Faculty-led short-term Study Abroad Program
in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
January, 2021
I plan to lead this short-term Study Abroad Program.
JAPN120: Japanese Civilization
January 5-14, 2021: Matsuyama Japan
Course Dates: January 4-22, 2021
Catalog Description
JAPN120: A three-week course, with a two-week study abroad portion to Matsuyama Japan. Students will learn about Japanese history in both a classroom setting and through field trips to local sites in Ehime, Kagawa, and Hiroshima prefectures.
Course Description
Students will read Botchan, a short semi-autobiographical novel by Natsume Soseki set in Matsuyama. Soseki was Japan’s first great writer of the modern era. (To give an idea of his importance, Soseki’s face was on the 1000 yen bank note). Through readings, films, and site visits, students will also learn about Hiroshima, the first city to be bombed by a nuclear weapon. Students will also walk a brief section of the 1200-year old Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. They will learn about the history of the pilgrimage and its place in Japanese society today, while also participating in the pilgrim rituals at several temples (Konpira and Ishite temples). In short, this course will allow students to learn about and experience a number of different aspects of Japanese history and culture. This course also provides an opportunity to work with students at Ehime University to introduce Sacramento and Sacramento State University at the "World Citizens Festival in Matsuyama, Ehime 2021" held at Matsuyama Multi-purpose Community Center on Sunday, January 17, 2021.
If you are interested in this study, please contact me (masuyama@csus.edu).
2017
The Third Short-Term Study Trip to Ehime University & Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture on Jan. 3 – 16, 2017 (Approximately 12 days)
Led by Prof. Jeffrey Dym, History
Application Form: Click HERE.
What?
This is a two-week study tour to explore Japan through literatures of the Meiji era. Sac State students participate in university lectures at Ehime University, interact with Ehime students and local high school students, and experience the Coming of Age Ceremony and “Chikyuujin Matsuri” (World Citizens Festival) at Matsuyama City Hall. In addition, we visit two World Heritage sites: Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Why Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture?
The town of Matsuyama has known to be a town of Haiku and literature work. Especially, Matsuyama is known as a setting of Natsume Soseki’s “Botchan” (1906). Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) is considered as one of the most renowned, beloved writer of modern Japanese fiction, and his works are often taken as emblematic of the Meiji era’s engagement with the West (Meiji ear, 1868-1912). The novel is based on Soseki's personal experience as a teacher being transferred to Matsuyama from Tokyo where he was born, and the novel reflects his feelings during his lives in Matsuyama and depicts lives of people in Matsuyama. His work, Botchan, is widely read today, and often excerpted in Japanese middle school textbooks. My book, Manga Botchan (2011) is a remake of Natsume Soseki’s Botchan (1906), using manga to introduce Japanese literature in Japanese language and/or literature courses. Matsuyama is also known as the birth place of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902). He is is regarded as a major figure in the development of modern haiku poetry, author, and literary critic in the Meiji period in Japan. |
Student-made facebook page => Click HERE.
2016
The Second Short-Term Study Trip to Ehime University & Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture
on Jan. 7-18, 2016
Members (alphabetical order)
Almanza,Veronica: Art
Chan, Michael: Computer Science
Constantinou, Michael: International Business
Cooknick, Kelsey: Asian Studies
Dias, Roger: Computer Science
Erwin, Michaela: English |
Garcia, Jessica: Biochemistry
Leyva, Juan: Computer Engineering
Mercado, Kenneth: Mechanical Engineering
Miller, Hiroko: Biology
Wagnon, Jacob: History
Wu, Erika: International Business |
Day |
Dates |
Itinerary/Destination |
Nights |
1 |
Jan 7
(Thu) |
Arrive Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. Transfer to Share house
|
Share House |
2 |
Jan 8
(Fri)
|
- Program orientation/campus tour at Ehime University
- Lunch at Ehime University's caffeteria
- Visit Matsuyama castle
- Welcome dinner party with ESS students@Shokuin Kaikan (Meet at 5:00 for shopping)
|
Share House |
3 |
Jan. 9
(Sat) |
- Visit Masaoka Shiki Museum & participate in Haiku Translation activity with Japanese translators
- Home Stay pick up at main gate of campus
|
Home stay |
4 |
Jan 10
(Sun) |
From left, Michael Constantinou, Kenneth, Ruth sensei, Hiroko, Jasob, Dillon (SacState graduate who teach English at a local school in Matsuyama), Jessica, Roger, Veronica, Erika, Juan, Kelsey, Michael Chan, Michaela, & me.
