Japan: Japanimation—Anime and Manga

A weekly blog for the program of The Experiment in International Living.

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Japan groups arrived in the USA!

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Animation School Graduation

(Note-The animation school graduation happened back on July 14).

On our last day of animation school we finished up and presented our animations in a special animation room. At the end, the professors held a graduation ceremony, giving everyone a certificate of completion and a bag of Yoani goodies. We presented the professor with a Japanese autograph board everyone signed and other gifts. It's sad to realize this portion of the program is over but yet we are so excited for Hokkaido!

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Last Full Day

Our last day full day in Japan was a full one. Experimenter Jazzy surprised everyone in the morning with individual drawings of each person, each capturing the essence of each experimenter. We really appreciated her keen observations and the dedication it took to draw all 14 of us. Thanks, Jazzy!

Afterwards we ate breakfast at a very adorable bread shop before dividing into groups and visiting our last minute stops. In the evening we met up at Sensoji temple, a beautiful sight in itself, and then headed over to a well know "Shaba-shabu" restaurant, having all you can eat meat and veggies! Finally we met up with our beloved teacher Shimizu Sensei, who helped us process our experiences in Tokyo and Tomakomai. We had lots of gifts for him, including a hat Experimenter Gabi brought from DC. Thank you, Shimizu Sensei!

Experimenter Thomas leaves for Belgium early tomorrow morning, and the rest of us leave in the afternoon. During our final group reflection activities we realized we had learned so much in Japan, and perhaps still had lots more to learn.

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Last Leg

After one final full day of activities with our host families we said good bye and departed by plane to Tokyo. After landing safely in Tokyo we had a group reflection activity before deciding how to use our final day and a half in Japan.

Homestay families waving goodbye to Experimenters.

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We made the local news! Our visit to the elementary school mochi making was filmed by a local news crew.

Mochi, or traditional sweet rice cakes, are traditionally made by one person pounding special mochi rice with a hammer while a second person turns it. the rice is very hot so experienced volunteers did that for us.

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Ainu perform their traditional songs and dances

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Ainu Museum Visit

Today we were able to experience Ainu culture firsthand by visiting the Ainu Museum in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. Watching the Ainu perform their traditional songs and dances, some of which are UNESCO Intangible World Heritages, was an unforgettable experience.

Afterwards we had just enough time to buy supplies and setup up for our host family thank you party. Everyone decided on a matsuri (festival) theme and set up booths for various games, face painting, balloon animals, caricatures, as well as having food catered for the event. Everyone seemed to have a great time, and the host family kids really enjoyed all of the student-led activities!

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Dancing at the Elementary School

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Thursday optional school visit, dance lesson and rec center visit

Today seven of the students went to another elementary school to help with an English class, take part in a dance lesson and try school food in Japan. Afterwards a few more students and their families joined us to visit a local rec center and hang out for a while.  

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A school visit and Mochi making

On Wednesday we visited an elementary school to meet the kids and help with 5th grade English lessons. The kids were so cute and made us feel like celebrities! After that we joined up with a senior citizen's club to make mochi, Japanese sweet rice cakes, the traditional way. They also fed us o-zoni, traditional soup that is usually only served on  New Year's day.

The school visit

Making Mochi, the traditional way

Also rice cakes are traditionally made by one person pounding special mochi rice wih a hammer while a second person turns it. the rice is very hot so the experienced volunteers did that for us.

We had some downtime at the community center afterwards so some students created their own games! After being apart in our separate host families it was nice to hang out.

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Nikko

Last week we took a full day trip from Tokyo to the city of Nikko to see the famous Tokogaya Ieyasu memorial hall and other famous sights. It was great to get out of Tokyo a bit to enjoy the fresh air and green landscape, and many students commented on how peaceful the Japanese countryside looked by train. 

We tried to get the students to spell out "anime”.

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Tuesday afternoon - traditional Japanese activities

After meeting the mayor we went to a community center where we got to try on kimono and try out the koto and shamisen, traditional Japanese instruments.

The Kimono

Experimenting with the Koto

Trying out the shamisen

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Tuesday morning mayor visit

A visit with the mayor of Tomakomai

A view out the window of the city of  Tomakomai

Group leader Jeanne made Dirt Cake with her host family

We are having fun with our host families in Tomakomai! Each family has done different activities with their students so we cant wait until everyone shares their photos!

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Last day in Tokyo/first day in Hokkaido

On our last day in Tokyo we went to a festival but it rained too much. Some of us braved the weather and enjoyed some great festival foods.

On the Ferry to  Hokkaido

Dancing on the Deck!!

Meeting our new homestay families, finally!

A new adventure begins!

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Karaoke and Art at the Studio Ghibli- more great photos

we spent one afternoon after animation class visiting the famous Studio Ghibli exhibit in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. After learning from animation masters it was so cool to see all the artwork and behind-the-scenes work that went into our favorite Ghibli movies!

A view of the skyline