Archive for February, 2010

A glimpse at my KCP time

February 28, 2010

by Rachel Brown

I loved my time in Tokyo with KCP.  Here are a few slices of my life then–

Preparation
Preparation before the speech contest. For moral support, we did a drawing of our classmate who was making the speech.

Class
Me, my classmates, and Takahashi sensei. Level one B class was the coolest class in KCP.

Hanging out
Hanging out with my Korean classmates. It was the first time I ate Korean food.


My visit to one of Japan’s three Chinatowns.  The shrine was beautiful.


This is how you catch a live fish–the kimono is especially important.


The result of some creative fun at the Print Club.


Me and my roommates at the summer festival, in our yukata (casual summer kimonos, in cotton).


Me on a Date wit Doraemon.  He was so sweet.  (Doraemon is the character in a manga/cartoon series.)


But Pikachu just had more game ;-)


Break time in front of KCP.

The Takahata wine factory, part of the Yamagachi trip.  That was some fine wine!


A tour at Harajuku Meiji Jingu, Tokyo’s largest shrine and one of Japan’s three “Jingu” (Imperial shrine). The Meiji Shrine is concealed in the middle of the Yoyogi Park. That’s me and one of my roommates infront of the shrine.

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Life at KCP Photo-reportage series

February 19, 2010

Part Two | “Living” Japanese culture

Here’s a glimpse at some of the activities students try while at KCP.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony

tea cderemony

This is an integral part of a student’s education at KCP.  One thing it’s not hard to teach is the calm respect and attention that is surely an underlying reason for the ceremony.

tea ceremony
Students are a little overwhelmed by being bowed to, but they enjoy it immensely just the same.

“Koto” Class

Koto class

The koto (琴 or 箏), a traditional stringed instrument derived from the Chinse guzheng, is the national instrument of Japan.  A koto is made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa.  Koto  have 13 strings, each with its own moveable bridge.  Players adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and they use three finger picks (on thumb, index finger, and middle finger) to pluck the strings.

Here, students are trying out a simple melody.
For more advanced koto playing, see this YouTube clip.


Calligraphy

Calligraphy

Refining calligraphy is a regular part of KCP instruction.  Everyone’s excited at their accomplishment.  It feels a little like being an artist.

Posted in Fun, Japanese esthetics, The KCP PRogram | Leave a Comment »

Get a free KCP T-shirt!

February 12, 2010

Building community is important, wherever the opportunity arises.  So is passing on the things you’ve learned to succeed at KCP and life in Japan.  Help build the KCP community by sharing your wisdom!

If we use your material in our marketing or social networking, you’ll receive one of the new KCP International T-shirts!

When you send in your stuff, please specify (1) a T-shirt size (Adult M, L, or XL) and your preferred design (1 or 2, below).  Don’t forget to include your current mailing address.

KCP T, first prize

Style 1

Style 2

Style 2

We will try to provide your preferred motif but can make no guarantees.  If one is not available, you may receive the other.

—Thanks, from the KCP staff and the rest of your KCP community.

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KCP, in a phrase

February 5, 2010

Here are the results of a quick, informal–say it in a word, say it in a phrase–poll of how KCP alumni described KCP.

wear an undershirt /
more than just school, it’s an experience /
one of the greatest experiences in my life /
蒸し暑い /
an exercise in academic sadomasochism, yet amazingly fine /
awesome

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