Seiritsu International Education

Last week on Friday [May 11th], my class and Nicolas' class went rice planting together. It was very interesting. First we departed from the school at 10.30 and were at the Seiritsu Football fields at around 11.30. When we arrived there we ate lunch. We had to bring our own food so my lunch was white bread, cookies and crackers. Also some mitsuya cider, it was super delicious!



We went to the rice fields at around 12.30 and then planted rice, along with the frogs and the insects. I didn’t think that the fields would be as muddy as they were. In Tochigi [where Gabu often goes to help with his host family on a farm at weekends - Peter] they look like small lakes everywhere but now I was in the actual 'lake' I noticed that it was more mud.



When we were done with the rice planting, we went back to the football fields and washed our legs and arms. But in some people's cases they had to wash their whole body after wanting to jump in with the frogs.



It was a very interesting day.

writer: staff  date: 11:45 AM | News

One of our international students from Finland last year, Eskild, participated in a Japanese calligraphy class (shodo) which also included carving his own name stamp. He did quite well and recently the shodo teacher, Mauro-Sensei, has sent him some of the artwork that Eskild had made as a present to remind him of his time in Japan.

Not bad, not bad at all.

writer: staff  date: 11:16 AM | News

Students in front of the main meeting point at Tokyo station, Gin-no-suzu.

Last Friday the international department rode into the massive Tokyo station to begin a historical walking tour for the morning, followed by a delicious chanko-nabe lunch.

Recently the students have been studying the history of Tokyo so the walk was a chance to go
see famous places explained in their textbooks, to touch and feel history up close so to speak.

Nihonbashi, once the main area of Edo and from where all the Tokugawa roads distances were calculated from, with it being point zero.

Mistukoshi Department store, beside Nihonbashi, about a 5 minute walk from the east side of Tokyo station.

Near the Imperial Palace on the west side of the station. The day was perfect for walking around being bright and cool.

We also visited the Imperial Hotel for a quick break, then went exploring for the statue of the founder of Edo, Ota Dokan, in the Tokyo International Forum. From there we quickly took some trains over to Ryogoku for traditional sumo food, chanko-nabe. As per any year-end party, everyone took terms speaking about their year now passing and the new year about to begin. It was truly an enjoyable day and way to end the school year.

writer: staff  date: 1:39 PM | News

On March 1, 2009, over 300 third year students graduated from Seiritsu. Here is the 'Graduation Ceremony' sign painted in Japanese calligraphy at the school gate.

In the school auditorium, Principal Fukuda gave the graduates some final advice on their last day at school.

Each homeroom president came up to collect the diplomas from the principal, of which would be handed out one by one to the students back in their classroom from their homeroom teacher.

When the class president receives the certificates, the whole class stands and they bow to the principal in unison, as per Japanese custom.

Here students in one homeroom gather for a group picture, with parents in the back row. When the diplomas are handed out, the parents are also present at the back of the class so they can take pictures.

Select first and second year students from the different clubs line the front courtyard as each graduating class is led out of the school by their homeroom teacher. As the graduates pass by, their juniors from the clubs hand them flowers and gifts. The graduates actually curl back into the courtyard when they get to the gate, as then much time is spent taking pictures with classmates, club members and friends.

Here is the karate club, with the four graduating members, their juniors plus the coaches Richard Sensei and Kakiya Sensei.

writer: staff  date: 9:36 AM | News

Dylan with his homeroom, 1A, and the card that they made for him. His homeroom teacher, Hamano Sensei, is on the very left.

Dylan shares a laugh with the captain of first year's soccer team.

As the school year winds to a close, we say farewell to Dylan who, after a year at Seiritsu, ends his time early here to return to New Zealand. But before he departed, he left this message...

My 11 months in Japan has been a great experience in many ways that I did not expect when I arrived. Before I arrived in Japan, I thought I already was strong mentally and physically, but the Japanese proved to me that I was no more than another person that plays soccer in Japan. They showed me that to be good at what you are doing you have to work hard in all aspects of life. Things like cleaning, dishes, school, soccer, practice, running, running, running, getting training ready and many more needed to be done properly or I did not get to play. And that is what I wanted most- to play.

The first 6 months here were the hardest as I had never worked so hard for this long of a period in my whole life. There were times when I wanted to just say I was finished and just fly back to New Zealand but resisting these temptations are the things that make you stronger in the long term. If you don’t accept them, you just accept that you have them and use it to your advantage.

I have only been away for a year but it feels like I have been living in Japan for 5 years or more. This year has strengthened me in every way possible. I now know what it really is like to work hard and to try to understand a different culture, but I still cannot imagine what it would be like to actually be a Japanese person.

I also now feel like I can tackle life at full speed as I know what it is like to be at the bottom of your game and to have no confidence at times. I have experienced it and the ways to get myself back on top, so if it happens again, which in no doubt it will, I am prepared. It was also a good age for preparing as 16 is a lot closer to adult life that I thought. My time in Japan will never be forgotten for reasons that I can not explain in words.

A special thanks to the Fukuda family for believing in me, Richard for helping me out with everything that needed to be done to help me stay in the country and Lawrence for teaching me more in one year than I have ever learned in my whole life at school. Also a big thank you to the soccer staff at Seiritsu for helping to make me strong. I am very grateful to Hiroshi Miyazawa and Wynton Rufer for getting me into this school and Seiritsu Gakuen for giving me this opportunity and I hope the school continues to succeed.

By Dylan Windust

Dylan has been a joy to have at the school and in the International Department. We wish him and his family all the best in the years to come.

writer: staff  date: 11:25 AM | News

Wessel, Dylan and Poom

Ryosuke and David

As today was the last day of school before the winter break, the International Department had our year-end lunch with the school Director, Mr. Yohei Fukuda, and the Vice-Principal, Mr. Tadao Kurihara. While we enjoyed an amazing lunch by the school chef Mr. Akakura (calling him just a cook would be too impolite) our conversation centered around how all the international students were adjusting to Japan.

In terms of conversing with Japanese students, the students had some troubles at first communicating since their Japanese is limited, especially the 3 EF boys who arrived in September, but all were getting better. Dylan said he feels in the last few weeks he is finally able to one of the boys and the soccer coaches are treating him less like a guest, probably due to his language skills having improved.

In terms of food, all the boys seem to like any type of noodle, be it ramen, soba or udon. Some students like sushi and sashimi while others don't like raw food. Wessel says he doesn't like 'pig nerves', probably refering to 'horumon-yaki', or broiled pig innards (which is not something Japanese people have everyday and I personally find delicious due to its marinated, barbeque taste).

As we prepare for the new year, when at least 3 more new students will be joining the school, Mr. Fukuda asked the boys where they would like to visit in Japan. It seems everyone would like to get to another part of Japan during their stay here, so I will be arranging a short trip probably around May.

Good food and pleasant discussion always seems to go by too fast, as soon we were finishing our coffee or tea with even little cakes and sweets supplied by Akakura-san, and then the boys were off, Ryosuke and Dylan to their soccer practice and the EF boys to enjoy their winter break.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 2:35 PM | News

Second year Australian international student Jason Davidson received some good news these last few weeks that not only has he been chosen for his country's national under-20 football squad preparing for the 2009 World Cup, but the Melbourne Knights Football Club in his home town has signed him to his first professional contract starting from January.

After 2-1/2 years training in the Seiritsu soccer academy, the school wishes Jason all the best as he pursues his athletic dreams. Definitely the time he spent at the Seiritsu training ground with the coaches, student athletes and support staff has paid off for him.

writer: staff  date: 11:06 AM | News

It's Lawrence again and I just thought I would explain what Richard and I did this past summer.

August 21-23 was the 2008 Wadokai World Karate Championships in Vancouver, Canada. The Wadokai is one of the four main karate style associations under the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) teaching the popular Wado-ryu style.

Both Richard and I competed as members of Team Canada in these World Championships which saw competitors from over 13 countries shoot for top spots in many different divisions.

Richard competed in Men's Individual Kata, Men's Over 35 Individual Kata, and Team Kata.
I competed in Men's Individual Kata, and Team Kata (with Richard and one other friend, we represented Team Canada).

And I'm very happy to say that we came home with some medals.

Richard got a bronze in Men's Individual Kata, 4th place in the Over 35 division, and gold in Team Kata.
As for myself, I got a silver in Men's Individual Kata and, like Richard, the gold medal in Team Kata as part of Team Canada.

The tournament was a really great experience for both of us and because it was in Vancouver, it was a chance for us to be back in our hometown and see all our friends and family at the same time.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 10:13 AM | News

Konnichiwa and hey! My name is Wessel, I’m 17 years old and come from Holland and this is my first blog post. I will stay here in Japan for 11 months and will be living at several home stays. This is the second time I have visited Japan. Last year I won a scholarship to go to Japan for five weeks and I really enjoyed those weeks so that’s one of the main reason I wanted to go back. During this year I hope I will read many great manga, learn more about the Japanese history and arts and I really want to improve my Japanese as well.

There are a lot of manga that I like. At the moment my favorites are: One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Slam Dunk, Death Note, Gantz, Akira, Berserk and many more. I also like to draw manga myself, although I still need some more practice.

Beyond that, when I was 14 years old I wanted to learn more about the history of Japan. I really liked samurai and budo (martial arts). Two years ago I wrote a really big essay about the Meiji period though at first I didn’t really knew much about it, I learned a lot while writing it.

At the moment my Japanese is not really good. I can’t read hiragana or katakana and I only know a few words, but I’m very sure I will learn a lot while I’m studying here at Seiritsu and living here in Japan.

I’m sure I will have the best time of my life during the next couple of months. I hope I will make lots of friends and learn a lot about the Japanese language and culture. I know that it will be difficult at some points, but I’m sure it will work out well.

- Wessel Jansen

writer: staff  date: 3:00 PM | News

Hello my name is Tanakorn. I am from Thailand, I am 17 years old. I will spent my time here for 10 months.　I live in Tokyo, near Asakusa.. The reasons that i came here is because I want to improve my Japanese skill, here is a nice city and the last is I love Japanese food.

First is Japanese is a nice language is not too difficult to understand and many manga came from Japan so I hope I can use Japanese fluently.

The second is, Tokyo is one of the biggest cities. It very convenience to go around by train after the train it is in walking distance. Tokyo is safe city so it very nice to spend time study here.

The last reason is that I think Japanese food is very good. Japanese food is healthy and also tastes very good. Everything is delicious.

So I really hope that my Japanese will improve as fast as possible so I can be able to do thing easier. I really enjoy spending my time here.

-Tanakorn "Poom" Noynart

writer: staff  date: 2:59 PM | News

Hey, my name is David Alexander. I’m 17, from Montreal, Quebec. I’m staying in Japan for 10 months and I’m attending a special program in Seiritsu Gakuen for foreigners. This is my first day in a Japanese school　and I have to say it’s pretty strange for me. I’m so used to Canada where everything and everyplace is multicultural, but here, I’m a bit more of an outsider. The Japanese students here at Seiritsu are extremely friendly. My first impression of the school is that it’s huge and complicated, more so than my school back in Quebec. Overall though, I’m very excited about my exploits and adventures in Japan. The reasons I came to Japan are for it’s culture, the history, and the change of scenery.

The culture in Japan is much more civil and requires more studying and patience than most other cultures. For example, the language in Japan makes the people seem much nicer and much more willing to offer help and welcoming, whereas in Montreal, we have a language barrier between French and English and people are generally busy, rushed and unfriendly. Of course, there is a thicker language barrier for me here in Japan, but ｔｈｅ people have been kind and generous and have showed me how to get from A to B to the best of their capability. It really does show the compassion and friendliness Japanese people have.

The history of Japan is quite unknown to me. I only know about what has happened in Japan in the past century or so but besides that and Russo-Japanese conflicts: I haven’t quite gotten the big picture yet. I would really like to learn about its origins, cultural changes and connections with other places, like Brazil, China, and other nearby countries. I’d also like to learn a bit more in depth about the Edo period, the hierarchy of society, the economy, the exchange system, the royal and peasant life and everything else there is to know.

Japan is extremely different than where I come from. Everyday there’s a new surprise just around the bend. So far, I’ve seen Japanese housing, stores, transport, and some of the people. In Canada, the housing is very much the same everywhere; a rather large house or an apartment in a series of apartment buildings, but in Japan it is spread out and different everywhere you go. The stores in Japan are pretty much the same, but the major convenient stores and chains haven’t made their way　yet to Japan and so the contents are different as well. As for transport, I’m very used to taking the bus everywhere I go. And in Montreal we get long winters, using bikes to go far distances is completely unheard of to me.

At the end of my 10 months stay, I hope to be able to speak Japanese and be able to bring back ａｌｌ I have learned in Japan back to Canada and have that extra point of knowledge over my classmates.

-David Alexander

writer: staff  date: 2:57 PM | News

Welcome to term 3 at Seiritsu! In addition to being back in school, Seiritsu students also get a chance to interact with three new international students. We have, from left to right in the above picture, David Alexander (Canada), Tanakorn "Poom" Noynart (Thailand), and Wessel Jansen (Holland).

Part of the Education First (EF) exchange program, these three will spend the next ten months at Seiritsu learning, amongst other things, Japanese and Japanese culture. And in the Seiritsu International Dept, they also get a chance to do other academic studies in English.

In a few days all three of them will put up a short post about their reasons for coming to Japan along with posts from the regular three International Dept students about how their summers went.

writer: staff  date: 8:07 AM | News

Richard here, just back from spending a good part of Sunday seeing off JE08 students at Tokyo's Narita International Airport.

With a little free time on my hands at one point, I was able to get a clear picture of the new Airbus AC380 double-decker airliner being flown by Singapore Airlines. I was thinking how it has actual cabins in the front, which led me to think how it must have felt seeing others board ocean liners years ago while friends and family waved good-bye from the docks.

In case no one knew which way to get to the departure gates...

Lawrence Sensei kindly gave up his Saturday to guide Bryce on the trains to the airport as Bryce had to leave a day early to make it back to Vancouver in time for a friend of the family's wedding. I believe his schedule was to arrive in the morning, throw on a suit and go straight to the ceremony. Perhaps he had a brand-new Japanese rice cooker for the lucky couple.

With the summer vacation time about to go into full swing like in other countries, the airport this weekend was a little busier than normal.

Here's the Kimura family seeing off Victor and Claudia before they caught their morning flight to Berlin via Copenhagen. I heard yesterday they got to spend 3 hours in a covered multi-purpose game center playing indoor soccer, basketball and other sports.

Here's Mrs. Hanai with her son Yoshinori and (l-r) Xenia, France and Shirlene. Shirlene was full of emotion when having to leave before the other girls, as she was next off on a flight to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Xenia and France were both last on the same Japan Airlines flight to Vancouver, but they went through security early with Shirlene, which was a nice gesture.

Lastly, our Hong Kong group of Nicholas, Jocelyn and Karen have planned to stay over for one extra week to spend more time privately with both home stay families and friends. I believe their goals are attending a Japanese language school and exploring Tokyo even more. For sure the other students would like to do the same!

Tokyo at sunset, waiting to see everyone again...

To all the JE08 students, thank you for participating and being a great group. I hope you really experienced Japan from the inside out and that you got to do the things you had hoped to do. According to all your final day feedback forms, it seems JE08 went over very well with everyone, which I'm happy to hear.

For all the JE08 parents, thanks for putting your trust in Seiritsu, which I know must have been a little difficult to do due to the long distance. The many emails we received these last two weeks expressing your support, and keen interest in our daily website reports, were much appreciated!

And thanks to all the JE08 home stay families, Seiritsu staff and JE08 cultural activity teachers for putting on a world-class program. Please don't quit your day jobs, because you are all very good at them!

And a special thank you goes out to our regular International staff member Lawrence Sensei, who provided the program and myself with amazing support each and every day. The ever cheerful Lawrence deserves special mention for consistently going beyond what was required to make the JE08 run so smoothly.

In September I will be mailing all the JE08 students a DVD with the hundreds of photos we took, a 1 hour video of the activities plus a 2 minute video promo and a poster for next year's JE09 the students can show their friends.

Also, I'm already planning for next year and I hope to have an announcement up here in the next few days with tentative dates and the possible JE09 schedule, including new activities!

Again, thanks to everyone. I hope all the students arrived safely (I am awaiting your confirmation emails of a safe return) and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again one day soon.

Richard Mosdell
International Education Manager
Seiritsu High School

writer: staff  date: 9:10 PM | News

(front row, L to R) Mrs. Kimura & Mr. Kimura (Victor's home stay parents), Mr. Yohei Fukuda (Seiritsu High School Director), Richard Sensei (JE08 Manager), Mrs. Koyama (Nicholas' home stay mother), and Victor & Claudia's Japanese teacher. Japan Experience! 2008 students with their certificate in the back row.

Time does indeed fly when fun is being had. And considering how quickly the second week of the Japan Experience! has gone by, it would seem that the students were having the time of their life.

The last school-day of Japan Experience! 2008 was a great way to wrap up the experiences the students had, with one final Japanese class with Yano Sensei, an "I Know Japan" contest, a farewell luncheon (again prepared by Akakura-san), and a final meeting.

Before the Japanese class started, Masuda Sensei (who taught the students Japanese cooking) surprised all the students with a small, hand-made booklet summarizing the two menus (and their recipes) that the students prepared over the two weeks. That she made all 9 individually shows just what an impression the students left on Masuda Sensei.

