Celebrating the Year of the Dragon
JETAARM and JASC's Nengajo Event
This past weekend, JETAARM and JASC came together to host a vibrant and engaging event, ushering in the Year of the Dragon with a delightful Nengajo celebration. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to craft their own New Year's postcards, immersing themselves in the rich cultural tradition of Japan.
Year of the Dragon
JETAARM President David LaCharite gives some opening remarks welcoming everyone to the event.
As the year draws to a close, we orchestrated a memorable gathering, inviting attendees to partake in the creation of Nengajo – traditional Japanese New Year's postcards. Akin to Western holiday cards, these artistic expressions symbolize goodwill, hope, and warm wishes for the coming year. The event, designed for individuals and families alike, fostered an atmosphere of creativity and cultural exchange.
The Nengajo event featured a spectrum of art stations, each offering a unique experience for participants. Printing and stamping stations allowed attendees to utilize pre-made designs, ensuring that even those with minimal artistic experience could craft beautiful and personalized postcards. The event integrated Japanese calligraphy stations, where enthusiasts could learn the art of writing stock New Year's greetings in Japanese. This not only added an educational element but also deepened the cultural immersion for attendees.
The stamping station working with printing blocks and stamp pads to help people transfer pre-made designs onto their nengajo.
Complementing these activities were watercolor painting stations, providing an opportunity for individuals to infuse their own creativity and style into each Nengajo card. The fusion of traditional and contemporary artistic expressions made for a dynamic and inclusive event, catering to a diverse audience.
JETAARM and JASC took special care to ensure that the event was family-friendly. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and conducive to shared experiences. Attendees were encouraged to bring friends, partners, and children, fostering an environment where the spirit of Japan could be shared and enjoyed by all.
The calligraphy station where people were able to practice writing in a traditional Japanese style.
The collaborative effort between JETAARM, JASC, and our many hard-working volunteers played a pivotal role in the event's success. The synergy between these organizations brought forth a comprehensive and engaging celebration, seamlessly blending cultural significance with creative expression. JASC's expertise and commitment to promoting Japanese culture were evident in the well-organized calligraphy stations and collaborative spirit that permeated the entire event.
In celebrating the Year of the Dragon through the art of Nengajo, JETAARM and JASC created more than a memorable event—they forged connections, shared cultural richness, and provided a platform for creativity to flourish. As we reflect on this delightful gathering, it serves as a testament to the power of collaboration in fostering understanding and appreciation for diverse traditions. Here's to a year filled with shared creativity, cultural exchange, and the warmth of goodwill embodied in each Nengajo crafted during this special event.
We couldn’t have had such a successful event without our tireless and wonderful volunteers. Thank you all so much for organizing, setting up, running, cleaning up, and all the other way you contributed your time and energy to our event.
