DEAR PARENTS

Dear Parents,

Just a friendly reminder that check out for your children is tomorrow, Sunday, July 12.
Check out will be at 10 am - 11:30am. The Closing Ceremony begins at 12pm.

Thanks,

Chanel Grice

July 10th: Variety Show and Cry Me A Pond...

Today has been a very eventful and special day for all of the students here at the academy, since it is the day before the last day here at the academy and Chung Senpai's Birthday! The day started off as normal with Language class and a topic class after lunch. Our final recreation was spent playing our very first recreation game: Ship to shore! For dinner, we enjoyed Japanese food at an Academy Banquet. All the senseis and senpais gave heart warming speeches that made a majority of us cry.... Today was also the day of the Variety Show! The Pop Culture Night and Variety Show company did an AMAZING  job putting together the show, and everyone who performed did an OUTSTANDING job! From Joseph's mind blowing card tricks to Allie's crazy realistic bark, everyone enjoyed seeing the talents of their peers and surprise performances from the Sensei's and Senpai's! The day ended with a celebration for Chung senpai's 21st Birthday! Everyone showed how much they appreciate all that he does for each and every one of us, from fanning us on a hot day to just cheering us up with his bright smile!  Something I feel that everyone realized today was that our time here is really coming to an end..... We have all grown so close to each other and have became family...

Lauren San

9 July 2015: Japanese Culture and Hip-Hop

Good Evening Viewers,

As per the usual schedule, students began the day with their beloved Radio Taisō (which I assure that they will continue for the rest of their lives). Following a shortened language class in the morning, students returned to Andrews Hall and attended a series of cultural presentations and demonstrations on various topics including: soy sauce, traditional Japanese instruments, and Aikido. Lunch was provided by the San-J soy sauce company in the form of "onigirazu", rice and toppings wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed, while the company members gave a presentation on the different kinds of soy sauce and their soy sauce production methods. Afterwards students enjoyed various renditions of traditional Japanese music played on the koto, the shakuhachi (Japanese Flute), and the taiko by guest lecturer, Hwang-sensei. Finally, students learned Aikido from Randolph Macon's own Sheldon-sensei. Recurring quotable-person Parish-san, said, "He taught me that I am an octagon, but now I know that I need to be a circle. And a square. And a triangle.". After the dinner which I promise your children ate, though the majority of the time was spent trying to convince the next guest lecturers to eat plate-fulls of ice cream mixed with various dessert items found in the cafeteria, the students absorbed a presentation by guest speaker, Lawless-sensei, on Japanese hip-hop and afterwards "rapped" (I use the term loosely to describe making funny sounds with their mouths into recorders), guided only by the lyrics to several popular hip-hop songs. Your students are alive, educated, and well fed, the last of which I can confirm based on the fact that the blog company is currently eating rice mixed with mayonaise and bonito flakes.

This has been your Thursday evening news,
Joseph-san

8 July 2015: Martial Arts and Desserts!

Today, the students participated in their normal Radio Taisō routine to begin the day, which was followed by breakfast in the food hall. Students attended their daily language and topic classes before enjoying a martial arts demonstration led by the academy's own Sarah-san and Dylan-san during recreation time. Academy student Parrish-san, a fellow blog writer, shared her thoughts: "I really thought that martial arts would be my calling. However, when Dylan and Sarah starting teaching the rolls, I quickly learned that I should stick with what I know."   

Nikita-san's Dessert

After recreation time, the students ate dinner, which was concluded with an epic dessert war between Chung-senpai, Erin-san, and Nikita-san that had been proposed at lunch. Each created an amazing plate of fruits and sweets and presented it to Sakamaki-sensei, who judged that Nikita-san's plate was the best.

Erin-san's Dessert

Chung-senpai's Dessert

After dinner, students attended another culture class led by the RA's before going to their company meetings and the nightly meeting. With the closing ceremony approaching, students will try to make the most of their remaining time here.

