The Japanese Language Program hosted a Hanami Celebration for anyone interested in Japanese language or culture on Friday, March 29. Hanami is a long standing Japanese tradition of welcoming spring, also known as the "cherry blossom viewing festival." Participants were invited to taste Japanese food, play games such as kendama, practice origami and calligraphy, listen to traditional music of Japan and more!
Students in the Japanese language classes competed in a Haiku writing contest and the winners were announced and prizes awarded at the festival. The winners and their poems are:
Top Awards in the Haiku Competition, 2019
In English
The 3rd Awards (2)
By Alysa Matsunaga (Sexton, 1001)
Pollen
The Yellow Haze Moves
To bring Spring, flowers, life, bees
Teary, tingling eyes
By Samantha Hentz (Sasaki, 2002)
Cool air of the night
I leave my window ajar
Remember winter
The 2nd Award
By Trung Duc Bui (Sasaki, 2002)
Amidst the cold
A flower blooms at the peak
With firm resolve
The 1st Award
By Andrew Benzinger (Yagata, 1002)
Winter's night carries
A jazzy song on the wind
Promising spring's dawn
日本語 (In Japanese)
The 3rd Award
By Gregory Woolsey (Yagata, 1002)
鳥の歌
音が聞こえる
もう一度
The 2nd Award
By Trung Duc Bui (Sasaki, 2002)
踊る花
時を忘れる
楽な夢
The 1st Award
By Hyunu Hwang (Yagata, 1002)
黄の空気 きのくうき
息苦しいな いきぐるしいな
夏はまだ なつはまだ
If you missed the festival this year, please join us next year!
