Japanese Incursion Student Reflections

As a Japanese student at Cranbrook, the recent Japanese Day incursion was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had. The day began with Urasenke chado (tea ceremony) teachers guiding us through the art of making traditional matcha, where I learned that every gesture in chado (tea ceremony) carries meaning and intention. Gestures like turning the tea bowl before drinking or whisking the matcha to make just the right amount of foam were done to show respect and care. The teachers’ movements  were calming, precise, and deeply reflective of Japanese omotenashi (the spirit of thoughtful hospitality and putting others before yourself in even the smallest details). A special shout-out to Cole, who delivered an impromptu thank-you speech on behalf of all of us. His words reflected the deep respect we felt for the experience.

Later, we moved into the kitchen to make okonomiyaki—a savoury pancake packed with cabbage and topped with delicious sauces and “dancing” bonito flakes. It challenged both our cooking skills and our understanding of Japanese flavours. My team nearly forgot to add enough batter because we misheard the measurement—shoutout to Ms Wei for saving us from serving cabbage stir-fry. Meanwhile, the Year 11 quietly proved themselves to be the better cooks by getting the first okonomiyaki on the table. Cooking and sharing a meal together not only created a real sense of connection, but also brought a sense of community into the Japanese ab initio experience.

In the afternoon, we became School ambassadors, using our Japanese to guide the new teachers around the school. It was a moment that made me realise just how far I’d come with the language, and how powerful it is to use it in real, authentic situations. The whole day reminded me that language learning isn’t just about vocabulary or grammar—it’s about connection, confidence, and stepping into someone else’s world with curiosity and respect.

Louis Gordon
Cranbrook Student