KCJS - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies

10/05/2026

【Cultural event】
KCJS students went on a cherry blossom picnic along the Kamo River in early April.

Under the cherry blossoms, they enjoyed lunch and chatting together🌸

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

07/05/2026

【Award Winners】
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our KCJS 37 Spring students.

【Excellence in Community Involvement Award】
•Sam Lindwall (Emory University)

Sam always took the initiative to talk with CIP members and truly enjoyed chatting with everyone. During the final Discussion Session, he shared an important realization: when Japanese people say things indirectly, it is not simply a communication style. Speaking indirectly can also be a form of consideration for others.

【Excellence in Japanese Performance Award】
•Emilija Strydom (Boston University)
•Oscar Fong (Boston University)
•AJ Johnston (Columbia University)
•Kaya Kamei (Solheid) (Boston University)

In class, Emilija was always the first to raise her hand and helped create an atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable speaking. Her sincere and hardworking attitude toward everything she did had a positive influence on her classmates as well.

Since coming to Kyoto, Oscar has used Japanese every single day, and little by little, the number of things he could do in Japanese increased dramatically. In recognition of his attitude and remarkable improvement, we proudly present the Award.

In AJ’s dictionary, the phrase “busy work” does not exist. No matter the homework or task, he always expressed his own thoughts and feelings creatively in Japanese. Because of this dedication, you have developed your own writing style.

Compared to the beginning of the semester, Kaya's Japanese ability improved tremendously. Her joy in studying Japanese overflowed in the classroom every day, inspiring her classmates and making a significant contribution to raising the level of the entire class.

みなさん、受賞おめでとうございます！

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

07/05/2026

【Daigo-ji Hike】
In March, students went on a hike to Kamidaigo at Daigoji Temple in southeastern Kyoto as an extracurricular activity. Leaving behind the noise of the city, we walked through the quiet temple grounds seeing cherry blossom buds before entering the Kamidaigo area, where the trail turned into a steep mountain path. After 1.5 hour of hiking up to the top of the mountain, we were welcomed by a beautiful view and temples. A 2.5-hour round trip was not easy, but it was a refreshing experience that reminded us of the beauty of stepping away from busy everyday life.

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

07/05/2026

【Translation Workshop】(Full Version)
KCJS students joined a Hyakunin Isshu translation workshop at Nison-in Temple.

The guest speaker was Peter MacMillan, a classical literature translator.

After attending his lecture, students tried translating the poems themselves and explored different ways of expressing them in modern Japanese and English.

(Filmed by Professor Stephen Choi)

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

28/04/2026

KCJS students participated in a Japanese translation workshop in March. Check out their experience on YouTube!

KCJS 37 Spring: Translation Workshop

28/04/2026

【Classroom Tour】
This video introduces an elective class. The course, titled Japanese Buddhism, is taught by Professor Hoyu Ishida.

Through this course, students develop an understanding of Buddhist terminology, as well as the ability to explain concepts and exchange ideas in Japanese.

In addition, through visits to temples, they deepen their practical understanding and gain an appreciation for key aspects of Japanese aesthetics such as wabi, sabi, and mono no aware.

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

28/04/2026

Max Luband (KCJS35 Spring, Tufts University) dropped by the office while traveling Japan with his family.
He showed us a photo of himself enjoying ramen with his KCJS peers in NY! It's great to students stay in touch after the program!

Thank you for stopping by, Max!

23/04/2026

【Classroom Tour】
Today, we’re giving you a glimpse into a 2nd-year class.

KCJS Japanese language courses take advantage of small, level-based groups to enhance Japanese language skills through active discussions and practical exercises!

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

23/04/2026

【Classroom Tour】
This video introduces an elective class. The course, titled ‘Media Imaginations of Traditional Japan (and Kyoto),’ is taught by Professor Stephen Choi.

Students learn how images of Japanese tradition change over time and develop the skills to analyze them through media and cultural perspectives.

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office

20/04/2026

This video introduces an elective class. The course, titled ‘Kyoto Artisans and Their World,’ is taught by Professor Melissa Rinne, with Keiko Kawashima serving as a teaching assistant.

The guest speaker for this session was karakami artisan Fumiha Sugawara.

After learning about karakami, the students tried karakami printing themselves and created beautiful pieces.

Please check out the video!

KCJS 37 Spring Classroom Tour: Kyoto Artisans and Their World

20/04/2026

【Cultural Activity】
We enjoyed hanami (cherry blossom viewing) along the Kamo River!

It is a traditional Japanese custom where people gather under cherry blossom trees to enjoy their beauty, often sharing food and drinks together. Every spring, many people visit this river to celebrate the season.

Kayla Hall (Wellesley College, KCJS 37 Spring) shared her thoughts:

I loved being able to share such an experience with everyone. Getting to see the cherry blossoms while also hanging out with my friends was a great way to destress and appreciate the smaller things in life. One thing that stuck to me was seeing that we weren’t the only people out sitting by the water and having a picnic. This experience reminded me that despite our differing backgrounds we all could enjoy the same things and I’m glad got to gain this.

#日本語の勉強

UChicago Study Abroad
BU Study Abroad
Wesleyan University Office of Study Abroad
Wellesley College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Wellesley College Office of International Study
Macalester Asian Languages and Cultures
Northwestern University Global Learning Office