Macquarie University

Sashimi, calligraphy and kiminos to celebrate Japan

Students and staff at the Centre for Macquarie English (CME) were recently treated to the cultural delights of Japan in the latest event of CME’s cultural celebration series.

The predominantly student-run event featured various culinary, musical and fine art elements of Japanese culture. 20 kilograms of rice and quite a lot of sashimi salmon, egg and vegetables went towards sushi-making demonstrations before students were invited to roll their own.

“Everybody was already familiar with sushi, though learning to roll it with their own hands proved very enjoyable,” says CME Student Services Staff member Aki Shiraishi. “That was a very popular activity.”

CME’s Japanese students also demonstrated the folded paper art of origami, making animals, birds and small boxes for their fellow students.

Students learned how to roll their own sushi. Photo: CME

Calligraphy was one of the activities offered at the Japanese cultural celebration. Photo: CME

Japanese clothes, artwork and artefacts adorned the room while a traditional Japanese ambiance was set by the sounds of Taiko, a type of drumming. Japanese students also showed other students how to write their names in Japanese calligraphy using special brushes and paper. Some students also relished the chance to try on the Kimino, a Japanese dress.

“Our Japanese students were very proud to be showcasing special tastes, sights and sounds of their culture,” says Krista Borg, Head of Marketing at CME. “Organising such an event was a new kind of learning experience for them and although it was a challenge, they have a great sense of achievement at having coordinated such a successful event.”

The event gave Japanese students a unique opportunity to practice their language skills while also sharing their culture.

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