BESTSELLING Australian author and Asian expert, Simon Higgins visited Murwillumbah High School students late last term, captivating the teens with his amazing demonstration.
Groups of students listened with great interest as Mr Higgins shared his stories about Japanese culture and gave a demonstration of the ancient martial art “Iaido”.
Students were mesmerised as he demonstrated how to use his custom-made katana (Samurai sword) which he describes as a “three and a half foot razor blade”.
Simon Higgins is an ex-police officer and private investigator turned children’s and young adult author who shares his love and passion of martial arts and Japanese culture through his dynamic, live presentations. Simon has spent many years studying the art of the Samurai and during his presentations he uses authentic Samurai equipment and clothing.
As author of such titles as the recent “Tomodachi”, and the bestselling Thunderfish trilogy, Simon Higgins gave inspiration for students to get creative with their literary aspirations. Descriptions of how interesting aspects of the world’s history, in particularly the Samurai era in Japan’s history, have inspired him to create his novels helped students to gain an understanding o0f the literary process.
Murwillumbah High School Japanese teacher, Nyrelle Paton described the day as invaluable with students expressing a huge desire to discover more about Japan and its intriguing culture.
