Sat., March 28th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
45 participants

　The center held the second Chinese Culture Class.

　After the opening of the session, the center interviewed Ms. Yu Chencuang(Teacher of Chinese language Class hosted by Kameoka International Exchange Association) about her Chinese class, living in Japan and cultural differences between Japan and China.

　Next, Zhang Ziyi's "The road Home" directed by Zbang Yimou played.

　 A girl shares with one young man her love by cooking dishes and the young man replies to her love by his carrying well teaching voice in an elementary school. The love story marvelously lets us remember the good old days and makes beautiful impression. The participants seemed to empathize with the movie and some of them dried their tears with a handkerchief.

　Afterwards, the guest and participants enjoyed Chinese teas and dried fruits in the exchange party.

Sat., March 6th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
33 participants

　Kameoka Exchange Center held the first Chinese Cultural class in order to inform citizens about China (one of its cities, Suzho, Jiang-Su has a Friendship relationship with Kameoka.

　After the opening of the session, participants completed a course on what is going on in today's China from Professor Unoki (Ritsumeikan Univ).
　Professor Unoki says that today's China has gone through what Japan has experienced since Meiji Era in just 20 years --- Meiji Restoration, black market in postwar days, rapid economic growth, bubble economy, and IT innovation all at once. This intense transition brings all sorts of results, he says. One of the examples is the huge gap between urban and rural lives. Prof. Unoki hopes that the participants understand the fact that China has multi-layered structure (pre-modern, modern, and post-modern) in the society.

　Next, participants had a discussion with four panelists, Prof. Unoki, Prof. Morita (The Exchange Center's advisor), Ms. Li Yu hua (Ritsumeikan graduate student), and Ms. Li yang (violinist).
　The panelists shared their own experiences related to China with the participants. The Chinese panelists talked about the difference between Chinese and Japanese through their experiences of growing up in China and living in Japan. The Japanese panelists talked about their visit to China.

　Afterwards, participants enjoyed Ms. Li's playing the violin and Chinese tea with its subtle manner in the exchange party.

　Next Chinese Cultural Session will be on March 27th (Sat).
Click here for more details.

Sat., February 28th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
16 participants

　Right after her introduction, Aiko Kudo (the instructor) and the participants got to work.

　First, they picked their favorites from the multicolored raw wool. Bubble wrapping paper, which took the shape of their favorite bags and pencils, was used as their baseboards. The raw wool was then put on the patterns, and, spread out lightly.
Participants next put on a liquid made from detergent and lukewarm water (which serves as a fixer), over the wool. They did this to both sides of the pattern, and then shaped the pattern. Next, they covered the patterns with vinyl cloth to make them water proof. The patterns were then rubbed many times, and rolled with wooden sticks to squeeze out the detergent liquid.

　Lastly, the participants washed the patterns in tepid water, and dried them to a point. They then, cut off the edges of the patterns with scissors in order to take the bubble wrapping paper out, then scratched and fixated the trimmed edges.

　　After three hours, the participants finally got their hard robust work done. The raw wool turned out to become goods that were of pretty thick felt cloth. It took 30 minutes longer than anticipated.

This picture is one of the completed works. It is extremely warm because it's made of raw wool.

Sun., February 15th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
90 participants

　The center held the World Festa II featuring ethnic costumes from along silk road continue to the World Festa I last autumn.

　The day before, the walls of the center were decorated with multicolored ethnic costumes by members of Kameoka International Exchange Association.

　Also on that day, those working the event were dressed in ethnic costumes and greeted participants.

　At first, Dr.Timur Dadabaev(Uzbekistan, National Museum of Japanese History) lectured about the silk road. He also rectures on the silk road's three trade routes, which are steppe route, oasis route and Nan hai route. They are used for international commerce between the eastern trade city of Xien(It is called Changan now) in China, and Rome and other cities along the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

　After this, Mrs. Hiromi Nakagawa(Collector of ethnic costumes and philatelist) who is owner of the costumes that decorated the walls, lectured about the ethnic costumes along the silk road. She spoke about where they are from and how to wear them, which presenting the staff members wearing multicolored ethnic costumes.

