Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, Malaysia
在ペナン日本国総領事館

School Caravan

What is "School caravan"?
“School Caravan” is designed to introduce Japanese culture and society to Malaysian youths and create better understanding among the students with regard to the relationship between Malaysia and Japan. This program was first started by the effort of the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang in 1997.

Since then we have visited more than 100 schools and universities in the 6 northern states of West Malaysia. Usually the schools that we have visited conduct Japanese language lessons, Japanese clubs or societies. During the visit students will be shown various video topics and slides about Japan. Students also learn about the relationship between the two countries through the quizzes. Students also have an opportunity to try calligraphy, wearing the Yukata (Japanese traditional costume), to learn Japanese conversation and others.

If you would like to know more about School Caravan program, please contact us at (604) 226 3030 ext 117.

Japanese Cultural Caravan 2008
to the Universities in East Coast
The above mentioned event was the first cultural event organized at the tertiary level in East Coast. The main purpose of the Cultural Caravan is to deepen the understanding of university students about Japanese culture. For that purpose, the caravan contents consist of flower arrangement session, origami paper folding demonstration and workshop, artificial food corner, traditional toys corner and yukata wear trial session.

During our 4-day tour from March 7, 2008 to March 10, 2008, we had visited 3 universities, namely Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) at Kota Bharu, University Technology of Mara (UiTM) at Dungun and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) at Kuala Terengganu.

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu

Flower Arrangement Corner

Master Saito was the flower arrangement teacher during the East Coast Tour. She explained the basic guidelines to the students on how to present a plant on a vase in an upright style by using kenzan, and how should it appear to be. She also explained that the principle of “cutting the end of a plant in the water” plays a very important part in maintaining a longer life of a plant. Many students were interested to learn about the principles of making a flower arrangement during the 3-hour demonstration.

Origami Corner

Origami corner also had attracted many students to stay without leaving. Students, of both male or female, came and join together with Master Nishikawa (pix. 1). They wanted to finish all the basic origami kit given to them in the 3-hour session. As explained by Master Nishikawa, only continuous practice can make one remember the steps to produce an origami (pix. 2). Besides Master Nishikawa, Consul-General Mr. Hoshi (pix. 3) is also seen to assist students in making an origami.

Artificial Food Corner

At the artificial food corner, students were diligently jotting down any details as Consul-General Hoshi is explaining about it. They also did not let go any chances to have a touch on the food models displayed.

Traditional Toys Corner

The organizing team of the Japanese Cultural Caravan, both from the Consulate-General of Japan and the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. During the 3-hour session of caravan, we had received more than 200 student visitors.

The main entrance of the hall for Japanese Cultural Caravan is decorated with tairyo bata, used to display on the boats when fishermen have a good catch of the day upon returning home. The wording on the flags includes the ship of friendship between Japan and Malaysia (Nichima Yukou Maru) (left) and the ship of Japan (Nippon Maru). We hope through cultural activities, a strong tie can be built between Japan and Malaysia.

Students of UiTM Dungun are listening attentively to Consul Abiru (left) as she is explaining some of the Edo traditional toys.	A student wearing yukata is taking up the challenge to play kendama while Consul Abiru and others look on.	Students are very much interested in food section too.

Flower Arrangement Corner

Master Saito is explaining the basic principles of flower arrangement to a group of students. Her arrangement technique is for the audience’s view, which means she arranges from behind.	Students have chance to try on their own with the guidance from Master Saito. The basic principle students learn is that the first plant should be arranged at upright style while the second plant at 45 degree from the surface of water.	One of the arrangements by Master Saito during the ikebana session with students.

Yukata Wear Trial Corner

Students are given a short briefing at the variety of yukata by Master Imura. Students can choose yukata of their favourite colour by their own.	With Master Imura with you, size does not matter! Yukata is a very flexible or adjustable traditional wear that can fit any body size.	Master Imura is adjusting the inner folding of yukata cloth before “wrapping” the student in the traditional costume.

Origami Corner

Students are very keen to make the origami paper folding as taught by Master Nishikawa. Origami can be displayed at suitable corners in a house to make it livelier.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Terengganu

Flower Arrangement Corner

On the third day of our tour, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu was our last station. Master Saito’s fantastic arrangement had also attracted two Iranian students to get closely the techniques of Japanese flower arrangement. In every tour, students would have a chance to listen face-to-face to briefing on flower arrangement and also would have a hands-on trial with the master’s guidance.

Music, Traditional Toys and Artificial Japanese Food Corners

In the hot afternoon at Dataran Bestari, the crowd was “cooled down” by shamisen music presentation by Mr. Kotetsu Yoshida, a JOVC member of Terengganu State Education Unit. He was surrounded by student fans who sang Chinese version song named hora, and some students took photos with Mr. Yoshida for memory.

Yukata Wear Trial Corner

Much more crowd surrounded Master Imura for yukata wear trial session. In the 3-hour session, the master had approximately received more than 100 students, who lined up patiently for their turn, to be dressed up in yukata.

Origami Corner

In the origami corner, Master Nishikawa is seen to be assisted by another JOVC volunteer, to teach Japanese paper folding. Some students are discussing among themselves to make an origami after listening to the short explanation by the master