AN INTERVIEW SESSION WITH Ms. Megumi Shimada, Research Advisor, Consulate General of Japan

AN INTERVIEW SESSION WITH Ms. Megumi Shimada, Research Advisor, Consulate General of Japan

BY VELAMMAL NEWGEN SCHOOL STUDENTS

ON 27.10.2018

AT ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, TAMILNADU CENTER

Name of Learners

Master Rohan Prasad,Madipakkam,

Ms. Anthieya,Medavakkam,

Ms. ShaliniThulasidas ,Medavakkam,

Ms. Kavya.P,Sholinganallur

Ms. ManasaMurugesh, Navallur

Ms. DhivyaPranathi,Kelambakkam

The interview session was arranged as a part of the two-day Japan Cultural and Sports Festival conducted by Japanese Consulate in association with the ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI at its centre in Nelson ManickamRoad,Chennai on 27-10-2018 Saturday.

The centre had arranged a cultural exhibition of Japanese dolls,Hinamatsuri dolls, origami, Nendo No Tezukuri (handmade clay art), Ikebana (art of flower arrangement), an array of bonsai trees, so, on entering the exhibition hall we felt as though we have stepped into Mini Japan. Initially every visitor is warmly greeted and given the opportunity to wear the traditional Japanese garment -Kimono.

Following that, the learners of Velammal NewGen Group of Schools gave a presentation based on their research on cultural and traditional similarities of India and Japan and was applauded by the audience.

The excerpts from the presentation,

·        Aspects like bowing in front of God,wearing saffron dress while visiting shrines,washing hands before entering the temple are similar in both the cultures.

·        Shrines located on mountains is another similarity found in India and Japan.

·        Style of greeting and the bowing gesture/bending angle of the body are other similarities.

·        Kolu which is very traditional in Tamilnadu is similar to Hinamatsuri festival in Japan. Both involve display of dolls stepwise and the steps are covered with white/red color cloth.InKolu God/Goddess are placed in the first step whereas in Hinamatsuri Emperor and Empress are placed.

·        Songs ,dance and preparation of special dishes being part of festivals is common in both the traditions.

Interview with Megumi Shimada

The interview began with a question about the genesis of Hinamatsuri from Manasa. Before answering Ms. Megumi Shimada thanked the management,staff and students of Velammal in showing great interest to improve harmonious relationship between Japan and India and added that Hinamatsuri is festival for girls, Japanese pray for girl children’s health and happiness.She also said that Hina dolls are very traditional and as Japan is a small country, their houses are of small size and even if not five or six steps of dolls displayed, all the houses will certainly have the Emperor and Empress.Hishimochi is a symbolic Japanese sweet associated with the Hinamatsuri "Girl's Day" festival. The sweet is rhomboid in shape and typically formed from three layers of pink, white, and green mochi, from top to bottom using rice powder and sugar. ‘Momo no Sekku'- Peach coloured flower is associated with Hinamatsuri festival.In some places the tradition of floating dolls on the river –NagashiBinais followed and it signifies to carry one's impurities and sin with them.

Ms. ShaliniThulasidas raised a question about the superstition of Hina dolls that if a girl does not put away the dolls quickly after the Hinafestivsal then she will not get married for a long time. With a smile Ms.Megumi Shinde accepted that it is believed so and even her mother used to ask her to put the dolls back in right time and she also added that normally Japanese get married at the age of 30-35 and she got married at the age of 30.

Ms. Kavya raised the question of similarity of immersing/floating the dolls after the festival in India and Japan. To this, she recalled the Nagashibina festival practice followed in Japan.

Next Ms.Dhivya curiously asked Ms. Megumi about exchanging the dolls as a gesture to promote good luck between two countries which was whole heartedly accepted by Ms. Megumi and she also assured that it will be tried next year as the kolu is over this year. Next question was from Master Rohan and it was whether March 3^rd ,Hinamatsuri day is a declared holiday in Japan for which Ms. Megumi answered no and also added that only the festival for boys is a holiday and also said that they will claim for a holiday onHinamatsuri.Finally Ms. Anthieya asked for a message from Ms. Megumi to the youth of Velammal.  To the surprise of the gathering Ms. Megumi answered in Tamil saying that this is her 7^th year in Chennai and she like India very much.  She also added that the youth of India put lot of time and effort in their studies and she also appreciated the learners from Velammal for allotting their precious time for studying about culture and tradition of Japan.

By the teacher-bloggers of Velammal NewGen Schools

1.     Ms. Sharmili, Medavakkam

2.     Ms. Gomathy D, Medavakkam

3.     Ms. Jennifer,Kelambakkam

4.     Ms. Sreebha, Madipakkam