Happy Year of the Snake!!

Well, my New Year's resolution in 2012 of adding to the blog regularly clearly did not work out very well so I am giving it another shot in 2013. Wish me luck! :D This year is once again a big one for the Centre. There are no milestone anniversaries as in the past two years, but we will be heading off on the Centre's inaugural tour to Hyogo, Hiroshima, and the Kansai region. I can't wait!! The schedule is so exciting with plenty of sightseeing, onsen,workshops, school visits, homestays, and FOOD!! Have you seen the video teaser on the homepage of the website yet? We are officially on the countdown to departure now with just over 3 months to go. There will also be plenty of other things happening at the Centre this year so please keep in touch, renew your memberships, and I hope to see you soon. Melissa

Happy Birthday to us!!

In 2012 Hyogo Cultural Centre is celebrating our 20th birthday!!! It seems amazing that we have been going so long and, as I look back over the variety of events and activities, I also feel proud of what we have achieved. Our current Director, Mr. Kawanabe, first started the Centre in 1992 and worked until 1995 when he first hired me (lucky me!!). Then, when the Centre changed location to City Beach in 2009, Mr. Kawanabe was once again asked by Governor Ido to take over the Directorship. The past 2 and a half years in City Beach have been really wonderful and I really feel that we have made ourselves at home here in the little Japanese hub together with the Japanese School and the Japanese Association.
I would like to organise many celebratory events this year including a big birthday party and possibly even a tour to Hyogo for Members. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions!
Best wishes for the New Year.
Melissa x

Bridge of Friendship

EARTHQUAKE / TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND FOR JAPAN 2011

Have you seen our Bridge of Friendship? If not, why not come in to the centre, make a donation and write a message for the people in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami? We are trying to cover our bridge in messages and raise as much money as possible to help our friends.

On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46pm a tremendous earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck the Tohoku region of Japan. This earthquake was followed by a tsunami, which quickly destroyed whole towns and left total devastation in its path.
To date it is feared that more than 21,000 people have lost their lives in this horrific event. Thousands more have been left homeless.
The Hyogo Cultural Centre Bridge of Friendship is a symbolic representation of the strong bond between Western Australia and Japan.
We invite all visitors to make a gold coin donation to the Earthquake / Tsunami relief fund for Japan 2011. For each donation, please write your name and message on a sticker and attach it to the bridge. Our aim is to start at Western Australia and hopefully cover the entire bridge with donations reaching all the way to Japan.
All donations will be transferred to the Red Cross Japan Appeal.
Your support, cooperation, and generosity in this appeal is greatly appreciated.

Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

Minasan Konnichiwa,

It is with great sadness that we watch the images from the recent devastation in Japan. We would like to extend our sympathies to the people of Japan and anyone who has family and friends who have been affected by the disaster.

If anyone is interested in making donations, please conatct the Consulate of Japan in Perth on 9480 1800.

Hinamatsuri

Minasan Konnichiwa,

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri! Don't forget to come into HPGCC and see our hina doll display. Why not take a photo of your daughters in front of it?

It is customary to take the display down after March 3rd. It is said that if it stays up past this date the family's daughters will not get married!

But did you know that in the Kansai region of Japan (in which Hyogo Prefecture is located)you can leave the display up for longer without suffering this fate?

Takeshita Demons

Minasan Konnichiwa,

Has anyone read Cristy Burne's novel Takeshita Demons? It's really meant for kids, but it's still an interesting read for adults too! I didn't know very much about Japanese mythology before reading this book, but now I am interested in finding out more.

The story begins with Miku Takeshita reminiscing about her grandmother who introduced her to the world of demons. Now living in the UK, Miku mistakenly thinks she has left this world behind. But the arrival of a mysterious relief teacher at her school soon sees Miku and her unsuspecting friend Cait thrust back into the exhilarating and highly dangerous realm of the supernatural.

Cristy received the inaugural Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Children's Book Award in 2009 for Takeshita Demons. This award was established to promote fiction for eight to 12 year olds.

Cristy recently released the sequel to Takeshita Demons which introduces such delightful demons as the filth-licker who visits unpolished bathrooms and licks the filth from the shower and bath. Whilst this may sound like a welcome addition to the household, I can assure you you may think differently upon introduction.

As well as reminding us to clean our bathrooms, Cristy's playful way of introducing Japanese demons to children would be a great resource for the Japanese or regular classroom.

Has anyone read Takeshita Demons 2? Let me know what you think.

30th Anniversary of Hyogo-WA Sister State Relationship

Minasan Konnichiwa,

2011 is the 30th Anniversary of the Hyogo-WA Sister State Relationship! To celebrate we are holding a number of events, such as the Hyogo Essay Competition, the Phoenix Choir visit and the Banshu Textile Exchange Program.

But maybe there's something you would like us to organise to celebrate the occassion?! If there is anything you would like to see happen please let us know.