　Afterwards, when participants were able to try on costumes, they tried on those costumes and took pictures. Almost all of the participants were women. They seemed to enjoy trying on costumes.

Sun., February 1st 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
40 participants

　Usually in this music class, we play music games, make sounds with our bodies, make bamboo musical instruments. This time, the center hosted a special guest Mr. Makoto Yabuki from Marseilles, France, and held the Music World Festa Special.

　Many bamboo handiwork products and bamboo musical instruments were displayed on the floor, with help from citizens cooperation.

　At first, the instructor Mrs. Atsuko Makino used a VCR to talk about her activities at this center, her work shop in Yokohama and her use bamboo musical instruments, and her concert in Nishinomiya.

　After this, Mr. Yabuki started to talk about his activities in France, while airing pictures of the bamboo orchestra Marseilles of which he is a member. He talked about differences in the official support received from countries or cities because of cultural background, activities in schools, hospitals and local community with children. He also talked about the peoples' reflections from on his activities.

　Afterwards, all participants played music games led by Mrs. Makino in the exchange party.

　The center is planing one project called Bamboo Project to encourage exchange activities between people on bamboo which there are many in Kameoka and activating bamboo culture, which has a long history in Kameoka. If you are interested in this project, please join us.

Sat., January 31th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
12 participants

　The center held the Handy craft class in winter "Hand made muffler made from raw wool."

　The class started by spinning a raw wool string with a spindle, made by the instructor Mayumi Kirihara. People who work alone had a little trouble. It seemed to be easier to have participants with in pairs like friends or parents and their children.

　After participants finished the work, they started to knit mufflers with the string with their fingers, (not with knitting needles). They worked in earnest and sometimes asked how to do it to the instructor.

　After everybody was finished the worked, the instructor presented a spindle and some raw wool to them.
　
　This picture is one of the completed mufflers. It is extremely warm because it's made of raw wool.

Sat., January 24th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
30 participants

　At this year's host family event, the center had about 60 people from abroad and about 40 host families. This time the center held the Host Family Demonstration with families who have host family experience and families who are interested in it.

　At first, three families talked about their experiences as a host family. They said they played Japanese games with their guests. They also talked about what they cooked. Guests they accepted were interested in the Japanese culture. Sometimes they learned about Japan from their guests. Their guests made them want to know more about Japan and they could know about countries around the world, even though they are living in Kameoka.

　Afterwards, exchange students talked about their home stay experiences in Kameoka. After that, participants and students talked about their experiences, and families who were intrested, but had no experience asked their questions to families with experience.

　

Sat., December 27th 10:30a.m.-4:00p.m.
12 participants

　The center held the Christmas Stained Glass Class. This class was supposed to be held on December 27th but it was postponed due to snow at that day.

　After introducing the instructor Mr. Norio Shimizu who learned stained glass in France, he introduced stained glass in France, England and also the history of stained glass.

　After the instructor explained how to make the"clip lamp" , participants began to make it.
　At first, to merge the glass, which were initially cut into the various shapes with cupric tape. Next, take shape and the fix glass with solder to make the shade of the lamp. Lastly, put the lamp in the socket.
　Participants turned off their lamp for 2 or 3 hours during lunch time.

　This picture is one of the completed lamps.

　Christmas had unfortunately already passed this yea, the lamp will work next year to add color to, and warm up their homes.

Sat., December 13th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
208 participants

　Many participants attended the Center's annual Christmas Festa.

　This event started with Mrs.Lee's violin performance. Mrs. Lee is from China, Liaoning. Between songs she talked about her international exchange activity experiences in Japan. She performed for songs.

　After the performance, the center's English class kids, who are from three to six year old, sang Christmas songs.
　After the songs, Santa Claus appeared and presented sweets to the children.
　 Next, members of Global Passport, which is the Center's children's international understanding class, performed play called "Animal Island".

　Participants had lord cakes while participating in as exchange party at the lobby of the center.

