UNAIR NEWS The Japanese Language and Literature Program at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), (UNAIR), took part in the HABATAKE 2026 Japanese Education and Cultural Exhibition held on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Surabaya, the event was hosted at the field and hall of SMA Negeri 5 Malang. Compared to previous editions, this year檚 exhibition featured a broader range of engaging activities, including educational seminars, cooking classes, shod艒 and kendo performances, a yukata experience booth, as well as karaoke and Cosplay Street (Costreet) competitions.
HABATAKE 2026 also introduced new academic competitions for high school, vocational school, and university students across East Java. These included hiragana-katakana contests and Japanese culture quizzes for high school participants, along with a photo caption competition for university students. The diverse lineup of activities, held throughout the school檚 field and hall, attracted a large and varied audience, particularly students interested in testing their Japanese language proficiency.
Learning Japanese culture through UNAIR檚 interactive booth
As part of the exhibition, the Japanese Language and Literature Program hosted an interactive booth for visitors eager to explore Japanese culture and learn more about FIB UNAIR. This year檚 booth gave participants the opportunity to write their wishes on tanzaku and try the traditional kendama game.
Tanzaku are colorful strips of paper used in Japan to write wishes, which are traditionally hung on bamboo branches during the Tanabata festival. Kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy that requires coordination and precision, also drew strong interest. Many visitors were eager to write their wishes on tanzaku and test their skills with the kendama.
Shod艒 and kendama performances by Japanese representatives
On the main stage, the program also presented a Japanese calligraphy performance by Yabe Urara, a shod艒 master and Japanese native affiliated with UNAIR. Having studied the art for 14 years, Yabe holds a Level 8 Master certification in shod艒. During the performance, Yabe invited five audience members to select their preferred kanji characters, which were then written on long sheets of washi paper.
Koizumi Mitsuharu, also a Japanese native associated with UNAIR, introduced kendama through an interactive demonstration. Participants were invited to perform a series of coordinated movements, including swinging the handle, tossing and catching the ball, and balancing it on the spike.
Through its participation, the Japanese Language and Literature Program aims to expand public awareness of its academic offerings while promoting access to cultural and educational information. This initiative also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4 on quality education.
Author: Dhaniswari Ananta Ayu, M.Hum.
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
