General

Expressing Japanese Culture in English

Friday, February 12, 2021 at Izumisano Cross-cultural Center


“I want to introduce Japanese culture to a foreigners!” If such a situation arises, how would you talk about Japanese culture in English? ica has started a series of six lectures (Feb. 12 to Mar. 19) to help you learn about Japanese culture while having fun at the same time. Twelve students are taking the course with themes including Japanese rooms, kimonos, Japanese food, tea ceremony, Japanese holidays and traditional events, and Japanese sake.

Impressions from the participants

  • It was interesting to learn about the unique culture of Japan.
  • What was interesting for me think about was the fact that many behaviors Japanese people take for granted are new and unknown to people from other countries.

Lasting impressions

  • Fusuma became a place of art.
  • The teacher told us that there were times when foreigners sat on the floor of the area where left suitcases were stowed.
  • I was impressed with the teacher’s experience working as an interpreter.
  • I was reminded of the importance of shadowing.
  • I was taken away by Ms. Azuma’s excellent English.
  • With simple words, quite detailed explanations are possible.

Attention All Members


Attention all members,

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support during ica’s activities.

  • As a result of the State of Emergency declared in Osaka Prefecture, ica will not conduct Japanese Language Classes starting today until Monday, 8th February.

The ica office will however be open during this period to respond to any inquiries.

  • Activities to refrain from;
  • Japanese Language Classes: Until Monday, 8th February 2021.
  • Chatting Salon: Tuesdays, 19th and 26th January 2021
  • 30th Anniversary Project Executive Committee: Saturday 23th January 2021.
  • Brush up English: Saturdays, 6th February 2021.
  • Rescheduled activities (To be conducted while observing measures to mitigate infections)
  • Japanese culture conveyed in English: Friday 5th February – Friday 12th March New Date: Friday 12th February – Friday 19th March
  • Japanese Language Training Course: Completion Date, Saturday 27th February.

We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please take necessary precautions to prevent infections and take care of yourselves.

ica Administration

To All Members:

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Attention all members:

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support. In response to the request from Osaka Prefecture to refrain from going out for non-essential reasons, ica office will be closed for business until Tuesday 15th December. The ica office will however be open during this period to respond to any inquiries.

We are scheduled to resume normal activities on Wednesday 16th December however, this is subject to change depending on future circumstances. 

Suspended Activities:

  • Japanese Language Classes: Until Wednesday 15th December.
  • Japanese Language Teaching Volunteer Training Course: Saturdays, 5th and 12th December.
  • Together, let’s make “Trocken Gebinde Candles”: Saturday 12th December
  • Together, let’s make “Mini Kadomatsu”: Saturday 12th December

In addition, please be advised that earlier planned group activities namely; ‘Trocken Gebinde Candle’ and ‘Mini Kadomatsu’ will be postponed. We will inform you of the new dates as soon as possible.

We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause and thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please take necessary precautions to prevent infection and take care of yourselves.

ica Administration

Café Talk

ica members Chow Kang (China), Mr. Emmanuel (Uganda), and Mr. Tommy (Germany) were welcomed as guests. They talked about their countries, work, and life in Japan. Education was also discussed, as there were six participants from Osaka University of Tourism who would like to work in education in the future.

Tommy’s introduction to the German education system

  • Tuition is free from kindergarten to university.
  • When students enter junior high school, the path which students can take is divided into a higher education course and a standard course. There are no exams, but rather a discussion between the student, parents and teachers to decide which school to enter.
  • There is also a system for students who have completed their junior high school education and are still thinking about what path they want to take next. They can attend school while being involved in the military or nursing care for one year while they decide their next path.
  • There are no levels at university, it is what you learn that counts.
  • BMW and Audi have universities that allow students to study while working.

Café Talk

ica welcomed four guests from Sri Lanka including Kabidu, Samadhi, Champika and Anuradha. The topics of the day at Café Talk were Sri Lankan culture, food, folk costumes, festivals, as well as life in Japan.

Words from a guest of Café Talk

This event was a lot of fun. And I would like to participate in more ica events in the future. As a student of Japanese at ica, this kind of event is very meaningful for me as a way to learn the language and also to meet new people and understand cultures. I am grateful for the opportunity to talk about my country, Sri Lanka.
~Anuradha, ica Japanese student