SKIP 2016
Schedule
Religion Day
SKIP2016 started off with Religion Day @ Meiji Jingu (facilitator Mori-chan)
After a wonderful guided tour of the shrine by a shinto priest of the shrine, we learned further about its history by watching a documentary, then had the priviledge of having a traditional prayer and purification ritual. Last but not least, we had fruitful discussions on the differences of perspectives in religion in Japan and the US.
We were amazed at the beautiful man-made forest at the shrine ...and the architecture of the buildings. Also, especially the Stanford students were amazed by how welcoming the Shinto religion was to people from other religions, and found this is a form of WA (和), which is our theme for the program this year.
Washoku Day
Washoku Day @ Yanagihara Cooking School (facilitator Maki)
We had the priviledge of being able to use the facilities of Mr. Naoyuki Yanagihara's cooking school in Akasaka. First we had a presentation on Dashi (Japanese soup stock) by Mr. Yanagihara (Kinsa-ryu Japanese cuisine) , then had the fantastic opportunity of getting to actually cook dashi and make delicious Dobin-mushi soups. After devouring the soup with bento boxes provided by Soul of Japan, we experienced a traditional tea ceremony by Ms. Kobori (Enshu-ryu sadou) and had Mr. Kurokawa from Toraya (a very famous Japanese sweets shop) present to us about Wagashi and show us how they are made.
The day was a fantastic experience getting to know about WA, as we saw just how much the Japanese value nature and its blessings and express it in their cooking. Also, all the guests who came in to talk to us were all so kind to make time for us in their busy schedules and put a lot of effort into their presentations, so we felt a true spirit of Omotenashi , which we felt is also a major element of WA
Japanese Culture Day
Japanese Culture Day @ Kita Noh Theater, Nihon Minkaen (facilitator Mizuki)
We had the priviledge of learning about Noh from Mr. Shiotsu, a very famous professional Noh actor in Japan. There were a lot of things that not only Stanford students but also Japanese students did not know about, like the differences between Noh and Kabuki (Noh is much older and is doe to praise the gods, while Kabuki is more for civilians). Afterwards, we were allowed to actually step onto the stag...e, try on Noh masks and practice some moves. It was a very exciting experience for all of us.
After that we experienced indigo dyeing and saw old folk houses in Nihon Minkaen. We were amazed at the variety of houses and their different functions according to the weather and culture of the regions they represented. Indigo dyeing was also a great interactive way to learn about Japanese culture; we now all have memories and an original bandana to take home with us!
Short Trip
Short Trip @ Yamanashi Day 1/3 (facilitating leader Soki)
Yamanashi was perfect as we believed it would be easier to get a better insight on Japanese culture if we went somewhere not too touristy, but was not too rural at the same time.
Our first stop in Yamanashi - Country Cottage ...
where we stayed the night
Our lunch activities were:
・BBQ
・Nagashi Soumen -sliding soumen noodles on hand made bamboo waterslides
・Suika wari - a game where everybody takes turns to attempt cracking a watermelon using a stick, blindfolded
We then went on that night to enjoy a Taiko drums performance by a local kids Taiko team and had the special experience of practicing a taiko song ourselves!
Short Trip @ Yamanashi Day 2/3 (facilitating leader Soki)
After a great night of bonding at the cottage, we had an early breakfast and set off to 'Iyashi no Sato', where we saw many traditional folk houses. We all got to dress in Sengoku warrior oufits, Samurai outfits and kimonos and take pictures which everyone had a lot of fun with.
We also enoyed a Hoto (traditional noodles in Yamanashi) or soba noodles lunch which were both delicious.
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After our stop at Iyashi no Sato we moved on by our bus to Daizenji, a temple in the Katsunuma area where we would stay the night. Daizenji is a 730year old temple which is designated as a National Treasure and holds many statues claimed Important Cultural Property.
There we experienced Zazen, which was very uncomfortable for many of us but was very spiritual and a big hint to our main theme, 'what is 和?'.
After an exciting but long day, we all enjoyed ourselves in the evening with fireworks and party. By the end of day 2 SKIP2016 was one united and whole group!!!
Short Trip @ Yamanashi Day 3/3 (facilitating leader Soki)
First activity was Shakyo, where we practised calligraphy to write buddhist scriptures. We were very silent as we concentrated on writing complicated characters and thought of what to wish for when we finished.
Next we went on to try paper making taught by Mr. Tadashi Tamura, a professional Japanese Washi (paper) artist. We learned from him the history and beauty of Washi making, and had a grejt time producing Washi from a single tree branch.
Education Day
Education Day @ Keio Mita Campus & Mita Elementary School (facilitator Nana)
We first had the priviledge of welcoming Ms. Yumiko Kato from Benesse (Third largest education firmin the world) come to Mita Campus to talk to us about the Japanese education system and its issues. She also talked about our theme 和 , and that there are many aspects of this word such as 話(to speak) 輪 (a circle) 我(yourself).
Next, Keio University professor Ms. Tomoko Tokunaga talked to us about the m...inorities in Japanese education systems such as returnees or students from abroad. She expressed that 'ibasho' (a place or group of people where one feels they belong) can contribute a lot to 'ijime' (bullying) problems.
Later on we visited Mita Primary School, where we were given free time to visit students' classes. We were even given the chance to have Kyushoku (school lunch provided to all students by the school) with the kids. We had a lot of fun talking to them and answering their questions which were mainly on culture in the US.
The Stanford participants were amazed to see the little students serving the lunch themselves and all saying 'Itadakimasu' together at the start of the meal. The school also kindly provided us with some videos showing the students cleaning their classrooms after school, which is unique to Japanese schools.
By taking a glimpse into Japanese education, we yere able to see how 和 is created in Japanese society from peoples' young age.
