「Circle (Sports)」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Chelsea Hayashi: Doshisha Tennis Circle + Kyodai Tennis Club

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My biggest motivation and goal in studying abroad in Japan this semester was not only improving my Japanese, but also meeting and befriending Japanese students. I wanted to actually be a part of the Japanese world that someone my age in Japan experiences—not just one of a foreigner! As silly as it sounds, one thing I wanted to accomplish by the end of this semester was learn to text in Japanese. Yes, I could learn hundreds of kanji and grammar in class, but something as mundane as texting to meet up with a friend is something I could only learn by doing. It was these little, daily-life things that I wanted to gain from my CIP experience.

So, with all of this in mind, I chose to participate in a tennis circle at Doshisha as well as practice with the Kyodai tennis team. I’m on the varsity team at my home university, so this was not only a perfect way to continue playing a sport I love but also (hopefully) a way to stay in shape for when I return for my season.

I’ve learned a lot through my experiences, especially about the formalities and the ways of communication. Through the Japanese classes I have taken, I’d known about the importance and common use of keigo, but this was my first time utilizing it with people my age. Within Japanese colleges there is a strict and prevalent senpai/kohai relationship. In other words, “respect your elders” even if your “elders” are only one year ahead of you in college. Although in my experiences I was rarely treated as either a senpai or a kohai (I was just the abroad student who spoke enough Japanese but wasn’t Japanese), I still learned more about the appropriate levels of speech formality through my CIP than I ever had in a classroom. In getting in contact with various tennis circles, I had to send countless emails jam-packed with keigo, and I was surprised to receive emails back that had the same high formality—in America I feel like it’s bizarre to continue conversation with a peer in the same formal manner that you’d be talking to a professor. The Japanese peers I was with often called each other by last name (another distinct cultural distinction), although everyone still called me Chelsea-san. My Japanese peers were also more shy and reserved than I was used to, the high level of politeness off-putting to me at first, but I soon realized that this isn’t because they didn’t like me. Rather, Japanese interactions just start off a lot more formal and become more casual as they develop and strengthen. When a peer stops using keigo with you, that’s when you know they’ve accepted you as a friend.

I’m happy to say that through my CIP I’ve made friends, and I can now text in Japanese. However small of an accomplishment this may sound as, I feel good about it, and I’m grateful that my CIP was able to provide more learning than possible in any classroom.

 

Christian De La Paz: Parkour

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What have I learned while practicing parkour with the Kansai team? Well there have been some observations that, although obvious to me know, were rather eye opening at the beginning. The first few practices that I attended were all in Osaka so the team members that were around were all originally from there, with an exception of a couple of the more experienced members but we’ll get to that later. I got along great with these members, even though I was a foreigner they welcomed me with open arms and were soon friends as if I were any other Japanese person. Fast forward a couple of weeks and we have our first practice in Kyoto (yes!). The change of place also came with a change of members. The Kyoto members made their appearance at this practice. Interesting thing was that it took me longer to become as close as I had gotten with the Osaka members with the Kyoto ones. It took a lot longer to feel part of the group, to be teased and not just be that foreigner that everybody was polite to because his “Japanese is so good!”. This proved to me that the myth that Osaka people are a lot friendlier than Kyoto people was actually true.

But although there might be varying degrees of friendliness, all Japanese people seem to have something in common, at least in terms of language, which is politeness levels. I had been told by professors that you needed to change the way you speak depending on who you’re talking to, but seeing it in real life is impressive. When teaching they would use ます and です, but the moment they were just talking to you all semblance of politeness would fade away and start calling you おまえ, i.e. go completely down in the politeness scale. As a learner of Japanese I know that this is what I should strive for, but this takes years of practice so even though I’m getting there and am getting used to changing back and forth it’s still one of the greater challenges of this language.

This can only be experienced and not learned. Rather than a classroom, to become proficient and a functional member of society you need to go outside get your hands dirty and fall down a couple of times, just like I have while doing parkour.

