Japan cultural week a hit with Bruneians

HIS gaze is fixed on the Chawan, a large bowl-like cup. What appeared to be a small, slender piece of bamboo called the Chashaku scoops out a pinch of powdered green tea, Macha.

After the hot water is poured, the Chasen, a whisk which is also carved out of bamboo, swiftly mixes the water and tea.

All the while, the amount of concentration and care he puts into the preparation of tea can only be deemed admirable.

Muhammad Shah Rainol Rizal @ "Atha" Asyhura Hj Mahmud places the chawan in front of his next visitor, smiles gently and bows ever so slightly. One after the other, he has been instructing them to grab it with their right hand and support with their left.

As they turn the chawan twice clockwise, he explains that the gesture pays respect to the maker of the vessel. After two silent sips, they let out a loud slurp to signify to their host that the tea was thoroughly enjoyed.

The mannerisms of the 23-year-old undergraduate from UBD may appear to be completely foreign to many especially when it involves drinking tea but yet it draws visitors in for its appeal.

The gracefulness and patience, according to him was what had him interested. When the Japanese Language and Culture Week was held in 2008, he saw for himself as a representative from the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam performed the ceremony on tatami mats.

"It begins with respect and ends with respect," he adds, making a reference to how Kendo is also conducted. Both involve bowing prior and after sessions.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony, Chado, and the act of serving tea may not seem like much but seeing his guest enjoy the tea and enjoying the abbreviated and simplified version of the ceremony gave him a sense of self accomplishment, that he had "done it right".

"I'm probably a weird person," he quipped "that I don't do what a normal boy does". Laughing his comment off, he shared that his interest in different cultures has also extended to learning Korean and Mandarin languages on top of his Japanese.

Not too far off from his booth, 20-year-old Nurul Naziah Hj Abd Aziz beams proudly behind hers featuring an array of Japanese artists and bands. "I developed an interest in languages since 11," she said.

Sticking to her roots, she has mastered Tutong Malay and Iban languages thanks to her parents' ethnic backgrounds. But her discovery of Japanese began when she came across manga comics which were available here in Brunei.

At the time they were translated into Malay but she found out that they were originally Japanese. And that snowballed into her discovery of the world of Anime, Japanese animation. From there, opening theme songs and music that accompanied them introduced her to Japanese artists.

"It's similar to Malay," she said with regards to the syllabic nature of Japanese pronunciation. She shared that when she was in Form Six, she had ambitions to teach English in Japan. And having been to Tokyo and Kyoto as part of the Jenesys (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) Programme, her passion for the country has only burned brighter. Among those strutting their stuff on stage for the Cultural Arts in Clothing Trends Competition was 21-year-old Muhammad Shahezam Zaini. His street style did not score as well as the Princess Lolita or Kawaii Black Cat but it was still a unique as Japanese fashion goes.

Pointing out that a geography lecturer once used his fashion sense as an example of globalisation, he said that the Japanese look is to stand out while looking good. Taking a page out of drama actors and musicians, Muhammad Shahezam is not shy to show his "youthfulness".

Andree Asmara Hj Abidin, 32, has one more year to go in his Masters in Education specialising in Special Needs Education under the Asian Youth Fellowship Programme. Studying in Hiroshima University after seven months of intensive Japanese language classes at the Kansai Kokusai Gakuin (Japanese Language School).

He opted for further study in Japan as he felt it would be a good idea to "look at the east" as many tend to look to the West. Especially when it comes to teaching and learning, there was something that he could learn from Japan and could be applied back home.

Andree pointed out that Brunei and Japan share close business and economic relations but there are also other avenues that the two countries can work well with.

He spoke about "Lesson Study", how once a year, a school would be open to other teachers to come in and observe lessons. Following that, those who attend would sit and discuss.

Whether a person is faintly interested in its sports, or obsessed with the language, Japan continues to mystify Bruneians and the Japanese Language and Culture Week hosted by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) was a way for the public to learn more about the Land of the Rising Sun. Running from March 10 - 13, the four-day event was sponsored and supported by the Japanese Association of Brunei Darussalam, BJFA UBD Chapter, Misato Restaurant, Excapade Sushi Restaurant and V's Restaurant.

The Brunei Times