日本語の庭 - Nihongo no Niwa

🎎 H i n a m a t s u r i 🎎

Imagine walking into a Japanese home around the third day of the third month and being greeted by a flash of red steps filled with exquisitely dressed dolls.

That’s probably #ひな祭り (Hinamatsuri), celebrated on 3 March each year, also known as ‘Girl’s Day’.

Families with daughters display a set of dolls representing the Emperor and Empress in elegant Heian period court dress. These dolls symbolise the hope for harmony and a happy, prosperous marriage for their daughters one day. 🎊 🥂

Traditional dolls are made from wood with a coating of gofun (crushed oyster shells) and then dressed in silk and brocade. Modern ones are often made from clay, plastic, glassy fabric and paper mache.

Some households keep it simple with just the imperial couple, while others build full tiered displays with court ladies, musicians, and attendants placed on red cloth - like a miniature royal Heian wedding scene frozen in time.

There’s also a touch of folklore to the day: it’s believed that the dolls should be packed away right after 3 March… or some fear it will curse their daughters with a late marriage!

What do you think: Is this a practical reminder or just playful superstition? Let us know. 👀
_____________________________________

• 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗮 - refers to hina-ningyō ( #雛人形) the special dolls at the heart of this celebration.
• 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶 - the Japanese word for a festival or holiday.
_____________________________________

#雛祭り

🇯🇵 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮! 🇯🇵

We’re excited to officially announce that the 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 (𝗝𝗟𝗣𝗧) will be held in 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 on 𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆, hosted at 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆.

This is an amazing opportunity for students in the Western Cape to formally certify their Japanese language proficiency.

This year, 𝗡𝟱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝟰 will be offered. If there’s strong interest, higher levels may be introduced to Cape Town in future years, so booking your place really matters! We encourage everyone who is interested to study hard and take part.

If you’re based in Cape Town and have been working toward your JLPT goals, this is your moment. Take the leap, register, and challenge yourself to get those certifications! 🎓📑

From the second week of next month, we’ll also be launching weekly JLPT N5 and N4 preparation classes to support our students planning to write.

📌 Apply to study today via the link in our bio.

みんなで頑張りましょう！
Let’s do our best together! ^ - ^

We asked the Nihongo no Niwa Anime Club, and here’s their picks for the Best Anime of 2025!

Explore our full write-up to discover our members’ favourite series across multiple genres, and what made these titles stand above the
rest.

Read more: https://wix.to/f0Ktcz1

Nihongo no Niwa Anime Club: Our Vote for Best Anime of 2025 Read all about the Best Anime of 2025, as chosen by the Nihongo no Niwa Anime Club members.

🌿 Don’t miss the 13th Annual Bonsai Festival in the heart of Cape Town! 🌸

Join the City of Cape Town’s Recreation & Parks Department, together with the Western Cape Bonsai community, for a weekend celebrating the art of nature. With bonsai exhibitions, an exciting auction, a live Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) demonstration, and much more to feed your eyes and soul, it's sure to be a treat for nature-lovers everywhere.

📅 18–19 October 2025
🕘 09:00–15:00 SAST
📍 Company’s Gardens, Wale St, Cape Town City Centre

Bring your curiosity, your love for art, and maybe a friend or two - it’s sure to be a fun weekend! 🌱✨

For more information, please contact:
Zitobile Sikova / Dawn Collier
074 430 0089 / 076 529 7848

It’s that time of the year again! 🎌🎏 Save the date and make your way to a festival dedicated to all things Japanese. As a day brimming with cultural experiences, amazing food & drink - not to mention the incredible displays - it promises to be a real treat once more! 🍡🍣

For our students, please note: 日本語の庭 Japanese Language School will not be taking part in Japan Day this year, as we will be in Japan at the time.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐡!🇯🇵

Save the date for the 12th Japan Day —proudly presented by the Office of Consul of Japan in Cape Town and the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲?
Japan Day is a free cultural event dedicated to showcasing the richness and diversity of Japanese culture. This event offers the South African public the opportunity to experience a wide range of traditional and contemporary Japanese arts, performances, and practices.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
• Performances: Watch various Japanese cultural performances from martial arts demonstrations to a koto performance and cosplay competition.
• Workshops: Try your hand at mokuhanga (woodblock printing), sumi-e (ink painting), origami (paper folding), ikebana (flower arrangement), Japanese tea tasting, Go (popular, ancient board game in Japan), and more.
• Exhibitions: View captivating displays of bonsai (miniature trees) and ikebana (flower arrangement), learn about the meticulous art of bonsan (Japanese miniature gardens), and more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒:
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Saturday, 25 October
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Die Stal, Suidwal Street, Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch University, 7600
✅ Admission: Free and open to all!
📌 Event Page: https://qkt.io/KQC32H
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don’t miss this rare chance to immerse yourself in the beauty and traditions of Japan—right here in the Western Cape!

🌕 T s u k i m i 🐇

As autumn arrives and the air turns crisp, Japan celebrates Tsukimi ( #月見) - or Otsukimi ( #お月見) - meaning “moon viewing.”

