In our first Japanese culture experience program for 2014 summer school, 17 summer school students went on an excursion to Mino City with Professor Takahiro Kunisada, who is on the staff of Gifu University Office for Academic Globalization, and 9 international students from Japanese Language & Culture Studies course, on Thursday afternoon, June 12.
At Mino City Working Youth Center, members of the international exchange support group in Mino City, "Sepia kai", helped participating students wear yukata, a casual summer kimono. We also had great support from "Sepia kai" at the Gujo Odori workshop we had in May. All students were excited about their first yukata wearing.
Following yukata wearing, participating students split up into small groups and tried playing wadaiko (traditional Japanese drum) under the instruction of Mr. Katsutoshi Hattori, the Gifu Taiko Association authorized grand master, and members of "Mino Kokura Daiko", all pupils of Mr. Hattori. In the beginning, students looked awkward to play wadaiko for the first time, but after some practice, they started to show dynamic wadaiko play with impressive drumstick work. During the session, the drumbeat and their calls reverberated through the hall.
Summer school students will visit Toki City and try pottery making for the next trip.