NISSAN | Program Report

“World of Picture Book” delights children and adults -15th Nissan Joyful Storybook and Picture Book Exhibition-

INTERVIEW Rika Dohi - National Children’s Castle

The fun of creating and decorating together

<Profile>
Rika Dohi is with the Planning and Training Division where she is responsible for the planning and operation of events held at the National Children’s Castle. Her scope of responsibility include communications with children’s centers throughout the country as well as training seminars for adults.

Q:How was the 15th Nissan Joyful Storybook and Picture Book Exhibition different than previous exhibitions?

A: In terms of the basic aspects—exhibiting the prize-winning works from the Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix, taking sub-themes from these works and applying them for the workshops—this was the same format as previously. This year’s event is different for two reasons. Firstly, we used to exhibit only the original pictures used in the Grand Prize-winning picture book, but this year we created large panels based on the original pictures, in order to render the “world of picture book” in a grand way. Secondly, the decorations used this year were unique. Previously, we had relied on Takako Aoki (winner of the Grand Prize at the 18th Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix in 2002) to make the gorgeous tapestries that were displayed. While that had worked well, it was important to take on new challenges. Thus, this year, we held a special workshop with the help of the volunteers from the Friendship Circle (Tomo no Kai) at the National Children’s Castle to create tapestries for the decorations. Everyone worked hard together for the entire day, and I believe we succeeded in creating a venue with a very handcrafted feel to it.

What type of plan did you carry out for this year’s workshop?

The theme for this year’s workshop was “Mori Matsuri trees”.

The theme came from “Haru to Kaminari”, and people who have read the book would be familiar with this. A part in the story says, “If you plant bellybutton seeds, trees will grow from the seeds and bear bellybutton fruit.” Our idea was to get the participants to answer the question “If I plant the seeds of something that I like, what type of tree would grow and what type of fruit would it bear?” The participants then make the trees that they expect would grow, and we make a forest. The intention was for participants not to only watch or make something, but to actually participate in an event by creating something of their own that they can put up for display. We wanted for the participants to experience the fun of creating and decorating together.

What was the reaction of the children like?

We were worried that we would have to give demonstrations, but we forgot that children have amazing imaginations. By giving them a little idea to start with, they just get going to create things that you would never expect. Observing the children playing, I thought, “I am glad that we chose to go with this activity after all.” In that sense, the children taught me a great deal as well.

It is pretty creative to come up with things like “athletic tree” and “ninja mansion tree.” There was another tree that bore “fruits” of the portraits of family members. When I asked, “What did you plant?” the child responded, “I planted seeds filled with happiness.” That really got me [laughs].

We asked the children what kind of seeds they planted and what kind of tree grew from them. It would have been alright to have the children make just anything they wish, but I think it was more interesting to work within a theme. Part of the fun is having interactions regarding the theme.

What are the characteristics of this event?

The National Children’s Castle co-organizes a number of events with companies and organizations. Amongst these events, I feel that the “Nissan Joyful Storybook and Picture Book Exhibition” is one project in which the joint sponsorship demonstrates a good balance. Employees from Nissan participated from the early planning stages and were constantly helping to progress things forward, so I think we have built a very good relationship.

I make an effort at the workshops to mention that the materials used are recycled materials provided by Nissan. I think this is also significant to promote the awareness of adults with regards to recycling.

Having Nissan employees participate as volunteers was also a good experience. It is very important to give children opportunities to interact with people of various age, gender and occupation.

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Page3:INTERVIEW Yuko Nakagome - National Children’s Castle

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