　While participants were chatting, an international exchange group "Youth Circle" drew up the curtain, and performed "Chindella" in Japanese with a kansai accent.
　 Dresses changed to kimono, the prince changed to a Japanese style lord with a topknot like sumo wrestler, and the story was turned into a slight comedy. The funny kansai lines at the foreigners memorized especially for this day evoked laughter in the lobby. They made it big in the play.
　For the play, Ikushin Junior High students of the art club and the English club helped make large props and helped translate. Many citizens helped. Thank you very much.

　 The last picture was the Kabuki flyer of the day. Please click on it. You can see the larger picture.

Sat., November11th 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
203 participants

　Experience many food culture of the world! The center held World Festa I and gathered foods from Korea, U.S.A, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Tahiti, France and Japan.

　This event started from Gojyo family's Japanese drum performance.

　After the performance, Bangladeshi guests, who were visiting to Kameoka for an internship program of JICA were introduced.

　In a session about food as theme, the guests from each countries were asked foods they prepared on each booths and their food cultures.
　After that, participants looked around each booths with trayes in their hand. They ate the foods and experienced each food cultures.
　
　While everybody was enjoying foods, Bosanova group started to perform. The air in the hall started to shroud Latin mood. 　
　Then, one of the guests Vania Araldi's samba dance started, the mood in the hall turned to Brazil.
　All Participants danced as following Vania's foots and west's moving.
　At the end of the events, participants danced Tanaba Ondo with Tanba ondo group.

　World Festa II hold February 15th.

Sat., November 1st 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
25 participants

　The center held the 6th Brazil Culture Course as a debriefing session for the Kameoa CityOofficial Delegation to Jandira.
　Delegation and board members of the Kameoka International Exchange Association were all in attence. Via a slide show presentation, those who visited Jandira as part of the Sister City Exchange Visit got the chance to report on their experiences. Each member of the delegation also got the opportunity to reflect on their trip abroad. They each spoke about their warm reception in Jandira and about the elementary school they visited. They also spoke about the differences between Japan and Brazil.
After they each finished their talks, a coffee session was held, where everyone shared pictures from their time in Jandira.

Sun., October 19th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
70 participants

　The center held the 59th Dream World series which featured France.
　Guests were the director of France Government Institution "Institut Franco-Japonais Du Kansai", Mr. Pierre Fournier and his wife.(The institution is located in Sakyo-ku in Kyoto city)
　Mr. Fournier is from Perigord in southwest France. He introduced the climate, history and food culture in the region. After his interesting story, Mr. Kiyoshi Matsunami, who runs an authentic French kitchen in Minami-Tsutujigaoka, Kameoka cooked seven perigord dishes. Participants tried them and a wine.
　Mr. Fournier loves perigord. He talked about the region's nature and human histories dating back 4 million years, which is represented by Cro-Magnon man or Lascaux. We have an ordinary image of France which equals Paris that was changed significantly by his talk. Participants found new things and enjoyed delicious foods. It was an enjoyable event under the refreshing autumn sunshine.
　Our staff was surprised by standing room only attenadce. We thank our participants and apologize to people who were declined because of the large turnout.
　The center plans other enjoyable events, please join us.
Menu of the day:
Perigord snacks and deserts by French kitchen "Matsunami"
Foie Gras
Riette de Porc
Fromage
Pains
Potage au mais a l 'Aquitaine
Macaron"Truffe"
Cannele de Bordeaux　
Cajasse aux pommes　
The, Jus de fruit　

Sat., October 4th 1:30p.m.-3:30p.m.
10 participants

　The center held a speech class and hosted instructor Ms.Tomoko Nakano who used to be a TV announcer.
　How people normally speak is changed by ways of how to use it. How should we communicate our ideas clearly? How should we hear other person' s speaking? The instructor lectured techniques how to use language correctly and how to use right honorific words in due course.

