I love this photo because I remember that Sam sat in せいざ the entire time. He had trouble walking after words. Also I am for some strange reason trying to meditate. I had a good time at the tea ceremony. 

This is a nice photo in an old Japanese play house. The 歌舞伎theater was in 山が I, on right (the America), with three Brits (sorry heather, you are Scottish). Also you can see a sneaky Korean  on the left (Hansheeeeeeeeeeek) 

This is one of the most fun times; All of us going to the Suntory factory! We had drinks at the end for free. We all had a good time I think! Going to class in order to drink beer! What is better than that? It was also really hot that day, and to go into a place with nice air conditioning and nice cold beer … いいいい気持ちいいいいいい

This picture was taken at the entrance of Kikuchi Gorge. (菊池渓谷) I remember it was very cold this day and we travelled for a long time so everyone was tired, but as soon as we got here everyone became awake and excited to experience the sights of the gorge. This was my first time experiencing a gorge in Japan and it did not disappoint. The scenery was amazing, actually mind blowing. Even though it was autumn everything looked so pretty. 

This picture was taken at the Suntory factory in Kumamoto. This was my first time visiting an alcohol factory so it was very interesting. You never think how alcohol is actually made when you drink it! This was such a fun day, especially when we were allowed unlimited free alcohol for about 15 minutes. Everyone was laughing and joking, enjoying Suntory alcohol!

This picture was taken when we were making pottery! This was such a frustrating but fun experience at the same time. We got to find out who is good at pottery and who is not so much; I am definitely in the ‘not so good’ group! We received our pottery in December and I’m very proud of everyone and what they have made!

This is a picture of a foot hot spring. This hot spring was near to the Kabuki factory that we went to. I didn’t know that hot springs especially for your feet existed so it was very cool! The water was warm and everyone could relax. 

This picture is so nostalgic! In the back you can see the way they sit in order to see a Kabuki play – it’s organized like a large checkerboard where you can sit inside each individual square. I didn`t understand a lot of the explanation that was given, but it was an awesome place to visit nonetheless. The squares at the top are imported from all over the country, and a lot of them have a lot of history and backstory to them. Just one picture doesn`t really do justice to how majestic the place really is.

The gorge at the south of Kumamoto Prefecture was absolutely breathtaking. The weather was awesome, the scenery was nice – it even smelled amazing! It was an hour and a half or so back and forth, but I wish we could have stayed there longer. The only way I can describe the gorge is as if a samurai chopped a mountain in half. It was such a breathtaking sight of nature.

Who would`ve thought you would be able to visit a beer distillery for Japanese culture classes. Absolutely wicked!! Although the tour was not very long, it was cool to see how it all came together. It was a new experience for me, and the more we walked through the distillery the more I understood why alcohol culture is so important in Japan. At the end we were able to get free samples – as many as you could drink for half an hour. Needless to say the bus ride home was a lot more rowdy than the one there.

日本文化演習。

サントリービール工場を見学してきました。

サントリービール工場は阿蘇山のきれいな水を利用してビールを作り九州では、ここ熊本にしかないようです。

見学が終わり、最後にビールの試飲の時間にみんなで美味しいビールを飲みました。

 忘れられない「１、２、サントリー！」

楽しくて美味しかった見学でした～！

2013年１月23日 水曜日

　馬場です。


　日本文化演習を担当して４年がすぎようとしています。ブログの作成は２年目です。

　教えることは教えられることだとよく言いますが、私も多くのものを学びました。
その中一つが、学生たちが仲良くしていられるように気を配ることが一番大切だ、ということです。
クラスの雰囲気が良ければ出席するのが楽しくなる、みんなの仲が良ければクラスが居場所になる、
集まって楽しければ自然と多くを学びます。
　文化体験の授業だからというだけではありません。日本人学生を対象とした
教育実習のための授業であれ、外国人留学生の書いた作文の誤用分析であれ、す
べての授業に言えることです。教えるにはどうしたらいいのかさんざん考え、苦
労 してきましたが、ずいぶん遠回りしたなと思います。

　楽しそうな学生を見ると、私も楽しくなります。一緒にお茶をたてたり、土
をこねたりしました。とてもいい思い出です。
その思い出を、学生たちがブログにしてくれました。