Sydney Solis Storytime Yoga Kamishibai for Peace Lafcadio Hearn and Japanese Culture

Greek Educator and Publisher Agatha Rodi gave me the great pleasure to present some kamishibai Japanese paper theatre via video for her young creative writing students. It was part of the “Lefkadi Hern Days” Festival June 23 at the Lefkada Spiritual Center in Lefkada, Greece. Kids ages 8-12 studied his book Kotto and some of his insect stories. He is most famous for his ghost stories. 

Hearn was the West’s first big proponent of Japanese culture, and the Greek/Japanese Association honors him by hosting the annual festival at his birthplace on the gorgeous island of Lefkada. I got involved with Lafcadio Hearn and his fans when I won a Haiku competition honoring Hearn. There was an exhibition, book and more.

Using Kamishibai  to Teach Creative Writing to Kids

I recorded the following videos on the yoga farm I’m staying at. I had intended to make another recording, but I came down with Covid! A whirlwind weekend trip to Montevideo to do more kamishibai storytelling in schools as well as a teacher training wore me down!  I am finally better, so glad I was triple vaccinated! But the rehearsal video version I made before getting sick had to suffice, roosters in the background, fluorescent lighting flickering and all!

I speak very slowly so that the kids who know English can understand. A teacher can also pause the video to interpret if desired. Kamishibai is a great way to teach English as a Second Language!

The Power of the Oral Tradition in Education and Yoga

Watch the videos with kids to learn about kamishibai paper theatre. It explains to kids the power of the oral tradition, images to get excited about creative writing. If you can speak it, you can write it! Remember, the story IS the yoga! Images are a bridge that point to the transcendent. They are formed within our bodies via the imagination. They point inward. Don’t get caught up on the image, however, such as a finger pointing to a moon, but what it refers to beyond in the ineffable. That’s yoga! Do Tell! Because education is peace!