Sat., October 4th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
20 participants

　The center held the 5th Brazil Culture Course. This time's theme was "Before Kameoa city official delegation visit Jandira, Brazil."
　This time the center hosted guests and introduced places of interest and objects of folk handicraft in Brazil.
　The first guest was Ms.Kyogoku Ivana from Brazil. She introduced hot spots in Sao Paulo, including Sao Paulo Museum (Common name is MASP.), malls and markets.
　 After a tea party,the other guest Mr. Yasunori Kawamura sang bossa nova and played the piano. Included was the most famous Bossa nova song "Garota de Ipanema". Participants enjoyed Brazilian coffee while listening to the music
Next Brazil Culture Course will be held November 1st Saturday.

　The purpose of this workshop was To make original ceramics, which participants can use them their daily life. The center held a ceramic class for a 4 days series and hosted by instructor Mr. Hideki Nishijima, who is a ceramic artist.
　On the first day,　participants formed the ceramics in Kameoka Cultural Activity Center. Most participants formed large plate this time.
　On the second day and third day, participants went to the studio of instructor. They finished up and painted the ceramics there.
　The last day. participants received their finished ceramic and were advised about their work by the instructor.

Sat., September 13th1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
25 participants

　The center held the 4th Brazil Culture Course. This time's theme was the present situation in Brazil and the situation of Brazilians who live in Japan.
　Some participants are going to Brazil as Kameoa city official delegation at the middle of October. One of the guests was Vania Aradili. She has just come back from Brazil. She advised participants about the present situation in Brazil, what they should wear and security. 　Miss. Vania works as a counselor for Brazilian children who attend school in Japan. "Children who take classes in language they do not always comprehend have a lot of worries" and "Children who are born in Japan sometimes are puzzled wondering are they Brazilian or Japanese?" she said. It is a problems link to their identity.
　 The other guest Mr. Akihito Ito talked about international exchanges in Aichi, Toyota city. In the Toyota city, many Brazilian are working because there is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Owing to there are public problems between Brazilian society and Japanese society. He talked how Toyota city and their International Exchange Association improved the problems.
　After that, the teacher Vinicius Lucini demonstrated his "Portuguese conversation Class for Beginners" starts on September 20th Saturday.
　After coffee break, Vania taught samba dance to the participants. But it is difficult to do cool samba steps like Vanina for most Japanese.

Sat., September 6th1:30p.m.-3:00p.m.
20 participants

　Before starting the Autumn semester of our English conversation classes, the center held a demonstration for those people who were thinking about learning English.
　Teachers introduced themselves and their classes, and offered listeners some advice. The new English class "Cosmopolitan English"which atarts this semester, was also explained.
　Then, participants got a chance to learn about Global Session, a class unique to this center. Afterwards, teachers offered participants some advice as to how choose their classes, while everyone partook in some tea.

Sun., August 24th1:30p.m.-3:30p.m.
17 participants

Which color combination best glamorizes you?
Which color combination makes you feel good?
　It seemed that many participants took this class because they wanted to find out which color suited them best. The first question the instructor asked was about how many minutes it takes people to get a first impression. Many participants expect that it takes about 2 or 3 minutes. But it actually only takes 6 or 7 seconds according to statistics. The second question was how much that first impression is determined by looks. Many people expect this figure will be around 70 % to 80 %. People's looks account for only 55% of a first impression. Inner body features account for 38 % and conversation accounts for 7 %. Even though it takesonly an instant, it seems that we don't decide people's first impression based on only their looks.
　The participants who wanted toknow which color suits them, listened to a talk about what personal colors is.　Many participants thought that personal colors are colors which suit them. To be more specific, colors glamorize the person.
Color shades can be divided into 3 color tones.
1.Cool　shade　colors (are cool and inched blue colors.)
2.．Neutral　shade　colors (not affect blue and yellow colors.)　
3.Warm　shade　colors (light colors that include yellow colors.)
Our eyes can have a possible 7 million to 10 million colors. However, there are rules to beautiful color combination. There are two ways to make these combinations. One way is to combine closely-realted colors. The other is to combine opposite colors. One tip for combining close colors is to change color tones about 10%. It makes the color scheme less somber. One tip for combining opposite colors is to use the same color tones and the same material elementin order to not to create indelicacy. But it is difficult to steer from the haughty and the indelicate. Beauty makes not only you feel good, it also makes other people feel good. It might stop conflicts. The instructor Miss Satomi Iwasaki said she wants to insist on this point throughout lesson.
　The lesson started by applying gold, silver and oxidized silver colors to the face, then checking which colors flatter the face, skin color, color and quality of hair. But participants didn't know which colors suited them, by looking in mirrors. Even among Japanese, colors glamorize people differently. Every participant was surprised with this fact.
　Do you know the Japaese crayons which have "skin color" written on them? It is called "Pale orange" in English. Of course, people's skin color is different. Although we are all aware of this, but still one color called "skin color" is still being sold and exporting. Before holding this class, we talked about this to the instructor and other people. Once they become read Japanese, Brazilians, Americans and other non-Japanese residing in Japan will have quite a response to this. We wanted to take this opportunity to disscuss this and hear the different point regarding this topic. What do you think? Please send any comments to us here at the Kameoka Exchange center. (By Kojima)

Sat., August 23th10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
90 participants

　The center held "Our Global Understanding" in order to introduce the diffrent approaches to international exchange.
　In the morning, participants set up booths for exhibitions and poster sessions.
　 The PASS had more than 5,000 drawings which children of the world drew. They put those drawings on display. Junior high school students in Kameoka City put their approaches between them and a Junior high school in Stillwater city.(One of Kameoka's sister cities ) Some international approaches among children of the world were also on display. They also showed a picture-card show aboutland-mines. In addition, An international exchange group "Youth Circle", the Kameoka International Exchange Association's homestay committee and the Center's English teacher set up booths.
　In the afternoon, this event hosted guests and participants delivered to their each approaches to international exchanges.
　Mr. Satoshi Murakami of JICA delivered a talk. In his talk, he described how he met the world or how he approached the world. Sometimes he asked questions to the audience while he was talking about his experiences.
　In the Session, the audience heard the international approachs of each group and exchange opinions.
　After that, there were English speeches and a picture -card show by English class students of our center. One group which does Kameoka tour guides in English spoke abouttheir approached
　At the end of the event, participants had a exchange party　in order to have for the excahnge.

Sun., August 10st 10:30a.m.-3:00p.m.
30 participants

Lecturer: Koichi Tsujigaki (International Research Center for Japanese Studies.)
Content: Read and find out about ancient documents regarding family and relationships between husbands and wives. Participants included anybody from beginners to people who study ancient documents as their hobby.
What is Komonjyo? Komonjyo are ancient documents , which each have a sender and a receiver. They are written with Japanese characters in running style. Diaries in those days were different from today's. They were a sort of official documents, but rumors and vague information were also included. Legend didn't really bespeak historic fact.
　Figuratively speaking, Komonjyo is a skeleton with no substance, so it is laced with dairies and legends, given body and substance, and often times becomes a historical document.
　Komonjyo in the Middle Ages or Period of Warring States were almost all re-publications and written in block letters. But Komonjyo in the Edo Period were hardly re-publicized and remain just as they are. One should not only read Komonjyo that have been re-publicized and written in block letters. Since the author may have misssourced the documents, researchers always need to confirm using the original Komonjyo.
Part 1":Relationship between husbands and wives and how they relate to ancient documents. "
Part 2:Workshop"Pick ancient documents from history books and read about families."

Sat., August 9st 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.
74 participants

Theme:Looking for the roots of Asian music
Performer: The Hyotan Philharmonic
Contents:This concert was supposed to be held outside. But it was held inside, a typhoon the day before.
　In Part 1, participants traced the roots of Japanese musical instruments (the earthen whistle, Japanese lute and shamisen) in order to see the big picture of Asian musical instruments. After tracing the roots of Asian music to China and Arab, participants traced the roots of shamisen to central Asian musical instruments. They also traced Chinese and European old musical instruments as far west as Italy. It became a huge travel.
　After Part 1, participants enjoyed tea and Japanese sweet called mizu-manjyu. AETs and CIRs also among the participants. They were dressed in in Yukata.
　In Part 2, the orchestra played "Asian distant view", was composed by Syunji Miki were played. The song were composed as an image : the round trip starts from Japanese children's song, then goes on to Okinawa, Indonesian, Southeast Asian ,and Vietnamese drum. The Hyotan musical instruments were made by The Hyotan Philharmonic. They are accredited be the United Nations as the 10th member of GLOBAL COMPACT.

