#Japan #Saitama #elementary school #Akari Day #Poster Contest

Celebrate Akari Day with Creative Expression

October 21st marks "Akari Day," a significant occasion celebrating the invention of the practical light bulb by Thomas Edison in 1879. This year, the Akari Day Committee, led by Chairman Yasunori Kawase of the Japan Lighting Manufacturers Association, invites young artists to participate in the 26th National Elementary School Poster Contest. This contest aims to engage elementary school students in reflecting on the theme of light, both its significance in daily life and its potential for a sustainable future.

Theme: "Future Lights - Dream Lights"

The theme for this year's contest encourages participants to imagine innovative and inspiring sources of light. Students are urged to consider what kind of light would benefit our planet and bring joy to people's lives. How can light contribute to a healthier, safer, and more efficient society? Students are invited to express their visions of future lighting, enjoyable light experiences, and dream-like illumination themes through their artwork.

Contest Details

Eligibility

The contest is open exclusively to elementary school students.

Poster Specifications

• - Sizes: B4 (36.4 cm x 25.7 cm), A4 (29.7 cm x 21.0 cm), or roughly the size of an eight-cut picture paper (38.2 cm x 27.1 cm).
• - Orientation: Please use vertical orientation for all submissions.
• - Mediums: Students can use crayons, markers, watercolor paints, poster colors, or any drawing materials they prefer.

Submission Timeline

Entries are accepted from June 22 to September 7, 2023. All submissions must be sent to arrive by the due date.

Important Note

Posters must feature the phrase "October 21 is Akari Day" prominently. Participants can use additional words or phrases but must accurately display the title to avoid disqualification. For example, acceptable presentation is:

• - Correct: October 21 is "Akari Day"
• - Incorrect: October 21 is "Akari no Hi" or similar variations.

How to Apply

To submit an entry, students should affix a paper on the back of their artwork containing the following information:

• - Postal code, address, name (with furigana), contact number, school name (with furigana), or art class name (with furigana), as well as their grade level.

Entries can be submitted individually, by grade level, or as a school/organization group.
Note: The names of winners will be publicly announced, including their school and grade, so participants should consider this when submitting their entries. Personal information gathered will only be used for contest purposes.

Submission Address

Mail entries to:
〒340-0822 4-2-15 Ohse, Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture
"Akari Day" Poster Contest Office

Awards

• - Grand Prize: 1 Winner (Prize: ¥50,000 Gift Card)
• - Excellence Awards: 10 Winners (Prize: ¥10,000 Gift Card, including 1 Special Award)
• - Merit Prizes: 30 Winners (Prize: Commemorative Gift)
• - Participation Gifts for all entrants.

Announcement of Results

Winners will be announced on October 1, 2023, and results will be published on the Akari Day website: Akari Day.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony is scheduled for October 17, 2023, at the Tokyo Skytree East Tower, where grand prize and special award winners will be honored.

Exhibition of Winning Works

Winning artworks will be displayed at the Tokyo Skytree's 5th floor, with exhibitions planned for October 2023.

Judging Panel

The judging will be led by Nobuyoshi Yamazaki, a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts in the Design Department of the Graduate School of Fine Arts.

Submit Your Imagination

The Akari Day Committee hopes that this contest will inspire students to think creatively about light, promoting healthy living, safety, and energy conservation. We appreciate your understanding and support in publicizing this event, and we look forward to your imaginative submissions!

For detailed application guidelines, please refer to the attached submission instructions or visit the official Akari Day website: Akari Day.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please reach out to:
〒110-0016 4-11-4 Taito, Taito Ward, Tokyo
"Akari Day" Poster Contest Office
Tel: 03-6803-0501
Fax: 03-6803-0064
Email: [email protected]