Eight students who are studying Japanese language at Northern Arizona University (NAU) led by Ms. Mary Adachi, professor at NAU, visited Abiko city in early June. NAU students’ visit to Abiko was the second time following last year. June 4, 2016、AIRA held a welcome party and secured families for their home-stay experiences.
Date and Time: Saturday, June 4, 2016 12:00 p.m. ~ 2:30 p.m.
Venue: Meeting Room, Main Building, Chuo Gakuin University
Participants: 8 students and 2 supervisors from Northern Arizona University, 17 students from Chuo Gakuin University and Kawamura Gakuen Woman’s University, 2 staff members from Abiko City Office, 7 people from host families, and 20 AIRA staff members
In the morning, prior to the welcome party organized by AIRA, eight students from NAU, nine from Chuo Gakuin Universiy, and two from Kawamura Gakuen Woman’s University got together in the meeting room and mingled with each other through self-introduction and gesture game, Charades.
The welcome party was emceed in both English and Japanese by Ms. Kurata, an AIRA member. Mr. Hideaki Sato, President of Chuo Gakuin University and AIRA President, made a welcome speech. He introduced the Route 6, which runs through Abiko City explaining that it’s been an important route since Edo Period, referring to the “Route 66”, which goes through Arizona State and has been playing an important role in the development of the American West. He expressed his hope that the students would learn Japanese culture during their stay in Japan.
In the party the NAU students met their host families and talked with each other over a light meal. In the beginning the children of one host family appeared to be nervous among foreigners but gradually got relaxed and introduced themselves. It seems to be a precious experience for children to join an international exchange.
There was also a surprise “omotenashi” for the NAU students by the Japanese students. They were presented “uchiwa”, round paper fans, with a hand-written Japanese word on each of them.
The NAU students introduced “cat’s cradle”, a game played with a looped string over fingers. It looked like Japanese “ayatori.”
After that all the people enjoyed “rope magic game” and “bamboo dance.” In the “rope magic game” two people sat facing each other, tied and crossed a rope around their wrists, and let it go. The rope didn’t go off even if players tried to do at random. All the people were amazed when the trick was finally disclosed. They tried again and were excited to succeed in the magic.
“Bamboo dance” was performed by stepping in and out of two bamboos that were moved rhythmically by two handlers. First it seemed difficult for them to step to the rhythm, but as they practiced some students learned to dance very well. Ms. Mary Adachi also danced beautifully.
After this the NAU students are scheduled to experience a variety of Japanese cultures such as calligraphy, playing the koto, etc. in Abiko, visit Hiroshima and Kansai area including Kyoto, and to come back to Abiko at the end of June to experience Japanese life at respective staying homes.
(No.16-9 Translated by Ch. Yamaguchi)
