Information for July 13 Student Checkout
Access to the dorms:
Please do not arrive before 10AM; entry will not be allowed before then.
Carrying items out of the dorm begins exactly at 10AM and everything must be out by 11:30AM.
(10AM - 11:30AM). There will also be no allowance for entry after 11:30AM.
The Closing Ceremony begins at 12PM in the Blackwell Auditorium (where the Opening Ceremony was held).
The ceremony will end around 1:30PM.
Students of the GJA Academy will send reminders emails to parents later today and any other information.
If you have further questions, please contact vajapaneseacademy@gmail.com
Thank you!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
10 July 2014: Shopping in Carytown
7/10
Word of the day: bijutsukan (art museum)
Today, the Japanese Academy visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Students were allowed to roam around the museum for most of the morning. After a few hours, all the students got into their companies toured the museum with the museum curators, visiting exhibits such as the Japanese and East Asian galleries. After the tour, we were able to enjoy some delicious Panera catering for lunch and then headed to Carytown.
-Matias マティアス
Word of the day: bijutsukan (art museum)
Today, the Japanese Academy visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Students were allowed to roam around the museum for most of the morning. After a few hours, all the students got into their companies toured the museum with the museum curators, visiting exhibits such as the Japanese and East Asian galleries. After the tour, we were able to enjoy some delicious Panera catering for lunch and then headed to Carytown.
-Matias マティアス
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| Kitchenware inside Tokyo Market |
Today we were able to
visit the shopping district in Richmond, called Carytown. We went there in particular to visit a
shop named Tokyo Market. The store featured various Japanese items such as food, drinks, candy chopsticks, dining
ware and much more. The students were excited to see many types of Japanese candy
and snacks.
-Melissa
9 July 2014: GJA 2014 Variety Show!!
7/9
Word of the Day: ikimashoo (Let’s go)
Yahhou!
Wooo, variety show! On Wednesday we, the students, put our
talents on display in the academy’s variety show. The show was comprised of 23
acts (including a few surprise performances) which showcased the students’ and
the senpais’ musical, theatrical, and artsy talents. Performances ranged from a
tae-kwon-doe performance by Michael and Adam (which was interrupted by Brandon,
Nate, and Antoine rendition of Rick Astley’s hit song, Never Gonna Give You
Up), a recital of poetry by Sharon and Christina, and a human algorithm
presented by the academy’s advanced class. To top off the festivities, the
academy wished Chung senpai a happy birthday and his company showed a video of
them thanking Chung senpai for all the wonderful things he has done for them. The feels were real...
- Antoine
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| Nate, Antoine and Brandon "rick-rolling" during the middle of the show |
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| Erik, Antoine, Adam, James and Lindsey singing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz |
Thursday, July 10, 2014
8 July 2014: Curry Rice & Japanese Math
7/8
Today the students served and prepared curry rice. The
students were divided into groups (6 total) and each group began to make their
own curry, with the use of basic ingredients such as carrots and potatoes, as
well as “secret” ingredients unique to each group, ranging from garlic to
chocolate. Each group prepared their curry from scratch, making the rice and
curry stew separately, before mixing both together to create (a hopeful
delicious) tonight’s dinner.
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| Japanese Curry Rice |
This evening, Clark Sensei, a math teacher at Randolph-Macon
College, taught us about Japanese math, and how it relates to religion, art,
and history. Beginning in 1600, Japan entered the Edo Period, and for political
reasons, the country was closed to all Western influence. This created an
explosion of Japanese art and culture, and the environment was perfect for the
development of mathematics. However, Japan was closed right before the European
invention of symbolic geometry and calculus; therefore, it did not experience
the explosion of new math techniques that Europe did. However, the samurai,
being unable to fight, turned to mathematics as a pastime. They especially
appreciated the aesthetics of geometry. In order to share the theorems that
they proved, they hung the math problems on tablets, called ema, as offerings
to the gods, and challenges to other worshippers. Clark Sensei showed the
students pictures of Japanese temples as examples of geometry and religion
intertwining. One of these math problems was offered to the students as a
challenge.
- Christina B.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
7 July 2014: The Star Festival~!
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| Rivercity Taiko Group performing for the GJA Students |
Today we celebrated the annual Japanese summer festival of
Tanabata, held every year on June 7th (7/7). There’s a legend behind
the festival where two lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, get separated by the
gods. Only on June 7th can they see each other again, and the
Japanese celebrate their reunion on this day. The festivities usually consist
of yukata (summer kimono), bon odori (dancing in a circle), games, lots of food,
and fun activities for all. We also had the opportunity to watch a performance
from River City Taiko, a taiko drumming group from Richmond. Everyone enjoyed
the performance thoroughly! Afterwards, we sang the traditional Tanabata song
as a group, and witnessed a short skit from the Tanabata company. It is also a
Tanabata tradition to write down your wish on the tanzaku (wish paper) and hang
it on the sasa (type of bamboo tree). Then we proceeded to the games, prizes,
and fun. All of the sensei declared this festive event the highlight of the
academy!
