IPU Omatsuri

On Friday 2nd July, IPU (the International Pacific University - which is the NZ campus of a Japanese university) held a Japanese Festival "Omatsuri" for secondary students from around New Zealand. 

With a school van and the kind support of Mrs Tracey Manning, we were able to transport 10 students from Otaki College plus 2 students from Te Rito (who attend OC for Japanese lessons) to IPU for this event. Every student went dressed in Yukata (traditional Japanese costumes). IPU goes all out each year to provide a wonderful experience for our students including teaching them a "Bon Odori" (or Festival Dance). Their "Kodama" Taiko Drum team put on a presentation and not only that, students in groups of around 20 were able to try Taiko drumming for themselves. There was also a Karate demonstration and after the demonstration students were supervised by Karate experts to try breaking wooden blocks using bare handed Karate blows. 

There were stalls with festival games and a wide range of food stalls offering traditional festival foods. All in all, a very enjoyable event shared with hundreds of other students from other schools. 

We are looking forward to next year's Omatsuri! 楽しみにしていますよ！

Gillian Gordon, TIC Japanese