In the Japanese class, the students played Uno with Yano Sensei. Except this Uno had a special JE08 twist- anybody who spoke English had to pick up an extra card! Afterwards, the students presented Yano Sensei with a gift and a card to thank her for teaching the Japanese classes.

Having warmed up their Japanese, we took that one step further with the "I Know Japan" contest. The contest is essentially a fun trivia quiz that consists of questions made by both Richard Sensei and I. The trivia spans from things written in the Japan Experience! 2008 handbook (an information booklet given to all the students at the start of the trip) to little tidbits of information any teacher or tour guide has mentioned throughout the trip. Some questions were easy (Which is the busiest train station in Tokyo? Shinjuku) while some questions were very difficult (What are the two gates in front of the Sensoji Temple called? Kaminarimon & Hozomon). Amidst lots of questions, lots of funny answers, and lots of laughs, it was Nicholas who emerged with one point more than Victor to win the contest.

After the contest, Fukuda Sensei presented each of the students a certificate signifying their completion of the Japan Experience! 2008.

With that done, we all headed upstairs for yet another superb lunch made by Akakura-san. Akakura-san has really been an unsung hero for this whole program, making lunches for all the students every morning, and each student made sure to thank him for his hospitality. During the lunches, each of the students gave a short speech about their two weeks here.

The final meeting of the day included a short questionnaire about what the students liked or would like to see changed, a short explanation of the program Seiritsu offers to foreign students, and a chance to write inside the Japan Experience! Memorial Album.

With all 9 students reflecting on their past two weeks, it was a very happy moment for Richard Sensei and I in that we got to see just how enjoyable this experience was for them all. As Richard and I told everyone at the luncheon, this program would have been a LOT more work had it not been for how great all the students were. Everyday they demonstrated that they were motivated, good humoured, and group-oriented. And being that what one gets from cultural experiences equals what one puts in, it's no surprise that these students got a lot from their time in Japan.

And while the program is at its end, this is merely the beginning for all the students as they all expressed an interest in discovering more of the world, Japan or otherwise.

So to Jocelyn, Xenia, Karen, Claudia, Nicholas, Bryce, France, Victor, and Shirlene.... it's not so much as "good-bye" but "til next time". And Gambatte!! (Give it your all!)

- Japan Experience! 2008

Masuda Sensei (middle) after giving everyone their mini-cookbook.

Remember, this is No-English Uno!...

The students with Yano Sensei (middle).

(L to R) Karen, Victor, Shirlene, Nicholas, and France dig through all the information their brains took in these past two weeks.

(L to R) Jocelyn, Xenia, Bryce, and Claudia double checking their answers...

Congratulations to Nicholas who scored 35 points to win the much coveted Yoshi stuffed animal.

Fukuda Sensei (left) presenting Victor with his certificate.

Victor's certificate.

Even those who weren't hungry became so after seeing what Akakura-san had prepared.

All the students made sure that everyone else was served before serving themself.

With all the students having given their speeches, Richard Sensei gave his.

(L to R) France, myself, Richard Sensei, and Shirlene with the very nice presents from France and Shirlene. Thank you!

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 6:46 PM | News

Everyone got to test their swordsmanship with the Seiritsu Kendo Club.

On Thursday there was only 4 days left in the program, but that didn't mean the schedule was winding down. Instead, it was packed with another Japanese language lesson, a visit to the Tokyo College of Animators, a shopping trip to Electric Town Akihabara, and lastly a workout with the Seiritsu Kendo Club.

The Tokyo College of Animators has trained animators for over 25 years and it offers courses in nearly all aspects of animation including character design, voice actor training, and background/setting illustration. The College focuses on traditional hand-drawn animation in manga style, so the students can graduate to work in 'manga anime' Japanese studios. Like the tour of the Tokyo Design Academy, it was a great opportunity to see how future animators are taught and the students even got to watch a voice-recording session. Though in Japanese, visit their website for more examples of their work.

By chance, in the voice-recording studio one of the female Japanese college students our JE students bumped into was a Seiritsu graduate from two years ago AND a former Seiritsu Kendo Club member! Small world, especially since the JE students had a Seiritsu club kendo lesson later in the day!

Having piqued their interest in animation, we headed to Akihabara and its Electric Town, famous for selling all kinds of electronic, computer, and anime goods.

After exploring Akihabara, the students returned to the school for their third martial art's lesson of the trip. This time it was an intro to kendo with Sasaki Sensei. Kendo is Japanese fencing and the students were treated to a demo followed by a short lesson on the various kendo attacks. The students were then able to have a go attacking and smacking Seiritsu Kendo Club students who had all the protective armour on. A very special thanks to the Seiritsu Kendo Club for essentially standing in place and being targets for the students!

Tokyo College of Animators

The main College campus in central Tokyo.

Group pictures with some future animators (front row). Also note in the background the recording booth where some students were doing voice recordings. The girl in the multi-colored shirt in the front row is Ai, the former Seiritsu student.

Soul-Eater is a very popular animation created by graduates of the College.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Eater_(manga)

Akihabara

Meet Rilak-kuma (Relax Bear). People in costumes are very typical of Akihabara and add to the overall atmosphere.

Everyone in front of Akihabara Station... with extra bags.

Seiritsu Kendo Club Practice

Sasaki Sensei explaining some finer points of holding the shinai (bamboo sword).

Before they got to strike a real opponent, the students practiced their form.

Seiritsu Kendo students demonstrating various attacks.

Karen with an overhead smash! Kendo practitioners wear wooden armour called a bogu to protect themselves.

The sword's a blur as Claudia aims for her partner's head.

Victor lands a strike squarely on his opponents "men" (face).

Sasaki Sensei helps Xenia on the left while France keeps practicing on the right.

Nicholas holding a training sword which is 4 shinai taped to the end of one more shinai. It apparently weighs about 3kg (6lbs), but its length makes it feel like much more.

Seiritsu Kendo Club and Japan Experience! after a great lesson.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 7:58 AM | News

Pencils and clipboard in hand, the students tried drawing Japanese manga (comics).

The fun just keeps coming and Day 11 included the students' second Japanese cooking class as well as a visit to the Japanime Manga University.

In the Japanese cooking class, again led by Masuda Sensei and Kadowaki Sensei, the students prepared a menu of somen noodles, tempura, and red bean shaved-ice dessert. It was also the first time many of the students tried bitter melon (goya, in Japanese), a cucumber-like fruit that tastes like its name implies. As each student tried a piece, many funny reactions ensued...

With lunch over, it was a short train ride out to the Manga University. A school teaching the craft of drawing Japanese comics, Manga University is also known for its award-winning series of books, Kanji de Manga, an instructional book that teaches Japanese kanji (written characters) through the use of manga art. We had a manga drawing class led by resident Manga University artist, Mr. Atsuhisa Okura. Okura Sensei has been drawing manga for over 20 years and he was very patient, teaching the students the finer points of drawing manga. The best part was that Manga University provided paper and pencils so everyone could follow along with Okura Sensei's examples or draw their own.

Well, everyone except me, since I was busy taking pictures. Enjoy!

Cooking class

(L to R) Victor, Jocelyn, Bryce, Karen, and Nicholas helping chop the vegetables to become fried tempura.

(L to R) Xenia, Shirlene, and Claudia preparing a part of their dessert.

France shows her muscles by shaving the frozen red bean ice.

Cold somen noodles, good on a hot day. The noodle dipping sauce is called tsuke jiru, made from sweet vinegar and soy sauce. A big plate of vegetable tempura. Tea. Red-bean dessert with tiny condensed sweet milk balls. And that's lunch! Students with lots of energy need lots of food.

Cheese!! Or should I say... Tempura!!

Manga University

Okura Sensei explaining how an understanding of the body's musculature can lead to more realistic artwork.

Karen hard at work. Gambatte!! (Try your best!)

Shirlene working on her manga character..

Xenia shows her freshly drawn picture.

Okura Sensei, the students, and their artwork.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 8:38 AM | News

(L to R) France, Xenia (her face is in the face hole of sumo's head), Shirlene, Claudia, and Richard Sensei may not weigh as much as sumo wrestlers, but they sure got the pose right!

The 10th day of the Japan Experience! was a great day out. The activities for the day included a Japanese class, a visit to the Sumo Museum, a delicious lunch at a local chanko-nabe (Japanese stew) restaurant, a tour of the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and a visit to Ginza.

The Sumo Museum is located in the Ryogoku Kokugikan, an indoor sumo sports arena located in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo. The arena hosts 3 of the 6 major sumo tournaments throughout the year and the museum holds lots photos and memorabilia documenting the history of sumo.

In keeping with the sumo theme, we headed across the street to a chanko-nabe restaurant. Chanko-nabe is a type of Japanese stew which cooks all the food items in one pot. Sumo wrestlers usually eat large helpings of chanko-nabe to gain weight.

After that, just next door to the Sumo Museum was the Edo-Tokyo Museum which is a large building housing many exhibits of historic Edo (old Tokyo). Everything from a recreation of a traditional Japanese kabuki theatre to artifacts recovered from World War II can be found.

With the visit to the two museums over, the last stop was Ginza, a high-end shopping district in Tokyo known for glamorous store displays and extraordinary price tags.

Check back soon to see what we've got in store for the final stretch of the Japan Experience! 2008.

Sumo Museum

1, 2, 3, SUMO!!

Chanko-nabe

Shirlene with her lunch.

(L to R) France, Jocelyn, and Karen eating their "non-sumo-sized" chanko-nabe.

Edo-Tokyo Museum

(L to R) Victor and Claudia exploring the museum.

"Night soil" was an oft used fertilizer and farmers collected it in buckets. This is Nicholas showing his muscles by lifting a pair of buckets (with weights in them...)

Ginza

Bryce holding a square watermelon. Square watermelons are grown in glass boxes that force the watermelon to grow into a cube shape so that while they are easier to stack, the true purpose is to be used a present wrapped like a cake. They cost about ￥10,000, around $92US!

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 7:43 AM | News

The group with Yogo Sensei (middle with black apron) and their origami.

Welcome to week 2 of the Japan Experience! We kicked off the second week with two very "hands-on" activities: folding origami and making soba.

Origami (literally, "folding paper") is an ancient Japanese art form dating back to the Edo era (1603-1867). It involves intricate and precise folding and can sometimes be difficult. Luckily, however, Seiritsu art teacher and professional artist Eikin Yogo Sensei was there to help the students through the class and by the end there were cranes, penguins, kimonos, balloons, shrimp and even Godzilla!

Then, after yet another delicious lunch courtesy of Seiritsu chef Akakura-san, it was off to the Edo Handmade Soba School, taught by Mr. Masao Ito. Ito Sensei was a chef and when he retired, he converted his living room into a classroom and has been teaching the art of making soba (buckwheat) noodles for the past 10 years. With our large group, however, we used a room in the community centre aross the street. All the students watched Ito Sensei expertly prepare a batch of noodles and then got to make their own. As a special treat, Ito Sensei invited us into his home and cooked everyone's soba so they could taste their creation.

The fun day made for some great pictures, too!

Origami

A big thank you to Yogo Sensei for helping the students.

The students all started with the crane. This is Xenia with hers.

By the end of the day, the students were making very creative items, like Claudia's tulip.

One of the more difficult origami was the kimono, but Shirlene seems to have figured it out.

Bryce and his tie are ready for his next formal dinner.

A penguin in Japan? Of course, says Victor.

All the hard work paid off with Nicholas' crane.

Jocelyn and Karen with their cranes.

France and her fish.

Soba School

Ito Sensei demonstrating the 14-step process required to make soba.

Ito Sensei's soba.

Victor flattening the dough to make it thin.

Nicholas uses a rolling pin to make it even thinner.

All the students got to use a special knife to cut the dough into the soba noodles. This is Claudia trying to see how thinly she can cut her dough.

Soba made and bellies full, this is our farewell group photo with Ito Sensei in front of his house.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 9:51 AM | News

Bryce, over the weekend, visited lots of different shopping districts with his new home stay, the Shign family, and this picture is from their time at Harajuku.

This weekend, all the students spent time with their home stay family and the activities they did ranged from having a party to going to Disney Sea (an ocean-themed Disney amusement park) to trying on kimonos.

As a sample of some of the things they did, here are some pictures that the students took.

Bryce

This is Bryce with his home stay, the Mizuno family. Bryce actually changed home stays on Sunday and is now staying with the Shign family and Jason, a Seiritsu student from Australia.

Jocelyn & Karen

Jocelyn & Karen had an action packed weekend with the Arai family, hosting a small party both Saturday and Sunday. Nicholas, Richard Sensei, and myself stopped by on Saturday and it was a night filled with food and fun. In Tokyo, the summer is filled with festivals called matsuri, in which many people wear traditional Japanese summer clothing (yukata) and there are also fireworks displays. At its peak, there is a matsuri almost everyday somewhere in and around the Tokyo area and we all watched a fireworks display (hanabi) from the Arai family's balcony.

Victor
Victor and his home stay, the Kimura family, spent all Sunday at Disney Sea which is right next door to Tokyo Disneyland. I think it goes without saying that he had a blast.

Nicholas
Aside from the party at the Arai family's house, Nicholas also got to visit Kawagoe, an area in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Kawagoe is interesting in that buildings from the Edo period (17th - 19th century) still remain, lending Kawagoe the nickname, "Little Edo", Edo being the name of old Tokyo.

Xenia, Claudia, France, & Shirlene

The big event for the 4 girls at the Hanai family's house was the chance to try on a kimono. Hanai-san is an expert in the art of kimono wearing and on Sunday, she helped all of them try one on. Other things they did include visiting a seperate matsuri (festival) and, of course, some more shopping.

With such a wide range of activities, the home stay weekend is all part of experiencing Japan as the Japanese do. So a big thank you to all the host families for giving the students a great two days! Check back soon to see what we've got in store for the latter half of the Japan Experience! 2008.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 8:35 AM | News

(L to R) Xenia, France, Shirlene, and Victor at the outer torii (Japanese gate) at the Meiji Jingu shrine.

Time certainly flies when you're having fun, doesn't it? It's already Friday and the students are half-way through the program.

On the menu for Friday was studying Japanese, attending a tea ceremony (known in Japanese as, sado) hosted by the Seiritsu Sado Club, visiting the Tokyo Design Academy, shopping in Harajuku, and watching the sunset from the Shinjuku Towers, which is the Tokyo city hall.

Sado, or Japanese tea ceremony, is the art of making and serving tea. It is very intricate and requires the practitioner to study each aspect in order to perform the ceremony properly. The attention to detail covers everything from how the guests are seated and how the ladle is held to the proper method of mixing the tea and even the number of times the bowl should be wiped. The students got a chance to watch a ceremony be performed and then got to make some tea on their own.

With the ceremony finished, the students headed upstairs for lunch prepared, again very kindly (and deliciously!), by Akakura-san.

Just before 1pm, we all left the school for Harajuku, a very trendy Tokyo district famous for wild youth fashion and home to the Tokyo Design Academy. The Academy, established in 1966, offers programs in nearly all types of design like jewelry, interior design, illustrated art, computer generated art, and even Japanese manga and animation. The tour was really well prepared with the teachers having laid out various samples of student art all over the school and the students really enjoyed browsing through the amazing works.

After the tour was finished, the students had some free time to shop in Harajuku. Also near the shopping area is the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Some of the students were interested in seeing this, so I took them in. The large shrine is surrounded by a 700,000 square acre forest that feels like a world entirely separated from the busy, high-rise-filled urban Tokyo.

Once we had met up at 5:30, we all headed to the Shinjuku Towers, two towers that serve as the Tokyo metropolitan city hall. On the 50th floor of both towers is a free observation deck which we used to watch the sun set over Tokyo.

So while the day was long, the students got to see and do lots of different things.

I should also note the students spend their Saturday and Sunday with their host family, so there will be no posts until Monday. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from Friday and have a great weekend!

Tea ceremony

A Seiritsu Sado Club student demonstrates the proper way of preparing tea.

Group picture! The Sado Club instructor, Nakamura Sensei, wore a very nice kimono (front row, right side) for the demonstration.

Tokyo Design Academy

Nicholas (left) and Claudia (middle) flipping through some sample manga created by some Design Academy students.

"Look like you're designing something!", was the theme for the picture...

Harajuku shopping

Takeshita Street, the main street in Harajuku known world-wide for its wild fashion and people dressed as anime characters.

(L to R) Shirlene, Claudia, Xenia, France, Bryce, and Victor outside one of the many shops.

Meiji Jingu shrine

The torii (traditional Japanese gates commonly found in front of Shinto shrines) in front of the Meiji Jingu.

Shinjuku Towers

Joined by 3 Seiritsu students, the group was all smiles on the 50F of the Shinjuku South Tower.

The sun sets on yet another great day. See you in a few days!

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 11:20 PM | News

It's Day 5 and the fun just keeps coming!

This past Thursday July 31st, the students got a chance to attend the Sophia University Open Campus, shop in Shibuya, and try their hand at judo.

Sophia University, also known as Jochi University, is one of the top private universities in Japan and has an extensive international program with a large foreign student body. This open campus was a great opportunity for the students to see what a Japanese urban university campus looks and feels like as well as to get lots of information on the programs available. Also on this tour were 5 members of the Seiritsu English Conversation Club, helping guide the Japan Experience! students around campus.

