Hi, I'm Caitlin!

I've been a student of the Japanese language since 2019; first at Cape Town Nihongo Kai under the tutelage of Keigo-sensei and then at Nihongo no Niwa from the school's inception. It's been years since I first saw that daunting hiragana chart in our beginner class but I'm still just as fascinated by Japan and its language as I was when I first started on this journey. My personal travels have taken me to some amazing places in Japan – like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa – and I can't wait to see even more of the beautiful country in the future.

My enthusiasm for Japanese culture goes beyond the language, though. I’ve immersed myself in various aspects of Japan’s rich traditions and arts, and even started my own Japanese boutique – Arashi House – where I specialise in traditional Japanese kimono, art, and unique collectibles like kokeshi dolls and netsuke. Sharing the beauty and craftsmanship of Japan with others through my boutique is one of my greatest joys.

In my spare time I love to draw and adore creating traditional Japanese crafts, such as temari (intricate decorative thread balls) and kimekomi (lovely fabric-covered ornaments). These crafts are deeply soothing and fulfilling to make. I’m thrilled to have even had the opportunity to teach a kimekomi workshop at Nihongo no Niwa, sharing my passion and skills with fellow students! It was such a blast seeing them create their own beautiful pieces. I also foster a deep love of linguistics through reading, poetry, and deepening my understanding of English, Afrikaans, Japanese, and Russian languages.

As I continue my studies and explore more of Japan, I feel so grateful to be a part of the Nihongo no Niwa community. I'm excited to keep learning, sharing, and growing alongside everyone here and look forward to our future adventures together! 🐋