Past Events 2008
<December> Don't miss it! 'KIZUNA's Rice Cake Making Party!
| Date/Time | December 16th, (Tue), 2008 From: 11:30 am |
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| Meeting Place |
Student Lounge 'KIZUNA' Terrace |
- <January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2008
- <February> Hand-made Ehomaki (Maki-ushi) cooking class
- <March> Exchanging opinions about Japan -Discussion at KI-ZU-NA-
- <April> 'Hanami' Potluck Picnic
- <May> Let's cook Kansai specialty 'Takoyaki'
- <June> Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper
- <July> Let's experience 'Ikebana' –Japanese Flower arrangement-
- <July> 'Nihonbuyo' Japanese Traditional Dance at 'KIZUNA'
- <August> Summer Exchange BBQ Party!
- <September> Let's experience 'Ikebana' -Japanese Flower arrangement class No.2-
- <October> Daimonji Mountain Hiking
- <November> Leaf vieweing and Pottery Class
- <December> Don't miss it! 'KIZUNA's Rice Cake making Party!
- Rice-Cake Making Party, an event that Student Lounge ‘KI-ZU-NA’ has been organizing annually since 2003, was held at ‘’KI-ZU-NA’’ terrace. This year, we had a great weather. Pounding the rice to make mochi is a lot harder than expected, but the participants worked hard and made a delicious mochi. While trying mochi in different forms, including ozo-ni (mochi in a vegetable soup), or adding sweet beans paste, the participants also enjoyed chatting with each other. The participants had a great time taking part in a traditional Japanese winter event.
<November> Leaf viewing and Pottery Class
| Date/Time | November 22nd (Sat), 2008 From: 10:30 am |
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| Meeting Place | Kyoto Subway Line Kitayama Station Exit No.1 |
<October> Daimonji Mountain Hiking
| Date/Time | October 25th (Sat), 2008 From: 10:00 pm |
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| Meeting Place | Infront of Student Lounge 'KIZUNA' |
The first “KI-ZU-NA” event of this semester was “Daimonji Mountain 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 harder than it was expected, all participants were fascinated by the view from the top of the mountain. After going down the mountain, a small picnic was held at ‘Shinnyodo temple’. All the participants had a great time with their new friends on this perfect autumn day.
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“KI-ZU-NA” November event was ‘’Leaf viewing and Pottery class’. We went to a pottery school at Kitayama area, north of Kyoto city, and had a wonderful experience to make anything we want by ourselves. Most of the participants did not have experience in pottery, however everyone’s handiwork was amazing. The participants are really looking forward their handiworks that will be available in few weeks. After the pottery class, we visited ‘Kyoto Botanical Garden’. We had lunch together, and enjoyed the beautiful red-colored leaves of the autumn.
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<September> Let's experience 'Ikeban' -Japanese Flower arrangement class No.2-
| Date/Time | September 9th (Tue), 2008 From: 2:00 pm |
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| Place | Takeda Memorial Hall (International Multipurpose Hall) |
As KIZUNA’s September monthly event, the Second ‘Ikebana’ (Japanese Flower Arrangement) class was held on September 9th. Also this time, Mr. Jishu Inoue from Sagagoryu School was our instructor. First, Mr. Jishu Inoue gave us a brief explanation of the flower that was used this time. The flower used was ‘kiku’ or ‘Chrysanthemum’. After the explanation, the participants started to work with their flower arrangement and they seemed to be really involved in it. Although ‘kiku’ is a difficult flower to arrange even for professionals, the participants did a great job with their works. After all participants were done with their works, Mr. Jishu Inoue gave comments and suggestions on the arrangement of each participant. This event was a very good chance to learn more about Japanese traditional culture and to interact with other participants.
<August> Summer Exchange BBQ Party!
| Date/Time | August 27th (Wed), 2008 From: 5:30 pm |
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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 on summer. This year we were blessed with good weather. A lot of students, professors, and staffs from Kyoto University joined the BBQ party. Everyone looked very satisfied with a lot of delicious foods. All the participants enjoyed spending a cool early evening having BBQ and interacting with each other.