John Lyons: Miconos Swimming Circle

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　　After another semester participating in the Miconos Swimming Circle at Kyoto University, I feel I have come away from the experience with a new understanding of Japanese college life that one cannot learn from class, and a group of friends that I sincerely hope I can keep in contact with. The members of Miconos were all incredibly nice, and accepting of me from the first time I entered the pool.

　　However that does not mean that my transition from an American Water Polo club to a Japanese Swimming circle was flawless. There were several steps along the way were I felt distanced from the other members of the circle, but at this point I feel that is not the case at all. For example, the lack of swimming that occurs at this swimming circle initially was an alienating aspect of the circle as my club at my home college is especially strict on ensuring all members participate at hundred percent. Yet, I eventually found myself adapting to the conditions of the circle, and even valuing engaging other members in conversation over swimming. Another aspect was reconciling that the President of the circle was in the same year as me. While in America, seniors usually occupy the roles as leaders within the club. But, the president’s kind nature, and friendliness helped me overcome this cultural difference. Although he is no longer the president, before the transition occurred, I had already resolved my discomfort with this difference and even started to no longer refer to him as 会長, but by his circle nickname, 岩ちゃん.

　　While I feel I have mostly adapted to some aspects of Miconos that are certainly quite different than what I am used to, the end of one term and start of another brought forth various other difference from the college situation in America. As the end of the term drew near, I noticed that many of the upperclassman would forsake swimming for the entire practice period, but instead congratulations cards for the members of the circle who were graduating. Considering that I had been practicing with the club for five months at that point, but had yet to see any of these seniors participate in the practices, I did find this practice a bit strange. Furthermore, the graduating seniors had apparently created a similar card, but for the restaurant Tsumura which has housed the after practice meals of Miconos for at least five years. The reason I know this is because within the restaurant, the walls are littered with these cards from the Miconos members in previous years. This and the circle itself arbitrarily deciding that the ending of the 2014-2015 year and beginning of the 2015-2016 at the start of April, a week before the University`s actual new year begins are two aspects of this transitional period that differ quite a bit from my experiences in America.

　　Through my short time with Miconos, I have found that joining a circle that you have a profound interest in can really help you overcome the initial awkwardness distancing a foreigner with Japanese students. By taking advantage of these common points, and actively engaging the circle members one can easily find their place within the circle. There may be times were you feel like an outsider, or like you’re being ignored, don`t be shy and try to engage members in one on one settings rather in a larger group. You will find that in most cases the members want to converse with and be friends with you, just as much as you want to converse and be friends with them.

Chang Liu: Table Tennis Circle

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During the spring semester of KCJS 2015, I joined the table tennis circle of Doshisha University. It proved to be a great experience as I had the opportunity to improve my table tennis skills, interact with Japanese students and learn more about their life and culture.

I chose table tennis circle for my Community Involvement Project because I was always interested in table tennis and I didn’t have the opportunity to practice in the States. Since spring semester is a not a good time for KCJS students to join University circles (KCJS spring semester overlaps with the 2-month long spring break in universities in Japan), I didn’t expect to be able to join the table tennis circle at Doshisha. I initially contacted some table tennis clubs outside school but none of them worked with my schedule. Finally, a Japanese friend of mine told me that she heard that the Doshisha table tennis circle still held weekly trainings in February and March. I quickly contacted the circle and joined their training.

The skill level at the circle was professional. The circle held 3-4 training sessions a week, with each session lasting for 3 hours. The training was conducted in the form of rotational one-on-one matches. Around 80% of the members are male. Yet, it would be presumptuous to assume that girls are any weaker than guys—when they are wielding a racket playing against you across the table, you should expect nothing less from a female opponent. Girls in the table tennis circle do not subscribe to the gender stereotype, and the relationship among members in the circle can be best described as “camaraderie”.

