YEAR 8 Emmaus College students put their textbooks aside to experience Japanese culture firsthand on Tuesday.
The students took part in a Japanese Culture Day which had them rotate through six 45 minute classes including taiko drumming, manga drawing, Japanese cooking, martial arts, tea ceremony and an author presentation.
This provided students an opportunity to interact with the school’s Medieval European and Japanese culture study unit.
Japanese Culture Day co-ordinator Chloe Jensen said the idea of a practical cultural day gained traction after attracting outside Japanese professionals to pass on their cultural knowledge.
“The Japanese cook is one of the teacher’s friends and the tea ceremony ladies are connected to one of our school families who introduced us to them,” she said.
“The students have enjoyed the day, learning doesn’t always have to be out of books, they can get immersed and learn through doing things.”
Skills learned through the program included learning how to cook sushi, basic drawing skills, self defence tips, tea making and more.