For many foreigners particularly those beginners in Japan, shuji, calligraphy must be undoubtedly one of the attractive subjects to learn. AIRA has been lighting up a candle of calligraphy lesson as one of the cultural courses for foreigners for fairly long period. “Let’s try to write my favorite words in kanji” was today’s theme.　　 (17-15)

Date/time: 27th Oct,2017(Fri) 18:30~20:00
Venue : Abiko Civic Plaza No.1 conference room
Instructor : Prof. Etsuko Shimada
Participants: Students: 16 people, Staff 8 people (In charge of cultural course: Matsuki, Kaku, Aburano, Osaki, Japanese language Teachers: Komiyama, Tagoshi, Umeki, Nakamura) Grand Total 24 people

Students of the evening class for Japanese language course participated in the regular cultural course for foreigners and received a lesson of calligraphy experience today.
Ms. Matsuki, in charge of the class, explained the purpose saying that each Kanji has a beautiful meaning, and urged them to try to write names or words in each favorite Kanji and then she introduced Ms. Shimada who instructed the calligraphy writing.
First of all, students chose their favorite words while Ms. Shimada wrote their names in Kanji with couple of candidates so that they could select their favorite one. Secondly, Ms. Shimada wrote an example in calligraphy and students also wrote it referring to the example. It was the first experience for many students to hold the writing brush, fude, and they wrote with assistance of staffs. All children were quickly accustomed to and wrote many characters. It was announced that all Kanji characters written today would be attached to the next year’s calendar for use throughout the year.

(Translated by Katsumi Nakajima)