にほんごアートコンテスト２００４表彰式で私が行った、審査方法や基準の口頭説明の原稿です。来年度の応募のご参考になれば幸いです。

審査をご担当してくださった、馬場雄二先生（東北芸術工科大学教授）、横山一成氏（在トロント日本国総領事館領事）、齋木宣隆氏（独立

行政法人国際交流基金トロント日本文化センター所長）、ジェームズ・へロン氏（トロント日系文化会館館長）のみなさまに、この場をお借りして

厚く御礼申し上げます。

Good afternoon parents, students and teachers,

 On behalf of the Nihongo Art Contest Organizing Committee, I would like to thank all the participants who submitted work this year. We were delighted to look at all your imaginative drawings, and if this activity helps you in your Japanese studies, then that makes all of us Japanese language teachers very, very happy.Before making an announcement for the awards, I would like to clarify our process and criteria for examining entries.

 The Organizing Committee invited the 4 distinguished people to Judge the Contest: The Consul from the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto, Mr. Kazunari Yokoyama, The Director of the Japan Foundation Toronto, Mr. Nobutaka Saiki, The Executive Director of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center, Mr. James Heron, and Professor Baba Yuji of Tohoku University of Art and Design in Japan.

We asked the Judges to use the following criteria:

First, the most important criteria is Creativity. We value entries that express originality and individuality. Second, we recognized practicability of entries, those that could be used as learning materials to develop Hiragana words and kanji Characters in the classroom. Third, we recognized advanced technical skills, both drawing and computer graphic skills. Finally, the harmonious balance between the expression and the contents.

 There are two categories based on characters, which are Hiragana and Kanji. Each category has also been divided by academic level: grade l to 3, grade 4 to 8, and grade 9 to 12. Each category has one Best in category winner and several honorable mentions. One grand prize and two run-up prizes are selected from all of entries.

All of entries showed their sincere effort. We respect and appreciate all of you. Not only the award winners will be awarded, but everyone will receive a participation award and be admired!

Now it the time to announce each award. Thank you very much!