Vuthy MEN

On 13th, 14th, and 15th there was a university festival at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in Fuchu Campus. I have joined this festival with other STEP students for all days. All of us were assigned to present our own country in Japanese Language Room by making posters. For sure, there were so many different kinds of poster, and they were very attractive and fascinating. At that time, I was really happy to present my country, Cambodia, because there are most people curious to know about mine, especially about the war happening in Cambodia in the past 3 decades. It was a bit sad for me but interesting because I felt like all of my guests understood and knew more about Cambodia.

Besides, STEP students and I also helped Japanese students to sell Fried Banana (Age Banana) by the schedule arranged by STEP Coordinator. However, I didn’t care about the schedule, I just helped them whenever I was free since It was really really delightful and I have made more Japanese friends during this 3-day festival. In my Age Banana booth, I was told by Japanese to hold a poster and shout attracting the customers by saying “Age Banana Ikaga des ka?” meaning in English “Would you like Fried Banana?”. When my Japanese teachers and friends saw I spoke this question, it seemed like I speak Japanese very well, by the way, there was a Romaji written behind the poster. It was so funny!! Besides enjoying selling Banana and Presentation, I spent some time for sightseeing and eating other foods in the festival as well as seeing the performances. Noticeably, Japanese people had some crazy cultures like when they played sexual performance on stage and so on; however, there were many great performances by students that I found it difficult to see in Cambodian University. For example, Piano performance, Acapella performance, Dancing, fighting, singing, etc.

Additionally, I have noticed a lot of good things during the festival. Most of Japanese students had their own responsibility in their work and also worked hard. Especially, they very cared about throwing away the garbages not only in school but I observed everywhere I have ever been. This was very good habit. There are still more things about Japan that I cannot describe in words. By the way, I really like this event, and If I have chance, I will join and enjoy again.

Written by MEN Vuthy

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On 11th November, 2015 STEP students of Japanese Culture class went to visit Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en located near Musashi-Koganei Station about 10 mn by bicycle. Eco-Tokyo museum is one of historical museum in Tokyo where we can find many old structure houses.

One of them that caught my interest was the house of high-ranking official who had been assassinated long time ago. His house was very special compared to other houses. There were many rooms which served for different purposes such as ancestor room, tea ceremony room, storage room for keeping Kimono and other stuffs, dining room and so on. The house is very big and more specious in each room, and some rooms were covered by beautiful painting such as flock of birds, mountains, and others. As a matter of fact that most of houses including his house were mostly constructed by wood and paper; for example, the wood door using paper to cover, the wood piles of the house, etc.

Besides, we also visited ancient village in that museum where a few restaurants and stores located for serving local people in that period. Particularly, not far from restaurants and stores, there is a public bath for people who would like to relax in the hot water during winter or when it was cold weather. Honestly, I also like taking hot water because It makes me feel very very good!! Last but not least, before we left the museum, we visited the old style city bus which was quite different from bus nowadays. Summing it up, this visit has allowed me one more view about Japanese living style especially about different kinds of houses and infrastructure in that ancient village.

Written by MEN Vuthy
Checkout my photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136951099@N08/albums/72157658747072854

Kokubunji Temple Visit

In the morning on 21st October, 2015 all STEP students, who take Japanese Culture course, were assigned to visit Musashi Kokubunji Temple located near Kokubunji Station or less than 15 minutes by bike from TUAT Fuchu Campus. Kokubunji Temple is one of the very historical sites which was established centuries ago in the period of Emperor Shomu in Tokyo, Japan. Currently, Kokubunji Temple becomes a museum where we can see many tourists come for culture learning and visiting purpose. Spending few hours visiting the temple, I have learned and gained a lot of knowledge, especially about culture and religion in japan.

My Observation

In the temple, I observed many interesting things; however, there were three of them that stood out to me and caught my whole interests, and therefore I will describe one by one as the following.

The first thing I observed is exactly Torii, which is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine. Before I laid my foots on Japanese mainland, I always saw this stuff in the books, magazines, especially advertisements on TV. Nonetheless, this month is quite different because I have a great chance to see not only Torii but also other amazing things in reality in Tokyo.

The second one is the pagoda in Kokubunji Temple. In Cambodia, Pagoda is a big place where the monks live and pray in Buddhism, and also where Buddhist Holy Books are kept. By the way, Pagoda in Japan refers to a very small building where only Holy Books are kept, and the monks stay in ordinary house nearby.

And last but definitely not least, there was a shrine I have seen during visiting. It was noticeably the strangest one among others since there was a God with many hands holding different types of tools similar to the gods in Hinduism. As I guess it clearly shows that there were distinction and diversity of culture and religion in ancient Japan.

Visiting this temple, I am not merely enjoy sightseeing the temple-scape but also learning new things; for example, Torri, Japanese Pagoda, and especially the strangest shrine. If I have more chances, I will try to learn more Japanese culture as much as possible.

Written by: MEN Vuthy

October 2015, 8th and 9th students of STEP@TUAT 2015-2016 went on field trip to mountain Mitake, about 30 km from Tokyo. It was my first time to go with international students. The trip was arranged by STEP@TUAT coordinator of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with the aim of learning about Japanese local life on Mt. Mitake besides sightseeing the views. However, there are many other things that I have learned during the trip as well; for example, traffic and transportation.