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SEPTEMBER 2004

Teens Discover Japan in New York
by Jan Aaron

Some teens spend their summer days idling at the beach reading books. But not all. Twenty local teens from the city's public schools wrote and produced their own book, "A Teen's Guide to Discovering Japan in New York." Their research took them behind the scenes at many Japanese sites across the city. Lilliputians in the publishing world they may be, but they did this gargantuan task in only nine-days!

Recently, the teens presented their book to family, friends and press at the Japan Society (333 East 47th Street), which sponsors this project as an annual workshop through its education department, with different theme each year. Led by Lori D'Amico, an English teacher at Hunter College High School, they drew inspiration from guest lecturer Barbara Aria, editor for "Time Out New York's Kids" section & "Tony Kids." The teens were trained at the Society in journalistic skills like fact gathering and interviewing before lacing up their sneakers and scouring the city. The broad-ranging sites they selected, from Organizations and Culture to Restaurants and Toys, were required to be both interesting and teen-friendly.

"It was a team effort," said typical teen participant, Naia Bonet, introducing the project to assembled guests, as a slide show projected book highlights. Working as interviewers/reporters, writers, editors, fact checkers, photographers, the teens discovered Japan in New York and bonded with new friends.

One after another the teens took to the podium. They described encounters with virtually every aspect of Japan, from spiritual at the International Shinto Foundation and serene at a traditional tea ceremony at Urasenke to the savvy at the Sanrio Store "Hello Kitty" in Times Square. They experienced age-old martial arts at World Seido Karate Organization, looked at cutting edge fashions at Tribeca Issey Mikaye and Yogi Yamamoto and wore traditional garments at the Kimono House. They tried making traditional koto music, visited Japanese bookshops, met young Japanese at a karaoke place, and chowed down on all manner of Japanese foods for their restaurant reviews. Thoughtfully, the teens included tips on the Japanese language and using chopsticks ("if not comfortable using them, ask for a fork"). They plan to put their guidebook on the Japan Society website (www.Japansociety.org) to help teens planning trips to New York.#

To learn more about the Japan Society's programs for students and educators go to visit www.japansociety.org/journey or call 212-832-1155.

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