The+Japanese+Gardens-Cowra

=Cowra – The Japanese Gardens =

Ph: (02) 6341 2233 Fax: (02) 6341 1875
 * Excursion:** Sakura Matsuri ** (Cherry Blossom Festival) **
 * When: Thursday 23 September 2010**
 * Where:** Cowra - NSW

Email: garden@cowra.nsw.gov.au URL: []


 * Location**: 189 kilometres west from Canberra - Approximately 2hrs 45mins.


 * Why Visit**:
 * Significant link between Cowra and Japan (past and present)
 * Australian and Asian flora (environment)
 * The Arts (traditional and contemporary)
 * Cultural connections (community)
 * Heritage (inheritance)
 * Celebration (symbol and ceremonies)

Activities on the day were:

 * Origami
 * Calligraphy
 * Tea Ceremony
 * Kite Flying
 * Colouring and Crafts
 * Fish Feeding
 * Japanese Food[[image:010.JPG height="168" align="right"]]

**Pathway for Learning**
How has this community changed over time? What is its connection to 'Australians at War'?
 * Topic**: Community and Remeberance

What is the purpose of this Garden? How does this community foster its firm relationship with Japan through this Garden? How was it built? Who paid for it? Who visits?
 * Explore**: The Garden

What will we find out about traditional Japanese culture? How will this information be gathered?
 * Look**: Activities

How can we conclude our understanding of Japanese culture from today's activities? How can we further build cross-cultural understanding?
 * Act**:

How could we explore this topic further?
 * Reflect**:

[]
 * WEB Links - Further Investigation **
 * In the Area: **


 * War Museum ** Comprehensive Prisoner of War (POW) and Military Camp displays.

**Military & Migrant Camps ** Situated east of Cowra, the Military camp trained some 80,000  military personnel whilst in operation from 1940 until after the war. The camp then became home to between 17-19,000 new Australians in the form of the Cowra Migrant Camp.

In 1988 as a bicentennial project Cowra Shire Council in conjunction with the Japanese Government planted cherry blossom trees between the Cowra War Cemetery, the site of the Prisoner Of War Camp and the Japanese Gardens as a sign of peace and reconciliation with the Japanese people.
 * Sakura Avenue **

Cowra was o fficially recognised for its passion for peace when the town was awarded the Australian World Peace Bell. This is a replica of the World Peace Bell located in the forecourt of the United Nation’s headquarters in New York. Usually, Peace Bell replicas are only awarded to a nation’s capital.
 * Peace Bell **

Australian and Japanese war cemeteries can be found towards the south of the town. A fine display of eight hundred cherry trees connect the cemeteries to the interesting cultural centre.
 * Cemetries **

[]
 * War Memorial-Canberra **

** Justification ** There were over 500 students, mainly primary, who visited the Garden today. I observed, with my son, students ranging from years K-6 undertaking the various activities and talked with eduators and students on the day. The students appeared engaged throughout each activity, which lasted for approximately 15mins. In addition to school children, there were other visitors. I believe the Japanese Garden, in particular the Cherry Blossom Festival, can be a launching pad for further studies about past and present relationship with Asia. In the Australian National Curriculum, the strand History states that: >
 * History is the study of the past. It provides knowledge, understanding and appreciation of previous events, people, practices and ideas.
 * It deepens our understanding of h umanity, creativity, purposes and values.
 * History stretches from the distant past to the present, and provides a deeper understanding of present-day events as well as the enduring signiﬁcance of earlier ones. It introduces us to a variety of human experience, enables us to see the world through the eyes of others, and enriches our appreciation of the nature of change.
 * The school is one agency that shapes historical consciousness.
 * Hence the excursion :-) **

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