People were very friendly in the circle. Some might be perceived as shy at first but once I talked to them, after a joke or two, they would soon treat me as a close friend. I happened to become a very good friend with the captain, as we both shared a passion for cycling and table tennis. He would conduct individual sessions with me to improve my skills. Aside from training, we would always talk about a good array of topics: his part-time job, hometown near Kyoto, favorite food… his girlfriends…and other stuff… of course. Other members would always label him as a “bad boy” (I guess it’s equivalent to the English word Playboy). True enough, he was often absent from trainings due to “various” reasons, which only further raises my respect for him, as he demonstrates a value that is outrageously worth emulating among “salarymen” in Japan nowadays—if you know what I mean. Nevertheless, I am sure he will be a good salaryman in the future given his outstanding leadership skills—particularly in planning nomikai (drinking parties), an important skill that is now apparently one of my biggest takeaways from my CIP.

 

Tyler Bartels: English Assistant, Soccer Circle

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Going into English teaching I had the mindset of learning about the education system, interaction with teachers and students, and preparing for potentially participating in the JET Program (Japan Exchange Teaching). What I soon discovered was I learned much more about Japanese social interaction by interacting with the 7th graders, whose class I was an assistant in. Every week I would go for almost 2 hours and assist in either 1 or 2 classes, allowing me to build a rapport with the students.

I ran into to two types of experiences with the kids. First, the shy kids were hesitant to even look me in the eye. Second, the outgoing kids had no boundaries when asking me questions. I was fascinated that these two extremes existed within the classroom. I had always assumed the Japanese school system was strict and disciplined, leading me to believe that the children I would encounter would fit that image. I found that the teachers and children actually joked around and in talking with the teacher discovered her genuine affinity for the classes. She would describe one class as the “bad boys,” another as having the “shy girls,” and in one case even joked at one girl being as loud as the boys. The point being, I was sorely mistaken on what the schooling system. That being said I was in a public school and can’t speak for the private school system. Regardless, I enjoyed my time with the kids and got a good laugh when they wanted to know if I had kissed my girlfriend before or not.

My second CIP was a Kyodai soccer circle. When I came to Japan the one thing I new for certain that I wanted to do, was play sports with the Japanese. I knew the language barrier would be an issue when trying to forge friendships with other Japanese students. Team sports offer another language with which to communicate, that is almost universal. Whether or not I was able to communicate well in Japanese, after each game we played there was a general atmosphere of closeness. What I found even more fascinating was attending a practice in which the freshmen were present. These freshmen had yet to even attend a day of school, but there ambition to meet new people, and openness to foreigners was shocking as well. Upon finishing practice the freshmen asked me to go to the hot baths after with them, we proceeded to all grab dinner after, and then walked part way home after the last bus had already gone. I can’t say this is the same for other circles, but the most outgoing and open people I have met in Japan have been in these sports circles, whether it be one of 3 soccer circles or 2 basketball circles I’m in.

クリスチャン・デラパス：パルクール

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KCJSのCIPのために私は「パルクール」を選んだ。どうしてパルクールを選んだのかというと簡単で面白そうだからである。パルクールをする人が映画によく現れるのでパルクールの人気がアメリカばかりでなく世界中で高くなってきていると言える。私は高校時代からパルクールに興味を持っているが京都に来るまで機会がなかったので「NaGaRe」というパルクールのチームを見つけるとすぐパルクールを選んだ。

「NaGaRe」というチームは関西のチームなので稽古する時に京都か大阪の公園でする。毎週末稽古があるがどこに集まるかは日によって違うので毎週「nagareparkour.jp」というサイトをチェックしなければならない。稽古は三時間かかり、毎回同じ順番である。

ストレッチ → パルクールの基礎トレーニング → パルクールを用いたゲーム → クールダウン→フリータイム

このようにすればけがをせずにパルクールの技を習い、パルクールのスキルを上げることができる。パルクールは経験がなければ本当に怖いことかもしれないが怖くても面白い役立つスキルと思うので今学期頑張ろうと思う。

ピーキー・ユーター：パルクール

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私はCIPとしてパルクールを始めました。パルクールは走ったり、飛んだり、登ったりという動きをして、自分を鍛えるスポーツです。先週の日曜日に小坂の鶴見緑地で活動している「ながれ」というパルクールグループに初めて行きました。初めての練習は鶴見緑地でしたが、他にも関西のいろいろなところでします。練習でヒロキ先輩とシュガーというリーダーからいろいろな動きをおしえてもらいました。例えば、ストライドという走り方とか壁を上ることなどです。二人はすごく上手なパルクール選手ですから足だけで壁をのぼったり、２０メートルをジャンプしたり、できます。学ぶことがたくさんあります。私が「ながれ」に入ったのは本当の自由を見つけたかったからです。これからがんばってしていくつもりです。