-Harry-san

7 July 2015: Tanabata Matsuri

Today, the students celebrated the much anticipated July 7th Japanese summer festival, "Tanabata Matsuri".  The students were dressed in traditional Japanese summer wear called "Yukata".
A student-led group organized and planned the festival's activities which included bottle fishing, Menko, ring toss, and many others.  In addition, students put on a play depicting the traditional Tanabata legend of Orihime and Hikiboshi, a couple that was separated and only permitted to meet once a year on July 7th.  After that, students enjoyed a live Taiko drum performance by River City Taiko, a local Taiko group that the academy's own Uchisawa Sensei has been a long-standing member of.  The whole academy enjoyed the event: "It was absolutely splendid," said Rahi, an academy student.
The Tanabata festival was a relaxing, and fun way to conclude the day.

-Conner San

Notice to Parents

Dear Parents,

The Governor's Japanese Academy would like to ask that you refrain from sending any mail past this Wednesday, 7/8/2015. You may send mail after Wednesday, but it would have to arrive by Friday, 7/10/2015. We recommend this because all mail delivered after Friday will not be able to be picked up from the Campus Post office since it is not open during the weekends. Therefore, your mail will be stuck at Randolph Macon. 

Thanks,

Grice Senpai

6 July 2015: Classes and Guest Lecturer

An example of a Sangaku puzzle
that samurai scholars in the 17th
 century would create in Japan to test their
intellectual ability.

Starting off the last week of the academy, the students returned to their busy schedule of classes along with a guest lecture from one of the professors at Randolph-Macon, Dr. David Clark. The lecture tied ideas of Japanese religion, history, mathematics, and art to describe the connections between them and their influence on Japanese culture. An Academy student, Maggie-San, explains the ingenuity of Dr. Clark's ideas: "He was able to tie Bento Boxes (traditional Japanese boxed lunches) into Sangaku equations (theoretical math equations), which I thought was really cool." To relax from the rigorous schedule, the students were able to complete a tear-jerking movie from their last film night. Tomorrow, the students look forward to continuing their study of culture with a traditional Tanabata festival!

- Parrish San

An intricate Bento Box with characteristics
similar to those of a Sangaku puzzle.

5 July 2015: Daruma Day 2

Today, the students picked out which yukata they were going to wear to the summer festival (Tanabata Matsuri), played the taiko drums, and learned about Japanese tea ceremonies. After that the  entire Japanese academy painted their Daruma that they had made earlier in the academy. They all turned out amazing and we here at the academy hope all of the wishes made tonight come true! (It is a ritual to make a wish on your Daruma when you fill in its right eye.) Also, America dominated Japan in one of the best women's matches in human history.

- Maggie San

4 July 2015: 'Murica Festivities

Despite the student's intense cultural immersion, they still were able to celebrate the country's 239th birthday. The day started with a nice breakfast here at Andrew's Hall since the dining hall was closed.  Afterwards we prepared for the 4th of July Parade in downtown Ashland by dressing in patriotic happi (法被) and our Japanese Hachimaki. The parade was totemo sugokatta desu (really cool!) For lunch, hotdogs and hamburgers were provided at the festival, which felt like a home cookout! After returning, we had our regular language class. An RA taught culture class followed where students interacted more with the Japanese culture. Despite this, for dinner we enjoyed more DELICIOUS 'Murica food with burgers and fries. The day ended with watching an amazing movie that was not finished due to time. Once we get home, don't be surprised if we are watching Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki....

-Lauren San

3 July 2015: Pop Culture Night

It is another beautiful "Kinyōbi" night at the governor's Japanese academy. After an evening of extreme party-ing and much culture indulging, diligent students are studying with teachers, reading over documents, and practicing a strange form of ballet. Over there. Far away from where I am.

Today, students went through their usual schedule: In the morning, they participated in Radio Taisō (the daily stretches), went on to language class from 9:00 to 12:30, and welcomed the afternoon with a two-hour topic class in which teachers focused on a certain aspect of Japanese culture. This eventually culminated in the main event of the day: Pop Culture Night! Or as the welcoming sign read, "Hop Culture night!" After a misleading powerpoint presentation, students were surprised with a darkened room, flashing lights, and loud music. Henceforth, all proceeded to the front of the auditorium, which was designated as the dance floor, and the party thus began. Students had several choices ranging from a manga reading circle, to a cosplay corner, to a karaoke area, and beyond! Everybody enjoyed the 3.5 hours of fun prepared by the hardworking Variety Show/Pop Culture Night group, and of course, the senpai and sensei joined in on the fun. Pop Culture Night was a great success!


