Window into Japan: Indian youths jump to opportunity to learn Japanese culture, society 

NEW DELHI: There is a tremendous undercurrent simmering in Indian youths to learn not only the Japanese language, its music J-pop but more about its rich culture as well.

Whether it is Japanese sweets Wagashi, cuisine Washoku, Japanese rice wine Sake, world-famous Japanese Lacquer-ware Shikki, Japanese attire Kimono, and other aspects of Japanese culture like Kabuki, Mizuhiki, Zen, and Kyogen, the Indian youths are more than forthcoming to learn about them.

And how keen Indian youths are to know about the Japanese culture, the land of the rising sun, is evident from the fact that the 860 seats for the first-ever online course “Window into Japan” launched by Japan Foundation in August were filled in no time.

The Japan Foundation had to stop registration for this 10-session course to leave room for the one-time participants who want to learn about individuals aspects of Japanese culture. This first-ever initiative by Japan Foundation will carry on till October 16.

According to Aoi Ishimaru, Director, Arts and Cultural Exchange, Japan Foundation, New Delhi, the “Window into Japan” aims to enrich people in India’s understanding of Japanese culture and society. The topics were selected in such a way that the Indian youths absorb and get immersed into Japanese culture.

And to deliver hands-on live demonstrations, the Japan Foundation invited world-acclaimed Master Brewer Miho Imada, Japanese chef KOTAKE Yuichiro, Japanese confectionery chef, TOSHIDA Yoshimasa, talented entrepreneur Kainuma Wataru for Japanese Lacquer-ware and many others. Those interested to know in detail can log onto https:// www.jfindia.org.in/

The first session of this online culture course took off on August 14 with well-known Japanese confectionery chef, TOSHIDA Yoshimasa delivering tips on the background of Japanese sweets Wagashi and how to shape them. The participants were asked to prepare the clay if they wanted to try their hand at shaping the sweets while attending the online session on ZOOM. About 1000 Indian youths from across India joined this session.

This session was closely followed by another one on Japanese cuisines Washoku and DASHI when Japanese chef KOTAKE Yuichiro shared the core knowledge and demonstrated the art of cooking these traditional and regional Japanese cuisines.

World acclaimed Master Brewer, Miho Imada appeared in one of the special online sessions to talk about her valuable experience and unique experiments as a Sake brewer.

On September 3, Japan Foundation has oped registrations for its fourth online session on Japanese Lacquer-ware Shikki. The evangelist of Shikki and talented entrepreneur, Kainuma will introduce them to the history of lacquer-ware, on how it is an excellent craft and has taken root in the lives of the Japanese people, as well as its sustainable aspects.