International Collaborative Course “Japanese Pop Culture B” Preparing for the Kasawara Shrine Rice Planting & Summer Festival – Part 2 (Wednesday, June 25)

As part of the international collaborative course “Japanese Pop Culture B,” offered by the Global Engagement Center at Ibaraki University, students will participate in the Summer Festival held at Kasawara Shrine, located behind the Mito Campus, on Sunday, July 14. This event provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of Japanese culture while also exploring ways to contribute to local community revitalization.

In the class held on Wednesday, June 25, students worked in groups to plan and prepare festival activities for children who will attend the event.

One group focused on the traditional Japanese game “Katanuki” (mold cutting). The idea was inspired by an international student who had seen the game in anime and wanted to try it in real life. Through group discussions, students discovered that “Katanuki” is not widely known in some parts of Japan and is rarely seen in the Kansai region. They also learned that the only company in Japan currently producing “Katanuki” materials is located in Osaka. These insights sparked meaningful conversations about regional cultural differences within Japan.

Another group planned activities such as can knockdown and ping-pong ball games. Through their discussion, they found that similar games exist around the world, leading to new discoveries from a global perspective.

The students will continue preparing for the festival on July 14. This initiative offers a valuable opportunity to connect with the local community, experience Japanese culture firsthand, and deepen intercultural understanding. Stay tuned for more updates!