- <January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2007
- <February> Japanese Traditional Martial Arts - Try Aikido!
- <March> Fushimi Clay Doll Painting & Sake Cellar Visiting Tour
- <April> Hanami 'Potluck' Picknic
- <May> Origami Class
- <June> Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper
- <July> Let's cook Kansai's specialty - Takoyaki!
- <August> Summer Exchange BBQ party!
- <September> Let's experience Tea Ceremony!
- <October> Daimonji Mountain & Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking
- <November> Let's try Karate!
- <December> Don't miss it! 'KI-ZU-NA's' Rice Cake Making Party!
<December> Don't miss it! 'KI-ZU-NA's' Rice Cake Making Party!
| Date/Time | December 13th (Thur.), 2007 From: 11:30 a.m. ~ |
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| Place | Terrace next to the Student Lounge 'KI-ZU-NA' |
Rice-Cake Making Party, an event that Student Lounge KI-ZU-NA has held annually since 2003, was held in ''KI-ZU-NA'' terrace. This year, the weather was cloudy but everybody had a lot of fun. Pounding the rice to make mochiis a lot harder than expected, but the participants worked hard and made a delicious mochi.While trying mochiin different forms, including ozo-ni (mochi in a vegetable soup), and amazake(sweet alcohol), the participants also enjoyed interacting with each other. The participants had a great time taking part in a traditional Japanese winter event.
<November> Let's try Karate!
| Date/Time | November 16th (Fri.), 2007 From: 2:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Gymnasium No.2 of the Kyoto University |
'Karate' is one of the most popular traditional martial arts in the world and it attracts many people. Therefore, we wanted to provide an opportunity to those who were interested to experience 'Karate'. The participants joined a practice session of the Kyoto University Karate Club and had the opportunity to learn some basics moves. Although the practice was hard exercise, the participants enjoyed themselves by learning this enticing martial art, watching the amazing 'Kata' (forms) demonstration and interacting with the members of the Karate club and with other participants.
<October> Daimonji Mountain & Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking
| Date/Time | October 20 (Sat.), 2007 From: 10:00 a.m. ~ |
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| Place | Philosopher's Walk, Daimonji Mountain, Ginkaku-ji Temple |
The first "KI-ZU-NA" event of this semester was "Daimonji Mountain and Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking". First we wandered through the Philosopher's Walk near Kyoto University, and then we climbed Daimonji Mountain. Daimonji Mountain is well known for "Gozan no Okuribi", one of the biggest traditional summer events in Japan. Although climbing up the mountain was harder than we expected, the view from the top of the mountain was magnificent. After we went down the mountain, we visited Ginkaku-ji Temple. All the participants had a great time with their new friends on this perfect autumn day.
<September> Let's experience Tea Ceremony!
| Date/Time | September 14 (Fri.), 2007 From: 1:45 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Urasenke Center Chadoshiryokan |
This September's KI-ZU-NA event was the "Let's experience Tea Ceremony!" The Instructors at the Urasenke Center explained very kindly how to make and serve Japanese tea in detail. Although most of the participants had never experienced Japanese tea ceremony before, they all looked very satisfied with their self-made tea. Everyone very much enjoyed drinking Japanese tea and experiencing Japanese traditional culture.
<August> Summer Exchange BBQ Party!
| Date/Time | August 23 (Thu.), 2007 From: 5:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Courtyard of the International Center |
This August's KI-ZU-NA event was the "Summer Exchange BBQ Party," which has become a KI-ZU-NA's annual event of the summer. In spite of the bad weather, many students, professors, and staffs from Kyoto University came to this BBQ party. And everyone looked very satisfied with prepared delicious foods. All the participants enjoyed spending a cool early evening having a BBQ and talking to each other.
<July> Let's cook Kansai's specialty - Takoyaki!
| Date/Time | July 13 (Fri.), 2007 From: 4:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" |
This July's KI-ZU-NA event was the "Let's cook Kansai's specialty-Takoyaki!" Takoyaki is one of the most popular Japanese dishes not only in the Kansai region, but also throughout Japan. Although most of the participants had never made takoyaki before, they each baked many takoyaki balls and everyone was surprisingly good. For the filling we prepared octopus, sausage, mochi, and cheese, so that they could enjoy a variety of tastes. All the participants enjoyed eating their delicious self-made takoyaki and talking to each other.
