Festivals in Kumano [Owase’s Ya-ya Matsuri] 熊野古道センター（尾鷲市）で、２月９日（日）まで開催しています Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp 2014/01/08 Wednesday Highlights, Seminars and Events Special Exhibit Series on Festivals in Kumano: Owase’s Ya-ya Matsuri This exhibits features Owase’s Ya-ya Matsuri, a 5-day festival held by Owase Shrine each year starting February 1st. This unique festival has almost 300 years of history and features a variety of events like the Ya-ya Neri (a ritual brawl), the Korikaki (ritual purification of the whole body in frigid ocean waters), and a ritual archery demonstration. This exhibit will show various aspects of the Ya-ya Matsuri from a variety of perspectives. 1.Date and Time：Saturday, December 21, 2013 – Sunday, February 9, 2014 ※The Kumano Kodo Center will be closed on December 31 and January 1 2.Admission：Free 3.Location： Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center Special Exhibit Room （〒519-3625 Mie-ken, Owase-shi, Mukai 12-4 TEL：0597-25-2666） 《Concurrent events》 ① Yanohama Kagura The Society for the Preservation of Yanohama Yagura will be performing a traditional Japanese lion dance. The humorous dance involves a Kotengu (a mythological beast with bird and human-like features) deviously prodding a sleeping lion. 1.Date and time：Sunday, January 19, 2014, 11AM (the dance will run for 45 minutes) 2.Location：Kumano Kodo Center Exhibit Building Lobby 3.Admission: Free 4.Performance by：The Society for the Preservation of Yanohama Yagura ②Lecture: The Ya-Ya Matsuri Today According to documents dated to 1735, a Shinto shrine was established in the Owase area in 1661 and local worshippers have continued to hold festivals related to the shrine since its founding. Mr. Moriaki Kato, a priest of Owase Shrine, will give a lecture about this festival, which has over 300 years of history and is known in modern times as the Ya-Ya Matsuri. 1.Date and time：Sunday, January 19, 2014, 13:30-15:00 2.Location：Kumano Kodo Center Exhibit Building Auditorium 3.Admission：Free 4.Seats available：100（no reservation required） 5.Lecturer：Mr. Moriaki Kato, priest of Owase Shrine Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp « Elementary and Middle School Life (2) Special High School Admissions Screening for Non-Japanese Students » ↑↑ Next Information ↑↑ Elementary and Middle School Life (2) 2014/01/08 Wednesday Highlights, Seminars and Events [教育シリーズ⑤]小学校・中学校での生活(パート2) Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp The Japanese school year starts in April and ends the following March. Throughout the year there are various school events and activities. Here we will introduce a few of them. Main School Events 《School Entrance Ceremony・Graduation Ceremony》 All students and their parents and guardians attend the school entrance and graduation ceremonies, usually dressed in formal wear. 《Opening Ceremony・Closing Ceremony》 At the beginning of each school term there is an opening ceremony, and at the end of the term there is a closing ceremony. At the closing ceremony report cards are handed out. 《Periodic Health Checks and Body Measurements》 Your child’s height and weight will be measured to keep track of their development. Your child’s physical condition will be examined by a doctor. 《Home Visit》 In order to see how a child acts in their home environment, teachers from the school will visit each child’s home. 《Individual Informal Talks》 We ask all parents and guardians to visit the school to talk with the teacher about their child’s school and home life. 《Lesson Observations・Class Talks》 Parents and guardians can observe lessons in the classroom. They can also discuss their child’s learning and progress with the teacher. 《Sports Day・Athletics Meets》 An event with short distance running, relays and dance as well as other activities. Children can enjoy sport and cheer on their classmates. At some schools there are also events which parents can take part in. 《Art, Science and Culture Festivals》 These events display works or reports that the children have written or created themselves, and can also include musical performances and theatrical recitals. 《Trips・Excursions》 Children also go on trips outside the classroom to learn about nature, history and culture. 《End of School Trip》 During their last year at the school, the students in the highest grade do on an overnight trip. They visit many places and have a wide range of experiences during the trip. The names and details of, and when these events take place vary from school to school. For more details please talk to the teacher of your child’s school. ＊This video uses information based on the Mie Prefecture Board of Education Guide 『An introduction to schools in Japan: School Guidance for Foreign Residents』. Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp