Photo Credit: Dawn O’Day (author)

“Each art speaks an idiom that conveys what cannot be said in another language and yet remains the same (Dewey, 1934).”

Certainly, there are many ways to communicate. For example, we can communicate with our voices, through writing, and through body language as well. I love to communicate through writing, but I also love to express myself using photography.

What do you think about language and art forms, such as photography? Do you want to learn more about them? Are you inspired to create great works of writing or art? What do you think that art and language have in common? Think about these questions; then I will attempt to answer the last question.

Just as language has a three-way relationship, so does art. According to the American pragmatist, John Dewey, the act of communicating language involves a speaker, words that are spoken, and a person to whom the words are spoken; therefore, if we think of an object of art as words that are being communicated, then we have an artist who is communicating, the object of art, and the person who is looking at the art (Dewey, 1934). As you can see, one thing that language has in common with art is that they are both expressive forms of communication.

There are countless artists throughout history who have used numerous forms of media to express themselves. (You can think of a medium as a language.) Antoni Gaudí, a famous Spanish architect, is one such artist who expressed himself while he created art using various media (e.g., stone, ceramic, iron, and glass).

Perhaps Gaudí is most famous for his design of La Sagrada Família, which, as you probably know, is in Barcelona. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Sagrada Família is a basilica that has been under construction for more than 140 years and will likely continue to be under construction for many years to come. (Please see the photo above for a view of the inside of the basilica.)

Please look forward to reading next week’s blog, Part Two: Language and Art.

Reference

Dewey, J. (1934). Art as experience. New York: Berkeley Publishing.

Blog Quiz

1. According to the reading, what is La Sagrada Familia?

a. A museum.

b. A park.

c. A basilica (a church).

2. According to the reading, what kind of media did Antoni Gaudi use when creating art?

a. Marble, ceramic, concrete, and glass.

b. Stone, ceramic, iron, and glass.

c. Stone, marble, wood, and steel.

3. According to the reading, what is one thing that language has in common with art?

a. They are both primarily used for scientific documentation.

b. They both require formal training in mathematics.

c. They are both expressive forms of communication

Scroll↓down for answers

Quiz Answers

Q1. C

Q2. B

Q3. C

Photo Credit: Gerd Altmann @Pexels.com

Almost everyone has dreams of someday doing something remarkable, memorable, or exciting. You dream of climbing Mount Everest, you would like to meet a famous celebrity, or you want to someday live in Paris, France. At first, these dreams seem unattainable. However, when people can make a plan for action, it can help them to realize their personal goals.

Long-term goals may take time to achieve. It may seem overwhelming to think how to reach them. A key to reaching the long- term goals is to make short-term goals that are easier to outline and achieve. Many short-term goals can be reached in a relatively small amount of time. This gives the person a sense of moving forward and of satisfaction with their efforts.

For any personal goal it is helpful to think carefully and write down some specific aspects that will clarify the purpose and actions needed. The four important points for outlining a short-term or long-term goal can be:

1. What specifically is the goal?

2. Why is it important to you?

3. What actions will you take to achieve it?

4. By when do you want to complete or achieve the goal? (a deadline)

When you write these things down, you are clarifying the goal in your mind and in reality. This is giving you a plan of action with real efforts and a timeline to push yourself to finish any steps towards your goals. The actions you describe must be realistic (possible) and fit the deadlines you set for yourself. Let’s look at an example.

You want to travel to France someday. This is perhaps a long-term goal. There are several considerations which could be short-term goals, for example; having the money or means to get there, preparing yourself to live in French culture, or finding a travel partner.

We can outline the goal as follows.

Long-term goal:

What: Traveling for one month in France

Why: Because I am interested in speaking to French people and I want to try many types of French cuisine

How: (Here you can create some smaller goals)

By When: Traveling to France before I am 25 years old.

Short-term goal:

What: Learning to speak French at a daily conversational level

How: By finding a good website or YouTube channel for daily practice

By when: Becoming fluent at French before the end of next year

When you start to clarify your goals and describe some specific actions and deadlines, it will be much easier for you to realize your dreams. It really is possible!