<June> Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper
| Date/Time | June 23 (Sat.), 2007 From: 9:10 a.m. ~ |
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| Place | Motoshiro, Sanzen-in Temple |
This June's KI-ZU-NA events were the "Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper." First of all, participants took a bus from Demachiyanagi station to Ohara, where they experienced making Japanese paper. We used a tool known as a "Sugeta" to comb a kind of mulch in order to make the Japanese paper. Participants could decorate their own Japanese paper as they liked, and they looked very satisfied with their completed pieces.
After that, we all went to Sanzen-in Temple. The "Ajisai-matsuri" (Hydrangea Festival) is being held at the moment at the Sanzen-in Temple, and everyone was very impressed by beautiful blooming hydrangea flowers. Then they experienced Shakyo. The aim was to copy 16 Kanji characters, "Shichibutsutsuukaige". Most participants were not used to writing characters using a brush. However, they tried to copy them slowly and carefully, so that they could dedicate their beautiful works to the temple after they finished copying.
In Ohara we had very nice weather and were able to enjoy some of the many places of beauty in Kyoto and experience Japanese culture. It was a fruitful day for them.
<May> Origami Class
| Date/Time | May 18 (Fri.), 2007 From: 4:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Lecture Room #2 (International Center) |
The event of May at KI-ZU-NA was "Origami Class". First, participants made samurai helmets and carp streamers for Children's Day on May 5. After that, many of them tried to make difficult pieces, such as frogs and flowers. They concentrated making them so much, so that they even seemed to have forgotten their time. It was a valuable experience for them eating foods and folding things with origami in an enjoyable mood.
<April> Hanami 'Potluck' Picknic
| Date/Time | April 7 (Sat.), 2007 From: 11:30 a.m. ~ |
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| Place | Kamogawa riverside |
In April, we had "KI-ZU-NA" annual cherry blossom viewing Hanami 'Potluck' Picnic. In spite of the gloomy weather, many participants came. Under the beautiful cherry blossom trees along the Kamogawa riverside, participants enjoyed eating delicious international food brought by them and had a great time expanding the circle of friends. For the participants, especially for the new arrivals who are to start their Kyoto University lives, it was the best place to meet new friends.
<March> Fushimi Clay Doll Painting & Sake Cellar Visiting Tour
| Date/Time | March 9 (Fri.), 2007 From: 10:00 a.m. ~ |
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| Place | Touzanan, Fushimi Taisha Shrine, Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum |
KI-ZU-NA's March event was "Fushimi Clay Doll Painting and Sake Cellar Tour." First, participants immersed themselves in the fascinating experience of Fushimi clay doll painting. The Fushimi clay doll is known as the oldest clay doll in Japan, and has a history of 400 years. The participants were all satisfied with their creations and kept their dolls as treasured souvenirs. After that, we all went to Fushimi Taisha Shrine. Participants were impressed by the imposing structures of countless Torii (shrine gates). Then we visited one of Japan's most famous sake cellars. Here, participants learned about Sake history and the process of making sake. They were fascinated by the explanation, which elicited question after question from the participants. Participants enjoyed the surrounding views of Fushimi's traditional sake-brewing district that has been designated as one of "Kyoto's top 100 scenic areas." The marvelous experience was aided by the warm sunny weather. Most of all, it was a relaxing and enjoyable day for participants who have known nothing but busy days!
<February> Japanese Traditional Martial Arts - Try Aikido!
| Date/Time | February 22 (Thurs.), 2007 From: 4:00 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Kyoto University Aikido Do-jo |
KI-ZU-NA's February event was "Try Aikido!" Participants joined the Aikido Club members' practice session. At first, when the participants entered the aikido do-jo, they all looked very interested in Aikido practice but at the same time, they looked very scared and nervous. However, Aikido Club members patiently, kindly, and most of all carefully taught the participants. So the participants were able to improve their aikido skills. The participants enjoyed watching the aikido performance and did their best to the point of forgetting February cold weather. The event turned out to be a great experience of bushido for the participants.
<January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2007
| Date/Time | January 23 (Tues.), 2007 From: 4:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" |
"The First Calligraphy of the Year Workshop", an annual event since 2004 was held at the "KI-ZU-NA" Reading Room in January. All the participants keenly listened to the instructor's explanation about calligraphy. They were all amazed by the instructor's marvelous forms and fine brushwork. The participants also did a great job by following the instructions carefully. The participants practiced until all sheets of paper were gone. Finally, they wrote their favorite words on a special paper. All the participants were satisfied by their own great works. The instructor too was impressed by the participants' calligraphy and commended all the participants repeatedly. This was a great, unforgettable New Year experience for all the participants.
* Participants' works were exhibited in "KI-ZU-NA" Salon till February 6, 2007 (Tues.)
