Kelly Ho | Staff Writer
Hosted by the Japan Club at FIU, students had the opportunity to experience Japanese culture in a flavorful and lively way. Through traditional Japanese games, food, and customs, attendees were warmly introduced to the rich aspects of Japanese culture on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Some other organizations who helped host the event are FIU Esports, Gong Cha,Consulate General of Japan, Beijing Mart, and the JET Program USA.
Multiple tables surrounded the event including a calligraphy table, where one could get their name written in Japanese or even a traditional Japanese carnival game called Shateki.
Shateki is a popgun target range game where the prizes are set up on shelves. The goal is to knock them off with a well-placed shot.
Students hanging out at the start of the event | Kelly Ho, PantherNOW
Maverick Osceola, an event planner for Japan Club at FIU and a junior biochemistry major, stated the goal of this event.
“This must be around the third or fourth time we hosted this event, and I feel as though this event embodies what this club wants to be and is, a welcoming club that gives students a taste of what Japanese culture is. We want to be authentic and show everybody a great time.”
Andres Rodriguez, a secretary for Japan Club at FIU and a junior biochemistry major, also gave their reasons why they hosted this event.
“We want to bring people in and show them a hint of Japanese culture, through traditional Japanese games, foods, and traditions, we try to include everything we can.”
The event also brought out a Bushido demonstration, or one could call it, the way of the warrior. Featuring samurai_ninja_experience, they brought out the spirit of Japan with their performance.
Bushido demonstration | Kelly Ho, PantherNOW
The event also showed a traditional Japanese party game called Konpira Fune Fune.
This is where two people face each other and alternate touching the cup/box in the middle. If the cup is on the table then they must touch the cup with a flat hand. If the cup is not on the table, they must touch it with a fist. Failure to do so means that one has lost the game.
Students playing Konpira Fune Fune | Kelly Ho, PantherNOW
Juan Buitrago, a junior computer science major, shared their thoughts on the event.
“It was really fun, it was great to see a lot of people come together and it was the first major event I went to. My favorite part overall would be just meeting new people, I definitely see myself coming here next year.”
Jordy Martinez, a student at FIU and a junior computer science major, also shared their thoughts about the event.
“I learned a lot about Japanese and it was overall really fun. My favorite part would be the cup game called Konpira Fune Fune. I, for sure, find myself coming back next year and I’m also interested in joining the eboard for this club.”
Besides the games, foods, and demonstrations shown throughout the entire event, there were also plenty of other opportunities to have fun like dressing up in a kimono, a traditional Japanese garment and national dress of Japan, making origami, Tug of War, and even playing popular games like Just Dance and Super Smash Bros.
Students playing Just Dance | Kelly Ho, PantherNOW
Overall the event was a massive success with over 100 students dropping by at the minimum to check it out. The first hundred who came got free food and the first 50 even got a free shirt.
Through demonstrating Japan’s traditions with demonstrations, foods and games, students were given a tang of Japanese culture and a load of fun.
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