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is the meaning of 'a long-term goal'?

Q2. Why is it important to make a goal realistic?

Q3. In the example, what is the deadline for becoming fluent at conversational French?

Scroll↓down for answers

Quiz Answers

Q1. A goal that may take a longer time to achieve.

Q2. You have more chances of success.

Q3. Before the end of next year.

Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quirós @ Pexels.com

As we approach the middle of the spring semester, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the things that I noticed while I dropped my daughter off at an American university last summer. Some of the differences were quite expected, but also some caught me by surprise. I hope after reading this blog entry, you will know a bit more of what to expect if you study abroad or choose to do graduate studies in the US.

First let me talk about diversity. On all the campuses we visited two years ago when she was choosing a university, there was a talk of diversity, but it wasn’t until we had the orientation and visited the campus at length that I could see this in real practice. Diversity is not just acknowledged but very celebrated on campuses. A real effort is made to make students feel as comfortable as they can not only with their environment but also with themselves. This ranges from numerous clubs, offices, and facilities available, as well as communities that can assist students in their daily lives.

Second, I want to talk about a business mindset. American universities seem to be always thinking about setting students up for a chance to turn their ideas into practical business applications. Most students have access to funding as well as tools such as 3D printing to take any design ideas they have and try to make prototypes out of them. On top of this, many opportunities exist to collaborate with other students or outside businesses to create working models.

Last, I would like to talk about class workload. American students read a lot for their classes. Often time it is common to get 100 or more pages to read a week. Classes often are conducted two to three times a week so the amount of information that students receive is enormous. Students must manage their work and lives well in order to handle this. Instead of just listening to a lecture, students are expected to discuss the content and form an opinion on their own. This takes time to think about and consider well.

In conclusion, there is, in general, a different mindset to how American universities operate and what their end goal is. Students are given the tools to think independently while pursuing their future careers. While there are also several downsides, to certain students, the upsides may be very appealing.

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is the first difference between American and Japanese universities that the author noticed?

Q2. What is the end goal of university life in America?

Q3. How much reading does an average American university student do in a week per class?

Scroll down ↓ for answers

Quiz Answers

Q1. More diversity.

Q2. To pursue your own ideas.

Q3. 100 or more pages per week per class.

Photo Credit: Ken Uemura

(dancers pictured are Heidi S. Durning and Mikayo Mori)

On September 28th, 2024, I had the opportunity to dance in the Eiun-in temple garden. Eiun-in temple is a Jodo Buddhist temple located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. Usually, it is a private temple, so it is not open to the public. However, I have had the opportunity to dance there for the past 30 years. Every two or three years, I collaborate with other dancers and musicians to create a performance appropriate to show in the beautiful inner garden of Eiun-in temple. For these performances the temple opens to the public and it is enjoyed immensely by everyone.

This year’s dance, music, and garden collaboration performance was titled “Sorara”. Dance performers Mori Mikayo and I created new works inspired by nature and feelings. Original music was composed by percussionist, Watanabe Ryo and Noh flutist, Nonaka Kumiko. We were inspired to create by the resonating sounds of the temple bells, the seasonal plants, the sky above us, and the various shapely clouds. The audience members were seated inside the temple with the musicians surrounding them on either side. The dancers appeared and moved within the garden visualizing the nature images using the arms, legs, and torso enhanced by facial expressions. Costumes were worn to compliment the color of the trees, sky, and seasonal plants blossoming in the garden. These colors were shades of blue, green, white, brown, and orange.

On this day we had good weather but several times before, I performed in the rain which was quite refreshing. Dancing in a temple garden is very different from dancing in a theater. We can feel our feet touch the moss, the costumes flow with the wind, and the air soothes us. The audience members watch the dancers melt into the garden scenery while the live music mixes with the natural sounds made by the birds and crickets.

We always feel lucky to perform in the Eiun-in temple garden as we share the space with everyone present there.

Blog Quiz

Q1. Where was the performance held?

Q2. What inspired the creation of the performance "Sorara"?

Q3. How is dancing in the temple garden different from dancing in a theater?

Scroll down↓for answers

Quiz Answers

Q1. At the Eiun-in Temple, in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto.