After the open campus, it was off to Shibuya for some shopping. Shibuya is a district in Tokyo well-known for its youth culture. It's also home to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing (which is visible in the background of the first picture) and the statue dedicated to Hachiko, a dog who, between 1925-1935, waited everyday at Shibuya Station for his deceased master to come home.

But it didn't end there. The students got a short break after returning to school before heading to their judo class with the Seiritsu judo coach, Kijima Sensei, and judo club members. Like the karate practice the day before it was a great introduction to the sport, giving the students a chance to practice rolls and throws.

Sophia University

Jocelyn and Karen with their Seiritsu guide, Haruka.

(From L to R) Nicholas, Bryce, and Victor with their guides Misaki and Ai, in the library.

(L to R) Claudia, Shirlene, France, and Ayano. Ayano showed them around to various information sessions.

Hmm........ perhaps Xenia will be a future Sophia University international student...

Japan Experience! 2008 and Seiritsu students in front of the Sophia University entrance.

Shibuya

(L to R) Monami, Ai, Karen, Jocelyn, Misaki, and Haruka. It turns out "SHOPPING!!" is an international word.

Xenia, Shirlene, and France, with a few new bags in hand...

Loyal Hachiko waited patiently for us to finish shopping before we gathered for the group picture.

Judo

Meditating before the class in order to clear one's mind and focus on the training ahead.

Victor demonstrating a basic Judo throw, the "ogoshi" (big hip; named so because the thrower uses the hip to toss the opponent)

Special thanks to Seirtsu student/Judo club member Yuki Mizuno for letting everyone throw him... twice. Extra special thanks to Yuki for also being Bryce's home stay brother. This is Jocelyn getting ready to toss Yuki.

Bryce, with his martial arts background, got the hang of it really quickly.

Claudia said afterward that the Judo lesson was a blast!

No injuries and big smiles meant it was a great lesson.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 8:24 AM | News

Hello again for Day 4 of the Japan Experience! The schedule for Day 4 was quite busy, including a Japanese lesson, a train ride to Studio Ghibli Animation Museum, and a chance to practice karate with the Seiritsu High School Karate Team.

Studio Ghibli is a world renowned animation studio famous for films such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke. The museum is an amazingly detailed look at the world of Studio Ghilbli's founder, Hayao Miyazaki, and the museum itself is designed with lots of little passages linking all the areas so that one can explore it freely.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghibli_Museum

After that, we headed back to Seiritsu and everyone got changed for a 1 hour workout with the Seiritsu Karate Team. The training included a warm up, a run through the basic punches and kicks, a chance to hit the target pads, a series of self-defense drills, and then demos by the Seiritsu Team.

All in all, an excellent day out!

Pictures from Studio Ghibli:

I caught Shirlene (left) and France (right) taking a break from a neat little water fountain.

Claudia (left) and Victor (right) after some souvenir shopping.

Surprise! This is Nicholas (top) and Bryce (bottom) on their way to the next exhibit.

Xenia in front of the gift shop... I wonder how much she bought...

Karen (left) and Jocelyn (right) with their home stay sister, Misaki Arai (middle).

Special thanks to "Big Totoro" for working the ticket booth.

Seiritsu Karate Dojo:

All the students paired up with a Seiritsu team member for some drills. Rui (left) and Yuka (right), two second year (grade 11) karate members 'peacing' for the camera!

France working with her partner on some punching combos.

Victor's strong legs made for a great kick.

Nicholas and Bryce working with their partners.

Haiya!! Karen lands a good punch on the target mitts.

Good thing the bag is soft, considering how strong Jocelyn's kick was...

... and Claudia's.

Xenia got the hang of it really quickly.

After the drills, the students got a chance to do some very light sparring drills with their partners. Bryce, with his black belt in Shotokan karate, strapped on some gloves and got to go at it (lightly) with Hiroki, a Seiritsu team member.

But even without gloves, the kids all had a great time. This is Shirlene practicing with the team's vice-captain, Sayaka.

What makes a karate picture? A fighting pose!

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 7:40 AM | News

Having spent yesterday at the school, all the students met on Tuesday eager to get outside and see some sights.

The schedule for Day 3 included their Japanese class in the morning, Japanese cooking from 10:45am-12:30pm, and the Asakusa district & Sensoji Temple from 1pm-3:30.

The cooking class was one of two scheduled for the program and the menu the students prepared included string bean salad with sesame dressing, miso soup, and chirashi sushi, which is a bowl of Japanese sushi rice with various kinds of seafood on top.

The students also got to see Sensoji Temple, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, as well as explore Asakusa, which used to be downtown Tokyo and is now a major tourist destination.

Everyone had a great time (despite the heat and humidity) and, as usual, I had my finger on the shutter button...

The large kitchen at Seiritsu had more than enough space for all the students to try their hand at making Japanese food.

A big thank you to Mayumi Masuda Sensei (left) and Etsuko Kadowaki Sensei (right) who led the cooking class.

France was all smiles while making the sesame dressing for the salad.

Masuda Sensei and Kadowaki Sensei showed a very neat way of gently cutting the tofu while holding it on their hand, a skill Claudia picked up quickly.

Victor prepares miso soup by using miso powder and gradually dissolving it into the water.

Slice & dice! This is Karen preparing the cucumbers for the chirashi sushi.

Also in chirashi sushi is fried egg and Bryce helped prepare some in a special egg frying pan.

With all of it prepared, everyone got to make their own bowl of chirashi sushi, filling it with whatever raw fish they like (tuna, salmon, cooked shrimp, squip, snapper and salmon eggs). Here Xenia shows her bowl of chirashi sushi.

The teachers had brought LOTS of ingredients and, determined not to waste any food, Nicholas and Jocelyn filled their bowls all the way up.

Shirlene's bowl of chirashi sushi moments before it was eaten.

"Chopsticks? Who needs chopsticks?", says hungry Nic.

The group with their soon-to-be-eaten lunch.

After lunch, we took the train to Asakusa Station and along the way, Richard Sensei explained various bits and pieces of Tokyo and Japanese culture.

The path from the front gate to the Sensoji Temple is lined with many small souvenir shops.

In Japan, they say if you weren't in the picture, you weren't there! This was taken in front of the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the first of two large gates on the path to the Sensoji Temple.

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 8:26 AM | News

After a great night with their home stay families, everyone met Monday morning for an easy start to the Japan Experience activities.

We began with a Welcome Ceremony, during which the Principal Mr. Kohei Fukuda, Vice-Principal Mr. Kurihara, and Director Mr. Yohei Fukuda each gave a short opening speech. This was followed by the students going through an Orientation about the program and school. After that, everyone had a Japanese class (there is a Japanese class every day in the morning), followed by lunch and then a shodo (Japanese calligraphy) lesson.

Everyone had a great time and the best way to show just how much fun everyone had is through pictures!

Opening Ceremony picture: In the front row, from L to R is Richard Sensei (JE08 Manager), Mr. Fukuda (Seiritsu Director), Mr. Fukuda (Seiritsu Principal), Mr. Kurihara (Seiritsu Vice-Principal), Yano Sensei (Japanese teacher), and Lawrence Sensei (JE08 staff).

Yano Sensei leading the students (Claudia and Shirlene, in this picture) through their first Japanese class of the trip.

After the lesson, they all had lunch which was graciously prepared by the school's chef, Akakura-san.

Itadakimasu! (Let's eat!)

From 1:30-3pm, there was a shodo (Japanese calligraphy) class taught by Maruo Sensei and his two assistants, Ohno Sensei and Makise Sensei. Maruo Sensei is a famous shodo artist and he often publishes his artwork in national newspapers.

After a short intro, everyone was eager to get to task, slowly discovering for themselves the intricacies of shodo.

Despite the picture, this really is Nicholas, holding up one of his kanji, "ove" (ai).

Everyone got to do a special piece on a wall display card at the end of the lesson, so Xenia was hard at work perfecting her skill. Her practice piece says ''bi' or "beautiful" in the middle, and her name down the sides.

Everyone soon graduated to writing on the scroll-length paper so they could write phrases. This is France just finishing her "love song", (ai no uta).

Not to be out-done, Victor made two prints of "summer sun" (natsu no taiyo).

All the kanji in orange are samples written by Maruo Sensei as templates and the students aim to match the samples. Bryce's "love" (ai) gets pretty close to the sample, doesn't it?

Then Maruo Sensei showed us his specialty, which is "giant shodo" with a "big brush". "No problem!", says Karen after a great piece.

One of the things everyone agreed on was that shodo is a lot more difficult than it first looks. This is Claudia hard at work on "summer" (natsu).

But by the end of the day, all of them were making excellent prints, like Shirlene's "summer sun"(natsu no taiyo).

Or Jocelyn's "Glass Rain".

At the end of the day, everyone got to take home all their prints, plus their favourite phrase written on a special wall display board (Victor, Bryce, and Nicholas are holding up theirs).

-Lawrence

writer: staff  date: 8:58 AM | News

From July 13-23, 32 Seiritsu high school students and 3 teachers took part in the 14th Annual Seiritsu Australian Home Stay. Here's everyone in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Activities included basketball with local Australian students, gold panning at an old gold mine, horseback riding and hiking through huge caves.

Riding horses for the first time!

A student getting to meet a koala up close also for the first time!

Students getting ready to have lunch.

The famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

writer: staff  date: 4:49 PM | News

Welcome indeed! This Sunday July 27th, all 9 of this year's Japan Experience! members arrived safely at Narita Airport to meet the staff and their home stays. Despite some long flights and heavy bags, they all arrived with no problems and big smiles.

The activity for the day? Meet their home stay families and get some much deserved rest. The fun starts tomorrow!

JAL passengers disembarking

Among the first to arrive were Victor and Claudia from Germany, seen here with Victor's home stay, the Kimura family.

Shirlene arrived from Malaysia and she and Claudia had to wait a bit for the rest of their home stay group, so we (Fukuda Sensei, Richard Sensei, and Lawrence Sensei) all went for some lunch.

...... as well as some ice cream to beat the heat!!

Bryce from Canada meeting his home stay, the Mizuno family.

When France and Xenia also arrived from Canada, they along with Shirlene and Claudia were taken by Fukuda-Sensei to the Hanai family home stay house, which has become our unofficial international home stay headquarters! Mrs. Hanai is a former school PTA president, and an expert at the art of wearing a kimono.

Nicholas arrived from Hong Kong in the mid-afternoon so Lawrence Sensei took Nic to his home stay at the Koyama family's house, where he got along very well, especially with Koyama-san's two dogs.

While Jocelyn (3rd from right) arrived midday, her home stay partner Karen (4th from right), both from Hong Kong, arrived last around 8pm. Here they are finally at their home stay with the ever-happy, ever-smiley Arai family.

writer: staff  date: 10:45 AM | News

Recently there has been a new TV drama called “Rookies” in Japan and I have really started to like it. I’m surprised because when I first came to Japan, I was 99% sure I would never come to like Japanese TV. However the Rookies series are different to the other dramas and I like it for three main reasons. It is an awesome drama to watch because is sport related, has a good storyline, and it’s different to the normal life of the Japanese people which I see every day.

Whenever there is something to do with sport, I get interested. Because I play soccer, it’s easier for me to relate to things if they are about sport. Rookies is good because it is a chance for me to learn about a new sport which I used to think was extremely boring.

The storyline of “Rookies” is about a group of teenage students who are bad in every possible way. These students regularly get into fights and they’re always getting into trouble. This story is about how they join a baseball team, and discover a new dream which is the “koushien” (the name of the biggest high school baseball competition in Japan). It is how they overcome obstacles such as rival schools without getting into fights, and by winning fairly (which is not something they are used to).

The high school students of this school are different to the other students that I see every day in my life. In Japan most people are shy, withdrawn and don’t show their feelings much. However, in this drama all the characters have the exact opposite characteristics. If there is something the guys don’t agree with they will definitely do something about it. Although in movies, the resolutions are usually done through violence, it excites me to see in this show that they are actually doing something about their problem.

“Rookies” is an awesome drama and I think everybody in the world who can speak Japanese should watch it because it is fun, and you can also see another side to of Japan and its people.

If you can read Japanese, here is the official homepage for the show.
http://www.tbs.co.jp/rookies08/

Ryosuke Yano

writer: staff  date: 12:20 PM | News

The second annual Japan Experience! registration deadline has passed, and this year we will have students of many nationalities visiting us.

Canadians!
Chiru
France
Bryce

Malaysian!
Shirlene

Polish via Germany!
Claudia

German
Victor

Canadians via Hong Kong!
Nicholas
Jocelyn
Karen

Additional activities confirmed for this year!

Sophia University Open House
I have confirmed a reservation for our Japan Experience students at Sophia University's Open House event. Sophia is one of the most popular universities in Japan for foreigners to study at in English and/or Japanese both in under-graduate and graduate programs. The Open House will have loads of interactive activities, department explanations and club introductions, plus there will be staff on hand to answer our questions.
(Sophia does offer grants for foreign students, as does the Ministry of Education).

Manga Drawing Class
Top manga artist Atsuhisa Okura has agreed to teach our manga class. Recently he created a history of manga for Wired Magazine!
You can read here: http://www.wired.com/special_multimedia/2007/1511_ff_manga

Richard

writer: staff  date: 12:02 PM | News

From June 20 to June 25, a large group of second year students flew up to the north island of Hokkaido to enjoy outdoor activities like horse-back riding, hiking, learning about Ainu native culture plus eating lots of local crab (it is said that everyone puts on 3 to 4kg during the Hokkaido trip)!

writer: staff  date: 11:57 AM | News

From June 20 to June 25, a large group of second year students (grade 11) went to warm Okinawa on an annual school trip! They enjoyed lots of water related activities plus they got to stay near the beach!

writer: staff  date: 11:50 AM | News

From June 19 to June 24, 44 students and 3 teachers plus a guide traveled to New Zealand! The students stayed for a few days on local farms and near the end of the trip, the group visited a Maori Cultural Center.

writer: staff  date: 11:43 AM | News

Saturday June 7, 2008 was the school's Sport's Day at our Washimiya City training ground. Events were held between homerooms as well as between sport's clubs. These included relays, 8-person lashed leg 100m races, tug-of-war and obstacle courses. Much fun was had by all!

writer: staff  date: 8:44 AM | News

At the end of March, two students from Seiritsu, Hide Tanabe and Yuna Kurazono, went for a two week home stay in Berlin. We had a chance to chat with them to find out what they thought about their trip.

What was your image of Berlin before you left?
H- I knew about a lot of shops in Berlin, so I was hoping to see that.
Y- I imagined it to be clean and have lots of very attractive buildings.

Where did you go for sightseeing?
H- All over! We saw the Berlin Wall and traveled to Hamburg and Potsdam.
Y- We also went to a Greece Museum (ed- The Pergamon Museum). That was really nice.

Did any sight stand out as your favorite?
H- My favorite thing I did was I got to watch the Hertha BSC team’s practice. That was really great.
Y- I really liked that Greece Museum. I loved the old items from Greek culture, especially all the jewelry.

What did you find was different between Tokyo and Berlin?
H- I thought there was a lot more greenery. There were lots of parks and trees and that’s very different from Tokyo.
Y- And the traffic lights changed very quickly! We had to run across the intersections!

How was your home-stay experience?
H- It was difficult at times. My home stay mother worked very hard and she wasn’t around often, so sometimes things like meals were a bit hard to sort out.
Y- I was really happy! My home stay family had two daughters who were 16 and 19 years old, so we really got along.
H- And one of Yuna’s home stay sisters drew this amazing portrait of me. It was so kind of her.

When you left Berlin, was the image you got different from the one you had before you went? Was there anything you didn’t expect?
H- I was surprised to see how much graffiti there was in Berlin. But I heard it’s a symbol of free speech for them, so I can understand that.
Y- I thought the people there had a relaxed, easy way of life.

What did you two bring back as souvenirs?
H- I bought lots of salami. It turned out I couldn’t bring it back but luckily, I had lots of other things like postcards to give people.
Y- Me too. I brought back lots of little things for everyone like candies, postcards, and these cute towels with the traffic-light-man (ed- pedestrian crossing signals use very cartoon-like symbols there). Also, both of us bought a really nice, custom made, navy blue soccer jersey.

What are you plans for after you graduate from Seiritsu?
H- I’d really like to go to university and improve my English and learn German.
Y- The same for me. I’d really like to learn those languages as well, and go on exchange.
H- Yes, traveling abroad is definitely in my plans as well.

Where would you like to travel next or for your exchange?
H- I’d really like to go to Washington, D.C. I spent some time in Maryland when I was younger and I’d like to see more of America.
Y- I’m interested in going to Canada. I haven’t decided where in Canada yet, but I think it would be a great country to visit.

Well that’s great!

It’s great to see that they had a great experience and had an open mind about other cultures around the world. Even better was that they’re more interested now to see other parts of the world as well. So thanks to Hide and Yuna and good luck to you two!

writer: staff  date: 1:34 PM | News

Hello! My name is Lawrence Liang and I am a new International Department teacher here at Seiritsu. Having graduated from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) with a Bachelor of Science (Biology), I’m in charge of teaching the foreign students their science, math, and history.

This year, biology will focus on ecosystems and human biology, math will focus on geometry and factorization, and history will focus on the early twentieth century including World War II.

