「Circle (Sports)」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Theodore Chen: Sieg F.C.

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For my CIP, I joined Sieg FC, a soccer circle at Kyoto University. For clarification, soccer clubs work different in Japan, with the official university team being referred to as the “soccer club” (サッカー部) and unofficial ones (often several) being referred to as “soccer circles” (サッカーサークル). We met 1 – 3 times a week and I was able to play in a game against another circle from a different university in Kyoto. The level of play would be comparable to a Sunday league in the US, and that was about how serious everyone took it as well.

It was a bit difficult to find a club to join at first, but I was able to join Sieg because my conversation partner was already in it, and he essentially acted as a reference to get the schedule and start going to practices. I had been largely ignored/dodged when I tried to express interest in other soccer clubs, so I’d recommend going along a similar route I did in order to join one if you are interested. I think this is just due to the fact that the students aren’t sure if an exchange student would be able to fit in due to the language barrier, so with somebody who already knows you it is much easier.

I really enjoyed my time with the club, and although it was slow getting started and a bit awkward talking to everyone, over time I got to know a few people and it was really cool getting a glimpse into soccer culture in Japan as compared to the US. Regardless, soccer is still soccer no matter where you go, so it was a great avenue to get to know other Japanese students through that common ground.

Compared to other activities however, I think joining a club, especially a sports one, places the responsibility of interacting with people and making friends on you. Although it’s good I didn’t feel like I was treated differently, it meant I had to go out of my way to get to know people, which actually ended up being good Japanese practice.

Brandon Yoo: Sieg FC

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I joined Sieg FC, a student-run soccer club, at Kyoto University. The club runs 2~3 practices a week and occasionally plays against other student-run soccer clubs in Kyoto University. Everyone was very friendly and I was glad I had the opportunity to play soccer with them in Kyoto, where soccer fields aren’t as common as they are in America. I feel like it’s easy to forget to get your exercises in when you’re abroad, so this CIP was not only a good opportunity to get some exercise, but was also a nice site to interacting with local Japanese college students. 

You need to bring your own equipment (cleats, socks, drinks, etc.). However, experiencing teamwork, warm-ups, and setting up practice drills were all part of the learning experience and I’m thankful for the things I was able to learn as I made new friends, participated in activities, and helped set up practice.

The club is very chill and relaxed, but all the players try their best to improve and do their best in every drill/game. However, one advice I would give is that while the activity aspect may be straight forward, the social aspect – including making friends, asking questions, and keeping contact – will be your responsibility that will not be easy. Regardless, I’m confident that anyone could have a fun time if they are willing to get involved.

Emelyn Madrigal: Kyoto University Running Circle Anpan Independants

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I joined the Kyoto University Anpan Running Club where twice a week sessions were held along the Kamogawa river, with university students representing multiple universities in Kyoto. The set routes included 4km vs 8km, however you are free to run more or less.

This is a perfect opportunity for those who want to stay active while also immersing themselves in the Japanese culture and daily life. I personally loved that I was able to experience just a normal part of a Japanese student’s life.

I will say however that this activity requires a person to be extremely extroverted and proactive in forming relationships with the other Japanese members as they can be very shy towards foreigners, and it can be easy to simply run on your own along the route. No matter what CIP activity it is, remember that you are in charge of reaching out and keeping up with new relationships.

Raymond McCaskey – Kyoto Justice Baseball

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My CIP was joining a local baseball team in Kyoto and practicing with the team / getting acquainted with the players and coaches. I play baseball at my home university, so I thought exploring Japanese baseball and the culture surrounding it would be interesting and something I could bring back to the states.

I learned quite a bit and realized the culture of teamwork and equal loads in helping out during practice. Even in a not extremely competitive environment / league, the players all hustled and helped out in a number of ways from finding equipment, clean up, and even assisting in drills for other players.

