Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FOR Rinako Shirai, stepping into the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo is far more than starting a new job; it marks the beginning of a personal journey, a mission to connect her homeland of Japan with the rich and vibrant artistic spirit of Zimbabwe.
Shirai, one of five newly arrived Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs), has embarked on a two-year volunteer tenure at the gallery. Her mission is clear: to serve as a cultural and artistic bridge between two nations, sharing knowledge, learning, and fostering mutual understanding.
“It has been my long-time dream to engage with African arts and culture. Many people in Japan don’t know much about Zimbabwe, let alone African culture. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to act as a conduit between Japan and Zimbabwe,” Shirai said.
“I’ll do my best to contribute to the cultural and artistic scene here while learning from the people and communities I meet.”
A key goal on her wish list is teaching locals the Japanese language, an initiative she hopes will deepen cross-cultural exchange and build lasting friendships.
Locally, Shirai is fondly nicknamed “MaSiziba”, a playful nod to her surname, which locals associate with a whale. Her background is as diverse as it is impressive. Born and raised in Takarazuka, a city near Osaka in western Japan, she later worked in Tokyo before relocating to Zimbabwe.
Her studies in international relations and theatre arts, combined with practical experience at the Japan Foundation – the cultural arm of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – have given her hands-on experience in art exhibitions and cultural exchange programmes. This unique blend of expertise makes her a perfect fit for her role as a Museology Volunteer, facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
NGZ Bulawayo manager Silenkosi Moyo welcomed Shirai’s arrival, highlighting its strategic importance to the gallery.
“A Museology Volunteer like Rinako Shirai helps us in knowledge exchange and cultural sharing, enhancing the gallery’s operations. Her work will cover curatorial practices, education, and conservation, pillars critical to any modern gallery,” Moyo said.
She views Shirai’s expertise as vital to preserving Zimbabwean art while creating global conversations around its significance.
Beyond her professional contributions, Shirai is immersing herself in Zimbabwean life with enthusiasm. Despite a new environment, she praises Bulawayo residents for their warmth, which has eased any cultural adjustment. Shirai is actively embracing local customs, from eating with her hands to practicing IsiNdebele, a language she is quickly picking up.
While here, she hopes to attend a traditional Zimbabwean wedding, witness a variety of performance arts, and document these experiences for Japanese audiences.
“I also look forward to exploring local culture deeply – mbira music, traditional dance, and maybe perfecting my IsiNdebele!” she said, laughing.
“I’m enjoying eating isitshwala with my bare hands, very different from using chopsticks!”
Shirai is part of a larger cohort of JOCVs deployed to Zimbabwe, all of whom underwent orientation and intensive language training in Harare before heading to their assignments. This group includes Mei Joichi, a music teacher at Midlands State University; Shunsuke Iguchi, a football coach at MSU; Kotono Mizutani, a youth activity officer at YASD; and Haruka Ina, a business administration officer at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
JICA expressed hopes that the volunteers “will enjoy living and working alongside local communities, strengthening the bonds between Japan and Zimbabwe.”
In Shirai’s own words, this experience is “a dream realised, a journey of learning, giving, and connecting, one piece of art at a time.” – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