In addition, I’ll involved with the International Departments various programs, helping with (read: being hit by) the Seiritsu karate club, and putting in some hours as an Assistant Language Teacher of English (ALT) in the regular English classes for Japanese students.

writer: staff  date: 12:01 PM | News

Dylan Windust has joined Seiritsu as our latest international student in the 3-year academic-athlete program. His sport is soccer so he has joined the Seiritsu Boy's Football Club with the plan to help eventually take the team to Nationals and in the process, become a professional footballer after graduation.

Today Dylan left for a four-day school orientation trip with all the 1st year students so when he gets back next week, we'll let Dylan introduce himself in his own words.

writer: staff  date: 6:13 PM | News

On Tuesday, April 8th, the new 1st year students (grade 10) had their entrance ceremony at Seiritsu to begin their 3 years of high school. Congradulations!

The Cheerleading Squad was at the front door to give all the new students and their parents a warm welcome.

A new homeroom begins, with everyone's parents looking on from the back.

The first big group picture for a new school. Seiritsu's promotion motto is 'Try 1000 Days' so this is Day 1, only 999 more to go. Good luck everyone!

writer: staff  date: 6:06 PM | News

On a sunny, crisp spring morning last Sunday, March 2, the massive SG flag was unfurled to great students and parents arriving at the school for the 2008 Graduation Ceremony.

The official sign at the entrance.

Around 340 senior students attended this years 2008 Graduation Ceremony for the academic year 2007-2008.

Principal Fukuda addresses the graduates and their families.

During the ceremony, the Principal hands one diploma to each homeroom representative.

Everyone returns to their homerooms after the one hour ceremony, where the homeroom teacher hands out the diplomas to each student.

Parents are welcome to stand at the back of the homeroom and watch their child receive their diploma. Normally after everyone receives their diploma, the students take turns giving a short one minute final speech to the class.

The stereotype that Japanese never show emotion is not true, as the tears flowed freely on Sunday from pretty much everyone.

A homeroom teacher also shows some true emotions. Homeroom teachers become very close to the students, seeing them each morning and afternoon. Plus the homeroom teacher is a student's primary counsellor to speak to about post-secondary choices. It is common for 3rd year graduating students to stay in contact with their homeroom teacher long after they graduate.

A group of girls take a final group picture.

A cover of the diploma received by each student.

After the diplomas are received and the final speeches are done, each homeroom class leaves the school together. The 1st and 2nd year students line the main courtyard, grouped together in their clubs, and the graduating students walk down an alleyway in the center. The juniors pass presents to the seniors as they walk through the mass of students and off the school grounds.

Here a graduating student from the karate club gets a memorial album of pictures from the junior karate club members.

Cheerleaders pose with their graduating seniors.

Principal Fukuda with the graduating soccer students.

The Seiritsu Cheerleaders putting on a final sayoonara show for the graduates.

writer: staff  date: 12:05 PM | News

While some teachers greeted test takers at the entrance gate, other teachers showeled a path across the campus!

Starting with a snowy January 22nd and then a rainy January 23rd, some 1200 junior high school students participated in Seiritsu's entrance exams. They are all competing for one of a maximum of 400 spots available for new first year students at the start of the next school year this April. Most junior high school students will apply to 2 or more schools, therefore they have to sit through entrance exams more than once.

Here students are sitting quietly waiting for the first exam to start in the auditorium. So many applicants registered that the school had to use half of its classrooms as well to hold exams in.

Tests were held in Japanese, Math and English, plus there was a short interview with each applicant afterwards. Here a sign in Japanese in the auditorium states the times for each exam, plus the interview starting time at the bottom.

Nogami Sensei preparing to hand out the tests!

One test taker is well prepared!

Our ever helpful student council members guiding the applicants around the school.

Tests finished, applicants wait to be called in a group to their interview location in the gym.

Groups of students who have been called from the examination classrooms or auditorium to the gym for interviews. 10 sets of 2 teachers were sitting around the gym and they called up 2 students in order of their registration numbers to ask them about 5 questions in regards to why they chose to apply to Seiritsu, what they hope to accomplish during their high school years and where they want to go after they graduate.

Feeling a little nervous perhaps... That's ok, the teachers were quite nice during the interviews.

A quiet campus during the exams... Luckily the snow turned to rain by mid afternoon on the first day and the applicants had no troubles getting home as all the trains were running.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 9:37 AM | News

Sano-Sensei decorated his classroom with a Christmas tree so I secretly snuck in to take a picture!

We just wanted to wish everyone Season's Greetings and Happy New Years!

Even though most Japanese are Buddhist, many people put up Christmas displays and outdoor lights to simply create a festive atmosphere.

Suzuki-Sensei, the school nurse, and her happy Christmas display in the nurse's room.

December 25h is a normal work day in Japan. Students are on winter vacation, but special winter study courses are in for two weeks, along with many of the clubs are still meeting for practices. For example, the karate club I coach met at 7am today for a morning training.

Front office staff Natsumi-san and Hatakenaka-san greeting junior high school students.

Today is also the last open house in 2007 for junior high school students to come to Seiritsu and talk to a teacher about applying to enter here next year. There will be one more day on January 5th, then entrance exams start two weeks after that.

All the best to everyone in 2008!

Richard
International Education Department

writer: staff  date: 9:37 AM | News

Our 3 J leaguers!!!

In addition to our graduating international student Michael Fitzgerald signing with the top tier J1 professional J.League soccer team, Albirex Niigata, two of Michael's classmates from the student athlete program have also signed to go pro!

Yuki Otsu has signed with the J1 Kashima Antlers!

Tetsuya Kono has signed with the J2 Shonan Bellmare!

In the picture poster above, Yuki is in the top photo, Michael is in the center and Tetsuya is in the bottom photo.

Way to go guys!!!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 9:54 AM | News

Seiritsu held its annual Bunkasai on September 29th, which the one day of the year when almost all the classrooms are transformed into various displays and fun activities, plus in the main courtyard pops up food stall tents run by various classes and clubs.

Mingling about were student's families, students from other schools, Seiritsu graduates and junior high school students interested in coming to Seiritsu from next year.

A thousand little origami covered by one large one!

The English Conversation Club's room, where guests played Uno in English (if anyone spoke a Japanese word, they had to take up another card!) and watched student-made short English films.

The Cheerleading Club putting on a performance during the half-time of an exhibition basketball game.

One of the many food stalls! Choco-banana, little juicy steaks, frozen fruit punch, sweet caramel popcorn, yakitori, and various other goodies were available for munching on all day.

In the school auditorium there were performances by different student rock bands and dance groups, plus a school theater troupe put on a play.

Student shodo (traditional calligraphy) on display, one of many rooms with interesting student accomplishments.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 9:48 AM | News

Albirex Niigata Team Scout Mr. Kanda shakes hands with new pro-athlete Michael!

With the stroke of a pen on Tuesday, September 11th, 3rd year foreign student Michael Fitzgerald gave a whole new positive meaning to 9/11 when he signed his debut professional soccer player contract with Japan’s J-League team, Albirex Niigata!

Team scouts and management were on hand at Seiritsu Gakuen in Principal Fukuda’s office as Michael made his pro-soccer career come true. I believe he signed a pro reserve contract, and this will carry him through to Jan 2009, upon which time he will be able to resign with the team as a regular main player, switch to another team or go to a pro team overseas in another league.

Principal Fukuda, Michael & Albirex Niigata staff at Seiritsu!

Michael will attend a training camp in February 2008, and then return for his school graduation in early March. After which, he will move to Niigata to live in the team dorm with the younger players.

While a J-League team may only have 3 foreign players, as Albirex Niigata does already, as a pro reserve player under the age 20, the rules allow for a few extra non-main players.

Of course we at the school are overjoyed with Michael’s success, and we look forward to cheering him on from the stands every time Albirex Niigata comes to play in Tokyo, which is about once a month! I also really feel grateful to the Seiritsu’s soccer staff for training and supporting Michael so well for these past 2-1/2yrs, because he followed their guidance, put the work in and he now has a great result to show for it. To those who think it can’t be done, no, really, it can be done!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 3:26 PM | News

An airliner departs from Narita International. All too quick it seems, today our JE students departed after completing the action-packed program!

I'm happy to report all the JE students had no problems checking-in today at Narita Airport for their departure home! And it ended up only being 32 degrees and not that humid, quite pleasant actually!

First up this morning was our German student, Marvin! Here is the final photo with his home stay family The Fukuda's.

Myself and Marvin ready to do karate one last time!

A combined record number of about 53,000 people left from Narita International Airport and Haneda Domestic Airport from Tokyo due to the beginning of the summer obon holiday season. There was lots of traffic jams reported throughout Japan on the highways, and Narita was quite busy, but our JE students seemed to smoothly get right through departure security and off to their gates without a hitch.

Next up into the wild blue yonder was our American student Jessica (far right)! She was seen off by the Hanai family, plus the later leaving Canadians, Justine and Angeline.

Some happy, if not a little teary, faces as Jessica bid farewell to one and all!

Myself and Jessica, just before she went through security and off to customs, during which we all did the Japanese custom of continiously waving for many minutes until she was for sure out of sight.

Since it was a long wait until the two Canucks imitated migrating Canada Geese, Angeline and Justine said good-bye to the Hanai family right after checking-in, because the Hanai's then were to make their slow way by car through holiday traffic all the way back to their home in Tokyo.

I'll write to you first!...
...No, I will write to YOU first!...

Angeline and myself, just before she found a departure security gate with no line-up!

Justine and myself, in a photo that somehow went black and white. It sort of looks like I was seeing her off as she boarded an ocean-going liner of yesteryear...

With the sun setting during my ride on the express bus to Omiya in Saitama prefecture near my home, here's a photo taken while on the elevated highway near the northern part of suburban Tokyo along the Arakawa river, not too far from the school.

It seems all the JE students found the program very worthwhile, a trip of a lifetime, and there were many glowing comments in the completion questionnaires they filled out, plus some good feedback on how to tweak the program for next year.

The school and myself are just very happy the program was a clear success, and that the students who participated this year truly enjoyed it! Not only did each student thoroughly experience Japan from the inside out, they also made many new friends! Today's departure was is in no way good-bye forever for any of us, but simply see you all again, somewhere, sometime, that's for sure! Ja, mata ne!

In a few days I will post a conclusion message with some final photos.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 9:18 PM | News

Today is the last full day for the JE students to be with their home stay families, therefore this will be just a short post.

Marvin trying to master noodle-slurping at lunch today!

Marvin visited Shibuya again with the Fukuda family, and then he was to have dinner with the Principal tonight.

Jessica, Angeline and Justine went to a special shop today where they were dressed up by an expert in the art of wearing a kimono. Mrs. Hanai said they all looked wonderful (sorry, I haven't got any pictures yet).

Mrs. Hanai also arranged for the girl's luggage to be sent to the airport in the afternoon by a special airport courier service so that the trip to the airport by train tomorrow is easier on them (the weather forecast said it will be a humid 37 degrees).

Tomorrow. August 12th. The last day of the program. I'll be there to see everyone off, along with the home stay families. Since it is almost 9pm on Saturday now at the time of this posting, our JE students have less than 24hrs left here in Japan...

Richard

writer: staff  date: 8:13 PM | News

A typical cityscape at dusk!

JE Program student Angeline hit the nail on the head yesterday when we were talking as a group about what it takes to come to Japan to take part in the Japan Experience program.

And the answer is... one must SUBMIT TO TOKYO!

By each student getting out of their comfort zone which is their own country, they then enter Japan where the language, culture, extreme change of time zone, hot weather and constant stimulus are all encompassing

If one just submits to these facts and tries to embrace them, they will have a wonderful time! But if one tries to cling to their comfort zone, they may feel hesistant or reluctant, which means they’ll miss so much by not looking up or not trying something, losing the chance to be aware of all the many things that are happening around them (plus very useful information needed for the I-Know-Japan contest!).

The other important aspect to getting the most out of Japan is to not just think of oneself, but in true Japanese fashion be an active member supporting the JE student group. Japan is very much a group culture, so much so that for the students to truly experience this fascinating country, they need to always make sure everyone in the group is involved and included, and not just go around looking out for their own individual interests.

Some examples of this group attitude include making sure everyone has their lunch before one eats, insuring everyone made it off the train together and for everyone to support each other during each activity. The phrase 'all for one & one for all' comes to mind, or maybe 'all for all'!

New sounds, new tastes, new friends and new fun are all here if the student makes the mental effort to try everything, at least once, by entering Japan completely, perhaps like in feudal times when one lone samurai would march boldly into the enemy's camp to conquer by negotiation or by force (a corny analogy, but actually somewhat appropriate)! Those students who can do this will truly realize all that is possible in this ancient country!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 9:08 AM | News

The final Japanese class with the wonderful Yano-Sensei! Everyone hold up your presents!

Everyone arrived today on-time and raring to go. I kindly asked Yano-Sensei to teach a Japanese folk tale, first in English and then in Japanese. So Yano-Sensei chose Sannen Netaro, or The Boy Who Slept for 3 Years. It seemed a bit difficult for the students, but soon Yano-Sensei was holding a little samurai boy doll, making it dance around the table in front of her as she did her utmost to animate a few other tales too.

Then we had our final group picture with Yano-Sensei, giving her a few presents, but she surprised us by having presents of her own to give to the students! She had bought beautiful Japanese hand-dyed & painted handkerchiefs and towels that were really exquisite (and I suspect from a Ginza store).

I must say Yano-Sensei truly thought about the well-being of the students during the whole trip, checking on them constantly, and it seems she spoiled them a bit too which was super sweet!

The I-Know-Japan! contest board!

Afterwards I kicked the JE students out of the room and sent them to check their email in the computer room as Cathy Sensei and I prepared for the 1st Annual Seiritsu Gakuen Japan Experience ‘I Know Japan’ Trivia Contest World Championship. The reason for the long and a little strange name is that it is a straight translation from the long Japanese title I made, in keeping with the Japanese custom of making a long, formal name for any event, no matter what it is.

All the questions are based on who the students met, where they went, key Japanese language phrases, major points of things they learned and of course some of the sillier things someone has said or done.

Canada is in the house! Representing Prince George, contestant An-jya-li-nu!

Our four ‘country representatives’ did a great job answering all the trivia questions thrown at them, even under the pressure of an audience which included the Principal, Vice-Principal and School Director, plus a few teachers.

All the way from the good-ole U S of A, Tennassee contestant Je-shi-ka!

Questions ranged from some easy ones like ‘Who was the name of the cooking teacher?’ (Nakamura Sensei) to harder questions including ‘Why is a Japanese tea ceremony door so small?’ (to symbolically leave all one’s emotional baggage outside).

Another Canuck! This time representing Victoria, contestant Ju-su-teen!

Some questions ended up being really funny. One was ‘Does the cooking teacher have son or a daughter?’, which everyone easily got since Nakamura Sensei was in the audience with her sweet young daughter beside her waving to JE students.

All the way from Germany, representing Berlin, contestant Ma-bu-i-in!

And our gold winner was... Justine! She scored 400 points (10 pts per answer), but she was trailed very closely by everyone else. Jessica picked up the silver, with Angeline and Marvin both getting bronze.

The winners! ....and a wonderful red bow-tie!

Say chee-zu everyone!

After medals were slung around necks in an improtu award ceremony, the students received several extra gifts, plus each student received beautiful copies of each kanji they had learned from Mrs. Fukuda!

Seiritsu's wonderful completion certificate with our official logo on top! Each one was hand done by Mrs. Fukuda with each student's name written on it! Sublime, and very frameable!

Finally the Principal Mr. Fukuda awarded each student with a large ‘Japan Experience Completion Certificate’ in Japanese, along with a Seiritsu embroidered leather cylindrical case to keep the certificate safe in for the journey home.

Farewell lunch!

Next up was the Farewell Party lunch, catered by the school’s fabulous cook Akakura-san, who prepared lots and lots of food, including pizza, for all the JE staff and students to enjoy in the warm student hall. After much eating, speeches and warm good-byes, the students were soon off for their last adventure into Tokyo as a group with me for the afternoon.

In Asakusa, under the Kaminarimon again, which is the entrance to hundreds of shops that line the stone path to Sensoji temple.

Two very cute girls in colorful summer yukata, which is simply a light one piece kimono. Going to a temple, fireworks festival or summer party wearing yukata is still popular for old and young alike!

As per their request, we returned to Asakusa which has many small souvenir stores, and then after purchases in hand, we escaped the heat by renting a karaoke box in Ueno just for ourselves for 2hrs! There was no holding back with lots of enthusiastic singing and dancing, with even Marvin singing the original Nena song ’99 Red Balloons’ in German, twice! Jessica and Angeline were in fine duet form for more up to date songs like Avril Lavigne & Offspring, Justine went for classic rock like the Rolling Stones, and lastly this writer was all over the board from Michael Jackson to Radiohead.

Actually seeing Marvin sing the theme song to My Neighbor Totoro in Japanese was quite entertaining!

The final JE group shot! A most appropriate place to disband, right in the middle of a busy Tokyo shopping bazaar, everyone to melt into the city and go on their way, easily navigating this huge metropolis, like a true Tokyoite! That in and of itself is a great success!

And from there, we officially disbanded the JE student group of 2007. Marvin went off to a German restaurant with Mr. Fukuda, while the girls returned to the comfort of Mrs. Hanai’s very hospitable house!

For Saturday, I heard Mrs. Hanai is taking the girls to a special shop to try on real multi-layered kimonos, plus have their picture taken! With the Fukuda family, Marvin is off to a swimming pool and then a large manga bookstore in Shibuya.

