Personally, I really love the month of November. The atmosphere becomes refreshing as autumn begins, and Japan is dyed in shades of red with the beautiful colors of the leaves. Additionally, the Kyushu School Festival is also celebrated!

From the beginning of the month, you can start to see the preparations on the campus, with students coming and going with various materials to the different locations where activities will take place. Last year was my first experience as a participant in this festival, and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of activities and the fantastic atmosphere. So, my goal this year was to be part of the festival’s activities and experience the complete event, and guess what? I was able to achieve it!

I am currently a part of a group called “Geiko Student Supporter,” which is composed of both Japanese and international students (all volunteers). This group is dedicated to organizing extracurricular activities to assist campus students with various tasks, daily activities, advice, and events such as welcome parties or cultural gatherings. During one of the group’s internal meetings, the decision was made that it was important to be a part of this festival to interact with the event’s attendees (the event is open to both students and the public). This decision led to one of the best experiences I’ve had as a student and supporter.

The festival took place from Friday, November 3rd to 5th, and the group of Geiko supporters organized three cultural activities: origami, yokai drawing, and karuta game. Each activity was conducted twice on Sunday, November 5th, and attracted a wide range of participants, from children to the elderly, as well as participants from different nationalities.

All the activities focused on creation and sharing. The first activity was an origami workshop, in which participants created three different items: cranes, flowers, and shurikens. The second workshop was about creating your own yokai (mythological and supernatural creatures of Japan). After a brief introduction about the history and types of yokai, participants could use their imagination to create their own supernatural creatures with special characteristics and then share their creations with the other participants. Finally, the equally important karuta workshop consisted of two parts. First, participants had to create different cards based on proverbs and drawings from their own countries of origin, thus creating a multicultural game. Then, these cards were used in a skill-based game in which a group member would read phrases, and participants would compete to be the quickest to touch the card being referred to. The day was filled with fun, not only for the participants but also for the organizers. We totally enjoyed it a lot.

At the end of the last activity, I felt very fulfilled for having achieved my goal, being motivated, and being a part of the wonderful experience of the long-awaited Geiko School Festival!

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About the Writer
I am an international master’s student from Guatemala. I have a passion for design, photography, and writing. I enjoy storytelling and making new friends, which I find incredibly interesting. Join me and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Japanese culture.

Hector Alejandro Palomo Reyes
Graduate School of Design
Media Design Course