Foreign students enrolled at universities in the Kanto region learned the basics of Japanese traditional cultural activities with their Japanese counterparts at an exchange event on Sunday in Tokyo.
The annual event, named "Japanese Traditional Culture Day," was organized by Soroptimist International of Tokyo-Azuma, a Tokyo-based club dedicated to empowering women through international goodwill.
For this year's event, 41 foreign students who are registered with the Japan United States Student Congress (JUSCO), an international exchange program, from Australia, China, South Korea, Thailand and other countries were invited to attend.
During the three-hour event held at the Akasaka Civic Center in Minato Ward, the students were divided into six groups and enjoyed four different Japanese cultural activities -- tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy and origami -- taught by Soroptimist club members who are experts in the activities.
In the origami session, participants turned their hand to making various objects by folding colorful pieces of paper, including a panda with white and black paper and a gorgeous crane with gold and red paper.
"Origami is also popular in Australia, but it is my first time to make a panda," said Zoe Tripovich, 21. "I am looking forward to teaching how to make a panda after I go back home."
In flower arranging, students put various flowers into a kenzan, also known as a "spiky frog." "I am happy to see foreign students enjoy not only the experiences, but also talking with participants," said Marino Uezu, 20.
About 30 Japanese university students who belong to the Japan National Student Association (JNSA) Fund ran the event.
The JNSA Fund has been committed to English education since 1946, and is also known for organizing the annual H.I.H. Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Inter-Middle School English Oratorical Contest with The Yomiuri Shimbun.
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