-Amy
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| Lindsey and Suyun playing on taiko drums, performing the skills they've learned in taiko culture class |
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| GJA Students wearing yukata, summer clothing and playing the taiko drums together |
Monday, July 7, 2014
5 July 2014: Japanese Movie Night
7/5
Saturday evening we had the chance to watch the Japanese comedy, The Magic Hour. This followed the story of a young man under the employment to the town’s boss and his attempts to save his life and his girlfriend. When the boss demands to see the hit man, Della Togashi, the young man hires an amateur actor, who believes he is acting the role in a movie. Of course hilarity ensues as the young man pretends to be a director and lets no one know the reality of the situation.
-Melissa
Word of the day: Kazoku (family)
Yahhou! やっほー
Yesterday the student’s in Otani sensei’s culture class were
treated to another extravagant lesson in the art of the taiko drum. Otani
sensei and Tomomatsu senpai taught students synchronization via repetition and
utilized metronomes to instill that sense of togetherness amongst the students.
Taiko drummers mutter short “battle cries” to communicate what move is being
performed which include:
Don + Kon – Heavy hit
Su – Pause
Tsu- Light hit
The students utilized these simplistic motions to create an
extended pattern of taiko drumming and rumor has it that a performance may be
scheduled for the closing ceremony (spoiler alert).
- Antoine
Saturday evening we had the chance to watch the Japanese comedy, The Magic Hour. This followed the story of a young man under the employment to the town’s boss and his attempts to save his life and his girlfriend. When the boss demands to see the hit man, Della Togashi, the young man hires an amateur actor, who believes he is acting the role in a movie. Of course hilarity ensues as the young man pretends to be a director and lets no one know the reality of the situation.
-Melissa
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| Japanese Movie: The Magic Hour |
Saturday, July 5, 2014
4 July 2014: Independence Day Celebration
7/4
 |
| GJA Students preparing to walk in the parade in their hachimaki and happi |
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| GJA Students singing songs in Japanese and waving to spectators during the parade |
Yesterday, the Academy participated in Ashland’s
Independence Day Parade. Students sang and greeted all the crowds with smiles
and our group’s favorite word, yahhou! Afterword, we all hung out at the
carnival. Some enjoyed crepes while others sipped on strawberry lemonade. Last
night, the sensei called us all outside for what was listed on our schedule as
“Rajio Taiso Part 2”. Lawless sensei had described to us how difficult it was
the night before. Nervously, we all lined up and tried to mimic Otani Sensei’s complex
movements. To our relief, it was all a prank! Sakamaki
Sensei can out with all the ingredients for s’mores. The students celebrated
the Fourth of July with s’mores, dancing, and some casual sports games.
Today (7/5), we started our weekend with language class. The advanced class practiced shodo, while the beginners learned vocabulary and practiced their song for the closing ceremony. Later tonight, we will be enjoying our second movie night!
- Lindsey
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| GJA Students blowing bubbles, dancing and celebrating Independence Day |
Friday, July 4, 2014
3 July 2014: Japanese Pop Culture NIght
Yahhou!
Today, the student companies had a recreational indoor
soccer tournament. However, because they were preparing for the pop culture
festivities later in the night, the Tanabata company was replaced with the
sensei/senpai team. All six team squared off in double elimination tournament
in which a chance at bragging rights were once again up for grabs. In honor of
the World Cup, each company resembled a country of their choice (the Blogging
company picked Japan of course). Each match lasted an intense fifteen minutes
in which each company displayed their athletic abilities. However, because of
time constraints the finals were delayed, so you’ll have to tune in for the
results.
- Antoine
Today, we watched another segment of Princess Mononoke. Dr.
Munson didn’t stop the movie at all this time to explain, but the story
progressed a lot. In case you haven’t seen Princess Mononoke, it’s a Studio
Ghibli film that portrays man’s relationship with nature and spirits. The main
characters, Prince Ashitaka and San (Princess Mononoke) struggle against the
antagonist, Lady Eboshi, throughout the movie for the balance and well-being of
the forest. The movie is filled with action, suspense, sadness, meaningful and
deep messages. Dr. Munson stopped the film at a very suspenseful part, to
continue it later.
-Amy
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| Japanese Movie: Princess Mononoke |
Lately, the advanced class has been practicing for the final
project, which shall remain a secret, but I will reveal one aspect of it: that
it involves calligraphy. During every class, the advanced students have been
practicing with brush and ink to improve their Japanese handwriting. In
addition, Ōtani Sensei has taught the students several songs (in addition to
the final project). The advanced students have also been writing compositions
and peer editing them for grammar and usage mistakes. The amount of mistakes in
the students’ papers has been decreasing rapidly. They are all showing
improvement.
- Christina
B.
Today was totemo sugoi
desu (very awesome). Our last event of the day was pop culture night. It was filled with
karaoke, games, and fun and crazy outfits. The students had fun as they got to
hang out with their friends and relax with the beautiful voices of many “talented”
others. The jeopardy game also had students rely on outside information
collected from years of studying Japanese culture. The night ended peacefully
as students headed to company meetings or their dorms.
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