Ohaio Gozaimasu, Japan!
By Jackie Perrone jacper@juno.com

Connor Williams stands in front of "Mount Fujiyama" at the Rosewood Crawfish Festival May 2, 2008.

In Japan it's a Bon- Dori. In Columbia it's a Festival. Rosewood Elementary students had it both ways on May 2, as they culminated a year of study about Japan with a Bon Dori festival on the grounds.

The inspiration arose from the exchange visit to Japan last year by Rosewood Music Teacher Janet Swigler. Upon her return, she said: "My trip was an award from the Fulbright Memorial Fund, to educate Americans about Japan and strengthen understanding between these two nations. I plan to create a blend of musical and related arts activities to introduce Japan, its people and its culture."

Rosewood students can now demonstrate origami, koinbori, and haiku. They set up booths around the grounds to show off their new- found skills and displayed art work including masks and ceramic cups in the auditorium. They danced Tanko Bushi, the coal- miners dance.

Also a number of genuine Japanese kimonos appeared in the crowd.

Families brought picnics and blankets, and played water yo- yo and chopstick pick- up with their children. For 25 cents they could be photographed in front of Mount Fujiyama.

Janet Swigler, music teacher at Rosewood Elementary, and her students brought a bit of Japan to the Rosewood Crawfish Festival.

Carolina Cannon's art students created posters and ceramics. They made wind socks decorated with carps, a good- luck symbol in Japan representing courage and strength. Sumo wrestling took place - on a small scale.

Janet Swigler presented a slide show of her photographs from her visit to Japan.

The school is grateful to Sakura Japanese restaurant for its gift of sushi. Funding for the craft projects and the festival came from a grant from Richland County PIE - Partners in Education. This money also bought a supply of books about Japan for the school library.

Dondi Mafori appeared as a traditional Japanese story- teller. In Japan, the kamishibai man would visit neighborhoods on his bike, clap his clackers to call children for stories, and then sell candy. (At Rosewood, it was given away.) Popular in the 30s and 40s, his audiences disappeard with the arrival of TV.