On Sunday I will be at Narita Airport from 9am to 6pm to meet all the students as they arrive with the home stay families at separate times so that I can help them check-in and make sure they easily go through security as they head to their departure gate, just to make sure everything goes, as the Japanese like to say, smoothuu...!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 8:00 AM | News

Playing Uno in Japanese!

Today I wanted the beginner and intermediate Japanese groups try learning Japanese together, so I asked Yano-Sensei to play the card game Uno in Japanese with everyone! She and Justine were new to Uno, but they both caught on quickly, plus Kato-Sensei (a social studies teacher who speaks English) asked if was ok for him to play too because he is a big Uno fan.

After describing everything in Japanese, one extra special rule was added; everytime someone said an English word, they had to pick up a card. So guess who got penalized the most? Yano-Sensei! Seems she shares my problem of being stuck between two languages as well!

There was lots of laughter, howls and roars, which I could even hear in the staff room across the hall. This game definitely went over well as everyone played over our alloted lesson time. For sure next time we will play with some regular Japanese students, since Uno is very popular with Japanese school kids.

After an email check, we were off from Higashi-Jujo station to ride the Keihin-Tohoku line to Akihabara station where we switched to the Sobu line. From there we went 2 stops east to Ryogoku station.

Sumo anyone?!

The Ryogoku area is the home of the massive Ryogoku Kokuginkan Sumo Hall. Also in the area are many sumo-beya (sumo stables) where the pro wrestlers practice, whoever, all the senior pros are on a promotional tour of Japan, and the juniors trying to be pros are on summer camps in little towns around Japan. (Our original plan was to visit a sumo-beya for a bit in the morning, but since there would be no one around, we had the extra Japanese class playing Uno.)

Summer camps are held in little towns, and are very popular for all sports and clubs, normally with a sport team going to a training center designed for their sport plus having a dormitory. In terms of my high school karate club, we have gone to the same mountain town 6hrs from Tokyo by taking a bus then train, to stay at a summer lodge, annually for over 12 years!

The great thing was the sumo museum was interesting with many old photos of wrestlers and videos of matches. Everyone was impressed with the average height and weight of the wrestlers, most being over 190cm (6’2’’+) and over 130kg (286lbs)!

From the museum, we braved the warm weather to skip across the street to one of the many chanko-nabe (hot pot) restaurants in the area.

Sumo wrestler food anyone?

Surrounded by regular ‘salarymen’ (male office workers) and pictures of sumo, we treated ourselves to some big steaming bowls of chanko-nabe (stew)! I thought it was delicious, and it seemed the student’s stomachs were in agreement, with even the pickiest eater in the group eating most of his!

Chanko in the pot, scooped from the steaming bowl with the ladel. plus rice and gooey seaweed salad, all washed down with cold tea!

Behind the Sumo Hall is the humungous Edo-Tokyo Museum raised high in the air, like a huge white elephant-without-the-trunk. Edo is the old name of Tokyo and inside are wonderful displays of how feudal Japan (Tokyo having several million citizens for centuries) turned into modern Tokyo.

Marvin trying to lift 26kg of water!

The interactive displays seemed to be enjoyed by all, like lifting the water buckets and samurai banners. Just the progression from old to new Japan was fascinating. Also there were more foreigners congregated together into that museum then we had seen anywhere so far.

Makudonarudo as McDonalds is called in Japanese, where we cooled off with 'soft twists'. Just being curious, I enquired as to how many calories in the Mega-Mac 4 beef patty.... 754!

Oh yes, with the return to Akabane, I relinquished my leadership duties to the democratic institution of the students to allow them to decide how we should get back to Akabane by train. Although they started out a little perplexed when we got to Akihabara station where they knew we needed to change trains, they all figured out the route pretty quick.

Arriving in Akabane, we strolled around some small side streets to see old, tiny stores selling all kinds of goods for the average person’s needs, before walking back to school in one piece, although a little lighter due to the heat.

After we called it a wrap, three students were off to their home stay families and Jessica joined me at the school karate club’s dojo for another practice. Today was sort of ‘Richard-Sensei’s Billy Blank’s Boot Camp Workout!’ except my iPod battery died just as I hooked it up to the sound system.

Jessica's reverse roundhouse kick!

Anyway, I think everyone had a good practice, especially learning lots of takedowns and sweeps.

Quick everyone, get in the picture, 'cause if you weren't in the picture, you weren't there... now be macho!

And by 6pm, another day was done! Everyone seems to still be in good spirits, and tomorrow is the last day for the JE students at the school before the Saturday with the home stay families, and Sundays return.

On the schedule for tomorrow is the final Japanese class, which is something again new and interesting for them, then the ‘’Seiritsu Gakuen High School 1st Annual I-Know-Japan World Championship Trivia Game Contest’ (all questions are about what the students have learned during their stay), followed by the Farewell Party with the staff.

Afterwards we’re going souvenir shopping back in Asakusa as per the student’s request, and then if there is time, maybe have some extra fun in Tokyo before they head back to their home stay houses.

Wow, Day 12 done, it’s amazing how much we’ve accomplished and yet how fast time has flown by!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 11:54 PM | News

Everyone strikes a pose with Japanese kid's television characters on the wall in a Shinjuku underground walkway!

Everyone arrived on Wednesday easily on Wednesday, no traffic jams to be scene. Yano-Sensei and I kicked started the day with the Japanese lesson. For my beginner’s group, we learned how to tell time (ima nan-ji desu ka? what time is it now), so that all day long I could ask them at any moment!

The area around west side of Shinjuku station - the station is the long centre piece going left to right.

Next up was picking up our bento box lunches from Akakura-San and whisking away on the Saikyo line to Shinjuku, where we went to the Kinokuniya Bookstore, a large chain store with foreign books on the 7th floor. Most big book stores now have a foreign language selection, but for years, Kinokuniya in Shinjuku has been a main haunt for foreigners. They always have a great selection of hard to find English books on Japan, plus a great variety of Japanese language study books.

Tokyo's Metropolitan 'City Hall' Skyscrapers!

Next up was a hike through some tunnels under Shinjuku to arrive at Tokyo’s ‘City Hall’, formally the Tokyo Metropolitan Buildings, which makes sense not calling it a ‘hall’ since it is several skyscrapers!

The eastern part of central Tokyo. The white dome is Tokyo Dome, known as the Big Egg!

The two main towers, named North and South, have observation decks on the 45th floors, so we rode high-speed elevators up, ears popping along the way.

Tokyo Tower, with the brand new Tokyo Midtown Center in front of it in Roppongi. When Tokyo Tower was completed back in 1958, is was pretty much the tallest building in Tokyo, and could be seen from anywhere, giving the Japanese a sense that the country was rising to recovery from the war a decade previously.

The 360 degree views are of course breath taking! If it is a windy day and the sky is clear, you can see Mt. Fuji too, but today, we could only just make out the base.

A forest in the city? That's Yoyogi Park, with the Meiji Jingu Shrine hiding in the middle.

From these towers, one can see all the way to north past Akabane, and south to Yokohama, which is easy to spot with the Yokohama Landmark Tower.

Meiji Jingu Shrine's roof!

We could also see an entire forest in the middle of the city, called Yoyogi Park. In the middle of the park is the Meiji Jingu Shrine, named at Emperor Meiji who was the first emperor in the modern period from 1868.

A huge torii gate, one of several leading to the shrine.

The hike to the shrine was pretty hot, two of our crew escaping to the subway system, and the rest of us brave souls finally succumbing to a taxi ride. More adventure!

The main shrine building inside the walls. Meiji is one of the three most important Shinto shrines in Japan.

Walking on Yoyogi’s wide gravel lanes covered by massive cedar trees was incredibly cool and refreshing, several degrees cooler than the city streets. The shrine was also very peaceful and calm, which was sort of hard to imagine it is sitting smack dab in the middle of the world’s largest metropolis!

A peaceful shrine wall.

Back at school, we had our kendo lesson from the school’s 7th degree kendo club master, Sasaki-Sensei. It seemed at first all he said was ROAR!

The start of the kendo lesson with Sasaki-Sensei!

As he kept yelling commands at all the regular club members and he tried to express the importance of the spirit bursting out in a strong voice when one performs kendo. After a quick lesson in stance and guard, whacking the club members in the armor began!

Attack!!! Kiaiiiiii!!!!

Marvin in full head gear!

Jessica watching the bamboo shinai sword whiz by!

Sasaki Sensei seemed especially pleased with Jessica, her karate training and tournament experience really paying off, so much so I think he wanted to adopt her right then and there!

Our samurai warriors!

writer: staff  date: 9:11 AM | News

Outside the Imperial Palace gate in the afternoon!!

The day started off by sort of not starting. Marvin arrived on-time, but the 3 girls waited at their bus stop for 45mins with no buses making an appearance. So they hiked back to their home stay house and otoosan (father) Hanai-san drove them to school, or at least tried to. There was an accident somewhere that clogged all the traffic up and the three had an extra 1-1/2hr sleep in the non-moving car.

So when they did make their grand appearance at school at 10:20am, they found Yano-Sensei teaching Marvin Japanese, and he teaching Yano-Sensei German in return.
Alrighty then, Japanese lesson time passed, off to cooking!

Making katsu-don with Nakamura Sensei!

Nakamura Sensei had the cooking room all prepared for a how-to-make katsu-don lesson.

Chopping into bite-size pieces!

Katsu-don is fried breaded pork cutlets on top of rice, mixed with fried onions and egg cooked in a soya sauce base.

Miso soup & katsudon, a very common Japanese food that people make at home, or eat at the innumerable katsu-don restaurants found all over the place.

Everyone enjoying the 'katsudon of their labour!'

In the afternoon after an email check, we were off to see the gate of the Imperial Palace, plus the walls and the moat that wraps around it. We whisked off to Tokyo station and walked through the Marunouchi financial business to get to the Imperial grounds.

Outside Tokyo station!

Part of the Imperial palace wall.

While one is not allowed inside, the different gates and the all-encompassing wall were quite impressive, especially when ancient Japan (the palace being hundreds of years old) is right beside massive modern skyscrapers.

Then it was off to Ginza, the 5th Avenue of Japan. A very popular place, people sometimes buy gifts from the many brand name shops, specialty boutiques and department stores, just so the receiver can see the article was purchased in Ginza from the stores name being on the wrapping paper.

The Sony Building display center!

We first stopped at the Sony Building, which had all the latest and greatest thin plasma TVs, digital cameras, and much more, plus a huge high-definition digital display screen of an aquarium full of whale sharks.

Angeline and Jessica goofing around in front of a blue screen!

Ginza's main street! (Yano-Sensei's favorite part of Tokyo)

Next was Mitsukoshi, a famous department store with a long, long history of being stocked with the absolute best of whatever. In the basement of all department stores are specialty deli shops, and since this is Mitsukoshi, they had on display 2 melons for \21,000, or over $176US!

Here they are, in the flesh... I mean rind!

Why you ask? Well, when one looks at the melons, they are perfectly identical, from a famous company (of which there are several) that have a reputation for growing excellent melons. And they’re sold in Mitsukoshi. In Ginza. Hence the price.

From there, everyone got to window shop up and down the main street to see all the amazing architecture of the brand name shops. Marvin and I explored several, plus the front of the Kabuki-za, the main Tokyo theater for kabuki performances.

Kabuki-za!

We also tooled around Apple Computer's Tokyo Mac Store store, drooling over every new Macintosh gadget (extra drool from the someone-who-writing-this who has just broken their iPod…). Due to the staff being far too friendly, aka smooth sales people, we escaped and ate ice cream to try to mask the stimulus overload.

The Mac Store!

Recreating a sense of groupness, we extracted ourselves and returned to school from the Yurakucho station to the Higashi-Jujo station on the Keihin-Tohoku line. There we called it quits for the day, however Jessica, Angeline and Marvin road 2 trains with me to go to a famous karate instructor’s practice near Otsuka station.

Mr. Hideo Takagi is a dentist by trade during the day, and by night one of Japan’s highest ranking karate instructors in both the Wadokai karate association and in the umbrella all-style Japan Karatedo Federation (8th degree black belt in both!). Having phoned ahead a few days ago, I was told we must come to his dentist office and wait for him to finish work at 6:30pm. We did as we were told, and entered his tiny dental office which contained 2 small couches, a reception counter and behind a dividing wall, 2 dental chairs, each with a patient being worked on.

The always-not-so-pleasant mechanical drill sounds of ZEEEEEEE and EEZEEEE made me politely ask Takagi Sensei if we should go wait for him at the Starbucks across the street, to which he turned to me in his green lab coat and a growl responded from behind his green dental mask.
‘Hai Sensei, we’ll be quiet right here!’.

He soon appeared dressed casually in a polo shirt from Hollyburn Country Club ( a friend runs the karate dojo there in Vancouver), and he was all smiles, plus he had huge Japanese fans as gifts for everyone. Then as if right on cue, a senior student from sensei's dojo appeared to lead us to a very clean elementary school gym, hot as Hades, where we made our introductions and got right into the kicking and punching business at hand.

Lots of strange looks from Takagi Sensei (what sort of punch is that?), while he and some older students were prodding, jabbing and poking to fix our positions. But then all too soon it was over, much weight lost through the sweat glands, and everyone become picture-taking happy!

Picture time everyone!

left to right: Marvin, Richard, Angeline, Takagi-Sensei, Jessica, and a gentleman from London who watched the class with his family.

Forgetting our students were in high school and not university, Takagi Sensei’s invitation to go drink beer and eat loads of great food had to be turned down (Sensei, their home stay families are expecting these.... err.. high school students) we were off again into the warm Tokyo night.

Do you wanna see 7 punches...? Do you wanna see them again? (And the famous athlete that said this was...wait for the trivia contest on Friday!)

The last adventure came later, as Jessica and Angeline went back home by themselves, but missed getting off at Akabane station (after I had clearly stated where to get off, please don’t think I was negligent, we’d done this train route a few times now) and had a bit of a fright riding into the next prefecture of Saitama. A nervous phone call to me just before 11pm from their home stay brother Hidetori had me prepare to go to my car to go look for them should they not arrive in a few minutes, but they did and talking to them on the phone they were laughing at themselves, in good spirits.

Another misadventure done, Day 10 was in the can!

Richard

(For those non-film makers and others new to English, when movies are shot on film, the film comes in round metal cans. After a roll of film is used, it's put back in the can and labeled, hence when something is done, it’s in the can!)

writer: staff  date: 6:02 PM | News

Intermediate Japanese group with Yano Sensei!

Monday start began with everyone arriving looking a little sleepy from active weekends, but enthusiastic. Mr. Fukuda had taken Marvin to the beautiful seaside town of Kamakura, about an hour south of Shibuya by train, home to many temples and a famous 13m tall Great Buddha statue.

The girls Jessica, Angeline and Justine became fast fans of Japan’s karaoke box system, spending some 3 hours on Saturday belting out all kinds of tunes. Sunday they once again explored Harajuku.

Yano Sensei and myself got things rolling Monday with our two Japanese lesson groups. The beginners learned ‘this, that’ and ‘hey, what’s that thing way over there’. The intermediates with Yano Sensei studied ‘What am I?’, with Yano-Sensei describing a picture the students were looking at and then they would have to answer in Japanese by choosing from a vocabulary list.

Learning origami from Yogo Sensei!

After break to check emails, Eikin Yogo, the school’s art teacher and a professional painter, brought in loads of special origami (folding paper) of all sorts of colors, some painted with brilliant kimono themes. Yogo Sensei’s plan was to challenge everyone with difficult origami and cutting origami (sort of like folding and cutting white paper to make snow flakes, but much more formalized), however, everyone just really got into basic, and very fun, ninja throwing stars, frogs and flowers.

For sure they could have sat for several hours folding, shaping and compiling origami since they were enjoying it so much, which I was happy to see.

Paper cranes!

August 6 is an important day in Japan being the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. I told the students a famous story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12 year old girl who was 1 mile from ground center at the time of the blast. While she survived the initial bombing, 10 years later she developed leukemia, and was given one year to live. While in hospital, she tried to fold 1000 paper cranes in the hope there was some truth in Japanese saying that anyone will have their wish granted should them accomplish this feat. Supposedly she made it to 664 before she passed away less than a year later, but her friends made many more and now there is a statue of her at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Origami group photo with Yogo Sensei!

In the afternoon we hopped a few trains over to Koiwa City area of east Tokyo, getting off at the easy to remember Koiwa Station, arriving at the home of Mr. Masao Ito. Ito Sensei is a master at making soba (buck wheat) noodles!

He is 76 years old, he retired 10 years ago, and right after he retired he remodeled his living room with 5 cooking stations (really big wooden tables) to teach people how to make real homemade soba.

Chopping the soba dough!

Mrs. Ito was there to help and Jun-Sensei, a young protégé of Ito-Sensei, also came by to instruct.

Ito Sensei helping Jessica and Jun Sensei helping Marvin. Learning how to make soba, like anything in Japan, is really a one-to-one experience!

What a treat! Ito-Sensei really got into physical beauty of making soba! He said learning to make soba takes ‘’3 years, 3 months and 3 days!’’ There are 14 steps, the first 6 (mixing) takes 3 years to learn properly, the next 4 steps for rolling takes 3 months, and the final the 3 steps for cutting takes 3 days.

