The Creamery Arts Center was buzzing with Japanese cultural games, crafts, and activities such as kendo, origami, and tea ceremony. Families attending the free event got to try unique Japanese snack foods, shoot a “chopstick gun,” watch elegant Japanese calligraphy demonstrations, and rock to Japanese pop-song dances.

Fifty-five Japanese students and leaders from our sister city in Isesaki, Japan led the activities at each station, organized by local Japanese language teacher Kazumi Holcomb and Japanese interpreter Mika Logan. The students are chaperoned by the Isesaki Board of Education members and are attending a ten-day intensive English language program at Missouri State University.

While in Springfield, they will also enjoy a day of local family life when many families in Springfield will each host a student for a day. Next year we expect many more Isesaki students to participate in this popular program, so early next spring contact SSCA or Kazumi at the Missouri State English Language Institute Office (417) 836-6540 to get on the host family waiting list!