- Title: JAPAN: Chinese school in Tokyo celebrates lunar new year early
- Date: 25th January 2011
- Summary: TOKYO CHINESE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHIEN-CHENG LIU BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) TOKYO CHINESE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHIEN-CHENG LIU SAYING: "We want our students to understand the customs of the Chinese New Year. So today we have lots of traditional Chinese food and food for the new year, also the Chinese calligraphy for new year. Our main purpose is to help pass down Chinese culture."
- Embargoed: 9th February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan, Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVAEELHMSOANT6M4Y3HKN73NZF4L
- Story Text: One Chinese school in Tokyo celebrated Chinese New Year early on Sunday (January 23) with traditional lion dances and festivities for young and old.
The Tokyo Chinese School held the event to celebrate the coming year and also to celebrate 100 years of the founding of modern China by Sun Yat Sen.
The highlight of the festivities was a student performance of the Lion Dance, which represents the beast of fortune in Chinese culture.
Each lion is controlled by two people, one in front controlling the head and the other in back controlling the tail.
The school holds the event early so students can take part in the festivities before heading home or abroad for the actual Lunar New Year.
Principal Chien-Cheng Liu said that the event helps teach students about Chinese culture.
"We want our students to understand the customs of the Chinese New Year. So today we have lots of traditional Chinese food and food for the new year, also the Chinese calligraphy for new year. Our main purpose is to help pass down Chinese culture," Liu said.
While the Lion Dance is normally performed by older students or professionals, some of the younger students also donned the costume for the Lion Dance.
"I was really happy that everyone watched our performance," said 9-year-old Keishu Rai after performing in the event.
For others, the event was a way to participate in an event normally rare in Japan.
"As they don't celebrate the Lunar New Year in Japan, it's rare that I have a chance to experience how it feels to take part in the Chinese New Year. But thanks to the school holding this event, one is able to feel close to one's family during the holidays," said 41-year-old Lily Inomada who has children who attend the school.
While areas such as Chinatown in the Japanese port city of Yokohama hold events for the Lunar New Year, the vast majority of Japanese now celebrate the New Year on January 1st. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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