My advice for incoming students would be to find a CIP that you can really connect with and be invested in. I think having a common passion for baseball and a relative sports culture connection really helped spark other connections with other people in my CIP, even if nationality and language were worlds apart. Having a genuine interest, knowledge, or curiosity in whatever CIP you select will help everything that follows be more smooth and less stressful in my opinion.

Noah Goldfischer: Katsura Running Club

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This semester, I joined my host father’s best friends community running club. This long distance informal running club meets twice a week to run from Katsura station to various iconic locations throughout Kyoto. I joined them once a week on Saturday or Sunday mornings.

A lot of the members of the group were training for a 100 kilometer race in early October, so I was really pushed to run further than I had ever before, even completing my first half-marathon. We went on runs to Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and various other iconic locations in Kyoto. Not only did I have the opportunity to push myself physically, but I also had the opportunity to push myself linguistically as I would be running for multiple hours engaging with and getting to know other members of the community. My favorite part was the fact that after our morning run, I would be so proud of myself for getting out of bed and immediately accomplishing two really difficult things: running over 15 kilometers and practicing Japanese with native speakers.

I would really recommend this CIP to people who are willing to push themselves to the max. As a casual runner who would run maybe twice a month before doing this, this definitely would push me physically and mentally. However, even if running is not your thing, I would recommend any KCJS student to do a CIP that takes them out of their comfort zone and pushes them to their limits. Running, just like the process of learning Japanese, is something that is painful and difficult, but it is the fact that it is a challenge that makes the process worthwhile and satisfying.

Cindy Bu: Kendo | 京都剣清会・妙覚寺道場・武徳殿・同志社剣道部体育会

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This semester, I went to different dojos to practice kendo, the sword martial arts in a number of dojos. I did not go to Doshisha Kendo Club to practice this semester yet due to schedule conflicts very sadly.

Different types of Dojos have very different vibes. 京都剣清会does not place much focus on waza training, and does fundamental basics (1h), kata (the form) (30min), and Jikeiko (1h) usually. The dojo there is very pretty (on Saturdays, I have not been to the Tuesday dojo). They will also have 飲み会 sometimes. 妙覚寺道場 is a dojo in the temple. They have practice for 1h/time, but 3times a week, spreading basics and jikeiko fairly evenly (I have not been to so many times, and you may refer to Emile’s post!).  Both social dojos have strong senseis. And 妙覚寺道場 is closer to Doshisha University. 武徳殿 is open to the public, and anyone can go to the night practice there (no need invitation as said on the website). I also did not go as much, but the focus on the basics will be much less, and it is primarily focusing on 地稽古. There would be a lot of high-ranking senseis from many different dojos. 同志社剣道部’s practice is less of instruction but has more freedom to practice the skills you wish. Normally, we do the warm-up, 素振り, 切り返し, and some fixed pattern training together, and we are left off to do 自由稽古, (and 地稽古 shortly in the end). It requires more dependence on oneself, and the training is definitely much more demanding.

I would say that the Spring semester is relatively hard for being able to practice in 同志社剣道部　Doshisha Kendo Club (solely) and the fall will be much more doable. Practice after the winter break for Doshisha starts in mid-February, while our spring semester begins in the head of January. In addition, most of the practices during the Japanese students’ spring break are in the morning on weekdays, which KCJS has Japanese classes every day in the morning. And some practices on the weekends will be canceled if there is a tournament, adding on that the 春合宿 that we would not be able to attend as we probably have class at that time (it was right after the spring break for this semester unfortunately, but if it happens right in that week, you are lucky!) . The practice in the Spring semester is in the evening, but their semester starts around April, where the program is about to get to the end. I think it might be fine if you talk to Doshisha Kendo Club only to practice on weekends, but I would also recommend adding some other practices outside Doshisha Kendo and talk to both sides!

