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

3 July 2014: Japanese Pop Culture NIght

7/3

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

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.

- Matias

GJA Students playing a game of Japanese Pop Culture Jeopardy