| | There are respectfully 5 libraries in the Mid-Hudson Valley region selected for this special Children's Day Program organized as a collaboration by Mid-Hudson Library System and Arts Mid-Hudson. The libraries picked their choice of ethnic groups to celebrate Children's Day in each cultural and historical way. The Milton library in Ulster County had its small village type cozy and warm atmosphere.
There we displayed Koinobori (flying Carp), Origamis and different kinds of Japanese kids toys. We also had tables for Calligraphy and Origami workshop as well as one for Chopstick games. The program was ended with Kamishibai paper theatre with an old Japanese mythological story called Hanasaka Jiisan, an old man who bloomed flowers. It was certainly a perfect day a family could spend time together learning and most importantly having fun.
The Children's Day in Japan is always May 5th, and Koinobori is a symbol of the special day which were hanged on a pole just like national flag. When you see the several feet long and about a foot wide carp, usually the largest one is dark color (either black or gray) representing a father, slightly smaller red one is a mother and the smallest one is a child which is red or maybe blue, together flying in the air high above roof tops looks like as if they were swimming in the sky, it was truly an amazing scene. Dynamic and powerful. In recent days, however, you don't get to see them everywhere like we used to. So, our 2 little plastic Koinoboris proudly swaying on a pole in front of the library today was our way of celebrating Japanese Children's Day. And, it was a very good family day.
We thank to Mid-Hudson Library System and Arts Mid-Hudson as well as Milton Library for this opportunity to make today's event successful and memorable. Without this special occasion, the Koinobori might be forever forgotten from our memories. It was our pleasure to celebrate the Children's Day with families in Milton neighborhood.
Midori Shinye
Project leader | | 5月9日Milton Libraryでの子供の日プログラム
このｲﾍﾞﾝﾄはMid-Hudson Library SystemとArts Mid-Hudson 共同支援で、Mid-Hudson地域の5つのライブラリーが選ばれてそれぞれ別々の民族グループと共に各独自の国の子供の日を祝うというものです。Miltonﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰは小さい田舎町のこじんまりした温かい雰囲気のある場所です。
この日日本人会はMiltonﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰで鯉のぼり、折り紙それからいろいろな種類の日本の子供のおもちゃなどを飾りました。その他テーブルでは折り紙と習字のﾜｰｸｼｮｯﾌﾟ、それからお箸で豆をつかんで運ぶゲームを用意して最後は｢花咲か爺さん｣の紙芝居を提供しました。家族がいっしょに楽しみながら学ぶのに最適な日和でした。
日本の子供の日はいつも5月5日と決まっていて国旗の様にポールに飾られる鯉のぼりは子供の日のシンボルです。一番大きい黒又は灰色の鯉は｢お父さん｣を象徴しているもので、それより少し小さめで赤い鯉が｢お母さん｣、一番小さいのが｢子供｣です。1メートル以上もの長さで30ｾﾝﾁ以上の太さの鯉のぼりが屋根の上で悠々と風に揺られている姿はまるで空で鯉が泳いでいる様で何とも言えない偉大さと迫力があります。残念ながら近年では私たちが子供の頃いつも見られていた鯉のぼりはめったに見れなくなりました。そんな中、私たち日本人会の小っちゃくてﾌﾟﾗｽﾃｨｯｸ製の鯉のぼりは立派にﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰの入り口で風に揺られながら、十分今日の有意義な子供の日を祝いました。
この特別な日の機会を頂いたMid-Hudson ﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰｼｽﾃﾑとArts Mid-Hudson, それからMiltonﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰに心からお礼を申し上げます。この様な機会がなかったらおそらく私達日本人の記憶の中から鯉のぼりの思い出が永遠と消え去っていたことでしょう。Milton地域のご家族の方々といっしょに子供の日のお祝いが出来たことを本当に光栄に思います。
新江 緑
ﾌﾟﾛｼﾞｪｸﾄﾘｰﾀﾞｰ | |