<July> 'Nihonbuyo' Japanese Traditional Dance at 'KIZUNA'
| Date/Time | July 26th (Sat), 2008 From: 2:00 pm |
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| Place | Takeda Memorial Hall (International Multipurpose Hall) |
As ‘KIZUNA’s July’s event, we had Japanese Traditional Dance lessons at ‘KIZUNA’. At the beginning of the event, Ms. Hisa Bando, who was our teacher this day, and her pupils performed four pieces, and all participants were fascinated with their performance. After that, all participants practiced two pieces, which were ‘Gionkouta’ and ‘Kurodabushi’. All the participants were doing their best to learn both dances. Although it was the first time to learn Japanese traditional dance for most of the participants, they danced very good. This event was a very good chance to learn Japanese Traditional Dance.
<July> Let's experience 'Ikebana' –Japanese Flower arrangement-
| Date/Time | July 16th (Wed), 2008 From: 4:30 pm |
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| Place | Takeda Memorial Hall (International Multipurpose Hall) |
As KIZUNA's July Special event, we had an 'Ikebana' (Japanese Flower Arrangement) class. Mr.Inoue from Sagagoryu School was our instructor and gave us an explanation of the basic things of 'Ikebana'. After the explanation, the participants started to work with their flower arrangement and they seemed to be really involved in it. For most of the students, this day was their first time to practice 'Ikebana', but their works were really good.
After all participants were done with their works, they appreciate other participants' works. This event was a very good chance to learn more about Japanese traditional culture and to interact with other participants.
<June> Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper
| Date/Time | June 28th (Sat), 2008 From: 9:10 am |
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| Place | Ohara Sanzen-in Temple |
This June's KI-ZU-NA event was "Sanzen-in Temple, Shakyo, and making Japanese Paper." All the participants and the staff took the bus from Demachiyanagi station to Ohara bus stop. At Ohara the participants experienced making Japanese paper. Participants decorated 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) was held at the moment at the Sanzen-in Temple, and everyone was very impressed by the beautiful blooming hydrangea flowers. Finally, 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.
The weather was one matter of concern; however the rain started to fall after we all had enjoyed our trip. All the participants were able to enjoy one of the beautiful places in Kyoto and experience Japanese culture. It was a really fruitful day for them.
<May> Let's cook Kansai specialty 'TAKOYAKI'
| Date/Time | May 19 (Mon), 2008 From: 4:30pm |
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| Place | Student Lounge 'KIZUNA' Salon |
This May'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. Although most of the participants had never made takoyaki before, they 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.
<April> 'Hanami' Potluck Picknic
| Date/Time | April 12 (Sat), 2008 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. The fine weather added to the success of the event. 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 about to start their Kyoto University academic lives, it was the best place to meet new friends
<March> Exchanging opinions about Japan -Discussion at KI-ZU-NA-
| Date/Time | March 26 (Wed), 2008 From: 4:00 p.m. |
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| Place | Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" Reading room |
As KI-ZU-NA's March event we had a discussion day. The topics were 'Women and Men in Japan' and 'what I like about Japan, what I don't like'. Although this was our first attempt to have a discussion day as KI-ZU-NA's event, all participants had a lively exchange of opinions in a very relaxed atmosphere. It was a good opportunity to know international students' opinions about Japan and also Japanese students' opinions.
** Languages used were English and Japanese. We had translation support.
<February> Hand-made Ehomaki (Maki-Sushi) cooking class!
| Date/Time | February 25 (Mon.), 2008 From: 4:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" Salon |
We held 'Ehomaki' (Maki-Suhi) cooking class as KI-ZU-NA's February event. 'Ehomaki (Maki-Sushi) is eaten on 'Setsubun', the bean throwing ceremony that takes place every February in Japan. Although this was the first time to make 'Maki-sushi' for many participants, everybody enjoyed making 'Futo-maki'(Fat at rolls) and 'Hoso--maki'(Thin rolls). After the 'Maki-Sushi' was ready, all the participants enjoyed chatting over the colorful and delicious hand-made 'Maki-Sushi'.
<January> The First Calligraphy of the Year 2008
| Date/Time | January 23 (Wed.), 2008 From: 4:30 p.m. ~ |
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| Place | Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" Reading Room |
"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 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, but 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.
** Participants' works were exhibited in "KI-ZU-NA" Salon till February 6, 2008 (Wed.)