Q2. It was inspired by nature and feelings.

Q3. It is different because the dancers can feel the moss under their feet as they dance and the breeze as they move around the garden, and the live music mixes with the sounds of nature in the garden.

Photo Credit: Ravi Kant @Pexels.com

How much do you care about the weather in your everyday life? Do you usually check the Internet for the latest weather forecast, or are you the type of person who takes your folding umbrella with you regardless of the weather? Some people might change their schedule depending on that day’s weather and even postpone or cancel their plans.

In terms of weather in Japan, there are roughly four seasons: spring (March - May), summer (June - August), fall (September - November) and winter (December - February). Summer in Japan is also known as a rainy season, which is very hot, wet, and humid. Typhoons often come in fall, and some places can be so stormy that you are not able to hold your umbrella while you are walking outside. Japan is an island that stretches from north to south, so each region has different climates. For example, Hokkaido, which is in northern Japan has relatively cooler and comfortable weather in summer though it has a lot of snow in winter and the temperature can be below freezing.  

When it comes to the weather in the UK, you can probably imagine that there are a lot of rainy days throughout the whole year. As a person who was born and raised in Japan, the weather in the UK was one of the biggest culture shocks I experienced when I was studying there. In terms of explaining about rain in the weather report, there are a variety of expressions to describe it since they have many rainy days. You probably get used to hearing like “it will be sunny, cloudy or rainy tomorrow” in the Japanese weather report. However, you will often hear like “there will be a fresh shower during the day” or “it will be a windy morning tomorrow and blustery shower but clearer later of the day” in the British weather report.

What’s more, the time when British people start to use their umbrellas is slightly different from Japanese people. Japanese people tend to take out their umbrellas even if there is a light rain, leading to one of my British classmates often making fun of me saying “where are you HIDING your umbrella today?”, which made me feel like I was a typical Japanese in the UK.

Blog Quiz

Q1. When is the rainy season in Japan?

Q2. What is another word British people use to talk about “rain”?

Q3. Why did the writer feel like a typical Japanese in the UK?

Scroll down ↓ for answers.

Quiz Answers

Q1. In the summer.

Q2. A shower/ Showers.

Q3. Because the writer was always carrying an umbrella.

Photo Credit: Pixabay@Pexel.com

"Have you ever lived abroad?" It’s a question I’m often asked, and the answer is, "No."

I’ve studied at language schools in Australia and Ireland, but both times it was only for up to six weeks during my university spring break. I wanted to study abroad for a full year, but since I was enrolled in the Teacher Training Course, it wasn’t possible. So, 19-year-old Ran set out on a little project of her own, which I called "Studying Abroad in Japan." I made a point of always surrounding myself with English, both input and output.

Here’s a rundown of what I did each day:

Write all schedules and to-do lists entirely in English. This helped me plan things properly and stay on top of tasks each day, while improving my everyday English.

Download speeches and interviews featuring your favourite actors. Listening to a range of topics is important, of course, but I found I was more motivated to listen to things I was interested in, so I started with subjects I wanted to know about.

Watch dramas or films in English. I’d watch a 45-minute episode of a drama over dinner. The first time, I’d watch it with Japanese subtitles, then watch it again with English subtitles. I always kept a notebook on hand so I could write down any phrases or vocabulary I wanted to try using in conversation.

Listen to a 5-minute English radio programme. Each night at 10:30 p.m., I’d listen to a five-minute English programme. I’d learn just one phrase a night, but imagine – if you did that every day for a year, you’d pick up over 300 useful phrases!

Output, output, and more output! I used to take an online English practice nearly every day, where I’d chat casually or practise for the Eiken speaking test. On top of that, I made a habit of talking to myself in English, and I went out of my way to join activities with international friends. It was scary at times, but I’ve built lasting friendships through it.

So, do you have to study abroad to become fluent in a foreign language? I’d say, "No." If you’re truly determined, anything is possible. Let’s take it one day at a time and go for it!

Blog Quiz

Q1. What two things did she write entirely in English?

Q2. What did she keep with her when watching English films?

