A Beginner's Guide to the Bunkasai

           A Bunkasai, also called a school festival, is an event typical in Japanese junior-high and high schools. As this is an event occurring only once a year, students put a lot of effort in organizing their Bunkasai.

              One of the aims of a Bunkasai is to introduce the school to many people. The Bunkasai is generally held in November at most schools, and lasts for two days over the weekend. In most cases, anyone is welcome to visit the school during a Bunkasai. Students’ friends and families come, and students invite their old friends to the current school. A Bunkasai is also a great chance for younger children who are planning to attend the school in the future, because the school’s atmosphere can be experienced. In Japan, where many children enter private schools, it is common for elementary school students to visit a Bunkasai as an investigation of the school beforehand. For this reason, schools hold information sessions simultaneously with the Bunkasai. In the information session, teachers and students talk about the school and answers questions from people desiring to enter the school. A Bunkasai is one of the precious chances for schools to be exhibited to people outside of the school community, and this is why a Bunkasai is usually held for two days over the weekend.

Another aim for holding a Bunkasai is for students to present what they want to the general public. Each class or group plans their own project, and works on decorations. A great amount of time is spent on preparations, and its quality and creativity varies by class. Some classes present an exhibition of what they have learned throughout the year, others make fun attractions or plays for visitors to enjoy, and so on. Food booths can also be seen in many schools, selling Yakisoba, Okonomi-yaki, Tako-yaki, etc. In SFC, food booths are not allowed, but the cooking club opens a café in which they sell cakes and other sweets they have made.

Some clubs have performances. There are none in SFC, but some school’s sports clubs invite other schools for an exhibition match. Cultural clubs, such as Karuta or Sadou club, do demonstrations for people to watch, and the brass band or string orchestra club performs in concerts. In SFC, the dance club also does a performance, which is very lively.

In conclusion, a Bunkasai is a big annual event for promoting the school and for students to present what they have created. If you ever had a chance to visit a school’s Bunkasai, I hope you will enjoy it.