20249Month20On the 23rd, we held a calligraphy experience session for international students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to hold various events, but this time, we welcomed international students from France, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey, and invited a kana calligraphy teacher and Japanese student volunteers from our university to hold a Japanese culture experience session.5It was the first time in years.

After learning that kana calligraphy is different from the standard regular calligraphy learned in Japanese schools in terms of brushes, ink, inkstones, paper, and writing methods, each international student tried their hand at kana calligraphy. Despite struggling with the unfamiliar sitting position, the international students prepared their brushes, ground ink on inkstones, and attempted the light, flowing style of kana calligraphy. Finally, each student wrote characters on a small fan and completed a kana calligraphy piece. During the experience session, the teacher shared some interesting stories about clearing one's mind while grinding ink, and about Japanese culture based on Zen. One international student said, "I felt like I belonged, and it was good to spend time with my friends."

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology has2024Years5As of the month,198We will continue to provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture while also learning, so that they will be glad to have come to Japan to study.

International students holding their Kana calligraphy works (small fans)

Try your hand at Kana calligraphy

Calligraphy written on a small fan