The 2nd Japanese Culture Workshop "Aikido Experience" was held
On Monday, August 19, 2024, the second Japanese Culture Workshop “Aikido Experience” for international students was held, with 10 participants taking part.
The event was organized in collaboration with the university's Aikido Club, and the session began with a 20-minute lecture by Tomoki Koshida (4th-year, School of Medicine), the captain of the club. After that, participants moved to the martial arts gymnasium to watch a demonstration and practice the techniques themselves.
During the lecture, Koshida provided an overview of Aikido's history and its spirit, emphasizing what makes it distinct from other martial arts. He explained that Aikido, which originated in Japan, is not about fighting or overpowering opponents but rather about harmonizing movements with them to train both body and mind. Aikido features demonstrations of techniques instead of competitive matches. For the experience, the international students were paired with club members to practice actual techniques. Although initially unfamiliar with the movements, the participants gradually learned to move with their partners, successfully executing throws and takedowns. As they switched partners and repeated the movements, they became more comfortable with the techniques and enjoyed the experience.
This workshop was a good opportunity to deepen the understanding of Japanese culture of international students and to promote international exchange among students.
