Brian Ramon-Miron: Koto Lessons

投稿日時: 2025-12-11 投稿者: Ramon-MironBrian

This semester I took one-on-one koto lessons under Kurahashi Sensei. For the duration of nine weeks, I took classes once a week with Kurahashi Sensei and learned different techniques and ways to play the koto, while also learning how to play various song with these different methods.

Each class would build upon the skills that I have already had or have learned in the class prior, and would continue to advance in playing more difficult song. I would definitely recommend taking koto classes, the one-on-one focus definitely helped me to understand new vocabulary, techniques, and have any questions answered while playing.

A word of advice I can give is that it is ok to make mistakes while playing! Different techniques require different ways to play the koto, be prepared to pull strings in different directions and methods to create classical yet stunningly sounding notes in traditional songs!

Sam Kirkconnell: Kyudo at the Kyoto City Budo Center

投稿日時: 2025-12-11 投稿者: Kirkconnell Sam

Kyudo is a Japanese martial art of longbow archery, which incorporates rhythmic movement with fluid marksmanship, achieving the spiritual state of inner peace and the mindful act of shooting its target. In Kyudo, there are eight essential steps you perform before you shoot the target, and there is a heavy emphasis in taking time in learning each step as masterfully as you can before you can even pick up a bow. A lot of patience is required in order to not only achieve a well-rehearsed performance but to also see the merit and enjoyment of Kyudo. As stated before, a large part in practicing Kyudo is being able to observe the instructions the Kyudo sensei is able to give and being able to apply the correct techniques in order to have a smooth performance with a zen mindset.

Mina Chioldi: Volunteering at Mitsuba Kindergarten

投稿日時: 2025-12-11 投稿者: ChioldiMina

For my CIP activity I got to volunteer and play with kids at a local daycare near Doshisha University. It mostly consisted of crafts, drawing, and games, and the faculty and kids were very welcoming even though I was a foreigner with a low level of Japanese.

This CIP was not a big time commitment and did not give me a lot of responsibilities, so I would recommend it if you generally like kids. They were very well behaved and cute, so I found it stress relieving to go each week and not focus on my schoolwork. I think that you would get more out of it if you had a higher level of Japanese, but it’s possible either way.

Abem Fetene: Intensity Basketball Circle

投稿日時: 2025-12-07 投稿者: FeteneAbem

This semester, I had the opportunity to play basketball at the Kyotanabe campus with Doshisha’s basketball circle intensity. This club had practice about 3 times a week, during which the entire duration is provided for playing full court or shooting around.

The circle is really welcoming, with the members always inviting to play with them, regardless of the games; however, at times, it is good to try and be more vocal and set up a game yourself. I was able to join this CIP with a fellow KCJS member, Umi (pictured), which allowed for much smoother interactions, especially when talking after practices.

My advice to incoming KCJS students is never be afraid to try new things or meet new people, especially when language barriers can be a bit daunting. This experience taught me a lot not only about Japanese culture but also about Basketball culture around the world, which was really interesting to see firsthand!

Gaby Jacobs-Alarcon: Weaving

投稿日時: 2025-04-22 投稿者: KCJS36

For my CIP, I did weaving with Kawasaki Haruo and Kawasaki Yuri, a couple who have been weaving for most of their lives. I learned how to use a loom to make textiles out of wool and silk.

I think my CIP was one of the most rewarding things from my time at KCJS. I was able to be creative and get help from very skilled weavers while also having nice conversation with my teachers and other students during tea time.

I would recommend anyone to choose this CIP as absolutely no experience is required. You can tailor the experience to fit your needs. If you are more advanced, you can learn how to set up the loom and ask about certain techniques. Kawasaki-sensei has many books of his teachers work and books he was published in with other artists works as well.

I made a silk scarf and 3 tapestries, but I could have made more if I started with a more simple project at first.

