Storyteller to visit again

March 25, 2008 10:02 am

— Japanese Storyteller Hiroko Fujita will be in Stillwater Wednesday in the First Presbyterian Church from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. for her 12th visit.
Stillwater has enjoyed a Sister City relationship with Kameoka, Japan, since November 1985. The State of Oklahoma and the Prefecture of Kyoto are joined in a sister state relationship. As we promote international friendship and understanding, it is logical that students in Stillwater Public Schools be introduced to Japan, its culture, its language and its people.
Fujita is an ideal good will ambassador. Accompanied by Fran Stallings, Bartlesville storyteller, they spin their magic spells of enchantment with all who listen. Stallings first tells about the story, the setting, characters, a general idea of the action. Then Fujita san begins. Her expressive voice and energetic facial expressions communicate her stories. The listeners seem to understand Japanese as she speaks. Often the listeners join in with sounds or movements as she tells. She loves to teach children to make their own toys and to play Japanese games.
In the classrooms, teachers anticipate and follow up her visit with discussions of geography, history, social studies, language and culture.