JAIST organizes Japanese Cultural Excursions for international students to deepen their understanding of Japanese and local culture, while also deepening their exchanges with Japanese students.

Excursion1: Making coasters from Cypress wood

Date: Monday, September 27, 2021 (13:00-16:00)
Place: J-BEANS (1F, Institute Hall, JAIST)
Participants: 6 international students, 5 Japanese students

The first Japanese Cultural Excursion of this year took place on September 27, 2021. This event is held to deepen foreign students' understanding of Japan and local culture and exchanges between students, including Japanese students. Every year, we visit facilities where you can experience traditional culture. But at this time, we held the event at Learning Commons “J-BEANS” in JAIST to ensure the prevention of new coronavirus infections. We invited Susan May, a specialist from the Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark, as an instructor. She taught each student the very complicated process of folding a material called "Hinna", which is a thin strip of cypress wood, in English and Japanese. All 11 students who participated in this event were able to successfully make a coaster. It was a meaningful time to experience the traditional handicraft "Hinoki cypress wood work" that has been handed down in the former Fukaze village of Hakusan city.

Excursion2: Making MIZUHIKI strap

Date:Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (13:30-15:30)
Place: J-BEANS (1F, Institute Hall, JAIST)
Participants: 5 international students, 1 Japanese students

The second Japanese Cultural Experience of this year took place on December 15, 2021. This event is held to deepen foreign students' understanding of Japan and local culture and exchanges between students including Japanese students. We held the “Making MIZUHIKI strap experience” on campus to the prevention of new corona-virus infections in this year.--MIZUHIKI is a decorative string that can be hung on a gift bag, or a wrapping paper for gifts.
We invited Ms.Inami (Representative of Mizuhiki art NAMIKA) and her assistant as an instructor of MIZUHIKI. Although the work was very detailed, the students were able to create very nice straps using their favorite MIZUHIKI, which they chose from over 200 colors！ It was a meaningful time to experience the traditional handicraft "MIZUHIKI" that know as traditional handcraft work in Kanazawa and Japan.
The Participants from Japan, China, Bangladesh, Thai and Vietnam deepened their exchange during the experiences, it turned into a great time for them to develop their understandings of Japanese and Kanazawa culture.

Excursion3: Overglaze Painting of Kutani Pottery

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022 (13:30-16:00)
Place: J-BEANS (1F, Institute Hall, JAIST)
Participants: 7 international students, 2 Japanese students

The third Japanese Cultural Experience of this year was taken place on February 10, 2022.
This event is held to deepen foreign students’ understanding of Japan and local culture and exchanges between students including Japanese students. We held the cultural experience of “Overglaze Painting of Kutani Pottery” on campus to the prevention of new corona-virus infections in this year.
We invite Mr. Michihiro Muramatsu (Kutani ware artist of CERABO KUTANI) as an instructor. He taught the students how to paint a pottery using five colors (red, yellow, ultramarine, green and purple) called “Kutani Gosai”. They chose the one plate from 10 designs and enjoyed painting freely. Also, they are looking forward to receiving their baked works because some of the color change when fired.
The participants from Japan, China, Indonesia, Thai and Bangladesh deepened their experiences, it turned into a great time for them to develop their understandings of Japanese and local culture.