Hutt and Minoh art exchange

Minoh Art Association members showing the group around Expo Park just out of Minoh

Minoh Art Association members showing the group around Expo Park just out of Minoh

Earlier this year several members of the Minoh Art Association visited the Hutt Art Society and their president Minoru Kugo and his team have been hosting several members of the Hutt City Arts and Culture Advisory Group. While in Minoh they have soaked up local art having visited a few museums, galleries and indulged in quite a bit of Japanese culture including a tea ceremony or three.

Hutt Art Society and the Minoh Art Association are now talking details for a future art exchange.

With a long term outlook - the two art organisations have agreed to collaborate on a two-way art exchange involving a significant number of works. Plus I'm sure there will be other ways they can exchange ideas and talent.

On a visit to Katsuo-ji Temple in the hills behind MInoh we got to test out the talent within our group as we followed the customer of illustrating facial patterns on our "daruma" good luck doll. Hutt Art Society president David Balm did well with his calligraphy pen and kept his reputation intact!

Thanks to Minoru Kugo and your association members for your very generous hospitality for members of the arts group within the Mayoral delegation and allowing them to have a concurrent itinerary. Very very much appreciated!

 

BY JAMES LAMB, HMHFT SECRETARY

 

Japanese style BBQ

What a treat! Kawayuka Isoyoshi is a restaurant where I felt like I was back in New Zealand - feasting with a group of trampers with well travelled stoves in a wooden terrace-like hut back in the Orongorongo Valley - but the difference was were far too well dressed and we had cushions to sit on.

The rushing of the Minoh-Gawa [river] just metres below, and walkers on the trail opposite was enough to send me back home to the great outdoors. The custom of taking shoes off inside for meals added to that feeling - like taking off your soiled tramping boots before getting a meal ready.

Mayor Kurata and our hosts played cooks while we ate another healthy meal and learned how to cook our dinner Japanese BBQ style. Fresh veges plus marbled beef combined with sauces in a hot pot then dipped in raw mixed egg "for extra taste" equals one tasty dinner.

If you're ever in Minoh - this is one place you need to visit day or night. It's half way up the walkway to Minoh Falls from Minoh train station, perched above the river and open in Spring and Summer.

I am getting how Japan is one of the healthiest nations on the planet. I've eaten so well during my time in Japan. So incredibly well, yet it's no diet - it's just everyday food. Our breakfasts have included salads, plenty of vegetables and fish too.

Grilled herbed fish, rice with seaweed and sesame garnish, tofu and vegetable soup with a carton of milk.

Grilled herbed fish, rice with seaweed and sesame garnish, tofu and vegetable soup with a carton of milk.

My favourite meal has been the lunch served up to 600 students at Saito No Oka Gakuen [Primary School]. JPY220 bought us each a fine tasty meal - that's only NZD2.70. Outstanding!

The students had facilities to brush their teeth after lunch too. Would we ever see that in New Zealand?

I'm not big on seafood, but I think I just may have been converted during my time here!

 

BY JAMES LAMB, HMHFT SECRETARY

Sharing the New Zealand story

Air New Zealand flights, Hutt Minoh House, kiwi food, New Zealand wine, studying in Lower Hutt, Canterbury clothing, and holidays downunder made us feel quite at home in Minoh on Sunday 4 October.

Tui Glen School kapa haka performance

Tui Glen School kapa haka performance

Ikumi and Sheena Hirayama talked to hundreds about Lower Hutt and New Zealand.

Ikumi and Sheena Hirayama talked to hundreds about Lower Hutt and New Zealand.

The New Zealand Autumn Fair was organised by the Minoh City Office, MAFGA and the Hutt Friendship Club to showcase our great country, region and city to their locals. It was attended by NZ travel agents and local companies with New Zealand products and thousands of locals.

Asking around in my best (admittedly limited) Japanese the highlight of the afternoon was Tui Glen School's kapa haka performance on stage.

We also took the opportunity to share a little about life in Lower Hutt and the opportunity to study in our high schools and universities in presentations throughout the afternoon.

 

While we were out visiting some of the great spots in and around Minoh we chose to use our national flag for our large group to navigate through crowds.

The flag attracted quite a bit of attention from other visitors to Japan around us and offered more viewpoints on our current flag debate. Though that's another blog post entirely!

 

BY JAMES LAMB, HMHFT SECRETARY

Celebrating 20 years of cooperation with Minoh City

2015 marks the 20th year of friendship and cooperation with Minoh City. We are fortunate to be able to celebrate this milestone in each city this year after Mayor Kurata came to Lower Hutt in February with a group of 22 from Minoh. Tomodachi Day saw hundreds attend the ceremony and share in Japanese culture in Lower Hutt.

Many who are connected to Lower Hutt and New Zealand from in and around Minoh gathered to join an official commemoration of the anniversary including Mark Sinclair, the New Zealand Ambassador to Japan. Read his post on the NZ Embassy Facebook page.

Ray Wallace speaks at the 20th anniversary of cooperating cities

Ray Wallace speaks at the 20th anniversary of cooperating cities

Our group grew to 34 visiting from the Hutt for the official celebration on Sunday 4 October and we were treated to Taiko drumming, dancing, singing andand were impressed by the Minoh-based Hutt Club learning a waiata to sing for us.

Each of us received a certificate of appreciation from Minoh City Mayor Tetsuro Kurata. It as unexpected and very special.

Read more about this on the Minoh City blog - in Japanese.

The ceremony was followed by the New Zealand Autumn Fair - more in my next blog post.

 

BY JAMES LAMB, HMHFT SECRETARY

 

One big family

The word family is often used to describe who we are while in Minoh. We've got a friendship agreement between our two cities and we're all making new friends but it's more than that. We feel like family.

The warmth, generosity and hospitality we have experienced in Minoh is very special.

Thank you to Mayor Tetsuro Kurata, the Minoh City Office, the Minoh Asscociation for Global Awareness (MAFGA), the Hutt Club, the Minoh Art Association and the many others who welcomed us to Minoh.

Mayoral delegation members welcomed by Minoh at MAFGA

Mayoral delegation members welcomed by Minoh at MAFGA

The Tui Glen School group welcomed at MAFGA by their host families

The Tui Glen School group welcomed at MAFGA by their host families

Thank you for exceptional hospitality, all your hard work, connections between our cities and enthusiasm for work on growing activities between our two cities and countries.

BY JAMES LAMB, HMHFT SECRETARY