Newsletter articles for Term 1 include ¨Intensive Seminar – January 2025 | The Japan Foundation, Sydney¨ Written by Corine Wils, Japanese Teacher, Springbank School
"🌸 The Season of SAKURA is Here! 🌸" Written by Chisato Yoshioka, Japanese National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
"Japanese manhole covers" Written by Paula Kasper, Facilitator, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Intensive Seminar – January 2025 | The Japan Foundation, Sydney
Written by Corine Wils, Japanese Teacher, Springbank School
Picture 1: Cultural experience: Shodo
I was lucky enough to join three other New Zealand teachers, along with ten Australian teachers of Japanese for three and a half days at the Japan Foundation’s Sydney premises. Here we spent time developing our Japanese language skills, exploring teaching ideas and strategies to apply in our own classrooms, sharing ideas and resources, and building teacher networks. We had a great mix of activities and workshops which supported our learning. Everyone left with more confidence and new skills and ideas to implement.
In the intensive schedule of workshops, we learnt up-to-date classroom language, how to engage in deeper conversations in Japanese with native speakers, as well as learning and practising cultural skills such as calligraphy, furoshiki folding, and traditional games, all with accompanying strategies on how to incorporate these into our lessons. We were also guided through the extensive resources and materials provided on the Japan Foundation’s website.
The participant teachers had prepared some of their own resources and ideas to share with everyone, which was such a useful session. It was easy to network with the other teachers over delicious lunches in nearby Spice Alley, and some of us stocked up on books and other supplies from nearby Japanese shops, too. The staff were so helpful, friendly and accommodating, they were probably the main highlight as they made it an engaging, safe and rewarding environment for us all. I can wholeheartedly recommend any teacher of Japanese to apply for this seminar in the future.
🌸 The Season of SAKURA is Here! 🌸
Written by Chisato Yoshioka, Japanese National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Photo 2: 画像: 楊洲周延『千代田大奥 御花見』, 具足屋 福田熊次郎, 明治27年. 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション / Image: Yōshū Chikanobu, “Chiyoda Ōoku Ohanami,” Gusokuya Fukuda Kumajirō, Meiji 27 (1894). National Diet Library Digital Collection https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1302650 (参照 2025-02-05 / Accessed on Feb 5, 2025)
April is just around the corner, and Japan is preparing for one of its most cherished seasonal highlights—cherry blossom season! Streets, parks, and riversides transform into beautiful shades of pink, signalling the arrival of spring and creating the perfect setting to experience this time-honoured tradition.
Every year, the Japan Meteorological Agency releases a nationwide cherry blossom forecast. In 2025, the first blooms are expected in Kyushu and Shikoku in late March, gradually moving northward. Tokyo and Kyoto are expected to reach full bloom in early April, while Hokkaido will see peak blossoms from late April to early May. If you’re tracking the season, be sure to note the difference between “開花 (kaika)” (first bloom) and “満開 (mankai)” (full bloom)! ▶ Check the latest forecast here: https://weathernews.jp/sakura/news/
Cherry blossom season wouldn’t be complete without “花見 (Hanami)” (flower viewing)! Whether in the past or present, gathering under the cherry trees with family, friends, or colleagues to enjoy food and drinks is a much-loved tradition. Famous hanami spots like Ueno Park (Tokyo), Maruyama Park (Kyoto), and Osaka Castle Park attract large crowds each year.
Beyond hanami, sakura also inspires a variety of seasonal treats and products. A springtime favourite, “桜餅 (sakura mochi)” is a sweet rice cake wrapped in a salted cherry leaf. Cafés and convenience stores offer a range of sakura-flavoured drinks and sweets, and many beauty brands release limited-edition sakura-inspired packaging or cherry blossom-scented products, making the season even more immersive.
In the past, people composed waka poetry about cherry blossoms, but today, sakura-themed songs are a staple of Japanese pop culture. Searching on utamap.com reveals dozens of songs titled "桜" (41 songs), "さくら" (28 songs), and "SAKURA" (17 songs). Why not explore and find a new favourite?
Looking for ways to incorporate cherry blossoms into your lessons? The Japan Foundation, Sydney offers excellent classroom resources to help bring the beauty and symbolism of sakura into your teaching.
Why not incorporate the beauty and transience of cherry blossoms into your lessons?
Japanese manhole covers
Written by Paula Kasper, Facilitator, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Photo 3: Kuwana, Japan – manhole showing origami cranes
Photo 4: Wellington, New Zealand – manhole showing tides going in and out
A manhole cover is a removable plate that covers an access point to underground utilities, typically sewers or drains. These covers are designed to be heavy and durable, often made of materials like cast iron or ductile iron, to withstand traffic and prevent unauthorised access. In Japan, manhole covers have become a unique form of street art, celebrating local identity and culture. This trend began in the 1980’s as part of a public relations campaign to gain support for costly sewer system upgrades. Today, about 95% of Japan's 1,780 municipalities have their own distinctive manhole cover designs. These artistic covers often depict local symbols, events, and landmarks. For example, Kuwana (my homestay city), which produces manhole covers, shows the origami crane.
The popularity of decorative manhole covers in Japan reflects the concept of "machizukuri," which combines urban planning with community building. These artistic covers not only serve a practical purpose but also contribute to local identity and tourism, making them a fascinating aspect of Japanese urban culture.
The process of creating these covers involves collaboration between local governments and manhole manufacturers. Designs are carefully chosen to represent the cultural identity of each region, and the covers are often produced individually. This unique form of urban art has sparked interest among tourists and locals alike. I am a "Manholer" – an enthusiast who seeks out and photographs manhole covers.
You don’t just have to travel across Japan to see different designs as here, in the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand has been at the forefront of this badged cover design. Places like Wellington, Nelson, and now Tauranga are taking manhole cover artwork to the streets. Be curious! Take time to look down and become a ‘Manholer’ to find one on the streets and roads here in New Zealand.
