Past Events 2009

• <January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2009
• <February> Hand-made 'Ehomaki (Maki-zushi)' cooking class
• <March> SPECIAL EVENT Field trip to Kyushu area
• <April> Hanami 'Potluck' Picnic
• <May>'KI-ZU-NA's bamboo shoot hunting
• <June>'KI-ZU-NA's 'kyogen' (Japanese traditional comedy) work shop!
• <July> Let's experience tea ceremony!
• <August> Sake cellar visiting & Inari Shrine tour
• <September> Let's cook Kansai's specialty -Takoyaki
• <October> Daimonji Mountain & Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking
• <November> Wood block print experience and leaf viewing at Kiyomizu-dera
• <December> 'KI-ZU-NA's Rice-Cake Making Party!

<December> 'KI-ZU-NA's Rice-Cake Making Party!

'KI-ZU-NA's December event was ''Rice-Cake Making Party.''This event has been organized annually since 2003. Many students, professors and faculty members joined the event. All participants enjoyed the event by pounding mochi and rounding it by themselves. All participants seemed to be satisfied with the fresh and fluffy mochi.

While trying mochi in different forms, including ozo-ni (mochi in a vegetable soup), or adding sweet beans paste and other toppings, the participants also enjoyed chatting with each other. The participants had a great time making friends and taking part in a traditional Japanese winter event.

<November> Wood block print experience and leaf viewing at Kiyomizu-dera

'KI-ZU-NA's November event was 'Wood block print experience and leaf viewing at Kiyomizu-dera' . At the wood block printing studio, all participants received an introduction of the printing process, which has been implemented from Edo period. After that, all participants had a chance to experience printing. Participants were surprised at firm pressure was necessary than expected. All looked very satisfied with their own work. After the printing experience, we left the studio for Kiyomizu-dera. All participants were struck by the view from the stage of the main building. This month event was a very good chance to know more about Japanese culture and cultivate cultural exchange with other participants.

<October> Daimonji Mountain & Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking

'KI-ZU-NA's October event was 'Daimonji Mountain & Ginkaku-ji Temple Hiking'. First, the participants wandered through the Philosopher's Walk near Kyoto University, and then 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 hard, all participants were enjoying and chatting with their new friends.　Reaching the top of the mountain, all participants where impressed by the view there. After going down the mountain, we visited 'Ginkaku-ji Temple'(Temple of the Silver Pavilion) and had the chance to learn about Japanese culture. All the participants enjoyed interacting with their new friends.

<September> Let's cook Kansai's specialty -Takoyaki

This September's 'KI-ZU-NA' event was "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. There were some participants that had tried Takoyaki in Japan or in their home countries, but never had cooked itbefore. At the beginning, some participants seemed not to be very confident in making Takoyaki, but after a while, everyone was surprisingly good!  For the filling, we prepared octopus, mochi, green onion, pickled ginger and cheese, so that they could enjoy a variety of tastes. All the participants enjoyed eating their delicious self-made Takoyaki and interacting with each other.

<August> Sake cellar visiting & Inarhi Shrine tour

 'KI-ZU-NA's August event was "Sake cellar visiting & Inari Shrine tour". First, we visited Fushimi Inari Shrine which is the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. The participants were impressed by the imposing structure of the countless Torii (Torii gates). After visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, we moved to Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. At the museum the participants had the chance to learn the traditional method of making sake of Fushimi area. Also, sake making tools were displayed and attracted the interest of all participants. Through this event, all participants were able to learn part of Japanese culture and, by interacting with other participants, were able to make new friends.

<July> Let's experience tea ceremony!

This July's 'KI-ZU-NA' event was "Let's experience Tea Ceremony!"The explanation from the instructor at the 'Chadoshiryokan' was very detailed but easy to understand, so that all participants could follow every step of the ceremony.All participants showed a deep interest to the tea ceremony, and many questions were asked during the lecture. Everyone very much enjoyed learning one part of Japanese traditional culture and drinking green tea.

<June> 'KI-ZU-NA's 'kyogen' (Japanese traditional comedy) work shop!