Everyone got a wonderful demonstration for the whole process; mixing the soba flour with water and a little udon noodle flour (2 parts udon flour to 8 parts soba), then the ‘wax on, wax off’ finger style of mixing in a huge bowl, then hand rolling into a dough pyramid followed by pounding out the dough on the table into a circle (if your heart has a clean conscience, a perfect circle is easy Sensei said!), before using several rolling pins to make the dough 1.5cm thick in a square shape, and finally finishing by cutting the dough into long, thin strips with a very big, very sharp knife!

Afterwards, all the students had a go, with Ito-Sensei and Jun-Sensei madly moving from table to table to keep everyone on track through each step in the process! And the students did quite well, all having several servings of soba prepared. Ito-Sensei seemed very pleased (at least he didn’t make anyone start over from scratch).

Mrs. Ito also very kindly ran out to the local store to get very fresh Japanese sweet pears, which she peeled and cut up for us, adding them to small plates for everyone with edamame green beans!

The final meal, since it's summer 'zaru soba' or cold soba noodles, plus soya dipping sauce, sliced onion and grounded wasabi paste to mix into the dipping sauce (you determine how much you 'kick' you want) plus fesh pear and edamame. Wow, healthy, or as the Japanese say 'he-ru-shi!'

After everyone was done, Ito-Sensei deftly cooked up one serving that each person made in boiling water (another process with several precise steps) before we all sat down to enjoy the ‘soba of our labor’, trying to make loud slurping sounds as is custom when eating soba to improve the taste.

Jessica and Angeline try their best sluuurrrppp!

So everyone left feeling full, happy, and somewhat tired (from all the physical work, but also the heat outside and maybe still some lingering jetlag), but having for sure learned Japanese culture from nothing to something! It was also curious to see how the importance of one’s balance of movement with both sides of the body, the control of one’s center line and the awareness of the finer points of the process for soba-making kind of relate to the tea ceremony, to judo, to karate, demonstrating a further link between all the traditional customs of Japan. The sense of one learning a ‘way’, following a ‘path’ and the key to success being serious, consistent effort for years and years, with fun too along the way!

The final group shot, everyone stuffed and happy! Left to right: Richard, Angeline, Jessica, Mrs. Ito, Mr. Ito, Marvin, Justine and Mr. Fukuda.

At night Jessica and I attended a training session with the All-Japan National Karate Team Head Coach, Toshiaki Maeda, at his Monday night practice not far from the school.

Jessica, Maeda Sensei and Richard, all 'just' perspiring a little...!

We got lucky because few students attended the class (probably because it’s August) and Maeda Sensei kindly did not drill us into the ground due to the heat, but he shared with us several fine points about basic movement and how to prepare our body for countering an opponent’s attack in a sport’s karate match. Never overbearing or negative, and still moving faster than both of us even at age 53 (he grumbled he doesn’t want to turn 54 next week!) we had a great sweaty time before the practice seemed so quickly over.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 10:49 PM | News

Tokyo Tower, from their online promo website.

This is just a short notice about what our Japan Experience students are up to with their home stay families this weekend. It's Sunday mid-day now, so at the time of writing this post, I know of the following activities everyone is up to.

Marvin got to enjoy swimming pool madness on Friday night, while on Saturday the Fukuda family planned to take him to Tokyo Tower to see the night lights of the city.

I just spoke to Mrs. Hanai, the home stay mom for Jessica, Angeline and Justine, and she told me yesterday her son Hidenori took them on a tour of their neighbourhood, then they went to karaoke!

Karaoke in Japan means going to an office building with several floors, each floor having many small rooms designed like little studios. with couches, a large TV monitor, high-tech karaoke machine, large singer's microphones, sometimes tamborines and a large low table. These are called 'karaoke boxes'. On the first floor is the front desk where a group of friends sign in, because you rent a karaoke box to sit with friends, sing your favorite songs, plus order food and drinks from the company's kitchen. Absolutely great fun, for sure friend-bonding plus a good stress releasing activity.

From the large chain karaoke company Big Echo, here is a picture from one of their online promotional campaigns.

High school students can normally rent karaoke boxes very cheaply since they normally go before office workers.

Today Mrs. Hanai said the 3 girls are off to explore other parts of Harajuku with a friend's daughter who knows the best spots to go to.

It's a very warm and sunny 35 degrees in Tokyo today, so a good day to either be inside air-conditioned stores or outside at pool or beach for sure! After many weeks of clouds, sunshine is most welcome.

Richard

writer: staff  date: 11:46 AM | News

Tea time, Japanese traditional that is!

While sleepy, perhaps recovering from jet lag and sauna-like day yesterday, our Japan Experience students still trooped into the school for the morning Japanese class. The beginners went over how to say 'that's a tall building!' to 'this is terrible coffee!', while the intermediates learned how to give multiple directions for multiple senarios.

Nakamura Sensei instructing Marvin.

After an email check break, a new Mrs. Nakamura, a wonderfully refined chado (tea ceremony) teacher, welcomed us into the school's traditional style tatami mat tea ceremony room. Nakamura-Sensei looked resplendent in a soft rose petal-colored silk kimono of many layars. Helping her were current Japanese students who are in the school's tea ceremony, plus graduate students who volunteered as well, which was really appreciated.

Sensei's wonderful helpers!

Nakamura-Sensei, using her excellent command of English, instructed us through each stage of the tea ceremony, right from how one enters the room from a small doorway (so that to leave all one's baggage of reality outside), to how to bow, add the tea powder to the cup, how to add hot water, then whisk it together before properly holding the cup to drink.

A tea ceremony club member makes tea very carefully ('cause Sensei's watching!)

We learned how to be the guests in the tea house and receive sweets before tea. Then tea is made by a host, in this case the Japanese girls were making tea first for us under Sensei's watchful eyes of course. Afterwards, everyone had a go, and dark green liquid was tried by all.

Everyone tries the smooth green tea!

Nakamura Sensei said that there are many types of tea depending which tree in Japan or China it is picked from. Plus tea can be light or thick, thick having more taste (and more cost)!

'Wakeseijaku', the Japanese calligraphy on the wall, meaning calm, peace, soothing, as you should feel during the tea ceremony.

A sense of serenity took over, the tea room it's own separate world and all too soon, time passed and we were done.

One young helper is so cute as she watches everyone from the kitchen in the next room...

Our Japan Experience students then had lunch of soba noodles mixed with cooked, sliced onion and boiled seaweed (plus a raw egg if they were feeling adventurous), plus rice and beef stew.

We rushed over to Akabane station and hopped a Saikyo-line train to Shibuya, an amazing city center full of whole buildings devoted to fashion, plus endless music stores, restaurants, pachinko parlors, bars and department stores of all kinds.

Shibuya!

But before shopping, we got tickets to experience Japan's national television (NHK) channel's Studio Park interactive television center. A large facility inside NHK's huge main studio complex, it has a long walking tour with multiple displays describing how NHK creates it's magic, from TV news, dramas to radio and 3D shows.

Fun things included recording our own voices reading the script for a short animation AND then seeing it played back, seeing kids under 8 be the talent in a studio, all of us standing in front of a green while we saw an animated world of sea creatures swim around us, and also we experienced the first 3D no-3D-glasses-needed cinema in the world. Plus we made lots of little friends with the little people who were out in force with parents and friends.

Little ones rehearsing for the big-time someday!

A short hike from there we made out meeting point the front of the famous 109 fashion building, with it's endless fashions mainly for young women, not far from the world's craziest intersection, where thousands of people cross in all directions at the same time!

Shibuya's famous intersection!

Of course, no trip to Shibuya for the first time is not complete with out meeting Hachiko, the statue commerating the real like Akita-breed 4-legged wonder who from about 1924-36 always waited for it's master at Shibuya station (the area was actually more rural then), even after the master died early around 1925. This type of devotion made it famous sitting outside alone and the statue has become the most famous meeting point in all of Tokyo.

With the eternally loyal Hachiko!

Weekend plans for the students are to be with the home stay families, which I heard will include trips to Tokyo Tower, karaoke box singing, more shopping at Harajuku, learning how to wear kimonos, helping make tempura from scratch and possibly attending a local matsuri (festival). The students all seem to enjoy being with their home stays, plus for sure they'll enjoy a little more sleep over the next two days before we dive right back into more adventures in Tokyo!

writer: staff  date: 8:57 PM | News

Principal Fukuda kindly leads us to Akihabara, Electronic Town, on one of Tokyo's super handy trains!

After a brief sideways heavy typhoon-like rain this morning, everyone arrived safely ready to go for Day 5. I heard the girls had made tempura with their home stay mom Mrs. Hanai the night before, or at least they got to dip things into the pan with her directions. (Mrs. Hanai said she will teach them the whole process from scratch when they have more time on the weekend.)

Again it was off to the language races with our Japanese lesson, the beginner's group learning handy shopping Japanese from Richard-Sensei and the intermediate group learning how to talk about the weather with Yano-Sensei. Since we're just getting the typhoon part of the year, also the really hot part of summer, weather chatting is in season and everyone says the same two sentences like robots!

Atsui ne! (It's hot, eh!)
So desu ne, Atsuuuuiii! (Yes, it sure isssss!)

With the next person, just repeat conversation.

Train map of central Tokyo city! The green line is the Yamanote-line that goes both ways. Akihabara is the big red square. Akabane is just north, you can see the price 210 yen for it. Traveling on trains is, just pay the distance you want to go!

Akihabara Station east exit!

After the Japanese lesson, everyone did email checks during the morning break, picked up bento lunches made by the school cook, and we were off the day's ensoku (outing). The Principal actually lead us on the train to Akihabara, Electronic Town, the district of Tokyo crammed with numerous buildings selling all sort of the lastest electronics, DVDs, CDs, plus anything and everything related to Japanese anime (animation) and manga (comics).

Jessica strikes a samurai pose!

Akihabara has really become a mecca for all these things, and I heard today foreigners make up almost one third of the people who visit the area! (90% of foreigners in Japan are Asians, many here to study in engineering or sciences at university.) Customers buy three main things; digital cameras, anything electronic, and anything deriving from the anime/manga fantasy world.

No, it's not real bottled sweat, it's just a popular sport's drink you can buy everywhere!

The term Akiba has been coined to mean a person who loves everything Akihabara has to offer, to the point all their income is spent on items from here, including costumes of the favorite anime/manga characters (referred to as cosplay).

A whole Sega building!

Young women in trendy maid's costumes hand out flyers for stores on the street, while salesmen rap in Japanese through megaphones about great and cheap their latest products are! Cosplay anyone?

(Useful tip; getting travellers checks cashed is best done at large bank branches near main train stations or at a large post office, as the smaller banks and post offices don't handle foreign currency.)

Our electronic purchases done, we assembled to head back to school for karate!

Upon return to the school, we participated in a practice with the co-ed karate club, which included junior high school students and graduates from the school also present to offer more people for us to workout with.

Bowing in seiza, running around to warm-up, playing ?'karate tag?' with a partner, stretching, punches, kicks, kata and sparring drills were the order of the day.

Marvin dodging a roundhouse kick!

Jessica performing kata under the watchful eyes of Shun Tanaka, a graduate and many times kata champion!

The atmosphere was kept relaxed and welcoming, which Jessica, Angeline and Marvin may not have expected (all being karate athletes back home), perhaps thinking the more common drill-sergent karate instructor style was most prevalent in Japan like in other countries. But actually there are different ways to teach karate, and a fun, but serious method allows the athletes to be relaxed, move faster and think of a more wide variety of skills to be used then a rigid approach.

The group!

We ended with group pictures and hand-shakes, sharing final words in each other's language, and then time having flown by, the Japan Experience students were off to their home stays for dinner. We were happy to see Justine, Jessica and Angeline confidently using the bus on their own now to get to and from school, while Marvin was lucky because Mr. Fukuda took him to some fun spot in the city for dinner with his family.

You have 3 seconds, quick, get to another spot!

Although somewhat tired from heat & jet lag, which sort of kicks in a few days after arrival for most foreigners from far off lands and totally different time zones), for sure it was another successful day. Tomorrow, the tea ceremony, and a chance to be on national Japanese TV!

writer: staff  date: 8:36 PM | News

Masuda Sensei and Nakamura Sensei preparing for our late morning temaki (roll by hand) sushi lesson!

Our routine established, we began our day with the Japanese lesson, for the beginners learning how to ask what nationality someone is (a very common question all foreigners are asked here). The intermediate group worked on English-loan words in Japanese, like pasokon (computer).

After an email check during the break, the cooking teachers Mrs. Nakamura and Ms. Masuda welcomed us into the cool, spacious cooking lab to learn how to make temaki-sushi (hand-rolled sushi).

A huge welcome notice was on the board drawn-up by the cooking club students, and the lab was thoroughly prepared for our lesson, many tables having been laid out with various cooking ingredients, instruments, bowls, etc.

Justine madly fanning the rice to cool it as the vinegar/sugar/salt mixture is added by Masuda Sensei!

Temaki sushi involves making sweet sushi rice, after which one puts a serving (clump) onto a dried seaweed sheet, adds one or more fillings (cut up raw fish, vegetables, cooked egg, etc), then adds green wasabi (Japanese horse radish), rolls it all into an open funnel, dunks it into soy sauce and presty, takes a hearty bite!

Nakamura Sensei first led the students through preparing the food which can be chosen for putting inside the temaki sushi. Cucumber, boiled shitake mushrooms, tuna mixed with Japanese mayonnaise (a little sweeter than normal Western mayo), and several varieties of fish, scallops and shrimp. Really, one can choose to make any fillings they like.

The students also learned to make chawan-mushi, a savory egg custard served in a tea tumbler (chawan). Eggs, chicken, shitake soy sauce (shoyu) and some vegetables are cut thinly, steamed then simmered. In addition, the students learned to make miso soup, a very common side dish at all Japanese meals.

For making sushi rice, Nakamura Sensei poured the vinegar-sugar-salt mixture into a large bowl the rice had been placed in, then all the students beat hand fans over the rice quickly to help the mixture evenly stick to the rice, and not become slushy. And, how did it taste…?

Must have been fine since everyone dug into after saying grace in Japanese, Itadakimasu! No student braved adding wasabi, but the teachers did that’s for sure (wasabi contest anyone?)

The student’s have been really looking forward to today’s afternoon plan (especially Angeline, our future fashion designer!) because we were off to Harajuku!

Everyone at Takeshita Dori (street), the main youth fashion street!

Beginning of Takeshita Dori.

Near the end of Takeshita Dori, but lots and lots of side roads from this point, plus the more upscale Omotesando Road is just around the corner.

Harajuku is an area of Tokyo famous for youth fashion, with tons of small stores crammed into several long, small streets, each selling completely different takes on the latest street trends. Please check out the many pictures taken below!

A happy camper in the crowd! Many foreigners come to Harajuku as well from all sorts of countries.

Inside a store, many being very different from each other.

Writing a prayer on a shiny piece of paper and tying it to a tree, as one does during the Tanabata festival on July 7th. In this case, a milk company was doing a promotion with the front of the paper having its logo... um, maybe pray for the milk not to go bad too soon...

Marvin inside Omotesando Hills shopping center, which is chock full of brand name stores.

I was very happy to see smiles on everyone’s faces at the end of several hours of shopping, gazing, talking to people and simply surviving the rush of energy and humid heat of the day! Several kilos of shopping bags were carried back onto the trains as we headed for the school to the meet the home stay families.

The purpose of the Japan Experience, as one can see now, is to be immersed in Japan! The average group trip to Japan has people zooming from temple, to sightseeing spot, back on the bus and/or bullet train, to another temple, and then again to another sightseeing spot, that by the end of a week or more, the visitors to Japan have only a good idea of the infrastructure and what old religious centers look like. But with our program the hope is the students will dive really into the life of a Japanese person.

For sure they would are experiencing the life of Japan fully. Even just calling the home stay mom, Mrs. Hanai, today around 5pm to say the girls were still exploring and discovering, to please keep some dinner for them, got a great laugh of acceptance by the her, knowing full well the furious adventure of being in the world’s shopping capital can create.

But there are of course many important educational moments throughout the day and we keep trying to point them out as we go along, especially in relation to Japanese customs.

During cooking, we talked about making sure others are served first or at least to food and drink for everyone before one personally begins to eat. Even the Japanese custom of washing as many dishes used in the preparation of the food as possible while one is cooking was an eye opener, the custom purpose on there being less to do in terms of clean-up after the meal.

While at Harajuku, we discussed how Japanese high school students come to Harajuku in normal clothes, then get all dressed up in their favorite colorful fashions (especially on Sundays), only to get completely cleaned up before going home. The purpose (other than not upsetting one’s parents when leaving the house!), is that self-expression for Japanese sometimes has a proper place and time, that one doesn’t need to always be expressing what they think.

At school Japanese students wear uniforms to be focused on school, which is considered not a time to be overly expressive (debatable of course, but getting into university requires focus). We talked about the importance of allowing others to share in their thoughts perhaps first, which is the Japanese custom of asking others for their opinion before expressing one’s own, a sense of respect to someone else and simply to humble oneself. Even the simple act of standing up and giving a nice, warm Ohayo Gozaimasu! (Good morning!) to others when one first sees them is a way to promote positive energy at school or at work that for the Japanese is important to keeping society (all 33 million of them crammed together in Tokyo and its surrounding suburbs) getting along smoothly.

This is not to say Japan is perfect, like any country it has it good and bad points, but there the sense of harmony by being more aware of those around us I think we are all appreciating a little more.

