The UBC Japanese Language Program held the third essay and short fiction contest last year for all students who are enrolled in 2024 Winter Term. A total of 16 creative short stories and essays were submitted from the beginner to advanced level. Among all entries, six winners were selected by a panel of judges composed of Dr. Christina Laffin (Associate Professor in Classical Japanese), Ms. Tomoko Kitayama Yen (Japanese Studies Librarian), Ms. Ai Yamamoto (Sessional Lecturer/PhD candidate), and the essay contest committee.
Learn about contest requirement
The awards ceremony was held on January 21, 2025 and each winner received the certificate and prize from Ms. Kitayama Yen and Ms. Ai Yamamoto. The winners were determined as follows.
Junior Category First Place: “時代の流れを変えられる魔法” by Lucas Wong
Lucas Wong(on the right) and Ms.Yamamoto (on the left)
Comments from the judges:
This vibrant, positive, and engaging essay is a pleasure to read. Its intriguing title immediately captures the reader’s curiosity. As the essay unfolds, it reveals that the “magic” is music. With a lighthearted tone and a touch of humour, the author illustrates how music relieves stress and enriches our experiences. It inspired me to try music’s “magic” during my own busy moments. (Ms. Kitayama Yen)
Addressing the perennial question of how to handle stress as a student, this essay offers a novel solution through the power of music. An inspirational contribution which teaches us we have the power to control our anxiety through sound, rhythm, and lyrics which resonate with us. (Dr. Laffin)
I really liked how you described your stress management as “magic” that can change the pace of your time. Many people can relate to your feelings, and you expressed them beautifully. The structure of your essay is solid, making it easy to follow your ideas. I would love to try your approach to dealing with stress using the magic of time! (Ms.Yamamoto)
Comment from the winner:
Thank you to all the organizers of the Sakubun Contest for this opportunity. As I was writing my essay, I realized how important it is to make time to detach ourselves from the busyness of our daily lives. As I noted in my essay, I play the piano to relax and slow down time. I want to say thank you to my teacher, my friends, and my senpai for helping me with the editing process. They truly helped improve my Japanese throughout the term, and I saw great improvements in my grammar and flow in writing compared to a year ago. Moving forward, I strive to become more fluent in writing Japanese.
Junior Category Second Place: “覚えられない記憶” by Diego Oriak Rodriguez
Comments from the judges:
This cleverly crafted short story takes readers on a dreamy journey through fragments of memories. Its fast-pace and thought-provoking nature offer an engaging challenge. From the “memories” arranged in the initial darkness to the surprising twist at the end, the narrative keeps readers hooked and invites thoughtful reflection on the passage of time. The story skillfully blends mystery and excitement, allowing the reader a thoroughly entertaining experience. (Ms. Kitayama Yen)
I am impressed by your idea of being able to touch your memories and feel the coldness of sad ones in your dreams. I also loved the beautiful imagery of shining memories. While your poetic expressions occasionally made it challenging to picture the exact image, they still beautifully conveyed the emotions and atmosphere of your dream-like imagery. (Ms.Yamamoto)
Read Diego Oriak Rodriguez’s work
Junior Category Third Place: “新しい家族の時間” by Daniela Rodriguez
Comments from the judges:
A captivating tale of a cat and its early life and extended family. The story lures us with curiosity about what will happen next, with a fittingly sunny conclusion. The attention to detail was what made this narrative shine. (Dr. Laffin)
It is enjoyable to read a story from a cat’s point of view. I found the character adorable, and it made me feel happy when they finally found help. However, some grammatical errors and issues with flow occasionally made the story a bit difficult to follow. I also wish I had a clearer idea of what happened to them, especially at the end. (Ms.Yamamoto)
Senior Category First Place: “列車” by Luning Kang
Luning Kang (on the right) and Ms. Kitayama Yen (on the left)
Comments from the judges:
This story uses the metaphor of a train to express the theme of time, skillfully and calmly exploring life and the relationships with people encountered along the way. The vivid descriptions make it feel as though the reader is watching a film, allowing them to follow the author’s journey aboard the “time” train. (Ms. Kitayama Yen)
All aboard the train of life! This story takes us on a reflective journey, wending its way through time together with fellow passengers. When it stops short and we see our limit is up, the tale offers a final reward. (Dr. Laffin)
Your story, filled with the metaphor of a train, reminds me of Miyazawa Kenji’s Night of the Galactic Railroad, and you beautifully delivered your own unique tale. The part where the protagonist’s parents leave the train was especially touching. I also loved the overall mysterious atmosphere of the story, and your plot, which reveals the mystery in the end, is truly impressive. (Ms. Yamamoto)
Comments from the winner:
The writing contest provided a really good opportunity to practice my Japanese. Through this experience, I reviewed many grammar points and vocabulary I had learned before while also gaining some new knowledge. The theme this time also made me reflect on some profound topics. In the long journey of life, we are fortunate to have boarded the “same train,” so let us cherish the time and those around us. Thank you again for this opportunity!
Senior Category Second Place: “残された母の手紙” by Kelly Choi
Comments from the judges:
In the form of a letter from a mother who lost her daughter at a young age, the author reflects on the passage of time—or its stagnation—during moments of pain, hardship, and unimaginable tragedy. Although the content is deeply sorrowful, the letter ends with a sense of hope. (Ms. Kitayama Yen)
A rumination on loss, longing, coping, and the hopes and dreams of a mother reflecting on her child. The structure of a letter enables a freer and more pensive approach to the weighty themes which underly this short story, including the afterlife and those who remain in this realm. (Dr. Laffin)
It is very touching to read a mother’s letter to her lost daughter. The detailed descriptions of mother’s actions create a well-thought-out story about their relationship and beautifully convey her emotions. While some grammatical errors caused slight confusion about the point of view at the beginning, the story is understandable overall. (Ms.Yamamoto)
Senior Category Third Place: “ 私にとって一番大切な時間” by Monica Feng
Comments from the judges:
Scrolling through entertainment at the end of the day brings the pleasure of reward yet also the danger of the endless scroll. The allure of manga and TV series is especially captivating when we need an escape from busy lives. As this essay shows, all things in moderation! (Dr. Laffin)
I can completely relate to your daily habits and share your feeling of slight guilt about them. That’s why I really appreciated your effort to view your habits in a more positive light. The progression of your writing is smooth and easy to follow. I also liked how you incorporated the proverb that has recently gained attention in Japan. (Ms. Yamamoto)
Thanks to many motivated students and their creative work, the Japanese writing contest was a great success. We would like to thank all the students who participated! The Japanese Language Program would like to thank Kitayama-sensei, Laffin-sensei, and Yamamoto-sensei for serving as judges for this contest.
We hope you all continue to enjoy studying Japanese and we look forward to seeing your entries in the next contest!
