「Wellesley College」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Katie Saibara: Taiko

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One of the reasons I chose to come to KCJS was the CIP program and the opportunity to further immerse myself into Japanese society that it offers. As a member of my home institution’s taiko drumming club, I knew that I wanted to pursue taiko as my CIP. This semester, along with two other KCJS students, I have been participating in the Kitanotenmangu Taiko Association. Though previous taiko experience is not a prerequisite, it is definitely very valuable; for those who do not have previous experience, I would not recommend this CIP.

Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts and lack of practice time, I have not been able to integrate as fully as I would like into the taiko association.  Because the practices are few and far between (there have been only two this semester), there is little opportunity not only to learn taiko but also to get to know the other members. Unlike with many student groups, there are no nomikai at which to bond and speak casually. Most of my interaction with the taiko association members has been limited to simple instructions (often given in English) and small talk (for instance, “the momiji is very pretty, isn’t it?”). There is also unfortunately little time before or after practices and performances in which to converse.

The practices are also regimented in such a way as to not provide much time for conversation. The members will roll in individually and after setting up the drums together the leader will typically give a few announcements. Practice usually consists of running through each song in the repertoire once or twice after which everyone (men, women, and children) will assist in putting away the drums. After that, everyone will gather in a circle for more announcements and information regarding upcoming performances. One time, in order to share that he had received a coveted promotion, one of the taiko association members used extremely humble, keigo speech. This was surprising to me as before I had thought of the taiko association as an informal group in which most of the members had known each other for a long time. After this episode, however, I began to realize that when discussing plans and logistical information in regards to taiko, the members always used polite (albeit not as polite as keigo) speech. Whether this is simply a cultural custom or to show their respect for taiko and their activities, I cannot be sure.  When eating dinner together after performances the members will use casual speech when speaking amongst themselves and to us.

But despite the lack of regular contact and difficulty in learning all of their pieces without practicing, the Taiko association has proved to be a welcoming group. As a collegiate player in the U.S., my previous exposure to taiko had led me to view it as a serious musical and performing art led by professionals who have honed their skills over decades of intensive study and practice. The Kitanotenmangu taiko group is quite different. Though they do take on professional gigs, taiko is not the full time profession of any of its members. Yet, in practice, performances, and simply in eating dinner together, their love of taiko and happiness at being able to do what they enjoy is clearly evident despite the language barrier and skill disparity. Before I leave Kyoto, I hope to be able to participate in a performance and be able to bring back what I’ve learned about the taiko community to my college taiko club.

Katsumi Morales: 弓道

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I have been interested in archery from childhood, but until college, I never had the chance to experience it. However, once having experienced archery as a competitive sport, I realized that wasn’t even close to what I really wanted. I was never interested in sports, in competition or prizes. Although a lot of the motions and key points in 弓道 are parallel to those in the archery I practiced in the United States, being here, in this environment and practicing something fundamentally different, leaves me with a much more satisfied feeling after every hour I spend at the dojo, compared to the 2 hour practices I had back at my home institution which often simply gave me something more to feel stressed about. When I was a competitive archer, hitting the center of the target was the most important aspect, and everything that was done to improve your form was solely for that reason. Counting up points for scores and then comparing yourself to others always left me feeling like I was in the wrong place.
In 弓道 importance lies more in focusing and centering yourself. We are still learning and so most of our time is simply physical practice, but the feeling of the dojo itself and the environment created by the people there makes all the difference. The other day Jasmine and I had the privilege of watching our sensei and a few of our senpai shoot, and the formality and gracefulness of it simply reminded me of why I wanted to do this in the first place. Simple things like properly greeting our sensei make all the difference to me. The ambient in the dojo isn’t extremely formal, and I often hear my sensei chatting with some of her older students in a quite informal way. However when it comes to 弓道 itself, there is a formality which gives it weight, which separates it from any kind of sport. I watch others shoot in awe and respect because their every move seems perfectly calculated and the end result is quite beautiful. I have always felt the need to learn that kind of self-discipline, and so I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity not only to learn 弓道 but to learn it while being in Japan.

スコーブル・エミリー：太鼓会

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今学期のCIPのために北野天満宮の太鼓会に参加しています。和太鼓はとても面白くて、私はウェズリー大学の太鼓会のメンバーだから、太鼓の経験が少しあります。ウェズリー大学に比べて、北野天満宮の太鼓会は演奏がたくさんあるけど、練習は少ないから、ちょっと難しいと思います。

初めての練習は面白くて、楽しい経験でした。他のKCJSの学生と行って、自己紹介をしたり、太鼓を動かすのを手伝ったり、子供と話したり、太鼓をたたいたりしました。太鼓会には、子供もお年寄りもいます。皆さんは元気で太鼓をたたいて、楽しんでいます。