And of course, at the end of the day, more bubbly Seiritsu students say hi, perhaps wide-eyed to see so many foreigners (with so many shopping bags today!) walking around the school!

writer: staff  date: 6:22 PM | News

Studio Ghibli Museum!

Today started off with everyone jumping right into the Japanese lesson. Yano Sensei's intermediate group of Justine and Marvin seemed to be covering a wide range of topics from music to memory recall, while the Richard Sensei's beginner group of Jessica and Angeline learned how to introduce themselves in Japanese.

During the mid-morning break, everyone checked emails in the school's computer room. One of the Japanese girl's studying in the room seemed to know the passwords to log into the school's system, which was very nice of her.

For our late-morning daily Japanese culture class, we were graced with the wonderful presence of the Principal's wife, Mrs. Haruko Fukuda, who is a Japanese shodo (calligraphy) teacher.

Mrs. Fukuda led everyone through the basics of how to hold the brush, how to make strong and cursive strokes, plus how to give one's calligraphy a sense of purpose.

When she liked what she saw, she drew a big swirling circle in red over it (which is a shodo teachers way to mark something is correct, plus to pretty it up!), or she drew over one's lines to show how to improve on one's next attempt. She seemed quite pleased and made lots red flower images out of the many red circles she put on the student's efforts.

The kanji characters covered were hana (flower), yume (dream), ryuu (dragon), mizu (water), and hooseki (jewel).

For lunch, the school cook Akakura-san made spaghetti and hot dogs, which surprised the students, perhaps they were expecting more Japanese food (yesterday was chicken kaarage, small sausages and rice mixed with vegetables). But at the school, the Japanese students have several choices each day of freshly cooked food ranging from curry and rice, spaghetti, soba or udon noodles, kaarage (dry fried chicken) and then something different each day, which could even be several Chinese food dishes.

Then by 12:30pm, we were off to the Studio Ghibli Museum (pronounced ji-bu-li). This is the home of the world famous animator Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of the wonderful anime movies My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away (which he won an Oscar for) and Howl's Castle to name a few.

From Akabane station near the school, we took the JR (Japan Rail) Saikyo train to the world's largest train station, Shinjuku-eki, used by over 3 million people a day on about 13 trains. From Shinjuku we rode the JR Chuo line west to Mitaka City, where there are special Totoro Neko Buses (neko means cat) waiting outside to take people to the museum.

Totoro selling tickets!

The museum itself was a magical place, enjoyable for both young and young at heart! Everyone is greeted by a huge Totoro at the entrance gate, sitting inside a ticket booth. The museum's motto is 'Let's become lost children together.'

The entrance of the museum.

The buildings of the museum are sort of like an expanded hobbit house, with many rooms, each filled with a theme. One is how animation is created, showing individual pages used for creating a moving image (pages are called cells), plus there were models which are either stationary or spin rapidly with strobe lights to create the illusion of motion.

The kid's play room with a huge neko bus! Marvin (and Richard!) were tempted to dive into the fun, but there was a height restriction - little people up to our knees allowed only... :(

Other rooms are filled with interactive characters, re-created sets how an old animator's studio would look like, various sizes of animation equipment on active display, plus two rooms simple with large Ghibli characters to play on for kids.

There was a short 16min film that was showed in a theater, called Kujira-tori (Whale Hunt) about some Japanese kindergarten boys who make an imaginery boat out of large building blocks inside their school. But somehow water flows in and they end up floating out to sea and befriend a whale. It was interesting to see how the kindergarten kids all worked together, their sweet and polite approach to being organized was sort of symbolizing that great Japanese desire for everyone to work as a harmonized group. Seeing it portrayed on-screen by these little school kids letting their minds run wild was a treat.

Our Japan Experience student's reactions to the museum ranged from being just super, over-the-moon happy to be there (like Marvin who's a huge fan of Miyazaki) to others being intrigued by the wide variety of creativity, to simply the sense of the magic of the premises.
All seemed to be in agreement is was well worth the visit!

Coming back to the school at day's end we took some time to walk through Shinjuku station to see the multitude of standing noodle shops, drug stores, coffee shops and countless newsstands, all within side the gates.

Walking back from Akabane station to the school to meet the home stay families, we kept bumping into regular Seiritsu students on their way to the station to go home after basketball practice or summer studies. The Seiritsu students, especially the girls, are very friend and it seemed like several conversations were sprung up with different groups just simply walking back to school.

Again, it seemed we had another great day, definitely living and breathing as one with the city. And soooooo many Japanese people were jealous we got to go to the Studio Ghibli Museum during a working day! Actually we made sure to buy little presents from the gift shop to keep those home stay smiles coming our way

writer: staff  date: 6:58 PM | News

Meeting Kocho-Sensei, Principal Fukuda!

Our four adventurous students arrived for their first time at Seiritsu’s Tokyo campus looking positive and only a little sleepy after their arrival the day before. Our Monday began with a very short welcome speech from Principal, Mr. Kohei Fukuda, and then an orientation meeting about the program, basic safety, a school tour and general information.

Marvin and Justine learning Japanese from Yano Sensei!

Next up was the fantastic Mrs. Yano, or Yano Sensei to us, who will be teaching the students Japanese every weekday along with the International Manager Richard. Justine and Marvin have had a few years of Japanese language classes in school, while Jessica and Angeline are beginners, although they know how to say ‘roundhouse head kick’ from their karate training!

Practicing the Japanese alphabet with Richard!

After the Japanese class, we picked up our bento box lunches made by the school’s great cook, Mr. Akakura, and headed off to Asakusa, the old downtown area of Tokyo.

Kaminarimon Gate (hiding from the typhoon rain!)

Just when we arrived the famous Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate), a very timely typhoon passed through Tokyo with lots of heavy rain and lightening for a few hours. For sure our Japan Experience students soon felt they were for sure in Asia! The huge Kaminarimon Gate’s entrance way has a massive hanging red lantern hanging from it, and it is the most popular spot in Tokyo for tourists to have their picture taken (which we did in the pouring rain, brave souls we are!)

Sensoji Temple!

The gate is for Senso-Ji, the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. Here the students saw for the first time how the Japanese pray at a temple. To start there is a large incense urn where people waft the smoke over their heads in the hope they will become smarter (or their faces to maintain/improve their looks!). They then saw how Japanese people use water to purify their mouth and hands with a small ladle to prepare for praying. This is followed by throwing a coin into a prayer box and then praying before an image of Buddha.

Between the gate and the temple are several hundred small shops selling all kinds of things, small and big treasures, lots perfect for souvenirs.

Marvin at the Ameyoko shopping-bazaar entrance!

Coming back to school to beat the rain, we went to a major city center called Ueno and hung out at a Starbucks to eat our lunches (to escape the last few minutes of rain). The students had a chance to then walk around Ameyoko, a busy bazaar area of stores, many located directly under an elevated train line.

Octopus arms/legs for sale!

These stores used to be the black market of Tokyo right after the war when the city was being rebuilt and food and clothing was scarce. But not today, as Ameyoko, named either after America for the US made good sold there in days past, or after the Ameya, the name of candy stores, Ameyoko is bursting with everything for sale, for sure playing its part in making Tokyo the shopping capital of the world.

Our Japan Experience students wearing our judo team's uniforms, with 'Seiritsu' written in bold kanji letters on the jacket!

The day finished with the students receiving a lesson from the judo club, or more like just jumping right into a regular practice! With borrowed uniforms, the students got to do rolls, dives and even ‘eel crawls’ on the floor, plus the more adventurous learned a few shoulder throws.

The judo team making their introductions in Japanese, and English!

Judo Coach, Sato Sensei!

A judo member dives over a chair!

Learning a shoulder pull to throw the opponent off balance.

Thanks for the lesson!

After the judo lesson, the students checked their emails in the library and then they were off again to the home stay families, which I had heard had planned welcome parties with other family and friends. So again, a successful day being immersed in Japan!

Some happy Seiritsu girls see off Jessica, Angelina and Justine as they go back to their home stay!

writer: staff  date: 6:32 PM | News

A 747 airliner arrives at Narita International Airport, Tokyo's gateway to the world!

Between the arrival of George Clooney (here to promote the movie Ocean’s Thirteen) and some 1000 new English teachers for Japanese schools, plus the regular many thousands of passengers, our four foreign students also arrived safely to participate in the Japan Experience program on Sunday, July 29.

Richard (Seiritsu International Section Manager ), Marvin, Mr. Fukuda (Seiritsu Director & home stay dad), plus cute Mioko!

After a long flight from Berlin, Germany, with a stop-over in Amsterdam, our first student to arrive was Marvin Hartmann. Marvin’s in junior high, he practices karate and jujitsu, plus he loves anime! His home stay family was there to meet him, Mr. Yohei Fukuda (home stay dad), Mrs. Ryoko Fukuda (home stay mom) and Mioko Fukuda (cute 9 year old home stay sister). On the car ride into town, Marvin got to see the city skyline of Tokyo when crossing the famous Rainbrow Bridge.

When he saw Tokyo Tower, he decided for sure that’s where he has to go during his stay (no problem, the Fukuda’s are taking him there on Saturday night to see the wonderful city lights from the top).

Hidenori Hanai, Mrs. Hanai, Mr. Hanai, Angeline and Justine.

The next two participants to arrive were the Canadians from British Columbia! Angeline Spears (from Prince George) and Justine Stefaniec (from Victoria) both arrived on the same JAL Airlines flight from Vancouver, even though they didn’t know each other. They were met by the school’s former PTA president, Mrs. Mitsuko Hanai, her husband Mr. Yoshio Hanai and their 19 year old son (and former graduate of Seiritsu), Hidenori Hanai.

Angeline is going into grade 12 and she also practices karate. Justine is a recent graduate who is preparing to enter education at university in the future.

Soon they were whisked off to Tokyo, where they enjoyed a sushi dinner and some relaxing sleep.

Jessica on the train ride into Tokyo!

The last participant to arrive was Jessica Knight from near Nashville Tennessee on Northwest Airlines. Jessica, while also being a karate-ka, is a recent graduate off to college upon her return to the US to study rehabilitation. Her home stay family is also with the Hanai’s, so she and myself zoomed into Tokyo on several trains to catch up with the rest of the group.

All in all, a very fine (if not a little sleepy for the students) first day with everyone having arrived safe and sound. And so the adventure begins!

Richard

writer: staff  date: 5:35 PM | News

On Saturday, June 2, Seiritsu held its Sport’s Festival at the school’s sport’s training ground in the City of Washimiya, Saitama Prefecture.

All the homerooms competed against other homerooms in the same grade (1st, 2nd and 3rd). In addition, the soccer and baseball club’s student athletes competed against each other, for example, 1st year soccer boys versus against 1st year baseball boys.

Events included:
1. Team relays
2. Tug-of-war
3. Group skip rope: to see which class could do the most jumps with about 10 people without getting tangled up (91 times might have been the days record)
4. 4-person land skis: people tuck their feet into straps attached to 2 pieces of 2x8 lumber, and then they must coordinate their movement forward across about a 20 meter distance without falling over.

The sun was shining, many parents and friends came to watch, including school graduates, and there was a large concession stand selling a variety of food and icy treats for everyone.

What some of the foreign students noticed was how much more organized Japanese sport’s festivals are. From kindergartens right up to senior citizen’s homes, people will practice for days on end in several of the events, land-skis and skipping especially, just to do well on the day for group pride. Seiritsu has 4 half-day training sessions prior to the event day, with each grade all going to a soccer field to better get coordinated with their homeroom classmates.

Each homeroom also made a special flag, t-shirts and some students even dressed up in costumes when certain events happened. There was one student-athlete boy who ran the relay dressed as the animation character Sailor-Moon.

There are several key dates in the year for every school; Sport’s Festival, Culture Festival and Graduation.

From now until the end of September, all the school’s clubs will begin to focus on the Culture Festival as the next big school event here at the Tokyo Campus.

writer: staff  date: 8:49 AM | News

Seiritsu has a growing community of friends in several countries, whom we’ve met through our students being on home stays and also through foreign groups coming to visit us here in Tokyo, so we thought we should post our recent sport’s club results.

(Boy's Soccer club) T-1 League
The boy's won 6-1 versus Kokugakuin Kugawaya High School, at Komazawa 2nd field on May 3. Also on May 5th, the boys beat Horikoshi high school 5 to 2.

(Boy’s Rubber-ball Baseball Club)
The boys were defeated by Metropolitan Kohoku High School 4 to 1 in the second round during the Tokyo Spring Rally on Saturday, April 28.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
(Track and Field Club)
Class 3E Yoshida Kai take 5th place (5m93cm) in the Broad Jump event at the preliminary contest of the 3rd Tokyo Championships on 29th Saturday, April 28.

(Table Tennis club)
On April 29th, the club was defeated in the second victory round by Ogawa High School 1 to 3, after winning the first round versus Chuo University High School 3 to 0, at the Tokyo qualifying tournament for the Kanto Championships.

(Kendo Club)
The girl’s team squad won their first round at the Tokyo Spring Tournament Kanto Regional Qualifier on April 29. The boy’s squad was then defeated in the 3rd round, placing in the Best 64.

(Badminton club)
At the individual Inter-High Tokyo Qualifier on April 30th, Horikoshi High School defeated Seiritsu’s Watanabe pair in the 2nd round.

In individual competition on May 3, 3H Inoue Rina placed second in the seventh group block, defeated by Tsurugaoka High School.

On May 4, 2D Ino Yonishi was defeated in the second round by Shibaura Institute of
Technology high school.

(Karate Club)

Tokyo Spring Karate Championships (team events) held at Seiritsu on Sunday, April 29.

The Tokyo Spring Tournament was held over two weekends, April 22 and April 29, and was a qualifier for the June Kanto Regional Championships. The April 29th tournament was actually held at Seiritsu, the first time a karate event has been held here in over 14 years.

Girl’s Individual Kumite: 4th place 2nd year Sayaka Ueno (qualified for Kanto)
Girl’s Team Kata: 3rd place (qualified for Kanto)
Girl’s Team Kumite: 2nd place (qualified for Kanto)
Boy’s Individual Kata: everyone stopped at the first round.
Boy’s Individual Kumite: 2nd year Ryota Yamazaki made Best 16, while 3rd years Sho Yamanobe and Ryoto Watanabe made Best 32.
Boy’s Team Kata and Team Kumite: everyone stopped at the first round.

(Boy’s Basketball Club)
At the Tokyo Spring Championships on April 29th, the boys defeated Mitaka High School 99 to 64 in the 3rd preliminary round to qualify for the Kanto Regionals. The boys then defeated Nihon Gakuen High School 84 to 50 in the fourth preliminary round on April 30. They were then defeated by Teikyo High School 70 to 106 later that day.

(Girl’s Tennis Club)
At the Tokyo Singles Championships on April 29th, class 3D Miho Tanabe was defeated 2 to 6 in the 4th round.

(Girl’s Soccer Club)
The girls defeated Suginami High School 4 to 2 as a preliminary game for qualifying for the All-Japan High-School Girl’s Soccer Championship, on April 29th. The girl’s were defeated by Shou Girls' High School 2 to 3 on April 30, placing in the Best 16 of the tournament.

(Bowling Club)
At the 62th National Sports Bowling Festival Tokyo qualifer on Saturday, May 5, the bowling club placed a respectable 3rd, but they unfortunately didn't qualify for Nationals.

writer: staff  date: 9:38 AM | News

From the beautiful land of kiwis, Seiritsu was visited by 7 students and their teacher on April 15th and 16th. The group was from Cambridge High School in Cambridge, New Zealand, their ages ranged from 14 to 17, and they were at the tail end of their tour around Japan.

The students introduce themselves to a regular homeroom class.

The students were being excellently guided by their own Japanese teacher, Kimi Sensei, who has been teaching them Japanese several times a week at Cambridge.

New Zealand student practicing Japanese 'shodo'.

On Sunday, April 15 the students arrived at the school in the morning to meet several Seiritsu students and their families who would be hosting them for 2 nights in their homes.

After the meet and greet, the New Zealand students enjoyed the day with their Japanese hosts and they then came to school on the Monday for a variety of special activities.

The student's show off their best shodo, standing together with Kimi Sensei and Maruo Sensei.

Monday started off early with everyone trying their hand holding a brush to make simple Japanese calligraphy (shodo). This was followed by the chance to interview Seiritsu’s foreign students and International Section staff to learn about living in Japan. A special Japanese and Chinese style lunch was then prepared by our lively school cook.

The afternoon started with a simple Japanese conversation lesson to give them a chance to use the Japanese they had learned in school plus on their trip.

The Seiritsu Kendo Sensei gives a lesson in how to hold 'shinai'.

The last activity was a unique lesson about the intricacies of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Around 4pm the students left with their home stay ‘brothers & sisters’ for one more overnight stay with their host families. Then Tuesday morning at school they were back to for a final, slightly tearful, farewell. All and all, a short, but sweet visit and we hope to see our new Cambridge friends again someday.

This short 2 day program put together by the school was really a snapshot of what our Japan Experience cultural immersion homestay program will be from July 28-August 12.

RM

writer: staff  date: 6:25 PM | News

In an effort to offer a wider range of academic courses in English for our foreign students, the school has hired a full-time Math and Science teacher. We warmly welcome Cathy O'Shea, who comes to us from England. Below Cathy fills us in on who she is and why she decided to come to Japan.

Where are you from?

West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

What university did you go to?

Manchester Metropolitan University

What was your major?