This newspaper article talks about our participation in the Coming of Age Ceremony at Wake Community Center. We listened to speech by the youth, traditional dances, and skits.
|
Home stay |
5 |
Jan 11
(Mon) |
- Return from Home stay
- Interview with Aidai students at Sharehouse.
|
Share House |
6 |
Jan 12
(Tues) |
- Participate in Faculty of Education Class on Meiji (interact Ehime University students)
- Explore Uchiko and the Meiji era street
|
Share House |
7 |
Jan 13
(Wed) |
- Visit Dogo Onsen & Onsen experience
- SacState Program Orientation
- Lecture on Soseki: Prof. Eisaku Sato and his students - discussion on Botchan in English/Japanese.
- Visit Ehime Prefecture Government building and meet Vice Governor JyoKo 上甲俊史副知事.
- Visit Japanese Clubs: Kendo and kyuudo.
|
Share House |
8 |
Jan 14
(Thu) |
|
Share House |
9 |
Jan 15
(Fri) |
- Free morning
Optional: Joining Incent club
- Lecture on Manga Botchan: Prof. Kazue Masuyama (This is for faculty members and students at Ehime University)
- Lecture on Haiku about Sakura: Prof. Makoto Aoki
- Visit Ehime University High School
- Meiji Meal
 |
The newspaper article talks about our visit to Ehime University High School.
|
 |
|
Share House |
10 |
Jan 16
(Sat) |
• Free Day
Optional at 9:45 - 12:00: Tea Ceremony and Haiku at Dogo Hotel's tearoom. |
Share House |
11 |
Jan 17
(Sun) |
• Participate in Chikyuujin Matsuri” (World Citizens Festival) Perform Cha-Cha-Slide.
|
Share House |
12 |
Jan 18 |
Leave for Tokyo, and Sacramento
|
|
Special Thanks to:
Prof. Ruth Vergin, Institute for International Relation, Ehime University
Prof. Eisaku Sato, Education, Ehime University
Prof. Makoto Aoki, Education, Ehime University
Ms. Miyuki Fujimoto, Student Exchange Team, International Office, Ehime University
All Aidai students who welcomed us
Mr. Keiji Joko, Vice Governor of Ehime
Ms. Toshiko Yoshinouchi, Director, Wake Community Center, Matsuyama
Dr. Hiro Yoshino, Vice Coordinator, Sacramento Matsuyama Sister City Corporation
Ms. Chiaki Shinya, Matsuyama International Center
Ms. Ayako Niiyama, Staff, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Matsuyama City Hall
Mr. Ryosuke Joko, Staff, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Matsuyama City Hall |
2015
The First Short-Term Study Trip to Ehime University & Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture
on Jan. 7-18, 2015 followed by Tokyo trip (1/18-21)
Day |
Dates |
|
Itinerary/Destination |
|
Nights |
1 |
Jan 7 |
|
Leave for Japan |
|
|
2 |
Jan 8
(Thu) |
20:50 |
Arrive Matsuyama, transfer to Share house |
 |
Share House |
3 |
Jan 9
(Fri)
|
9:00am-12:00pm
12:00pm–1:00pm
1:00 ~ 3:00pm
6:00pm |
• Program orientation, campus tour, get bicycles
• Lunch
• Visit Matsuyama castle
• Welcome dinner party with ESS students
(Meet at 5:00 at Sharehouse for shopping) |
 
|
Share House |
4 |
Jan. 10
(Sat) |
10:00am-1:00pm
2:00pm |
• Visit Masaoka Shiki Museum & participate in Haiku Translation activity with Japanese translators
• Home Stay pick up at main gate of campus |
 |
Home stay |
5 |
Jan 11
(Sun) |
All day |
• Home stay
• Participate in Coming-of-Age Ceremony at Wake City Hall. Our participation was covered by Ehime Asahi TV, NHK matsuyama, Ehime CATV, and newspapers.