ジャック・ライオンズ：京大水泳サークル

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今学期も、京大水泳サークルMiconosに参加しています。毎週水曜日か土曜日に、西京極総合運動公園にある京都アクアリーナで二、三時間泳ぐことになっています。水泳後はたいてい部員と夕食をとるというアフターにも参加しています。

三時間泳ぐといっても実はみんなマイパースで泳いでいるので、泳ぐよりプールで話すことになってしまいます。しかし、この話す時間は忙しいKCJSの学生にとって、とても大切な交流時間なので、泳ぐより話す方が好きです。先学期知り合った人ともっと話したり、時間を過ごしたりできるので、もっと深い関係になれます。Miconosは３０人の部員がいるそうですが、普段活動に来る人は１０人ぐらいです。だから、この小さいグループの中で、個人的な会話ができて、仲がいい友達が出来ました。

チャン・リュウ：卓球サークル

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私のCIPは同志社大学の卓球サークルです。中学生の時に卓球をよく練習しましたが、高校と大学の6年間は全然練習しなかったです。卓球は日本で人気があるので、京都の卓球クラブを探しました。そして、同志社大学の卓球サークルが春休みも活動していることを知って、一月の第三週に見学に行きました。

卓球サークルの学生達はみな上手です。私は卓球をした経験がありますから、すぐ入会を許されました。会員数は40人ぐらいで、男子学生が多いです。練習は週三回あって、活動場所は今出川キャンパスと新町キャンパスと京田辺キャンパスの体育館で、とても素晴らしい施設です。卓球サークルに入ったら卓球のラケットと靴を買う必要があります。

卓球サークルの仲間は優しいし、色々なことを話します。練習の後で、一緒に晩御飯を食べに行きます。実は、昨夜飲み会の約束があって、私は初めて参加しました。居酒屋でみな楽しい気持ちで話をしました。飲みニケーションのおかげで、すぐ友達ができました。

 

 

タイラー・バーテルズ：上京中学校の英語のボランティア、サッカーのサークル、バスケのサークル

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僕は留学している間にいろいろな活動をしています。最初に、二月から上京学校で先生と一緒に中学生に英語を教えます。普通の行く日は火曜日か金曜日。着いたら、先生のオフィスに行って、そして、村松先生を待ちます。その後、教室に行ったら、先生のパソコンといろいろな教えるものを運んで差し上げます。それから、英語を教え始めます。

中学生達はちょっとしか英語を習っているから、僕の一番大切な仕事は学生のモチベーションを高くすることです。例えば、僕は学生が発音を練習している時、最初に発音を言って、それから、学生が僕と同じ発音をしたいから、一所懸命練習します。それに、ゲームをする時、モチベーションのために、僕がちょっと日本語で言うと、学生は僕が日本語で話すことを聞いて、「外国人が日本語を習えれば、私たちも英語が習える」と考えます。

教えることとは別に、休み時間に、友だちと遊んで、そして、昼ご飯の休みの間に、学生とサッカーをします。

僕は二つサークルにも入っています。同志社のバスケサークルと京大のサッカーサークルに入りました。バスケのサークルは週によって、練習の曜日と時間が代わります。チームを作って、８分のゲームをして、それから、チームが代わります。来る人の数に応じて、色々なゲームをしたり、チームのメンバーをかえたり、します。男性のゲームの間、女性は短いゲームをします。サークルの中に女性が十人くらいいます。

サッカーのサークルは十時半から一時まで一週間に水曜日と土曜日にあつまります。ゲームの仕方はバスケのゲームのし方と似ています。けれども、女性が少しだけだから、一緒にサッカーをします。その後、一緒に昼ご飯を食べます。