Today, October 6th, 2025, marks the October full moon - a night steeped in centuries-old tradition dating back to the Heian period, when nobles would compose poetry and admire the moon’s reflection on still waters.

Though its origins lie in ancient times, Tsukimi remains a cherished custom throughout Japan. Families and friends gather to gaze at the luminous moon, decorating their homes with susuki (pampas grass) and offering tsukimi dango - round rice dumplings symbolising the full moon. Seasonal dishes like tsukimi soba and tsukimi udon, topped with an egg to resemble the moon, are also enjoyed during this serene celebration.

Read more about the meaning and traditions of in our blog post - inspired by our own moon-viewing earlier this year. 🌕

Link: https://www.nihongononiwa.com/post/tsukimi-moon-viewing-and-the-beauty-of-autumn

#日本語の庭

Come and enjoy the art of Ikebana in Cape Town!

Beautiful floral arrangements inspired by haiku and Japanese tradition meet our local flora in a lovely exhibition.

📅 08–11 October 2025 | 09:00–16:00
📍 Milnerton Library Hall

Don’t miss out! We think you’ll love seeing Japanese creativity in full bloom. 🪻🌹🌻🌷

A celebration of harmony, balance, and beauty… the art of Ikebana arrives in Cape Town this October. 🌸🌿

This exhibition offers a breathtaking encounter with floral artistry, where centuries-old Japanese traditions meet the richness of South Africa’s local flora.

Presented by multiple schools of ikebana, the showcase will feature arrangements inspired by haiku, the delicate poetry of Japan, bringing verse to life through flowers.

📅 08–11 October 2025 | 09:00–16:00
📍 Milnerton Library Hall

A rare opportunity to experience Japanese creativity in full bloom, and one not to be missed. 🌺✨

It’s that time of the year again! For all of those who want to apply for the amazing Japan Exchange & Teaching program, don’t forget to send your applications in on time. 📬🎌

Applications for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme are now open!

Apply by 4PM on 17 October 2025 for the opportunity of a lifetime: to live and work in Japan. Participants co-teach English to children, participate in intercultural activities, and have the chance to connect with communities across Japan.

Basic requirements:
• bachelor's degree in any field
• South African citizenship
• excellent English language ability
• strong interest in Japan

To find out more and for application forms, go to https://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/jet_programme.html

Interviews will be conducted in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban in January 2026. Successful candidates will depart in July 2026 (unless offered early departure).

🏔️ 山の日 🏔️

Today, August 11th, is 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗻𝗼 𝗛𝗶 ( #山の日, Mountain Day) – Japan’s youngest national holiday.

It was established in 2014 and first observed in 2016, with the aim of giving people a day to appreciate Japan’s mountains. The date was chosen partly because the kanji for “8” (八) looks like a mountain, and “11” resembles two trees standing tall 🌲🌲. It was also chosen to line up with Obon ( #お盆), the mid-August Buddhist festival when many people are already on holiday, making it the perfect time for a trip to the mountains.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀? 🌄
Over 70% of Japan’s land is mountainous, and these landscapes are integral parts of into the country’s history, culture, and spirituality. Sacred peaks like Mt. Fuji ( #富士山), Mt. Tate ( #立山), and Mt. Haku ( #白山) have long been worshipped as homes of the gods (神, 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘪), while mountain climbing and hiking remain popular modern pastimes.
______________________________

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 N𝗼𝘁𝗲 🖋
The kanji for “mountain” is 山, read as 𝘺𝘢𝘮𝘢 in Japanese and 𝘴𝘢𝘯 or 𝘻𝘢𝘯 in compound words; for example, 富士山 (𝘍𝘶𝘫𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯, Mt. Fuji).
______________________________

How would you spend Yama no Hi in Japan… tackling a mountain trail, soaking in an alpine onsen, or simply enjoying the view? 🏔️🥾

#山の日

Don't miss out on the fun and beauty of Japanese cinema! Join us this weekend in Cape Town (where the first 50 attendees will each get a free popcorn 🍿👀), and save the dates for screenings taking place in Johannesburg & Pretoria. 🎌

🇿🇦 Representing South Africa in Madagascar 🇲🇬

This month, Nihongo no Niwa's own Jason Musikanth, together with Ms Hiromi Spinola of Stellenbosch University, had the honour of representing South Africa at the 6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa, hosted by the Japan Foundation in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

With presentations on South Africa and the current state of Japanese language education in our country, they stood alongside educators from across the continent in a conference conducted entirely in Japanese. 🌍📈

Student delegate Shen-Ling Yao (Helen) also took to the stage at the Japanese Embassy’s speech contest, delivering her talk「チーム」(“Team”) with eloquence, grace, and confidence, earning warm praise from the international audience. 🗣️

We return from this experience energised, deeply grateful, and excited to bring what we’ve learned into the classroom and community. 📚

📖 Read the full article on our school blog to hear all about this exciting event: https://wix.to/A0qpOFB

#日本語の庭 #語学教育 #日本語教師

Nihongo no Niwa at the 6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa Nihongo no Niwa had the honour of representing South Africa at the 6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Southern Africa in Madagascar, hosted by the Japan Foundation.