Past Program Highlights

Japanese Language Class

Students were divided into three classes based on their language proficiency levels to learn practical Japanese. They learned essential Japanese for travel and daily life, such as how to describe themselves and their surroundings.

Field Studies

Shō-unji Temple, Shibuya: Students experienced Zen meditation (zazen) and the tea ceremony (sadō) under the guidance of experts. They also attended the workshop on dry garden (karesansui).

At the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, students viewed authentic woodblock prints of Ukiyo-e from the museum’s collection, and attended a lecture on the history and evolution of Ukiyo-e prints. They also visited a special exhibition on contemporary prints, where they learned how to appreciate modern artworks.

Workshops

Students participated in other cultural activities.

Japanese Calligraphy (Shodō)

Japanese Swordsmanship (Kendō)

Star Festival (Tanabata)

Drawing Manga

Japan Studies

In the lecture “What is Dō(道),” students explored the origins, evolution, and definition of Dō in comparison with similar concepts in East Asia. In another lecture, “Tradition Meets Innovation: Incorporating Dō Culture into Today’s Corporations,” they learned about the application of Dō principles in modern society, including its strengths and weaknesses.

Final Presentation

Students created and presented a four-frame manga about ‘Dō,’ incorporating what they learned both inside and outside of classes, under the guidance of an award-winning graphic novelist from Tokyo.

Video

2023 Summer Program is here.

2024 Winter Program is here.