If you choose this CIP, I would recommend you think about how much time you have in the semester. There is the ability to go 2 times a week for up to 6 hours each class. When I first did this, I got too tired and had to scale back. Do not be afraid to say no because you are not required to do this. But if you are really interested in weaving this is a great opportunity to go all in. Note that there is a fee, but half of it should be covered by KCJS.

August Kittleson: Fujinomori Taiko Preservation Society

投稿日時: 2025-04-22 投稿者: KCJS36

For my CIP, I learned how to perform Taiko drumming with Fujinomori Taiko Preservation Society! This large, multigenerational group met at Fujinomori Shrine twice a week to practice compositions they would practice in many festivals around Kyoto. I loved meeting all sorts of different people while connecting to my passion of drumming. For any incoming students stressed about the prospect of a CIP, it will feel very stressful the first couple weeks. But, after that, things will mellow out and you’ll meet some incredibly friendly, non-judgmental, and playful people ever–that’s when you’ll make so many wonderful memories. But don’t give up!

Dake LaSala: Weaving

投稿日時: 2025-04-20 投稿者: KCJS36

This semester I got the chance to learn to weave under 河崎先生. After learning to weave, I spent many hours a week working on projects. I had a lot of artistic freedom, so it would be great for people who want to create something in their own vision while receiving assistance! I had so much fun. I would recommend that those doing this CIP be explicit with the amount of time they are willing to invest from the beginning. Many weeks I was at weaving for 12 hours. I was okay with that, but it could be hard if you weren’t meaning to be doing your CIP for that much time. I will say you do have to invest a significant amount of time if you actually want to finish projects.

Annika Crawford: 茶道 Tea Ceremony

投稿日時: 2025-04-19 投稿者: KCJS36

For my CIP, I learned tea ceremony with the wonderful Fujimura sensei. Every week, we met at a quaint tea house in Takagamine, a mountainside town, accessible from the nearest bus stop by a 25 minute walk over a creek and through a bamboo forest, which always helped quiet my mind and get me in the mood.

During my practice, I learned how to serve tea, but more than that, the culture of hospitality and reverence to the present moment that belies the tradition. While this might sound intimidating, Fujimura sensei, with her patient warmth and bubbly talkativeness, never made it feel that way. Like a true tea master, she always made me feel at home; serving me delicious homemade Wagashi, and taking care to take me on special trips based on my interests, such as cherry blossom viewing in kimono, and visits to Raku ceramics museums.

If you are curious about Kyoto’s traditional culture and beliefs, or just want to meet an amazing and fascinating woman, I can’t recommend this CIP enough. If you are concerned your Japanese level will hold you back, I can confirm I took this CIP with the lowest level of Japanese, and while it was super difficult at times, Fujimura sensei and I built a beautiful relationship and discovered new ways to communicate. Not only do I hope to continuing serving tea to others when I return to America, but I carry with me a deeper understanding of how to tap into peace, confidence, and selflessness wherever I am, that equips me well for the future.

Ayub Nur: Shamisen

投稿日時: 2024-12-02 投稿者: KCJS36

This fall, my CIP was learning the shamisen. The Shamisen is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument: it’s almost built like a banjo and you’ll quite often see it in the hands of a Geisha.

I was lucky enough to learn under Iwasaki Chieko-sensei and Iwasaki Yumi-sensei, who are both in the attached video. Though I just as much have to thank the many others at the company who taught me too. By the time I was ready to perform, it felt much more like I joined a family than just a music group.

My greatest piece of advice that I can offer is, if you’re interested in playing traditional Japanese music, do so with Iwasaki-sensei and tell everyone I said hi. Jokes aside, the learning curve of always speaking a new language is harsh and I’m grateful that I could lean on playing music all throughout the semester. More than just that, I’m glad that I had a final performance that I was building up towards to make sure that I came to practice whether I was feeling able or not. Coming in every week is what truly made my Japanese and music better. The genuine best advice I can offer is, studying abroad is draining so have a project that you can feel your progress in to keep your spirits high.

Naomi Lam: (Classical) Guitar Club