MAY 2013 - Japan

CONTENTS© Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association1 OVERVIEW OF JCC’S PAST EVENTS IN APRIL 20131.1 “ART OF LACQUER WARE FOR CHANOYU” OPENING CEREMONY…….… Page 31.2 “ART OF LACQUER WARE FOR CHANOYU” EXHIBITION …….………………. Page 41.3 JCC CINEMA SCREENING: “THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY” …………. Page 52 2 JAPANESE CULTURE FACT OF THE MONTH2.1 CHILDREN’S DAY [KODOMO NO HI] ………………………………………………….. Page 72 | P a g e© Chado Urasenke TankokaiSingapore Association

Following this Ceremony, Ms SochokuNakabayashi of Chado Urasenke TankokaiSingapore Association enlightened theaudience with a lecture on the history ofJapanese Tea Ceremony Lacquer Ware. Aspecial Tea Ceremony Demonstration and TeaTasting session ensued to complement theevent. Guests were also guided through theexhibition by the elegant, kimono-adornedmembers of the association.Lecture by Ms Souchoku Nakabayashi (in yellow)and interpreter Ms Yoko Suzuki (in grey)Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association is a non-profit organization aimed to engagethe community in the study of Chado (the way of Tea) and to promote a better understandingand appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Japan as expressed in Chado in Singapore. Itstearoom is housed in Liang Court to serve as a centre for its activities.1.2 “ART OF LACQUER WARE FOR CHANOYU” EXHIBITIONThis showcase, which was open to publicfrom 6 – 20 April 2013, had a large pool ofguests from all walks of life, taken in by thebeauty of the ancient materials.The host preparing the Tea at the Ryu-reiWith the aim of sharing the Art of Tea with thepeople in Singapore, the Chado UrasenkeTankokai Association also provided free TeaTasting and Demonstration gatherings on 6 thApril, 13 th April and 20 th April for its visitorswhich almost always had a full house!Sweets from Kyoto being brought to guests beforebeing served the tea4 | P a g e

movie screening at JCC. The movie was indeed heart-warming and sent many into tears butindeed captivated all with a beautiful ending.6 | P a g e

2 JAPANESE CULTURE FACT OF THEMONTH2.1 CHILDREN’S DAY [KODOMO NO HI]May 5 is Children's Day 1 , when families celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children.It became a national holiday in 1948, but it has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancienttimes.The fifth day of the fifth month was traditionally calledTango no Sekku and was a festival for boys. Girls havetheir own festival, called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival),held on the third day of the third month.On Children's Day, families with boys fly huge carpshapedstreamers (koinobori) outside the house anddisplay dolls of famous warriors and other heroes inside.The carp was chosen because it symbolizes strength andsuccess; according to a Chinese legend, a carp swam upstream to become a dragon.Carp streamers waving in the windIn recent years, as more people have moved into apartments and smaller houses, the carpstreamers have also gotten smaller, and there are now miniature versions that are decoratedindoors.Also on this day, families often take baths sprinkled with iris leaves and roots. This is becausethe iris is thought to promote good health and ward off evil. Rice cakes wrapped in oak leavesand filled with sweet bean paste, called kashiwamochi, arealso eaten.On May 5 each year, events highlighting children are heldthroughout the country.1 http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/may/children.html7 | P a g e

Have any comments for JCCe-magazine?We would love to hear them!So please do send in your suggestions and thoughts tojcc@sn.mofa.go.jp.8 | P a g e