|
  |
Home stay |
6 |
Jan 12
(Mon) |
4:00pm |
• Return from Home stay
|
|
Share House |
7 |
Jan 13
(Tues) |
10:00am-11:30am
12:00pm
2:30~4:00 |
• Visit Dogo Onsen, Isaniwa Shrine, Yuzuki-jo ato
• Lunch
• Participate in Faculty of Education Class (interact Ehime University students)
• Participate in Tea Ceremony with Sado club |
 |
Share House |
8 |
Jan 14
(Wed) |
9:45-11:30
12:40~2:10
6:00pm |
• Visit Matsuyama City Hall and meet the Vice-Mayor. This visit is also aired by TV news.
• Japanese Culture Class: Food
• Meiji Food (Meet at Sharehouse at 5:00 for
shopping) and had a dinner with Ehime students. |
Our visit was on TV. We happened to view the coverage while eating dinner. Facebook page. |
Share House |
9 |
Jan 15
(Thu) |
10:00am-11:50am
12:00pm
1:00 |
• Lecture on Shiki: Prof. Makoto Aoki
• Saka no ue no kumo Museum
• Tea ceremony with Sado-bu students(on campus) |
|
Share House |
10 |
Jan 16
(Fri) |
10:00~12:00
4:30~5:30 |
• Lecture on Soseki: Prof. Eisaku Sato and his students - discussion on Botchan in English/Japanese.
• Visit Matsuyama Middle School and Meikyo-kan.
• Faculty Development Seminar: Technology and Japanese Language Teaching by Prof. Kazue Masuyama, Sacramento State |
 |
Share House |
11 |
Jan 17
(Sat) |
9:00~3:00
6:00~7:30 |
• Explore Uchiko and the Meiji era street
• Dinner with Camellia Family members, Sacramento and Matsuyama Sister City Corporation. |
|
Share House |
12 |
Jan 18
(Sun) |
|
Leave for Tokyo
|
|
Hotel |
13 |
Jan 19 |
|
Visit Edo-Tokyo museum
|
|
Hotel |
14 |
Jan 20 |
|
• Visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, Tsukigi Fish market, Tsukiji Hogan-ji, Kabukiza in Ginza, Asakusa, and Ryogoku. |
|
Hotel |
15 |
Jan 21 |
|
Leave for the United State |
|
|
Special Thanks to:
Prof. Ruth Vergin, Institute for International Relation, Ehime University
Dr. Tadashi Shimizu, Vice President & Director of Institute of International Relations, Ehime University
Prof. Eisaku Sato, Education, Ehime University
Prof. Makoto Aoki, Education, Ehime University
Prof. Susumu Oshihara, Education, Ehime University
Prof. Kiwame Kouno, Education, Ehime University
Prof. Shino Takahashi, Japanese language, Ehime University
Mr. Takeo Wakeki, Team Leader, Global Initiative Team, International Partnership Support Division, Ehime University
Vice Mayor Yoshitake Endo, Matsuyama
Mr. Masahiro Yoshino, General Affairs Division, Matsuyama International Association
Mr. Kenji Yoshida, Chief, General Affairs, Matsuyama International Association
Ms. Ayako Niiyama, Staff, Tourism and International Exchange Division
Mr. Ryosuke Joko, Staff, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Industrial Economic Development, Matsuyama City Hall
Ms. Miki Takeda, Director, The Shiki Museum
Dr. Hiro Yoshino, Vice Coordinator, Sacramento Matsuyama Sister City Corporation
Mr. Tomio Yorimoto, Chairman, Matsuyama Botchan Kai
Mr. Noritake Takimoto, Camellia Family, The Association of former members of Matsuyama Jr. high delegation
Ms. Kyoko Ando, Lipin International (CEO), Sacramento Matsuyama Sister City Corporation\Matsuyama Media
2013
Sacramento State Students met students at Ehime Uiversity via Skype in Fall 2013.
Skype Session 1 : Introduced Sacramento and Matsuyama each other. This session was aired by Japanese TV.
Skype Session 2 : Discussed about Literature "Botchan" in Japanese