Q3. What did she do every day for 5 minutes to improve her English?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

Quiz Answers:

Q1. Her schedule and to-do lists.

Q2. A notebook.

Q3. Listened to an English radio programme.

Photo Credit: Pedro Fegueras@Pexel.com

Overcoming stress is a common challenge in today's fast-paced world.　Univeristy students often find themselves suffering from stress, and sometimes lack effective strategies and mindsets to overcome it. It is important to have effective strategies in place to manage and reduce stress levels in order to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. While stress is a natural part of life, prolonged exposure to stress can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues. Here are some of the best ways to overcome stress:

1. **Identify the Source of Stress**: The first step in effectively managing stress is to identify the root cause. Take some time to reflect on what is causing you stress – whether it's work, relationships, financial issues, or health concerns. By pinpointing the source of your stress, you can begin to address it more effectively.

2. **Establish Healthy Coping Mechanisms**: Developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for overcoming stress. This can include engaging in regular physical activity, practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and connecting with supportive friends and family members.

3. **Time Management**: Poor time management can lead to increased stress levels. Learning to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and break large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

4. **Mindfulness and Meditation**: Mindfulness and meditation practices have been shown to be effective in reducing stress and promoting overall well-being. By staying present in the moment and practicing mindfulness, you can learn to let go of worries about the past or future, and focus on what is happening right now.

5. **Seek Professional Help**: If you find that your stress levels are significantly impacting your daily life and well-being, it may be beneficial to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide you with tools and strategies to better manage stress and improve your mental health.

6. **Practice Self-Care**: Engaging in self-care activities is crucial for reducing stress levels. This can include taking time for yourself to relax, practicing hobbies you enjoy, getting a massage, or simply taking a break from your usual routine to recharge.

7. **Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle**: Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and prioritizing sleep are key components of managing stress. A healthy lifestyle can help support your physical and mental well-being, making it easier to cope with the challenges that come your way.

8. **Set Boundaries**: Learning to set boundaries and say no when necessary is important for reducing stress levels. It's okay to prioritize your own well-being and needs, even if it means turning down certain commitments or responsibilities.

9. **Practice Gratitude**: Practicing gratitude can help shift your focus from what is stressing you out to what you are thankful for. Keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down things you are grateful for each day, can help foster a more positive mindset and reduce stress.

10. **Engage in Relaxation Techniques**: Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, or visualization can help calm your mind and body in times of stress. Taking a few minutes each day to practice these techniques can have a significant impact on your overall stress levels.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming stress. It's important to experiment with different strategies and find what works best for you. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can effectively manage stress and improve your overall well-being. Remember that it's okay to ask for help when you need it, and that taking care of yourself is essential for living a balanced and fulfilling life.

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is the first step, when trying to reduce stress?

A.  Set boundaries

B.   Seek professional help

C.   Identify the source of stress

Q2. University students often _______ effective strategies to deal with stress.

A.  lack

B.   lose

C.   laugh at

Q3. When practicing ______________, you will shift your focus from the stress to what you are thankful for and feel a more positive mindset and feel less stress.

A.  gardening

B.   gratitude

C.   gourmet cooking

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz.

Answer Key

Q1. C

Q2. A

Q3. B

Photo Credit: Tara Winstead @Pexels.com

Let's try thinking about "memory." First, please try playing the game at the following link. The rules are simple: memorize the numbers that appear momentarily, then click to answer. Free Working Memory Tests [https://www.memorylosstest.com/free-working-memory-tests-online/]

How did you do?

The human brain has two types of memory: "short-term memory" and "long-term memory." This game is a test of short-term memory. Short-term memory is also known as "working memory," and refers to memories that are stored temporarily in the brain.

According to research conducted by Princeton University psychologist George Miller, short-term memory is retained for only about 20 seconds. After that period of time, it is considered unnecessary and forgotten. Try to answer the questions in the previous game 20 seconds after you see the numbers. It should be much more difficult for you to do so.

We can expect to achieve increased efficiency in language learning if we understand and utilize this characteristic of memory.

In fact, George Miller made another important discovery: the fact that “humans can only commit 7±2 pieces of information to memory at a time." In other words, we are able to memorize 5–9 pieces of information. This is known as the “magical number”.

