Seiritsu International Education

The JE09 students with Okura Sensei at the end of manga class.

With Day 11 having come and gone, there are only four days left in the 2009 Japan Experience program. That doesn��t mean the fun is winding down however as Wednesday was loaded with great activities.

Yano Sensei kicked off the day with another great Japanese lesson covering everything food. The students learned about different kinds of food, how to discuss the flavor of various dishes, and how to convey their likes and dislikes.

Yano Sensei, preparing the students for the Japanese cooking lesson.

Our daily Japanese lesson was followed up with a short break then it was off to the 2nd Japanese cooking lesson. Last week��s cooking class was a big (not to mention tasty) hit and this week��s class looked to be no different. Kadowaki Sensei, Masuda Sensei, and Kohara Sensei led the group in making sukiyaki (mix of beef and vegetables cooked in broth) and fried eggplant. A delicious time was had by all.

Vincent and Sara preparing the eggplants for frying.

Chelsea, Eliza, M��Lissa, and Jessica enjoying their hard-won sukiyaki.

The JE09 group presented the three cooking teachers with a thank you note and complimentary bottle of maple syrup.

Next was the much anticipated Manga University class featuring a tutorial on how to draw comic characters. Manga University is known for its award-winning series of language books, Kanji de Manga, as well as many volumes teaching the method of drawing manga. Mr. Atsuhisa Okura, of MU, has been drawing manga for over 20 years and he was very patient, teaching the students the finer points of drawing manga. Okura Sensei left plenty of time at the end to critique the student��s artwork and draw personal pictures for everyone.

Okura Sensei showing how to draw characters in an action pose.

Sophia and Vincent trying their hand at what they just learned.

Jessica proudly showing off her newly purchased manga; personalized by none other than Okura Sensei, the author.