On this week’s journey around the world with the children from Sunce Preschool, we arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun! We explored Japanese culture and customs through images from our exhibition Unconventional Art of Japan. We learned why Japanese people sleep on the floor, why the koi fish (Japanese carp) is important to children in Japan, and the name of Japan’s highest mountain, which is also a dormant volcano. The children engaged their busy little hands by making paper flags, coloring them with crayons and tempera paint, while also learning that the red circle on the flag represents the sun. We talked about the most famous Japanese dish—sushi—and named its main ingredients: rice, vinegar, vegetables, fish, and other seafood. By observing various images of sushi, we discovered that it can be made and served in different ways, and we especially liked the appearance of rolled sushi.

That’s why we decided to create our own version using cardboard plates, cotton, and colored paper. While learning about Japanese traditions, we were particularly fascinated by a children’s holiday associated with the koi fish. In Japan, this fish holds great significance not only for its beautiful and colorful appearance, but also as a symbol of desirable traits. The koi is considered strong, brave, and persistent—qualities that are wished upon children. Inspired by this lovely tradition, we made our own koi fish, decorating them creatively and colorfully.

While exploring Japan’s enchanting nature, we stopped at Mount Fuji, the most frequently depicted scene in Japanese art. We couldn’t miss the chance to try our hand at this as well, so we painted the iconic view of the mountain—that is, the dormant volcano. Take a look at a glimpse of the atmosphere from our fun and imaginative journey!