For my CIP I chose to attend 象啓書道教室 (Shoukei Shodo School) to learn calligraphy. Through my calligraphy courses, I learned the basics of shodō, how to write simple and more complex kanji, and finished the course creating two pieces on a canvas completed with my signature in katakana, and a red seal. While the early classes were very slow and awkward, I grew more comfortable with my ability to write and talk with others, and coming to the end of my classes is a bittersweet moment. I was happy to have finished the course with two pieces to take back with me, 竹 – a gift for my Aunt Take, and 幸 – happiness which I will keep for myself. If any incoming students are interested in learning Calligraphy, I would recommend it. However, if you are looking to talk with students close in age, or want to make quick progress, I would suggest a different CIP as this is not a fast paced learning experience, and the majority of students are much older. Overall I enjoyed my time at Shoukei Shodo School, and I may return for another class if I return to Kyoto.
「Private or Group Lesson (Non-Sports)」カテゴリーアーカイブ
Faith Li: Ikebana at Kadou Enshu
My CIP activity is Ikebana–the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kadō.
I’m taking lessons at Kado Enshu, a school which has locations in Marutamachi (group lessons), and Kitaoji (private lessons). A typical Ikebana lesson for me lasts around 1.5 hours, and consists of arranging my flowers (almost always in upright , moribana style), with some suggestions from Sensei throughout the process, and then with some final tweaking from Sensei.
Here, I want to share the pros and cons of taking Ikebana lessons, as well as some advice:
Firstly, Ikebana is definitely one of the pricier CIP choices! I paid 30,000 yen (around $200 USD circa 2024) for 8 lessons per month. On top of this, I also paid a 2500 yen annual membership fee, and maybe around 30 USD for a kenzan and flower scissors. KCJS is able to cover a portion of these fees, but there will still be a sizeable portion (well over $100 USD) left to pay. I believe that these prices are on the cheaper side as well!
Next, is the fact that you’re not going to get a lot of Japanese practice in–you’ll be silently arranging your flowers for the bulk of the session, and this is very much a solitary activity. This is especially true for me , since my Sensei speaks fluent English, so he often just spoke to me in English. If language immersion is a priority for you, I’d recommend something like volunteering with children.
Finally, like any traditional Japanese craft, Ikebana requires a lot of patience, and I ended up progressing slower than I expected. So, don’t expect to progress too rapidly, since it’s an art that’s meant to be perfected over one’s lifetime. Make sure that you’re sufficiently interested in Ikebana to be willing to do the same style of arrangements for pretty much 2 months straight!
If you’d like to pursue Ikebana, I highly suggest purchasing at least your own kenzan and scissors. As for the Ikebana vase, the actual Ikebana vases are quite expensive (hundreds! shudder), so I just use this random bowl that can fit a kenzan and some water. This way, once you bring your flowers home, rather then sticking them in some random vase, you can re-arrange them yourself at home. Kadou Enshu provides me with kenzan, flower bowls, and flowers while I’m practicing during class, but the only piece of my arrangement that I’m allowed to keep and bring home with me are the actual flowers.
Ultimately, I’m glad that I chose to pursue Ikebana, because it’s something that I wouldn’t have the chance to study in America (at least not without an exorbitant fee), and I would consider this a more transferable skill as far as traditional activites go (unlike something heavily ritualistic and intangible like Sado ), since I can certainly continue to make floral arrangements in the future as well. Also, it’s just a super Zen activity with a beautiful philosophy and history behind it!
Maxwell Maveus: Ikebana at Kadou-enshu
I practiced ikebana (生け花), the art of traditional Japanese flower arrangement, at the Kadou-enshu school under the headmaster Ken Ichiju Ashida. I primarily created works under the moribana style, learning how to prune and shape plant materials, ikebana’s components (shin, hikae, gyo, do, and tome), and some of ikebana’s philosophical bases.
I had been interested in ikebana before coming to KCJS, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to train under an ikebana master in Kyoto—let alone in private lessons in his home. My typical lesson consisted of 1.5 hours (that always sped by) of learning what each flower/plant he had for the day was, considering where everything should go, and placing the materials in the kenzan. The most invaluable component was the advice the headmaster gave me at the end of each session—he would carefully sit in front of my arrangement, make subtle changes while describing why he did them, and transform my amateur work into something beautiful.
I advise all incoming students doing private lessons to acknowledge how kind most instructors are. I was scared to accidentally offend my headmaster by speaking up when I wanted to do something different than his arrangement chart he made for each lesson, but the whole time he encouraged me to do as I aesthetically saw fit! You will have so much more fun and grow closer with your CIP instructor if you aren’t afraid to be your (polite) self.
Nikolas Martin: Weaving
I did my CIP with Kawasaki-sensei, a renowned fiber artist in Kyoto, where he taught us how to weave in his studio. From scarves to mats, Kawasaki-sensei and his wife Yuri-sensei, taught us everything from the basics to more advanced techniques for weaving.
I spent ~5 hours a week with them learning how to weave and it was defintiely one of my highlights of being in Japan. Kawasaki-sensei and Yuri-sensei are probably two of the nicest people I have ever met; always showering us with compliments and spoiling us with snacks every time we went (they were indeed delicious!).
For anyone interested in weaving, textile, or fashion-related, DO THIS CIP!!! It taught me so much related to my field of interest while also being in a very supportive and comfortable environment. However, I do recommend anyone going into this CIP to do a little research into weaving related vocabulary in Japanese, as it makes those first few times easier and makes communication with the senseis smoother if they can understand what you are referring to or asking about. As I said, please do this CIP! And if you do, tell my senseis I said hi!