Minority Day
Minority Day @ Keio Mita Campus (facilitator Haruka)
After education day, we had LGBT Day, where we discussed about LGBT issues in Japan.
First we were given a presentation on LGBTs by LGBT Youth Japan, a student run organization. After hearing their wonderful presentation, we had a workshop on creating an ideal school with an LGBT friendly environment.
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Next we had Ms. Suzuki from another organization called Mimosa. She kindly shared her stories to the group and gave us ideas on how we can change the current issues regarding LGBTs in Japan.
We wrote down our thoughts on colored paper and attached them together to form a rainbow heart.
Company Day
Company Day @ Shiseido
In searching for the answer to our main question, what is "WA"?, we earned a great support from Shiseido Company, Ltd.
We had a tour around Shiseido Ginza Building. After hearing from the staff and watching videos about the company's history, development to overseas, activities in multiple industries, their goal and of course their products, the company's staff toured us around Shiseido Life Quality Center (SLQC), where they do free makeup counseling ...for people who have skin troubles, and Shiseido Gallery, which is the oldest art gallery in Japan. We were also able to see their demonstration of what they do in SLQC counseling-- how they actually cover marks on patients' skin perfectly. In the end, we had some talking sessions, in which we were able to feel staff's pursue of "better daily life" for each of their customers.
With lots of thanks to Shiseido for kindly guiding (such a big party), we gained some hints of "WA."
Company Day (part 2) @ FUJIFILM (facilitator Soki)
We were able to visit the main headquarter of the company in Roppongi. After a brief introduction and movie on core technology, we had the priviledge of listening to Mr. Toda, the Executive Vice President's speech on 'Innovation'.
After his speech, we got to learn about and actually experience FUJIFILM's diverse innovations and products. We were amazed to see just how much innovation can expand from film making technology - ...printing on leather and windows, manufacturing womens' cosmetics, even the technology of creating artificial cells!
Last but not least, we had a lot of fun thinking of and sharing ideas about what new innovation would be possible combining the technology FUJIFILM already has. We disscussed in a World Cafe style, which lead to more and more creative ideas. We finally had the priviledge of presenting the ideas to the staff of FUJIFILM. We were complimented that when we were thinking of new ideas, we thought of problems we had in daily life before we started thinking of what innovations that could be made. We were told that this way of thinking was the key to innovation.
Company Day (part 2) @ JAL (facilitator Kirie)
We first had a lecture about Japan’s “omotenashi (hospitality)” culture given by the flight attendants, Ms. Yoshihara and Ms. Okabe. We learned how Japanese people care deeply about others, through the culture of “shitsurae” and “ma.”
We were also each given origami papers and message cards prepared beforehand, and were served some tea and snacks. Along with the throughly given lecture, both the Keio and Stanford students experi...enced the spirit of Japan’s “omotenashi (hospitality.)”
Next, we were given a lecture about air plane engineering by Mr.Abe, who is the manager of public relations at JAL. We were informed of Mr. Abe’s career, the hisotry of the air plane industry, the fronteer works of bio fuel, and the details regarding the air craft, and other very interesting points.
Mr. Abe also showed us around the air craft hanger, and we were all thrilled to be able to take a tour.
We all are very thankful for Mr. Kita, who allowed us to experience this amazing experience at JAL.
Science Technology Day
On Technology Day, the first program we had was a presentation on taste by Mr. Suzuki, who is an alumni of Keio and also the founder of AISSY Cop. It is a company which uses its own original taste sensoring machine to provide food industries with information on what tastes make the most satisfaction when combined. We learned about how humans taste things and did experiments on taste by actually... drinking flavored water.
Later on we moved on to Nissan Motors' Oppama Plant, where we were able to visit the plant itself and observe how cars were manufactured. It was amazing to see how the detailed parts were created, painted, and finally structured by the work of the workers, machines and belt conveyer system. We were also specially allowed to have a fully guided tour of the Oppama Plant on a tour bus.
National Security Day
National Security Day @ Maritime Self Defence Base in Yokosuka (facilitator Yukari Saito, Nao, Miki)
We had the priviledge of being allowed to have a tour inside 'Oonami', a Japanese Maritime self defense vessel in Yokosuka. The self defense force also provided SKIP with a delicious lunch meal, something usually prohibited to the public.
Later, Maritime Self Defense Official Mr. Mikami welcomed us with a presentation on the Self Defense Force, followed by Mr. about Japan's Mi...litary Security Environment.
Last but definitely not least, we had the honor of welcoming Professor Jinbo from Keio talk to us about the US-Japan Defense Cooperation, the we all got into groups and had disscussions on what needed to be done in order to make US - Japanese relations better.
The National Security Day was definitely a unique day in which we learned about 和 from a different perspective.
Final Presentation
Final Presentation @ Keio University Mita campus
Final Presentation
With the topic "What is Wa(和)?", two groups of Keio students and each Stanford student made their presentations at Keio University in front of an audience over fifty people.
Despite the fact everyone did a presentation with the same topic, each presentation was given from a different perspective. The topic varied from education, culture, fashion, lifestyles, etc - e...ach of the presenters came up with a different meaning of 「和」, and showed how the SKIP members went through various activities bringing them different thoughts.
Farewell Ceremony
Farewell Ceremony @keio university Mita campus
All good things come to an end - the farewell party was the last content of the two week program, filling the members' eyes with tears. (Or at least some members😛)
It was a sentimental moment saying good bye to each other, but we were all sure we would see each other again.
With the help of the Alumni organization, host families, several companies, outside organizations, and last but definitely not least Stanford students, SKIP2016 finished being a great success. The program would not have been as great as it was without the help of all of those above. Thank you so much.