By Sam M. Lucero
Catholic Herald
Visitor teaches students Japanese customs
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Saori Shimizu mixes tea for St. Louis School students and guests during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony held Nov. 17. Shimizu spent one month in Washburn teaching St. Louis Catholic School students about the Japanese culture. (Photo by Sam M. Lucero) |
WASHBURN -- Students at St. Louis School spent the last month learning about the Japanese culture. Rather than learn from textbooks or Web sites, however, they got their lessons from a Japanese visitor.
Saori Shimizu, a resident of Hiroshima, Japan, arrived in Washburn Oct. 27 and returned home Nov. 26. Her visit was sponsored by STEP, Sowing Together for Earthly Peace, a Tokyo-based cultural exchange organization.
St. Louis School principal Betty Swiston learned about STEP from a brochure she received last year. It stated that STEP screens and trains Japanese adults as cultural resource volunteers in K-12 schools.
"They are highly motivated and are eager to share various Japanese cultures such as paper folding, language, folk tales, tea ceremony... and at the same time they wish to learn a lot from American culture and language," the brochure stated.
The only responsibilities required of St. Louis School was a host family, meals and arranging classroom visits.
On Nov. 17, school parents and students were invited to a Japanese tea ceremony hosted by Shimizu. Dressed in a traditional kimono and slippers, the slender and soft spoken guest explained the significance of the Japanese tea ceremony. According to a handout, the tea ceremony was started by Sen-no-Rikyu in the 16th century. Its emphasis is on spiritual tranquility and simplicity of taste.
With the help of students and adults, Shimizu demonstrated the proper way to drink from the tea bowl and how to pass it on. The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes. Parents and students then moved to banquet tables where utensils for making and drinking tea were placed. Families then had an opportunity to practice the tea ceremony.
According to Swiston, the experience was very positive for the students.
"She brought a lot of her culture to the classroom," said Swiston. "She brought origami (the art of paper folding) and story telling with her own water color paintings to tell a story. She taught (students) some common Japanese phrases and has written their names in Japanese."
Shimizu majored in English literature at Hiroshima Jogakuin University and has studied English for 10 years. While reading English has been easy for Shimizu, speaking the language has not. When she learned about STEP, Shimizu thought it would be an ideal opportunity to share her culture while brushing up on English.
Shimizu said her stay in Washburn was enjoyable and memorable. "I am very happy to visit here and have a wonderful experience in my life," she said.
Schools interested in learning more about the STEP cultural exchange program can contact Betty Swiston at St. Louis School, 715-373-5322.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2000