogetsu Foundation http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/         24 December 2008 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong         Students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University experience the Japanese tea ceremony   In the washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan   　On 20 December, 22 students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University came to the washitsu (Japanese-style room) at the Consulate-General of Japan to take part in a tea ceremony jointly organised by the: Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association. They included undergraduates studying Japanese as well as students learning business Japanese, translation and Japanese language education as part of their master’s degrees, and they all gained a wonderful insight into this highly representative aspect of traditional Japanese culture.   Related links Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hong Kong Association http://www.urasenke.or.jp/       12 December 2008 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong       Mr Takeo Iwami honoured with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays   Mr Iwami (second from right) after receiving his award from the Consul-General Mr Sato (second from left) at the Consul-General’s residence together with Mrs Iwami(right) and Mrs Sato(left)   　In the 2008 Autumn Conferment of Decorations by the Japanese government announced on 3 November, Mr Takeo Iwami, president of the Hong Kong Judo Kan, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in honour of the great contributions he has made over the past decade to the promotion of Japanese culture through the traditional Japanese martial art of judo. To celebrate the award, the Consul-General hosted a dinner for Mr Iwami at his residence on 8 December.         5 December 2008 Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong     Dr Chow Yei Ching awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon   Dr Chow (second from left) after receiving his award from the Consul-General Mr Sato (second from right) at the Consul-General’s residence together with Mrs Chow(left) and Mrs Sato(right)   　　In the 2008 Autumn Conferment of Decorations by the Japanese government announced on 3 November, Dr Chow Yei Ching, chairman and managing director of the Chevalier Group, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in honour of the outstanding contribution he has made as President of The Japan Society of Hong Kong over the past decade to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Hong Kong. Dr Chow was officially presented with his decoration at a ceremony held on 27 November at the Consul-General’s residence.