Teens Discover Japan in New York
by
Jan Aaron
Some teens spend their summer days
idling at the beach reading books. But not all. Twenty local
teens from the city's public schools wrote and produced their
own book, "A Teen's Guide
to Discovering Japan in New York." Their research took
them behind the scenes at many Japanese sites across the city.
Lilliputians in the publishing world they may be, but they
did this gargantuan task in only nine-days!
Recently, the teens presented their
book to family, friends and press at the Japan Society (333
East 47th Street), which sponsors this project as an annual
workshop through its education department, with different
theme each year. Led by Lori D'Amico, an English teacher
at Hunter College High School, they drew inspiration from
guest lecturer Barbara Aria, editor for "Time
Out New York's Kids" section & "Tony Kids." The
teens were trained at the Society in journalistic skills like
fact gathering and interviewing before lacing up their sneakers
and scouring the city. The broad-ranging sites they selected,
from Organizations and Culture to Restaurants and Toys, were
required to be both interesting and teen-friendly.
"It was a team effort," said
typical teen participant, Naia Bonet, introducing the project
to assembled guests, as a slide show projected book highlights.
Working as interviewers/reporters, writers, editors, fact
checkers, photographers, the teens discovered Japan in New
York and bonded with new friends.
One after another the teens took
to the podium. They described encounters with virtually every
aspect of Japan, from spiritual at the International Shinto
Foundation and serene at a traditional tea ceremony at Urasenke
to the savvy at the Sanrio Store "Hello
Kitty" in Times Square. They experienced age-old martial
arts at World Seido Karate Organization, looked at cutting
edge fashions at Tribeca Issey Mikaye and Yogi Yamamoto and
wore traditional garments at the Kimono House. They tried making
traditional koto music, visited Japanese bookshops, met young
Japanese at a karaoke place, and chowed down on all manner
of Japanese foods for their restaurant reviews. Thoughtfully,
the teens included tips on the Japanese language and using
chopsticks ("if not comfortable using them, ask for a
fork"). They plan to put their guidebook on the Japan
Society website (www.Japansociety.org)
to help teens planning trips to New York.#
To learn more about the Japan Society's programs for students
and educators go to visit www.japansociety.org/journey or
call 212-832-1155.
