On March 2nd, Shusuke Kawakubo, an exchange student from Saga University in Japan, and Joshua Patishnock, who is a part of the Japanese Program, travelled to the University of Pittsburgh where they acted as guest presenters for a high school Japanese speech contest. Dressed in full Kendo attire and equipped with the materials used, the gentlemen began their forty-minute presentation, titled “Let’s Do Kendo!” in front of an audience of about 70. They began by explaining the similarities and differences between Kendo and fencing, starting with the proper attire required and the type of swords, called Katana. Kawakubo and Patishnock then went over various forms of martial arts before comparing Kendo and Kenjutsu techniques. While Kendo is meant to discipline human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (the sword), they explained, Kenjutsu is taught so that students can learn combat techniques and how to kill using the Katana.
The audience then learned that Kendo can be both a sport through tournaments and competitions, as well as a Bodou, whereby the participants study the Spirit of Samurai through training. Rei, or bowing, is part of the etiquette of Kendo, as a sign of appreciation and respect for your opponent, the pair explained before calling volunteers to the stage. Four students then learned the proper etiquettes, called reihou, of sitting and standing, before being handed (safe) Katanas so they could enact the beginning of a Kendo match.
Kawakubo and Patishnock then dove into a few basic principles of Kendo including: shin, which is mental, spirit, and heart; gi, which means technique; and tai, which is physical strength, body, power, and posture. More volunteers were called to the stage, and various demonstration ensued. Dr. Yukako Ishimaru, who is the coordinator for the Cultural Immersion Program which connects SRU and Saga University students, commented, “They did a fabulous job and received excellent feedback that their presentation was one of the best ones they ever had for many years. The Modern Languages and Cultures Department is very proud of them!” Dr. Ishimaru was able to serve as a judge for the contest, while Kawakubo and Patishnock had a table to show a Japanese culture and promote SRU to the students.
Also promoting Japanese culture and SRU, the Cultural Immersion Program this semester brought ten Saga University students to Slippery Rock University for ten days. These students lived with host families, including the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and many other faculty and staff members at the university, and spent their days taking classes and spending time with their conversation partners. “This semester,” explained Dr. Ishimaru, “I started a new project where my SRU students would make video presentations to assist Saga students better prepare for their trip to SRU prior to the program, including a campus tour, American gestures, slangs and currency. Then, a week prior their arrival, both parties met virtually through Skype where they asked each other questions. By the time they met face-to-face, they had already become friends already.” Each Saga University student also prepared a short presentation to show at the Closing Ceremony on Friday, March 9th, for everyone involved in the program. Presentations ranged from the style of classes, to differences in transportation to national holiday differences between America and Japan. The Saga University students then showcased their calligraphy skills, calling up family and friends to complete writing “Slippery Rock University,” before the celebration ended.
This is the 9th Cultural Immersion Program hosted on campus, and Dr. Ishimaru is excited for the program to continue to grow and evolve in future semesters. In May, some of these SRU students will go visit Saga University for about two weeks as a faculty-led trip. One will even study abroad at Saga University for the entire fall semester!
Modern Languages and Cultures 