P.S. These commentaries on dojos and the scheduling for Doshisha Kendo Club is fully based on my personal first-hand experience practicing in those dojos based on my personal situations. These feelings may be different for different people. Please only take it as ONE source of reference and ask more people about these dojos or ask for a trial training and go there yourself!

Cameron Molnar: Boxing

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For my CIP, I had the opportunity to at group boxing lessons at the フュチュールボクシングジム (Futur Boxing Gym). I got to learn a Japanese style of the sport while having the chance to meet many different kinds of Japanese people in a friendly setting. I appreciated my time at the boxing gym because I got to see more firsthand about how Japanese people interact and react with difficult challenges. Also, since myself and others in the lessons were experiencing the same physically challenging activities, we had something to bond over that made it easier to talk to them afterwards. My advice to incoming KCJS students would be to come in with a positive mindset. Sometimes you try to speak with someone and they are too busy or just not interested. But if you keep pushing and look for the right opportunities, you could find some great friendships that you would’ve never been possible otherwise.

Emile Carlo Convocar: Kendo

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For my CIP activity this semester, I attended weekly practices at 京都妙覚寺道場 to continue kendo while in Japan. I got to hone in on my basics by continuously sparring against very strong senpais and senseis, who were all eager to help me become a stronger kendoka. Through this experience, I’ve come to learn the importance of basics in kendo and in routinely refining and perfecting one’s form and techniques, no matter how far along they are into their kendo journey. My advice to incoming KCJS students, especially if you decide to do a martial art for your CIP, is to be willing to fail and be okay with not “getting it” immediately. Take it one step at a time and in every practice, focus on one aspect of your martial art that you want to improve upon. If you do that, I believe you will have a fulfilling CIP experience by the end of the semester.



Doshisha University Kendo-Club 同志社剣道部体育会

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Doshisha University Kendo-Club 同志社剣道部体育会 was founded over 100 years ago as the school club for kendo, a sword martial art. The students practice almost every day and have mock competitions with other universities regularly where selected members participate.

Doshisha University Kendo-Club provided me with valuable experience on my kendo journey. As one with practice length and strength incomparable to club students, the practice is definitely demanding and intense for me. I had many times of perplexity and inconfidence. However, while looking back, I still realize my growth throughout my journey, not only my Kendo level, but how I view myself in an unfamiliar foreign environment, how comparison and self-focus work together and balance, how I communicate with others especially with Japanese, etc. I still have many things to achieve in this experience, but I will never forget this for sure. (The members are ALL very kind and I am very grateful for their tolerance of my skills and communication!!)

If you want to join Doshisha University Kendo-Club, please contact them early (>1 month on the web page) and if they did not reply, try other methods such as Instagram. The practice is definitely demanding, especially for the men’s practice, so that one might feel overwhelming. However, it is definitely a great experience especially for one that are passionate for kendo!

Roxy Cumming: Kendo

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For my CIP this semester I did kendo three or four times a week at Kyoto University Kendo Club. Kendo isa Japanese sword-based martial art that I have been practicing for the past two years at Harvard, my home university. Kendo is generally practiced at a higher level in Japan, as many Japanese Kendoka have been doing kendo since they were young, while abroad most practitioners start as adults. Therefore, practicing in Japan has been very intense, I have learnt so many things and it has been a really amazing experience. I really feel like I have discovered a new side to kendo by practicing it in Japan.

My advice to students wanting to do a similar CIP in the future is to think carefully about how you’re going to interact with your club members. Everyone in the club will already know everyone else before you arrive, so you may feel a bit like an outsider in the beginning. Furthermore, sports like kendo aren’t very conducive to holding conversation in the middle of practice, meaning that it can sometimes feel almost impossible to get to know the other people in the club. It really isn’t impossible though, it just requires a bit more strategic planning, as opportunities to socialize won’t necessarily arise organically and you may need to make more of an active effort to make friends. But when you do get to know the other people, you will be able to have a great time in your club. I genuinely don’t think there’s any better experience than doing the things you love with friends.