As June 'KI-ZU-NA's event we had 'KI-ZU-NA's 'kyogen' work shop. With the cooperation of Kyoto University Kyogen Society, a 'kyogen' (Japanese traditional comedy) work shop was held. Kyoto University Kyogen Society performed a very famous play called 'Busu' and also performed two dances called 'Nanatsu ni naru ko' and 'Keijo'. All participants were fascinated by the wonderful stage. After the performance, all participants had the chance to learn the basic posture andthe unique walking of 'kyogen', how to smile and how to cry.　The participants practice a scene of the performance 'Busu',as well. The practice seemed to be difficult for the participants, but all of them were enjoying the practice very much.  All participants enjoyed the event by experiencing Japanese culture and interacting with each other.

<May> 'KI-ZU-NA's bamboo shoot hunting

We had'KI-ZU-NA's bamboo shoot hunting as May'KI-ZU-NA's event. The weather was pleasant. All the participants headed for the bamboo grove in Fushimiinari. At the bamboo grove, the participants were divided into small groups. Even though most participants had never experienced digging bamboo shoots, they cooperate with each other to dig big bamboo shoots with shovels and spades. All participants enjoyed fresh and delicious bamboo shoots as 'Tempura' and had a great time interacting with each other and making new friends.

<April>  Hanami 'Potluck' Picnic

In April, we had'KI-ZU-NA' annual cherry blossom viewing Hanami 'Potluck' Picnic. The fine weather added to the success of the event. Under the beautiful cherry blossom trees along the Kamogawa riverside, participants enjoyed eating delicious food brought by them and had a great time expanding the circle of friends. For the participants, especially for the new arrivals who are about to start their Kyoto University academic life, this event was the best chance to meet new friends.

<March>  SPECIAL EVENT Field trip to Kyushu area

As'KI-ZU-NA's special event of March, Kyoto Univ. international students took a field trip to Kyushu Area (Beppu, Yufuin, and Hakata) during March 4 to 6, 2009. The main purpose of the trip was to have them interact with each another beyond the realm of their faculties/graduate schools and promote intercultural understanding by experiencing the Japanese culture. In total, 30 international students joined in. 
  On the first day of the trip, the students left Kyoto Univ. for Osaka Port by bus, then took an overnight journey by ferry to Kyushu (Oita, Beppu Port).  On the following morning, they first traveled to "yumonjibaru Observation Deck". Next was "The 'Hell' Tour" in which they could view a number of hot springs. In the afternoon, students strolled through Yufuin, visited and crossed over "Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi", the largest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. They stayed at a Japanese traditional inn in Housenji, took a hot spring bath to recover from the fatigue of travel, and had a good dinner time together.  The final day the students visited "Dazaifu Tenmangu", a famous shrine dedicated to the God of academic achievements, then moved to a 'Hakata doll' gallery to experience painting a 'Hakata doll'.
  Although the weather has been wet during the whole three days, students made new fri.nds and learned a great deal about the Japanese culture and traditional crafts through the trip.

<February>  Hand-made 'Ehomaki'(Maki-zushi) cooking class

 We held 'Ehomaki' (Maki-zushi) cooking class as'KI-ZU-NA's February event.
'Ehomaki' (Maki-zushi) is eaten on 'Setsubun', the bean throwing ceremony that takes place every February in Japan.
Although this was the first time to make 'Maki-zushi' for many participants, everybody enjoyed making 'Futo-maki'(Fat  rolls) and 'Hoso-maki'(Thin rolls) . After the 'Maki-zushi' was ready, all the participants enjoyed chatting over the colorful and delicious hand-made 'Maki-zushi'.

<January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2009

"The First Calligraphy of the new year 2009", an annual event since 2004 was held at the 'International Multipurpose Hall'. All the participants keenly listened to the instructor's explanation about calligraphy, and all were amazed by the instructor's marvelous forms and fine brushwork. The participants practiced until all sheets of paper were gone. Finally, they wrote their favorite words on a special paper. For many participants, this was their first experience in writing Japanese calligraphy, however their works were amazing. The instructor was impressed by the participants' calligraphy and commended all the participants repeatedly.  This was a great, unforgettable New Year experience for all the participants.
Participant's works are exhibited in'KI-ZU-NA' Salon till February 7th, 2009 (Sat)