New Collaborative life for NZAJLT

The New Zealand Association of Japanese Language teachers (NZAJLT) has begun again with new life this time as a truly collaborative association. Japanese teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand have a proud history of sharing resources and support with each other, so it is great to see the association has re-formed with many new members sharing the many jobs of the executive.  In the past, a few hardworking members had carried the heavy workload, so thanks to Kazue Takeda’s efforts, the association has formed a bright new beginning with a sustainable collaborative model. Many hands make light work!  NZAJLT is here to support Japanese teachers, and advocate for them as a collective.  Subscriptions are due 31st May, to subscribe please click this link NZAJLT Subscribe

Image credit to rawpixel from Pixabay

Heart- felt thanks t Michelle Lodge from Botany, and Kazue Takeda from Liston for organizing the 1000 cranes project for Christchurch in the wake of our nation’s recent tragedy.  Japanese teachers and their students were aiming to fold 1000 paper cranes to send as a message of support and love to Christchurch. Paper cranes became a symbol of striving for international peace after the atrocious Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in World War 2.  
Michelle and Kazue received 6000 cranes altogether and have sent 2000 each to Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Center, and 1000 each to Cashmere High School and Burnside High School. Genuine aroha pouring out from the language’s community. Kia Kaha Christchurch.

Image credit to 1278956 from Pixabay

The Ambassador’s Commendations were held on the 19th of March this year at the Ambassador’s Residence, with six recipients being awarded.

Japanese language educators Dr Penelope Shino (Massey University), Dr Adele Scott (Te Kura), Mr Denis Tate (Feilding High School), Mrs Junko Bracefield (St Matthew’s Collegiate School), Ms Chitose Izuno (Upper Hutt College), and the President of Sister Cities New Zealand, Mrs Hiromi Morris, received the Ambassador’s Commendation for their distinguished contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and New Zealand. The awarding ceremony started with a speech from Ambassador of Japan to New Zealand, H.E. Mr Hiroyasu Kobayashi, who gave high praise to the recipients, thanking them for their efforts in facilitating connections and friendship between our two countries.

After the ceremony, everyone had the chance to mingle in a less formal setting, with a lunch prepared by Ambassador Kobayashi’s personal chef. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Japanese Government to express its appreciation to those who work so hard towards the understanding of Japanese culture in New Zealand.

The Japanese tea ceremony workshop in Palmerston North 
Ichigo Ichie; one time one meeting. 

I had the opportunity to go to the IPU, the Tertiary Institute in Palmerston North, to demonstrate Japanese Tea Ceremony in March with the Japanese Advisor Kyoko Mikami. 

Tea Ceremony is part of my life and I have a passion to introduce the Tea Ceremony culture to people in New Zealand. Kyoko asked me to demonstrate Tea Ceremony when she first came to New Zealand. Since then I have had Tea Ceremony workshops in more than ten high schools and five local libraries with my tea ceremony club. Kyoko and I also organised the tea workshop for teachers last year 

The philosophy of chadō can be best summed up in the Japanese maxim ichigo ichie. Literally translated as “one time, one meeting”. It means that one should savour each moment because it is unique and will never be repeated. At IPU, there were proper tatami mats, which was the first time I have ever seen this at a school in New Zealand. The staff was very interested in Japanese Tea Ceremony culture and asked me a number of unique questions at the end of the session.

I enjoy every single opportunity I come across to share my knowledge of Tea Ceremony.

I expect to have further sessions in 2019.

Yukiko Kojima (Mt Roskill Grammar School), Tea Ceremony Master