Photo By Eryn Navarro | IKEGO HEIGHTS FAMILY HOUSING AREA, Japan (June 17, 2025) - CFAY Fleet and Family...... read more read more
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IKEGO HEIGHTS FAMILY HOUSING AREA, Japan – The Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Fleet and Family Support Center (CFAY FFSC) hosted its monthly Cultural Exchange Workshop on June 17 at Ikego Heights Family Housing. This month's event focused on the traditional Japanese art form of torn paper, known as Chigiri-e.
22 participants attended the workshop, led by Mika Nakamura, a Family Life Education Specialist with FFSC.
Chigiri-e is a traditional Japanese art technique that involves tearing paper and pasting the torn pieces together to create an image. Tearing the paper highlights its natural texture, giving the artwork a soft and delicate touch.
This art form is also considered an excellent brain exercise. Chigiri-e requires delicate hand movements to tear and place the paper. Using fine motor skills in combination with the creative process of selecting colors, composing images, and visualizing the final artwork, stimulates multiple regions of the brain.
Participants were invited to browse through stacks of color-coordinated news clippings and origami paper. It wasn't long before the desks were covered in brightly colored paper, ripped into tiny bits and pieces. Over the next hour, participants let their artistic sides shine as they worked meticulously on their designs.
As we walked around the room, observing the artists intently focused on their work, Nakamura noted, “I enjoy teaching these classes a lot… everyone always comes in so positive… and look, they create such beautiful art!”
One of the participants, Victoria Depuydt, shared, “It was exciting to learn this new art form. I’ve never used scraps of paper to make art before.” Victoria was joined by her daughter, Elaina Butcher, who added, “It’s fun having interactive classes and making things!”
Jazmin Zeman, the event organizer and Information and Referral Specialist with CFAY FFSC, joined Mika Nakamura in guiding participants through the activity. Zeman noted, “I think it’s important to hold these events here in Ikego. For some people, this is their first time living in Japan, and it can be a bit scary... We’re here to help them navigate their way through Japanese culture.”
CFAY FFSC is committed to providing monthly events at Ikego Heights Family Housing. From volunteer opportunities and language classes to cultural workshops and tours, they hope these events encourage residents “to meet one another and engage with the community,” Zeman said.
Be sure to sign-up for next month’s cultural exchange. For more information about CFAY FFSC’s workshops and events, please contact CFAY FFSC at FFSCinfo@us.navy.mil or call 046-816-3372.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2025 22:07 |
| Story ID: | 501093 |
| Location: | ZUSHI, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CFAY FFSC Hosts Cultural Exchange Chigiri-e Workshop, by Eryn Navarro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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