Japanese students had a chance to work with the community and promote Harker’s Japanese program late February, when 14 students’ calligraphy works were displayed in the New Year calligraphy exhibition hosted by Komochi Home in San Francisco’s Japan Town.

In addition to learning grammar and language in class, Japanese students also receive a taste of Japanese culture through writing haikus, listening to pop songs, and celebrating Japanese holidays such as setsubun, said Japanese teacher Masako Onakado. With brush and ink students practiced Japanese calligraphy, both formal block style as well as cursive styles. “I was impressed that the students were not afraid of trying new styles that look completely different from what they are used to seeing,” Onakado said.

Students’ works were displayed in the annual calligraphy exhibition along with works from other students in Kinmon Gakuen and San Mateo Nippon Gakuen, local Bay Area Japanese schools.