As we approach the end of the year, Christmas-related events become common, even around NAIST. A Christmas concert consisting of vocals, clarinet, and piano was held by the so-called “Les petits concerts de la Keihanna Plaza” last December.
Continue reading Christmas Concert in Takayama Science PlazaCategory Archives: Event
International Students Tour: An Excursion in Tawaramoto Town
In a recent tour led by the Nara Prefecture International Exchange Salon, twelve international students joined other universities located in the Nara Prefecture. The tour is based in Tawaramoto (田原本町), a town blessed with great history and rich natural environment, including Karako-Kagi archaeological site (唐古・鍵 総合サイト) and Momotaro’s birthplace (桃太郎生誕の地).
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Takayama Science Festival x NAIST Open Campus 2019
The Takayama Science Festival together with the NAIST Open Campus is an annual event held around the campus grounds to promote science and technology for the citizens of Takayama Town. I got the chance to explore the bustling campus grounds one sunny autumn Sunday.
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#GW2019
Golden Week 2019 is Japan’s longest public holiday in recent memory. What are the hardest-working graduate students from Takayama Science Town to do? Let’s find out!
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A Trip Back to Ancient Japan: Tamba Sasayama International Students Excursion
Old and new NAIST international students were in for a treat as the International Student Affairs brought them to Tamba-Sasayama, an old castle town located in the heart of Hyogo, on May 12, 2019. A group of 41 eager students, from all three divisions of NAIST, joins us today! The event opens with soba-making lessons, followed by a refreshing afternoon walk around the garden, all conveniently located at Eitakuji.
We tried our hand at soba-making at Eitakuji Soba Dojo, under the guidance of a master soba maker. We were taught that traditional soba-making follows a rigorous procedure, which can be categorized into three major steps: (1) dough-making (水回し, mizumawashi), (2) flattening (丸出し, marudashi), and (3) cutting (切り, kiri).
As a reward for our hard work, for making fresh soba from scratch–a hearty soba and tempura lunch!
After lunch time, the group then went to the Sasayama Castle Great Lecture Hall (篠山城大書院), which is said to be comparable to Kyoto’s Nijo castle in terms of architecture. It was built on the orders of the 16th century shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Inside the structure are replicas of samurai armor, which are said to weigh around ten kilos each. Although this already sounds heavy, the original ones used in the ancient times are believed to be twice or thrice this weight.
Following this is a stroll around the Aoyama Historical Village. Housed in this area is the Tamba Sasayama Dekansho Museum, where students got to enjoy a VR experience featuring a dance to the “Tamba Sasayama Dekansho Song – The Memory of One’s Home Sung with Folk Song,” which became a heritage of Japan in April 2015.
The last stop was the Samurai Residence Anma Family Historical Archive Hall, where the participants took a glimpse of a samurai’s humble abode. Descendants of the samurai are said to still reside in some of the houses within the vicinity.
To cap off the informative and enjoyable excursion, the students enjoyed some ice cream made from the popular Tamba Sasayama black soybeans.
This excursion is one of the many activities organized by the International Student Affairs for the NAIST international students. Such activities are aimed towards promoting camaraderie among international students while deepening their knowledge of the Japanese culture. Come join us next time!
Blue Valentine’s at Nara Park
The week of Valentine’s Day glowed anew as the annual Nara Rurie illumination event was held nightly from February 8 to 14, 2019 in the surrounding areas of Nara Park (奈良公園), Todaiji Temple (東大寺), and Kasuga Taisha Shrine (春日大社). Although it offers a romantic scene and is popular among couples, this event is not dedicated for the celebration of Valentine’s Day. It is actually for honoring the “happiness corridors” (しあわせ回廊, shiawase kairō), which are the pathways connecting Todaiji temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple (興福寺): Nara’s three important sacred sites. “Rurie” (瑠璃絵) is a term meaning “azure corridor,” which alludes to the Silk Road trade where azure, a blue-colored mineral was introduced to Japan. It has ever since been regarded as a sacred color associated with happiness. Illuminating the “happiness corridors” with a sacred azure hue has then been a tradition to bring happiness and clarity of mind in prayer for its visitors.
Located at the heart of the area is Kasugano International Forum, which houses the main event attraction. Named the Winter Tanabata Road, it is a garden covered with of blue and white LED lights. Not to be missed are some deer prancing amidst the lights, which in no better way represents Nara Park. Entrance to this main attraction can be either free or paid. The free-zone gives access to a remote viewing of the LED-clad gardens, while the paid area allows a close up experience for a minimal fee of ¥500. As a form of ticket, visitors are provided with a tanzaku (短尺), which is an apple-shaped paper where they can write wishes. The tanzaku can then be hung on trees situated at the end of the Winter Tanabata Road.
Other events outside of the Kasugano International Forum includes special night admissions to the surrounding museums, shrines and temples, Fortune Cocoa selling (or しあわせココア – shiawase cocoa) , Lighting Yorukagura (光の夜神楽, a sacred Shinto dance), and Sky Lantern Anniversary event. Capping off each year’s event on Feb 14th is a ten-minute fireworks display at the Kasugano Park to commemorate the Nara Park anniversary (turning 139 years this 2019).
This annual tradition, now on its 10th year, is just one of the many events that are held within the vicinity of NAIST. Aside from visiting famous tourist attractions, students should not miss cultural events such as the Nara Rurie in order to absorb and appreciate Japanese culture.
One Groovy Afternoon: Mahoroba Dance Festival 2018
Culture and dance met onstage during the Mahoroba Dance Festival 2018, which was held last November 25th at the Nara Centennial Hall. This three-hour annual event started in 2009 as a pre-event for the 1300th anniversary of the Heijō transition capital, with an aim to showcase traditional Japanese culture, particularly during the Tenpyo era, through various types of dances.
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There’s no “I” in Costume Road Relay Race.
In NAIST, autumn doesn’t officially start without cosplayers running around campus. This is the time of the year when we cramp leg muscles and ooze creative juices, for activities other than research! Last November 6 marked the 24th Yoshikawa Cup, NAIST’s annual costume road relay race.
Not Your Ordinary Afternoon Break: NAIST Tea Time #15
At NAIST, the Victorian tradition of afternoon tea time has taken on a different meaning and purpose. Unlike the conventional scones, biscuits, or cakes, this Tea Time includes some light snacks from different parts of the world.
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The 79th JSAP Autumn Meeting
Several faculty members and students from the NAIST Division of Materials Science attended the 79th JSAP (Japan Society of Applied Physics) Autumn Meeting held at Nagoya Congress Center last September 18-21, 2018. The JSAP organizes two annual technical meetings during the spring and autumn seasons. About 6,000 participants joined this year’s autumn meeting with almost 4,000 papers presented.