Culture Course for Foreigners -"Won’t you try to wear a yukata?"

Under the title, "Enjoy Summer Festival and Bon Dance in Yukata!", a challenge for wearing yukata class was held in the AIRA culture course for foreigners. July 19, 2016, at Abiko Citizen’z Plaza.There were entries from people of foreign origin such as China, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and Nepali. Many yukatas were provided by Mrs. Taguchi and her accompanied teachers.

       Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 1:40p.m. to 3:00p.m.

       Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza, Japanese-style room

       Participants: 11 foreigners, 7 leaders (Keiko Taguchi and accompanied teachers),3 AIRA culture course staffs (Matsuki, Kaku and Aburano),                       a total of 21 people

This time, everyone was practicing aiming at the goal of "Let me try to wear a yukata by myself". After finishing wearing the yukata, all yukata-clad participants took a memorial picture at the adjacent gallery where "The 18th Toen Charity Exhibition of Ceramics and Porcelains" was being held. In the following tea party by teachers and participants, someone said, "My Obi soon becomes loose. How can I keep it tight?” To this question an appropriate answer on how to keep Obi tight was given by a teacher. Furthermore, there was an explanation that a variety of Obi knots can be made from the one band, such as a beautiful knot called "Bara ichirin”, literally means a single rose flower knot, and some others. There was an introduction of Japan's traditional culture through the kimono. Amid the conversation focusing on the yukata which emitted taste of the atmosphere of Japan’s emotion, their talking went on and on.     (No. 16-13 Translated by S. Komatsu)