KEY TAKEAWAYS: About 50 Chalmette High School students participated in the mizuhiki workshop across multiple clubs and classes Students learned traditional Japanese knotting techniques, including the Awaji Musubi foundational design Visiting artist Yasuko Onishi led the hands-on session throug h a connection with the Japan Society of New Orleans The free workshop emphasized cultural exchange while teaching a centuries-old Japanese art form   Chalmette High School students recently learned traditional Japanese decorative arts through a hands-on workshop led by visiting artist Yasuko Onishi, who introduced participants to the centuries-old craft of mizuhiki. Ja’Vonnie Bienemy with her finished knot charm. About 50 students from the school’s Japanese Cultural Arts Club, Arts Crafts Club, Asian Heritage Club, Fine Arts Survey class and Japanese II classes took part in the session, which focused on the intricate cord-based technique used to create symbolic knots in Japanese culture. Left to right: Michelle Molina, Sara Wingrove and Abagail Button Onishi, who travels internationally to teach her work, guided students step-by-step through the foundational mizuhiki knot known as “Awaji Musubi.” Students first practiced with a single cord before progressing to more advanced designs using two and three cords to create finished pieces. Japanese artist Yasuko Onishi helps Jeremiah Williams with the art of Mizuhiki. The workshop was coordinated through Aina Kondo, who connected with Onishi via the Japan Society of New Orleans. Onishi offered the instruction at no cost to the school before returning to Japan later in the week. “This was such a special opportunity for our students,” said Joyce Callais, Arts and Crafts Club coordinator and teacher at Chalmette High School. “To learn a beautiful and meaningful artistic technique like Mizuhiki from such an accomplished artist is something they will remember for years to come.” Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese craft using decorative cords to create symbolic knots. Principal Mr. Schneider also praised the effort to bring the program to campus. “We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Onishi for sharing her talent with our students, and to Ms. Kondo for coordinating this opportunity,” he said. “Experiences like this expand our students’ horizons and bring learning to life in meaningful ways.” Yasuko Onishi demonstrates the craft for Chalmette High students. School officials said the workshop provided both a practical art skill and a cultural exchange, connecting students to a traditional Japanese art form while broadening their global awareness. ...read more read less