Bella Besuud: Koto
For my CIP, I took koto lessons with Iwasaki Sensei. Since I’ve played the piano, violin and have had brief stints with some other instruments, I wanted to learn another instrument. I’m always looking for the opportunity to learn how to play more instruments because I love music! It’s been rewarding and interesting to learn how to play the koto. It’s unlike any instrument I’ve played before, including the way the score is written
Larissa Barth: 茶道 (tea ceremony)
Through my CIP, I had the wonderful opportunity to learn the art of 茶道 (tea ceremony) from Fujimura-sensei, who taught us not only the complex movements of the ceremony but also the spiritual and cultural background behind them, such as wabi-sabi, Shinto and Zen, Shu-Ha-Ri, and yin/yang. Through the ritualistic sequence of the tea ceremony, we learn to let go of our thoughts and pay attention to our senses, and ultimately to approach daily life with a similar attitude of care and mindfulness.
In addition to our regular practice at the beautiful 茶室, Fujimura-sensei was also so kind to take us on various cultural excursions, such as a plum blossom night light-up at Kitano Tenman-gu, seeing the sunrise at Ise Jingu, morning and night meditations, and attending an お茶会 at Heian Jingu while wearing kimono.
Through this CIP, I gained a much deeper understanding of Japanese life and culture and made so many wonderful memories. I am very grateful that I have been able to learn from Fujimura-sensei and really don’t think I could’ve chosen a better CIP! I would recommend it to anyone, particularly if you are interested in traditional arts and philosophy. The only consideration is that because there’s a lot of difficult vocab, it’ll be helpful if you’re fairly proficient in Japanese, especially listening-wise.
Max Luband: Shakuhachi
For my CIP, I took Shakuhachi lessons at a Shakuhachi players house. I met once a week for two hours, learned a few basic songs and performed at the Otsu traditional performing arts center with my sensei as the culminating event.
The shakuhachi is a difficult instrument and you will most likely need to practice at least a little bit out of lessons. However many of the things that makes the shakuhachi difficult are what make a unique and interesting instrument. For example, the position of your head or how much you are covering a hole will change the pitch of a note, which both allows you to go between pitches seamlessly and demands a greater level of precision on your part to play specific pitches.
My biggest worry going into this was that pursuing an instrument in one-on-one setting means I won’t get to learn and experience Japanese culture as I would interacting with a larger group of people via volunteering, but that wasn’t the case. I learned a lot not just about Japanese music concepts , but also about Japanese ways of teaching and learning. The relationship between me and my sensei was much more personal and extended out of lessons in a way that was different from any music tutors I had learned before. I was very much blown away by his kindness
picture Sensei took of me when we visited a temple
Adela Schwartz: Weaving
For CIP I took weaving lessons with 河崎先生 and ゆり様. I learned to weave on the loom, develop my ideas into physical form, dye threads, etc. – creating 6 projects this semester (3 scarfs, two mats, and a wall piece). Having this time with 河崎先生 and ゆり様 has left me with much more than a new skill set – I have gained confidence in unfamiliar territory and have grown in my ability to enjoy the present. When I look back on this time and at the pieces I made I will be thinking of the laughs shared and enjoyment in problem solving that I experienced with 河崎先生 and ゆり様.
My advice around the CIP experience is to be as present as possible – it is easy to fall into routine and feel academic (or other) pressures but I think the CIP is a designated time where your personal growth and wants from study abroad can be centered. Also, I would not be afraid of the “boundaries” or “differences” (ex. Language barrier) you may perceive as hindrances to your ability to connect with those around you – showing up and choosing to be excited about what you are doing is enough to build meaningful relationships with your CIP hosts.
Matthew McCormack: Calligraphy
My CIP consisted of going to a calligraphy (書道) studio every week to practice calligraphy. I learned many new kanji and honed my writing abilities. I even had to use my non-dominant right hand! This was a wonderful experience that I will never forget. The sensei Fukunaga Shoukei was a great support to me and constantly encouraged me the whole time.
My advice to future students who have interest in calligraphy would be to forgive yourself if the kanji is not coming out right. Calligraphy is a learning process, and with every stroke you are becoming better!
Rebecca Lee: Sadou (Tea Ceremony)
This semester, I attended tea ceremony lessons at Kyoto Wabichakai with Fujimura sensei. Each week, we learned and practiced the steps to tea ceremony, and learned about the many philosophical and religious aspects of tea that are embedded in Japanese culture and thinking.
Chashitsu during the early morning
I highly recommend this CIP to those who are seeking an authentic experience in Japanese culture. Throughout the lessons, Fujimura sensei would teach us about very thought provoking questions like the aesthetics of tea, the way movements, pacing, and demeanor can affect the atmosphere of a tea gathering, the way yin and yang, Zen and Shintoism interplay in the tradition of tea, and much more. Fujimura sensei was also very keen on providing us students with as many opportunities to be immersed in Japanese culture and brought us on memorable trips around Kyoto and Japan including plum blossom viewing at Kitano Tenmangu, sunrise and omairi at Ise Jingu, and an ohanami and ochakai at Heian Jingu in kimonos.
Learning about chadougu during an ochakai at Heian Jingu
I think that going to every practice with an open mind and having the willingness to learn is the key to making the most out of a CIP like this. Because the duration of your CIP (and also your stay in KCJS) will be much shorter than you will anticipate, it will be impossible to master tea during that short time. Rather than perfecting the movements and steps, I found it most meaningful to experience the mindfulness and meditative state that tea evokes and internalize it into something that is very personal to myself.
Practicing sadou