Marist (SM) Australia: Japanese Catholic Community Fundraiser

Recently the Japanese Catholic Community of Sydney held a fundraiser at the Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall in Hunters Hill to raise money for Orphanages in Myanmar.

The event comprised of a concert featuring performances using the traditional stringed instrument national instrument of Japan called a Koto (see picture) and singing. There was a Japanese BBQ lunch and a raffle as well as a stalls featuring, Fr Paul Glynn's books soaps made by women of the Japanese Community and white elephant stalls made up of goods donated by the community.

Koto performance by Hitomi Kurosawa and Shoko Ono

Shoko Ono originates from Kanagawa prefecture in Japan. She regularly performs and instructs at koto workshops at Australian Shakuhachi Society Festivals. Shoko was awarded her teaching license from the Sawai International Koto School in 2003. She plans to continue her Koto studies in Australia and Japan. Her vision is to make the Koto and Japanese culture more accessible to global audiences.

Hitomi Kurosawa has been studying koto since 1998 under Satsuki Odamura and she has also studies with koto master Kazue Sawai in Japan. She has accumulated a wide range of performance experiences in various formats as a member of The Sawai International Koto School and as an individual koto player.

Misako Piper accompanied by Hiroko Fisher

Misako Piper (Saito) is a soprano from the Fukushima Prefecture. She studied voice and piano at Senzoku Gakuen University, Japan. She was later awarded scholarships for singing and piano at the Canberra School of Music. Misako is also a triple Eisteddfod winner and continues her studies and performances with David Tatersall, the musical director the University of Canberra.

Hiroko Fischer is the president of the Australian-Japan Society the ACT,

Hiroko has made an outstanding contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia. Also, she provided dedicated support to the student exchange programs as president of the Australia Japan Society (ACT) and promotion of Japanese language with in the ACT education system. She gained a Batchelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo.