Japanese exchange students share cultural day

Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls’ Day in Japan, was hosted on Wednesday by MHCC’s own Japanese Club and students from our sister school, Ryukoku University, in Kyoto, Japan.

Hinamatsuri is traditionally celebrated on March 3, and is used a means to burn the “bad spirits” from dolls. There was an ancient Japanese custom called “doll floating” in which straw (hina) dolls were put onto a “boat” and sent down a river to the sea. The custom was supposedly intended for the dolls to take the bad spirits or troubles away with them.

The annual campus event offers to “bring Japanese culture to MHCC and introduce people to different kinds of [cultural performances],” said Alicia Morian, Student Organizations Council representative from the Japanese Club. She said the foreign exchange students come to the school to “immerse into our culture” and that “we get to learn a little bit [also], helping them as the Japanese Club, about their culture.”

The event featured sushi, martial arts, activities for students, a kendama (a traditional Japanese toy that has three cups and a spike that fit into the hole of the ball) and people wearing kimonos (women’s robes) and yukatas (men’s robes).

Shinobu Chrisman, field trip coordinator for the Ryukoku program, said the event is planned around the students’ arrival and the Japanese students show off their calligraphy or whatever they’re good at to introduce their culture to the campus.

Morian said the club tried to cater to the students’ requests to make the event “bigger and better” than last year’s. “They wanted better sushi, so we got the more expensive, better, popular sushis, better drinks, a longer amount of time and more performances,” she said.

Chrisman explained that the Japanese students stay with American host families while at Mt. Hood, so “that’s where they get all kinds of interaction and learning about American culture. They seem to be enjoying that very much” this year, she said. “It’s good to know different cultures. It broadens your horizon and for Japanese people to understand more about America, and vice-versa.

“The world is becoming more international and global. We need to know that there are other people out there that you’re not aware of” and to understand and accept cultural differences, she said.

One Japanese exchange student, Monami, said she was very excited and that it’s very nice to be here at Mt. Hood. She said the event was a nice chance to show MHCC students a bit about Japanese history.

“In America, I want to talk with people, so every day is fun. At Mt. Hood Community College, I can [speak] English. No Japanese is very nice,” said Japanese exchange student, Monami.

The Japanese Club meets 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays in Room 1253. Contact them at: [email protected].

Advocate Staff