A Celebration of Music, Art, and Culture!

On Wednesday, 3rd September (Week 7), our school celebrated Japanese Cultural Day, a vibrant and hands-on event that gave students a unique opportunity to explore traditional and modern aspects of Japanese culture. The day featured two exciting cultural experiences that ran simultaneously, with classes rotating between them throughout the day.

One of the highlights was a live performance by Wasabi, featuring Toshi on the powerful Taiko drums and Noriko on the elegant Shamisen strings. Students were introduced to the history and cultural importance of these traditional instruments, and were treated to a beautiful and energetic performance. The show was highly interactive, with many students and teachers invited to try playing the instruments themselves, guided by Toshi and Noriko’s expert instruction and engaging commentary.

At the same time, other groups were immersed in the creative world of manga with professional artist Kenny. In his workshop, Kenny taught basic manga drawing techniques in a fun, easy-to-follow way. Students learned how to use Japanese Kanji letters to inspire and connect their drawings. After some step-by-step demonstrations, students got to work on their own illustrations—bringing their characters to life using the new techniques they had learned. The final artworks were a true reflection of their creativity and enthusiasm.

Throughout the day, students rotated between the music and art sessions, ensuring everyone had a chance to experience both amazing aspects of Japanese culture. All three performers spoke highly of our students, noting their respectful attitude, enthusiasm, and willingness to participate and learn. Well done everyone!

Thank you to our amazing guests—Toshi, Noriko, and Kenny—and to our staff and students for making Japanese Cultural Day such a great success!