Up until now, many people have been tested to see how many digits they can remember, and there are almost none who can remember more than 9 digits. This seems to be the limit of human beings.

So, how can we remember an 11-digit phone number? We can do this because we use a method known as chunking. For example, we can divide the phone number 08012345678 into 3 groups, "080," "1234," and "5678," and memorize them as 3 pieces of information. By doing so, we can get around the short-term memory limit of 7±2 pieces of information at a time.

Put another way, a person can only memorize 7±2 "chunks of information" at a time. By applying this knowledge, we can make it easier to memorize longer English sentences for English presentations, and so on. For example, the sentence "I object to the idea that classical music and popular music should be dealt with as totally different categories." can be divided into the following groups:

"I object to the idea"

"that classical music and popular music"

"should be dealt with"

"as totally different categories."

It is easier to memorize sentences by dividing them into groups in the manner shown.

Questions:

Q1. For how long is short-term memory retained in the brain?

Q2. How many pieces of information can a person memorize at a time?

Q3. How can we make information easier to memorize?

Scroll down↓for answers

A1. Approximately 20 seconds

A2. 7±2 pieces

A3. By dividing it into chunks

Photo Credit: Bruno Mattos @Pexels.com

Food that is common in one country can be changed into something new and original when it is taken away from its traditional roots. However, for us, it is so normal that we can hardly imagine it being any different.

A good example of this is green tea. A matcha drink at a cafe in Kyoto will be carefully prepared by someone who probably appreciates the ways of the tea ceremony. He or she pays special attention to the grade of tea, makes sure that it is not clumped together before whisking, checks that the color is emerald green and that the water temperature is just right.

Another familiar food is mochi filled with red bean paste (anko). It can be found almost anywhere: in supermarkets, fancy “wagashi” shops in department stores, and along Nishiki Market. Some of these shops have been selling Japanese tea snacks for centuries. The most modern of them have added fresh strawberries inside, but nothing more radical than that. Although these things are common in Kyoto, they can take on other forms abroad.

In Central Europe, in Warsaw, Poland, I had the opportunity to try some very different matcha and mochi. Japan is located on the other side of the world from Poland, making its food and customs feel very exotic. It seems that the farther away the country is, the more interesting and appealing Japanese things are. Sushi restaurants are popular in big cities in Poland, but I was surprised to see new ideas for matcha and mochi designed to appeal to a different market. At a trendy cafe called Deseo on the beach of the Baltic Sea, I had iced matcha with fresh raspberries. The barista made it with Uji green tea powder using an electric milk frother. He said nobody is trained to use a tea whisk (chasen). Another drink had half tonic water and half matcha, and both drinks had big ice cubes. This was not what I was used to in Kyoto!

Simply using matcha powder is one thing, but making mochi and filling it requires more skill and expertise. I walked into a little shop with blue neon lights and signs with their mascot, a harp seal that looked like the “Shirotan” plush toy. The little mochi pouches were enclosed in plastic capsules that looked like they were packaged for the “gacha gacha” machines selling toys in Japan. The flavors to choose from did not include any with red bean paste. The choices were mango, creamy Snickers, Oreo, cherry brownie, pistachio, lavender, strawberry, and coconut almond. I chose lavender. It was delicate and delicious, made with slightly sweetened lavender jelly with mascarpone cream. The texture was like tiramisu tucked in a pillow of mochi. I was really surprised how good it was.

However, there was one thing I wanted to know. I asked the shop clerk if there were any “real” Japanese flavors. Alas, the clerk did not know anything whatsoever of the mochi native to Japan, its fillings and that it was certainly not sold in plastic capsules. In effect, their products delight a new crowd of young people looking for something new to try from the exotic country of Japan but not caring about the originals.

Questions:

Q1. How was the mochi shop decorated?

Q2. How was mochi packaged in the Polish shop?

Q3. What was the texture of the mochi filling in the Polish shop?

Scroll down↓for answers

A1. Blue neon lights and harp seal characters

A2. In plastic capsules

A3. Soft and creamy like tiramisu