STORY: Japan holds festival to pay tribute to philosophy of Confucius
SHOOTING TIME: April 18, 2024
DATELINE: April 21, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:28
LOCATION: TAKU, Japan
CATEGORY: EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Japanese elementary school students chanting songs in honor of Confucius
2. various of placing the offerings before images of Confucius
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIHIKO YOKOO, Mayor of Taku City
4. various of the statue of Confucius
5. various of the tribute activities
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Japanese): Elementary school student   
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Japanese): SHUNJI ISHIDA, Education director in Taku City

STORYLINE:

A group of first- and second-grade Japanese elementary school students on Thursday chanted songs in honor of Confucius in the courtyard of the 316-year-old Taku Seibyo, a Confucian temple in the city of Taku, Saga Prefecture, southwest Japan.

Sekisai, a traditional ritual event for consoling the souls of Confucius and his disciples, is held twice a year, on April 18 in spring and the fourth Sunday of October in autumn. 

Boasting over 90 ceremonies, the festival has been a cherished tradition for more than 300 years.

At Thursday's Spring Sekisai Festival, Mayor of Taku City Toshihiko Yokoo acted as "chief offerer," respectfully placing the offerings before images of Confucius and his four disciples.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIHIKO YOKOO, Mayor of Taku City
"Sticking to the origin is the meaning of the ritual event for consoling the souls of Confucius and his disciples. From (China's) Qufu to Japan, people follow the traditional Chinese ritual of making offerings to Confucius, hoping to pass on the concepts of 'benevolence' and 'love' taught by Confucius to future generations."   

In 1993, Qufu City in China's Shandong Province, Confucius's birthplace, and Taku City became sister cities. 

In 1997, Qufu presented a statue of Confucius to Taku Seibyo, and also taught children Chinese traditional dance and waist drum, which has enriched the Sekisai and continued to this day.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Japanese): Elementary school student   
"I have been learning the Analects of Confucius since the first grade of elementary school.
(Which part of the Analects of Confucius do you like?)
'Do not do to others what you would not like to be done to you.'" 

Shunji Ishida, education director at Taku City, told Xinhua that the Analects of Confucius was introduced into school teaching in Taku more than 20 years ago.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (Japanese): SHUNJI ISHIDA, Education director in Taku City
"Taku has Seibyo, the Confucius temple, and we have been learning the Confucius and his philosophy which have long been integrated into our daily lives. Integrating the Analects of Confucius into teaching is based on the belief that the morals and thoughts taught by Confucius can become spiritual support for children on their journey of life, and can benefit children throughout their lives."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Taku, Japan.
(XHTV)