- Joseph San

2 July 2015: Curry Rice and a Guest Lecturer

Today, the students attended their usual language and topic classes before recreation time, during which most participated in the planned event for the day. Late in the day, they worked in groups to prepare their own dinner, curry rice. Each group, armed with their own "secret ingredients," provided a sample to each senpai and sensei, who judged and reached a verdict on which rendition was the best tasting. Our visiting Japanese student, Toshiki, even participated in the tasting and judging process. After dinner, Ms. Luck, a guest lecturer in the process of getting her PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University, educated the students on Japanese government and political history, which was very informative and involved many students asking thought-provoking questions. After the nightly meeting, everyone returned to their rooms to rest up for the day ahead.

1 July 2015: Calligraphy

Today the students learned the art of calligraphy and its history. There were aspects to understand before writing the characters. For example, the students had to have a certain posture and hold the brush in  a particular way. The students began by practicing brush strokes and from there started to practice writing kanji.

30 June 2015: Field Trip to Richmond

Taking a break from the classroom setting, the students took a field trip to the VMFA museum and Cary Street in downtown Richmond. In the museum, the students were able to view the traditional Japanese art and analyze the artistry of historical and present painters and sculptors. These pieces encompassed Japanese values of symbolism that the students studied Monday including the red sun, cranes, and bamboo, as well as the Japanese alphabets that the students have studied for the past week.

During Lunch, Vi-San admired the artwork in the museum's garden. 

After lunch in the museum's garden, the students were able to walk around a vintage shopping strip including stores such as the traditional Tokyo market where students bought chop sticks and authentic Japanese snacks. Overall, the field trip further introduced the students to Japanese culture while picking up a few unique goods along the way.

-Parrish-san

In Tokyo Market, Amy-san checks out with her Japanese
goods. The store carries everything from noodles to candies
that the students bought to enjoy in their dorms. 

While touring around Carytown, Harry-san tries on
merchandise in Soda Pop and Candy Shop. "It was
cool to shop in stores that had so many Japanese
goods for sale," Harry-san said. 

29 June 2015: Toy Lecture!

Today things went a little off schedule as one of the guest speakers canceled their lecture on Japanese Film. Luckily, Sakamaki Sensei came to the rescue and whipped up a presentation on Japanese toys and games.  The students learned about things ranging from Kamifusen (Paper Balloons) to a slightly different version of the classic Red Light Green Light Called "Daruma San Koronda!" Everyone had a lot of fun and got to play with the variety of toys that were explained to them. -Maggie-san

28 June 2015: Rest Day And Culture Activity

Unlike the other days at the academy, sundays are a lot different. First, the children had the option to sleep in this morning. There was a three hour flex time from 9-12 where students had the option of attending church service, going to bible study with Chung Senpai, or to hang out and study with friends in the lobby. Students went to lunch and attended language class, the students went to an RA taught culture class where they learned about Japanese food, mascot characters, or Japanese games shows! Following dinner, the students participated in a culture activity where they made Hac

himaki (鉢巻), which are Japanese head scarfs, and Uchiwa (団扇), a type of fan. Painting the fans were very fun, and everyone came up with super unique and creative ideas!!! Also, today was Camryn-san's 16th Birthday!!!! Everyone gave her birthday greetings and made sure that she had a special day!

Lauren San:)  

27 June 2015: Undokai and Birthdays

Today, after the daily Radio Taisou and a well deserved breakfast, we began the day's activities with 運動会 (Undoukai), a sports festival in which students were split into different teams and competed for a grand prize of stickers, candy, and nutrition bars! Events included the creation of a team cheer, Daruma Ga Koronda (Similar to Red-light Green-light), and a scavenger hunt. Following fierce competition over the course of 3 hours, Orange team came out on top with 25 points and took home the prizes amidst the shouts and cheers of all competitors. Later today, students had a chance to access the outside world, so parents, please check your emails! This evening, students and staff had a film night and watched Samurai Fiction.