My degree was Biological Sciences and I specialized in Biochemistry for four years

Did you always want to be a teacher?

No. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger.

Where did you work in England?

In Manchester and in Huddersfield

What is interesting about where you are from?

I lived in the countryside in West Yorkshire in a historic town called York. This had a cathedral called York Minster which was built around 1200 AD. It is a beautiful walled city and many people from all over the World visit it. The Vikings invaded York and you can visit very old sites which still show traces of the Vikings and you can see how they may have lived.

When did you first come to Japan and why?

In 2005. I came to work in an International school in Yokohama. My main reason was to study aikido as I had done it for many years in the United Kingdom (UK) and had always wanted to train in Japan. I like ancient history and so I like to visit cultures with a rich history. I also love castles!

What is similar about English and Japanese cultures?

Difficult question as we are losing our identity a little bit. In essence, I think many people generally have a deep respect for each other and are polite and unassuming.

What is different?

There is a much better work ethic here and people appear to be conscientious and hard working. Maybe too much hard work as their personal lives are affected I feel. There appear to be different priorities here with respect to work, home life and leisure. People tend to return home much later than in the UK and the emphasis is on a team rather than individual needs. Staff socializing makes a coherent group. There is less of this in the UK and many people just go straight home when their working day is over.

What do you want Japanese people to know about England?

In places it is a beautiful country, especially Yorkshire, though…I am biased! There grass is very green and there are many open spaces in the countryside. There is a wealth of historical buildings and in many cities the old architecture can be quite beautiful. The Lake District National Park is particularly beautiful and you can walk for many hours in the fells (hills). I have walked up the highest mountain in England.

What do you want English people to know about Japan?

The people are very polite and helpful. There are many temples and shrines to see and you can walk in the hills in the countryside also. There is a wealth of good restaurants offering food from around the world and your taste buds would never be bored! The cherry blossoms are amazing, the colour of the pastel pink flowers against the dark bark offers a stark contrast …..it reminded me of a light dusting of snow on the branches. Also, when the flowers fall it is quite an amazing feeling walking under such a `flower shower`! The transport system is easy to follow once you get the hang of it although some stations show no English on their boards which can be a bit disconcerting……people will help you if you look lost! I think it is a great country and I am so happy I returned. It was difficult to leave!

What are your hobbies, sports, etc?

I play the flute although it has been a little while since I picked it up as I have been so busy. I practice aikido and have done so for many years in the UK. I also have a great interest in ancient languages and can read some but not so well I think!

Do you have any big plans in Japan, like places you want to see, things you want to learn, etc?

I want to be able to read, write and speak Japanese but maybe that is a tall order! There are many parts of the country I want to see and I am sure many good experiences awaiting me.

Anything extra you would like to add?

Japan is a great place to live. It may be a little frustrating at first until you get your head round the difference in culture, social etiquette, transport systems, getting your first mobile and setting up bank accounts etc but once that is done your confidence increases and you can wander around quite happily and really enjoy yourself. The country offers a feast for the eyes and your stomach and all my experiences have been very positive. I really don`t want to leave again….but who knows what the future holds! Coming to Japan has certainly been the best decision of my life!

writer: staff  date: 3:16 PM | News

The girl’s team kumite squad from our co-ed karate club competed at the All-Japan High School Nationals March 26 in Wakayama City. Wakayama is in Wakayama Prefecture, about 1 hour from Osaka.

Kakiya Sensei coaching.

The teams face off!

The team!

The girl’s put up a valiant effort in the first round taking on the number one team from the Kanto area (this region is the large flat plain that wraps around Tokyo and it includes the 7 prefectures surrounding it), losing 4 matches to 1. But each match lost had a really close score and several times it looked like we might actually win the first round. So the coaches are very happy with the squad’s performance, being their first time at Nationals, and we are looking forward to the up-coming spring high school tournaments on April 22nd (individual events) and April 29th (team events).

See the all five matches on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tjay9y8p-k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeoGcWPhkwI

The event site was called Wakayama Big Whale Arena.

writer: staff  date: 2:50 PM | News

Wearing their brand new school uniforms, 383 new first year students entered the school on Saturday, April 7. The school’s cherry blossoms had softly laid a carpet of petals at the main gate, creating quite a poetic setting (the beloved ‘sakura’ has been a favorite subject of poetry here for thousands of years.)

A new student having her picture taken beside the 'New Student Ceremony' entrance sign.

With parents in tow, most new students arrived up to an hour early to find their assigned seats in the main hall and quietly wait for the ceremony to begin. The formal speeches by the principal and staff were moving, especially from the student council president who spoke of the new cherry blossoms blooming to symbolize the new beginning for all the students at the school.

Parents lined up at the back of the first homeroom for one class of 1st year students.

After the ceremony, each class went to their new homeroom to meet all as a group with their homeroom teacher for the first time (while their parents crowded at the back of the room to watch).

The high school homeroom teacher in Japan is one the key adults in a students life during their high school days, as the homeroom teacher wears the many hats of teacher/counselor/disciplinarian/surrogate parent. Also, the friends one makes in high school are some of the key friendships they will maintain their whole life. So both these bonds are very important and many students remain in touch with their high school homeroom teachers for years after they graduate.

Principal Fukuda with the 1st year student's teachers.

As the students returned home with their parents at midday, 2nd and 3rd year students from the different clubs lined the walkway to the main gate to hand out flyers promoting their clubs. Clubs are also another key aspect of high school life.

So the new school year has started, the weather is getting warmer day by day and the sakura are gone, replaced by new green shoots on the school’s cherry trees. The buzz at the school is that the soccer club is especially strong this year and they might win the Tokyo championships again in the fall like they did two years ago. Which of these new 1st year students will make the A squad has yet to be seen. With this buzz seeming to start right from day one, truly the new school year has begun!

The Seiritsu Tiara's put on a show for everyone!

writer: staff  date: 10:58 AM | News

While competing at the Tokyo High School Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in the Tokyo Sports Culture Pavilion on Sunday, January 28, first year student Kato Yukina won the Ribbon athletic event!

Yukina's amazing athleticism!

Yukina's comment on her performance;
''This time, I think that I did better compared to last year. However, there are still some things I am not satisfied with so I will keep trying hard. I want to thank everyone for their continued support.''

Congradulations Yukina! Keep up the great work!

RM

writer: staff  date: 10:18 AM | News

February 26-March 1 Annual Seiritsu Ski School

This winter has been unseasonably warm in Tokyo, so much so we did not see any snow this year in the city. Normally Tokyo gets a sprinkling of snow each February, when the weather drops to around zero for a few days.

So what’s a private school to do for students who need the sensation of flying through fresh powder, but to pack up four bus loads of ski bums for a five hour drive west through Saitama and Gunma prefectures until we reached the mountainous prefecture of Nagano and it’s Kitashiga Ryuoo Ski Park. (Nagano held the 1998 Winter Olympics, although Ryuoo Ski Park was not an event site.)

Udagawa Sensei leading his group of boys.

Over 200 students participated, of which about half were on their first ski trip. Interestingly enough, of the 14 teachers that came along, most were avid skiers and many licensed ski instructors. The schedule had us slated for morning, afternoon and night skiing sessions, with all the beginners being lead by experienced teachers during each outing in groups of 5 to 10. By the last day, all the newbies were on the intermediate runs, although they took it rather easy. Some of the more talented students were fun to watch whiz buy at top speed.

First year students Tai and Misuki riding a lift.

We got lucky with the weather, having completely clear skies half the time, some heavy snow at night, and only one morning was the mountain so foggy no one could go hit the slopes. So, overall all we had a great outing, with everyone returning exhausted, but in one piece.

Due to many different schools visiting the ski hill, all Seiritsu students wore numbers to be easy to spot from a distance. Looking like competitive racers was just a coincidence...

RM

writer: staff  date: 2:55 PM | News

The 59th Seiritsu Gakuen Graduation Ceremony took place on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 10am here at the Seiritsu Tokyo Campus.

The graduating class was made up of 421 students, 236 boys and 185 girls. This year’s graduation was extra special because it is the first time our female students have graduated since the school became co-educational 3 years previous.

Principal Fukuda gives his speech to the graduates.

The pre-ceremony preparation had been going on for several days, in which the school gymnasium was completely decorated with red and white traditional celebration banners covering all the walls, the floor was covered in carpet and a large stage built. Parents arrived on the day about one hour early, the students about an hour even earlier to gather together in their homeroom with their homeroom teacher. The students wore their regular school uniform, not a new suit or gown like in Western countries.

A female student receiving her diploma, along with all the diploma's of her homeroom.

During the ceremony, in addition to official speeches, the class president for each class was called up to the front and they received all their classmates’ graduation diplomas from the principal in a large stack. Since the ceremony was short, starting at 10am and ending about an hour later, all the students returned to their homerooms where they individually received their diplomas and said their final good-byes. The parents all stood at the back of the room to see their children complete their high school years, most taking loads of pictures.

Sono Sensei wearing a traditional kimono, with 'Graduation Congradualtions!' written on the board, as he hands out diplomas after the ceremony.

Students and parents gathered in one homeroom class after the ceremony, watching each classmate receive their diploma one at a time.

The final graduation custom for Seiritsu is the ‘the last walk’ in which the graduating 3rd year students walk through a narrow human corridor in the main school courtyard, lined tightly on two sides by many 1st and 2nd year students, normally bunched together in their clubs, plus parents standing behind them. It was very much like a winner’s parade, as the graduates walked slowly out of the school for the last time, and their junior club members ran out to give them flowers and presents as they walked by. It was for sure an emotional time, especially at the end of the walk right at the main gate as everyone took pictures with everyone else, the tears flowing freely, even from the teachers.

The 'last walk', as seen here with Sukegawa Sensei leading his homeroom 3A sport's course graduating students.

It is also at this time that the clubs have everyone stand in a circle and the graduates give their final words of advice to their club juniors, as well as the juniors wish the best for their seniors. More presents are exchanged, this time club coaches and teachers also receiving something.

It's a mix of smiles and tears for the co-ed karate club, as the first ever female members graduate.

And then, slowly, a few at a time, the graduates leave with the courtyard finally becoming quiet. Actually, in the past when just boys graduated, maybe because they are shy it seemed the ‘last walk’ took less than an hour before everyone had left, but with the girls, it was a good three hours before everyone cleared out! Luckily the weather was actually sunny and quite warm, to the point some of us got a tan... All in all, a happy, and emotional, day.

RM

writer: staff  date: 2:21 PM | News

Seiritsu held it's 9th annual 'Fukuda-Cup' Kendo tournament for junior high school students on February 4th. This tournament is organized every year by our high school's kendo club and it was named after our current principal, Mr. Fukuda, who donated the cup.

There were 75 teams that participated, both boys and girls teams made up of five members each. The tournament was a team event, where five members faced off against another five from another team. The team with the best result in five duals between one member from each team moved onto the next round.

Congradulations to the winning teams from Kizaki Junior High and Motobuki Junior High!

Boy's Team Champions: Kizaki Junior High School, from Saitama prefecture

Girl's Team Champions: Motobuto Junior High School, from Saitama prefecture

writer: staff  date: 9:04 AM | News

They arrived looking nervous and a little sleepy. As they entered the school yard, they quietly offered a polite bow towards all the teachers lined up outside. Each listened closely as a teacher told them which classroom they were to enter. And with that, the school’s entrance exams for junior high school students wanting to enter Seiritsu began.

These annual entrance exams were held Monday and Tuesday, January 22 and 23 this week. Third year junior high school students who had previously been to the school for consultations with teachers as to which program they should apply for, were back for the required math, English and science level check exams. Afterwards, many students had interviews with teachers in the departments they wish to enter.

At the main gate, Richard Sensei & Saijo Sensei offer their fighting spirit for support while Kakiya Sensei displays his sweeter side.

Everywhere in Japan this month, junior high school students take entrance exams at one to several high schools they would like to enter. When high school students are in their last year, they will take university entrance exams, which are famous even abroad for being extremely difficult at the top universities. Upon graduation from university, most graduates are required to take entrance tests to the company they would like to enter as well. The whole process may have started with level check entrance tests for elementary school for some students.

Junior high school students concetrating hard on their entrance exam in the school's main hall.

After two days, around 1000 junior high school students took our entrance tests. Several after-school private study tutors even met their charges early at the gate to give them a small present of candy or food for energy, plus a pat on the back for support. A few parents also walked them to gate, several being the typical ‘salaryman’, each who looked a little concerned to make sure their child was alright while I suspect also being in an extra rush from not having taken the normal train route to work.

And when all was said and done at around in the early afternoon, a local grandmother who works as a crossing guard for the elementary school down the street called out to each student as they left to go home, ‘Gokaku yo, gokaku!’, meaning ‘You’ll pass, you’ll pass!’

RM

writer: staff  date: 5:45 PM | News

Left to right: Sari, Eri, Hitomi, Misuzu, Sayaka

Congratulations to the Girl's Team Kumite squad for qualifying for the All-Japan National High School Championships yesterday! Representing the school's co-ed karate club, the girl's squad placed Best 8 at the recent Kanto Regional High School Karate Championships by winning their first round, 4 matches out of 5, against Ichikawa High School from Yamanashi prefecture. The top 8 teams from each region will meet from March 24-27 in Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture for the Nationals this year.

Team Kumite is made up of 5 members fighting another team one member at a time, with the winning team achieving 3 or more wins. Each fight is 2 minutes long, the winner decided by who has the most points when time runs out, or the match is stopped short if someone reaches 8 points. Referees carefully watch the match and a center referee stops it every time a technique is scored to a award a point, or if there is an infraction to give a penalty.

The rules for athletes under 18 in Japan are slightly revised from the regular World Karate Federation (WKF) competition rules, because WKF rules state the winning athlete has to get 8 points ahead of the opponent's total points to stop the match early, not just eight points period. Due to this slight change, matches at Japanese high school tournaments are very fast and intense.

This is the first time our girl's kumite team has qualified for Nationals from the school, and only the second time for someone from the girl's squad (Sakurako Motohashi qualified for individual-only kumite 2 years ago). Since female students have only been accepted into the school for the last 3 years, this is a big accomplishment for our karate club!

The school wishes the girl's best of luck at Nationals, in Japanese zenkoku (全国)! For sure they will bring back a great result, plus Japanese oranges (mikan) and sour plums (umeboshi) as souvenirs, Wakayama’s popular food...

RM

writer: staff  date: 12:23 PM | News

One of our two, new tennis champions, Miho Tanabe.

2nd year students Hiroshi Wakabayashi & Miho Tanabe both won their respective male and female tennis divisions at the Junior Spalding Tennis Championships on December 27, 2006 during the winter break. Not a bad way to celebrate the tennis club’s 70th anniversary. Congratulations!

writer: staff  date: 4:01 PM | News

SG student council president Hitomi Nagura, Jpn team member Satoshi Yamaguchi, former SG soccer captain Yuki Tanaka

Satoshi Yamaguchi OB (old boy or alumni) from class of 1996 and a current member of the Japan J-League professional Gamba Osaka team, was recently selected as a member of the Japan National Soccer team. The Seiritsu student council president Hitomi Nagura, and last year’s school soccer team captain Yuki Tanaka, recently traveled to Osaka to congratulate and interview Yamaguchi.

When asked how he feels about been selected as a member of the national team, he replied 'since I always wanted to be a member of the national team, I am very happy. Ivan Ivica Oshim (Japan Head Coach) is different from other directors or coaches, and he has so many things to teach. I am proud of being chosen as a member.'

Yamaguchi also said, "the accumulation of one’s every day effort is required to become professional athlete. You won't succeed even if you are talented, because without an accumulation your efforts you actually do nothing. I have learned that the best shortcut to achieve my goals is, for example, to walk up stairs one step by one step, without looking ahead too much.’’

It was a short interview, but beneficial and enjoyable 30 minutes. Let's move forward slowly little by little, steadily making our dreams come true, just like our OB Yamaguchi. Also, let's continue our every day efforts so that we can be proud of ourselves in 10 years.

SG Student Council

writer: staff  date: 3:55 PM | News

Miho Arai (third year class 3-I) represented Japan at the FINA Junior Synchronised World Championships in Foshan Guangdong, China. The event was held from October 7-11. Miho won bronzes in the categories Team Free Combination & Free Routine.

Way to go Miho!!!

(pictures: Miho with Seiritsu Prinicipal Fukuda, and Japanese team)

writer: staff  date: 12:40 PM | News

Hi, welcome to Seiritsu Gakuen's international education department's English website. Each week we will be including new's articles about the school's sports, academic and cultural events. In addition, our 'Life at Seiritsu' section will focus on human interest stories, ranging from the activites of our international students, to perhaps an interview with the captain of the basketball team or judo team, to the challenges some students face getting into a top university.

Seiritsu hopes with this site we can open our school to those outside of Japan. We would also like to enhance our relationships with the many people in other countries whom our students and staff have met through numerous home stay and school trips over the years, plus allow potential international students a better chance to understand the benefits of coming to study at Seiritsu. Lastly, this website will become an English study tool for our own students.

Of course we would like to hear from those who come to visit the site, so let us know your thoughts via email. If there are any aspects of the school you would like to see profiled in the 'Life at Seiritsu' section, again please email us.

Thank you for visiting the site. Please check back with us often!

Seiritsu International Education Department

(picture: School Culture Day September 30, 2006)

writer:   date: 9:58 PM | News