Trying Japanese Calligraphy!

Each year, NUCB welcomes over 100 exchange students from partner schools around the globe, offering them numerous opportunities to immerse themselves in Japanese culture through various cultural exchange events. On Wednesday, June 5, we hosted a Japanese calligraphy event that brought together 18 international students and 14 Japanese students eager to learn calligraphy alongside their international peers.

At the beginning of the event, students were introduced to the basics of calligraphy, including the fundamental brush strokes: "tome" (stop), "hane" (brushstroke), and "harai" (sweep). For many international students new to calligraphy, these basic techniques proved challenging, but they attentively listened to instructions and diligently practiced each stroke. The Japanese students, some of whom hadn't practiced calligraphy in a long time, found joy in teaching and sharing their knowledge.

One international student, who chose to write the word "kaizen" (improvement), remarked, "I think the word 'kaizen' embodies the spirit of Japan. The idea of continuously trying to make things better is very Japanese, and I respect this mindset."

After the event, international students took  their own masterpieces home, cherished souvenirs of their introduction to Japan's traditional culture.
Stayed tuned for more cultural events at the SAC!