初めての練習は結婚式のための練習だから、よく見ましたけど、少しだけ太鼓をたたいてみたかったです。太鼓会に入る時に、たくさん曲の紙をもらいました。ウェズリーの太鼓会では曲の紙をあまり使わなくて、リズムを聞いてリピートします。その方法で曲を習います。しかし、曲の紙があるから、太鼓会の先生は「次の演奏、たたけますね」とおっしゃいましたけど、私は太鼓で練習しなければなりません。次の演奏、がんばります。

北野天満宮では一ヶ月ごとに祭りがあって、太鼓会は祭りで演奏します。毎月25日には安くて、古い物を買ったり、美味しい食べ物を食べたり、太鼓を見たりできます。みなさん、ぜひ来てくださいね。

西原ケイティ：和太鼓

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私は自分の大学で太鼓のクラブに入っているので日本にいる間もCIPとして太鼓をたたくことにしました。同志社に近い北野天満宮という素敵な神社で練習しています。太鼓会は全部二十人ぐらいで、子供からお年寄りまでいます。とても上手な人も太鼓をした経験がほとんどない人もいます。ですから、それぞれレベルが違いますが共通点は太鼓が心の底から好きだということです。太鼓の練習はたいてい土曜日の午後で三時間ぐらいだ。太鼓会のメンバーが着いてから、一緒に太鼓を並べます。それから、リーダーはお知らせを伝えて、皆さんは一斉に「よろしくお願いします！」と言って練習を始めます。

私以外にもKCJSの学生の三人が北野天満宮の太鼓会に入っています。私たちはまだ演奏には参加していないが、太鼓会の演奏を応援するためにいつも見に行っています。今年の十月は特に忙しくて演奏が多かったから練習の日がなくなってしまいましたが、演奏を聞くことで少しずつ太鼓の曲を習うことが出来ると思います。秋学期の終わりまでに、演奏に参加できるように一生懸命がんばりたいと思います。

モラレス・克己：弓道

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私は、長い間弓道をしたいと思っていて、日本に来たら、弓道のレッスンを受けたり、弓道の部に入ったり、絶対するだろうと信じていました。実は、大学に入った時に洋弓を始めました。ウェルズリー大学の洋弓部はよく大会に出て、運動部らしいです。楽しかったけど、私は運動より、武道のようなものに興味があったから、運動部の競争心があんまり好きじゃなかったです。弓道は運動ではなくて、武道だから体も精神のためにやりたいです。もっと有意義だと思います。

KCJSに着いて、色々な面白いCIPの機会があったけど、やっぱり弓道をしたいと思っていました。他のクラスメートと一緒に先生に連絡して、レッスンを始めました。武道センターと言う所でレッスンを受けています。初めは見るだけでしたけど、二週目から弓で練習し始めました。今は、まだ本当の的を使わないで、似ている別の的を使っています。一週間に二回行って、一つのレッスンで何回も矢を射ます。時々、私の先輩が教えて下さいます。今まだ本当の的を使っていないけど、その前に、練習しなくてはいけませんから、大丈夫だと思います。すごく楽しくて、面白いです。やっぱり弓道を選んだことは間違いではありませんでした

Carter Rice: Kamigyo History House

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As a volunteer at Kyoto’s Kamigyo History House, I was able to gain more insights into Japanese culture and language. I was lucky to work with many volunteers who have lived in Kyoto for most of their lives. Through my interaction with them, I was able to learn more about Kyoto’s history, such as the original city plan and four guardians.

It was a wonderful opportunity to practice Japanese in a more formal setting. Prior to this experience, I had never interacted with customers in Japanese. I had to learn new phrases and practice giving a tour of the history house; at times it was challenging, however, my fellow volunteers were always encouraging. Occasionally, customers would ask me questions either about my personal background or American culture, which I found frustrating, as I was there to share in Kyoto’s history. Yet in interacting with these customers, I was able to learn more polite expressions that I may not have used otherwise.

I am thrilled that a historical treasure like Kamigyo History House has been preserved, and I’m especially glad that I could help in the efforts to share it with the general public.

カーター・ライス：上京歴史探訪館のボランティア

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　私はカーター・ライスと申します。ウェルズリー大学の三年生です。専門は東アジア研究です。日本の歴史に興味がありますので、京都で勉強しています。茶道は面白いと思います。高校生の時に、私はお茶クラブの部長でした。クラブで友達と一緒に、お茶によって、いろいろな国の文化を習いました。それいらい、茶道に興味があります。

　CIPのために、上京歴史探訪館でボランティアの仕事をしています。上京歴史探訪館は京都の町家です。町家というのは、京都の古い木ぞうかおくの建物です。町家はめずらしいけど、町家は最近保存されています。京都の中で上京は町家が一番多い所です。上京歴史探訪館は百年毎に立てられました。

　毎週末、上京歴史探訪館で講義とか特別なイベントがあります。私はイベントの日、町家の台所でボランティアをします。イベントの後で、私はお客様にお茶とわがしを出してあげます。日本の歴史はおもしろいと思ったから、上京歴史探訪館のボランティアの仕事が好きです。お茶に興味があるから仕事は楽しいと思います。