After learning about the historical and cultural significance, the Japanese language class created nengajo to give to family and friends. The students also had to learn and practice writing the kanji (Japanese writing symbols) for the greetings as well as the layout of the postcards. Each student then designed and created a number of cards.
Nengajō (年賀状) are postcards sent as a greeting for the New Year. The Japanese send many nengajo every year. It is similar to Christmas cards in the West, but there is no religious significance for nengajō. The New Year holiday (oshogatsu) is the most important holiday to the Japanese. Nengajō are used to express gratitude, or maintain friendships on this special occasion. The post office stocks nengajō mailed in late December, and delivers them on January 1st all at once. Unlike Christmas cards, nengajō should not arrive before New Year's Day.
Nengajō often use the present year's zodiacal animal as the design. The animal of the year 2012 is the Dragon (竜). In Asian philosophy, the Dragon symbolizes a benevolent power. Asian teachings describe this year’s Dragon as a calm, visionary, intelligent and creative creature.
Colville High School Students Experience
Cultural Fieldtrip
On Monday, January 9, 2012, CHS students from Mr. Brown’s Honor’s World Studies class and Ms. Rudd’s World Studies class took a fieldtrip to Spokane to visit the Spokane Buddhist Temple and the Islamic Cultural Center and Mosque in the Spokane Valley, as well as, eating lunch at P.F. Chang’s. Guides from both of the centers were on hand to speak to the students about the cultural and religious beliefs of both Buddhism and Islam. The students were then given an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. While at the Buddhist Temple, the students were given an opportunity to participate in an incense-burning ritual, some sutra chanting and to ring the temple bell. At the Islamic Cultural center, the students were given the opportunity to learn about special dietary rules of Islam, see inside a library that holds rare books that are hundreds of years old, and see the inside of an Islamic mosque. Here are some comments from the students about the experience:
“I loved it! I really enjoyed the visit to the Buddhist Temple. Thank You!”
“It was really awesome being able to learn and be welcomed. I had a lot of fun. “Absolutely amazing! Thank You!”
“It was an awesome trip! I learned so much and the food was amazing!”
“Everybody was amazing! Learning about Buddhism and Islam hands on was great!”
“It was interesting to learn about different religions and cultures.”