 

Finally, at the nightly meeting, two students, were given a surprise cake, cards and gifts, as their birthdays are are today and tomorrow respectively.  We also sang a rendition of "Happy Birthday", though of course, as this is the Japanese Academy, it was more along the lines of "OTanjyoubi Omedetou" (Kids, feel free to chant this at your next birthday)! A trio of students also played an instrumental encore to the delight of both birthday girls and to the delight of everybody, there was cake. Lots and lots of cake. Don't worry parents, your children are probably not eating a slice of cake at 9:30 PM. They're eating two. With french fries.

-Joseph San

26 June 2015: Guest Speaker - Professor Brown

Today, the students attended their normal language and topic classes before enjoying some recreation time during which some auditioned for the upcoming Variety Show, which is sure to be an entertaining display of their varied talents and interests. In the evening, Professor Brown, a guest speaker who teaches East Asian studies at Randolph-Macon College, educated the students on Japanese religious and spiritual traditions. In particular, Shinto and Zen Buddhism were highlighted. After that, everybody attended the nightly meeting and proceeded to return to their rooms to study for the next day's classes.

- Harry San

25 June 2015: Yakisoba Day

Today, in addition to a full day of Japanese, students had their first experience with preparing a Japanese cuisine.  After learning how to prepare the dish, a group of students taught the rest of the academy how to cook Yakisoba.

24 June 2015: Daruma Dolls

After a long day of classes, the students were able to bring out their creative and artistic sides by making Daruma dolls. Traditionally known as wish dolls, the Daruma's represent a monk that meditated for so long he lost the ability to move his limbs. The doll is first purchased with one eye colored to mark the beginning of the owners journey of working towards his wish. If the wish on the doll comes true, the owner colors in the other eye of the doll to symbolize the completion of his or her journey. If the wish doesn't come true then the doll is burned at the new year and the wish is considered a bad wish. With a base of a blown up ballon, the students used paper mache to create a sphere that will later be painted either the traditional red or a color of the students choice. Make sure to take a look at the finished product when you see your student again in two and a half weeks!

-Parrish San

23 June 2015: Maymont Park

Today, the students took a visit to the Japanese Garden located in Maymont Park. Although the temperatures were super high, everyone managed to have a good time and had the opportunity to take in the view that the garden had to offer. Japanese gardens on the surface don't appear to be all that decorative. However, unlike a typical garden's aesthetic, the goal is to make the area appear completely natural. We learned that nothing within the garden exists without meaning and purpose. We all ate lunch and admired the scenery and then came back to the dorms to study and work on upcoming projects. 

- Maggie San

22 June 2015: Recreation

Recreation time is when the gakusei (students) go to the Randolph Macon Gym to play sports and hang out with friends. Some students went running around the track, while others played pool or cards. There was also a big volleyball game and a group of students worked to put up the net to volley. Laughs were shared and bonds were built. The teamwork and energy of the students was shining through.

21 June 2015: The First Day

On the first day of the Academy the students played some icebreakers to get to know each other. It was a day full of laughs and breaking the silence. There was awkward hand shakes and shoe throwing. The day also involved learning the rules and getting to know the staff a little bit more. This was a great start to an exciting three weeks.

2015 PARENTS: Student Check in and Open Ceremony

Dear Japanese Academy Parents,

This is a reminder that tomorrow, Sunday, June 21 is the beginning of your child's journey at the Governor's Language Japanese Academy. The entire staff is excited to meet your children and explore Japanese language and culture together. Tomorrow will be a very busy day, in order to avoid confusion I am sending the planned schedule for Check-in and the Opening Ceremony. 

• 12:00 - 1:00: Student Check-in at Andrews Hall 
• 1:30 - 2:30: Opening Ceremony at Blackwell Auditorium

Check in will be in the lobby of Andrews Hall and there will be academy staff waiting for you to check in your children. Resident advisor (RA) staff will also be present to assist with move in. The staff will be wearing the Japanese Academy T-shirts, so we will be easy to find. There will be a limited number of carts available for move in. 

The schedule departure time for the parents is at the end of the opening ceremony.   Please make sure your children have all of their belongings in their room before the opening ceremony, additionally please be sure you have collected your child's wifi-accessible electronic devices (laptop, tablet, cell phone, etc.). 

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask. 

A few reminders:

• If you were contacted to bring extra documents please bring them. 
• Please do not forget that your child needs quarters to do his or her laundry.
• Also, the dorm rooms are very cold so be sure to bring extra blankets or warm pajamas for the building.