Sakura

What is Sakura?

As part of our “Integrated Studies” program, one hour of every school week is devoted to a special one-off class. We call this subject “Sakura”.

Experiencing, feeling, and learning Japanese culture

In Japanese culture, we acknowledge the importance of nature and sensitivity to the four seasons, which enrich our culture and make it highly attuned to the passing of the seasons. In Sakura classes, students learn about Japanese culture through activities such as enjoying and researching seasonal events, expressing their feelings in haiku poems, and feeling the change of the seasons with all five senses. At the same time, they learn to appreciate the unique values that the Japanese people have cultivated.
Understanding and appreciating the culture of Japan is vital for becoming an active, confident, broadminded citizen of our increasingly global society.

Expanding and connecting through experience

In Sakura classes, students create or experience something based on the content of the day. Through field trips and study, they expand the content and connect it to other subjects and school activities.
We believe this integrating approach to education allows students to experience and understand the essence of things that are genuine.

• To get a feeling for the Japanese classics
• To express daily experiences and impressions of nature in haiku poems and other forms
• To experience and research seasonal festivals such as Tanabata (Star Festival in July) and Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year’s Day).
• To appreciate traditional Japanese performing arts (e.g., Noh, Kyogen, Gagaku) and musical instruments (e.g., koto, shamisen, shakuhachi)
• To experience a tea ceremony served under the guidance of a tea ceremony master
• To learn about greetings, meal etiquette, and Japanese manners and thoughtfulness under the guidance of a master of etiquette
• To learn about Japanese culture and Japanese people through international exchanges