Japanese Club springs into action

Author: Rachael Jennings

From noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, a white tent near Coffrin Lounge was host to delicious food, exquisite costumes and cultural celebration during the College's first-ever Haru Matsuri - or Japanese Spring Festival.

Traditionally, the College has celebrated Yuki Matsuri - a Japanese winter festival - but after taking part in the annual Haru Matsuri at St. Michael's College the previous year, the Japanese Club (with the help of the Japanese Department, Japanese House and Wonnacot Commons) decided to bring the cultural merriment to the campus and it proved a great success.

With over $800 of catered sushi, face-painting booths, calligraphy, anime, karate and Aikido demonstrations, Japanese food and a tea-tasting station, the slightly dismal weather did not damper the excitement of the celebration, which was attended by a large crowd.

"We had the students as well as faculty from the Japanese, English and Theatre Departments come with their children," said Christine Chung '10, a key planner of the festival. "The event was opened to the community, so some members of the community brought their children wearing cute Japanese clothing. We had various students come, and not just from our club membership."

The attendees were fortunate to take part in some of the added features to the format of Middlebury's Japanese Winter Festival. To begin with, the idea to hold the event outside was not part of the original plan - the event scheduled to be held inside Coffrin Lounge.

Furthermore, groups from outside the campus were brought in - the Taiko Drumming Group from Burlington provided wonderful rhythms and extra flavor to the spirited event. Also, a Soba - a Japanese buckwheat noodle - eating contest brought much amusement.

"I was very pleased with the turnout, all the booths and how the board members and other volunteers cooperated and helped out in terms of preparation, and during the event itself," said JeeYeon Park '08, one vital member in the planning and execution of the event.

This event is one of many that the Japanese Club has hosted this year. Last semester, the organization teamed up with the Korean Club for a very successful Asian Dolci Night. This semester, the Japanese Cub held a shabu-shabu lunch event in the Freeman Dining Hall where over 200 people attended.

Additionally, this spring semester brought out some members of the Club to Mary Hogan Elementary School, where they taught Japanese classes.

Another old favorite that reappeared this year was Izakaya Night - a Japanese-style bar night at the Japanese House.

"We made finger foods that would be served in Japanese bars," explained Park, "and concluded the night with a successful dance party."

Even with such an active agenda on campus, the members of the Japanese Club devoted countless hours to planning such a colorful Spring Festival. Preparation began three months beforehand.

"Nothing beats the satisfying feeling that comes after arduously planning each event and seeing how pleased all the guests are with the final product," said Park.

Indeed, the content of the crowd was proof of a job well done for the Japanese Club. As Lecturer in Japanese Kyoko Davis beautifully played a Japanese string instrument with her friend and Professor of Japanese Studies Nobuo Ogawa and Associate Professor of Japanese Studies Stephen Snyder provided the harmonious sounds of the Japanese flute, little children ran around giddily with kites and bubbles.

"My favorite moments were when I looked out into the crowd and saw so many culturally diverse people enjoy the cultures of Japan," said Chung.