Sat., July 19st 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
30 participants

Sat., June 28th~ Sun., June 29th
22 Exchange Students participated

The center held its third annual Kameoka Exchange Students Home Stay Tour 2003. The tour was started in order to achieve a better understanding and a cultural exchange between exchange students and citizens. This program always attracts more than double the expected number of exchange students. While they are in Japan, exchange students tend to go directly to and from school or their part-time jobs. Sometimes they return to their countries without knowing Japan well at all. This year, 22 students from 14 countries participated.
On the first day of the tour, students arrived at Kameoka station in the morning and attended a lecture about Kameoka castle. In the afternoon, they went to explore the Kameoka castle ruins, and the castle town in the rain. After that, the students participated in the 20th anniversary party of the Kameoka international exchange association. They met their host families there and stayed at their homes for the night.
On the second day of the tour, the students spent time with each of their host families. In the evening, the students assembled at Kameoka station and each went their own way.
The country list of participants: U.S.A, Britain, Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden, Thai, Taiwan, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Portugal, Russia

Sat., June 21st 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
30 participants

The center held the second Brazil culture course featuring Brazilian guests. This time's theme was Brazilian music and culture. The first guest was Vania Araldi. She works as a counselor for Brazilian children who attend school in Japan. "Children who take classes in language they do not comprehend always have a lot of worries" she said in flawless Japanese. Aradili also hosts a samba class. She said that she wants to show Japanese the magnificence of samba When you dance, you don't need to take any notice of people around you, and you can make your own world. She and her team　"Samba de amigo" showed everyone the samba dance. Her team danced cheerfully to Latin music.
With the samba dance still on everyone's mind. The center presented its next guests, a capoeira group "Cordao de ouro." One of the members, Patricio Marinho, is an exchange student from Brazil. The group the explained history of the traditional terpsichorean martial art capoeira and then did a demonstration. Capoeira is called a martial art、however it doesn't appear to be that. Two people slowly move together like they are intertwining to slow music. At time the same time they also kick powerfully.
At the end of the course, participants had a workshop where they tried to recreate the rhythm of samba using musical instruments and parts of their own body. The work shop was under the direction of our music class lecterer Atsuko Makino.
After that, they had a exchange party while drinking Brazilian coffee.

Thu., June 5th
1 professor and 10 students

The group of students from the school of Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University completed the Study Abroad Program and returned home on June 5th. Thank you all for your corporation.

Sa.t, May 31th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
Opened at Kameoka Cultural Activities Center
7 participants

At the beginning of this workshop participants were asked to carefully listen to the natural sounds in the environment. Participants then made music with natural sounds aroud us without musical instruments. We express our self with sounds. You can make music while playing music games, before you know it. Participants included children to old people included a teacher, leaders of nursing home and leaders of workshops. In the first class, participants began from a encounter game which is to share with facial expressions and handclap to next person in a circle. They had good ambiance and everyone was laughing. After we enjoyed games, we made music with bamboo instruments. At the end of theworkshops, we played tone chime.

Mon., May 26th~ Tue., May 27th
in Osaka
11 people

The OSU students from the Study Abroad Program for landscape architecture also visited some places in Osaka to study urban planning and landscaping.
They visited the Urban Environment Planning Institute, where Mr. Hironao Hasegawa is president. They attend a lecture about the various urban environmental projects conducted by this institute. Afterward, they able to to observe actual work design taking place in the office. After that Mr. Koshin Kawasaki, the president of Kawasaki Design Office, took them to some famous gardens in Osaka area to show them some Japanese ways of urban plan and park designing. They visited Sumiyoshi Park, Osaka Castle Park, Minatomachi River Place, and Osaka Prefectural Flowers Garden.

San., May. 25th 1:30p.m.-4:00p.m.
At Kameoka Cultural Activities Center
50 participants

The center had some students of the Landscape architecture program of Oklahoma State University in the United States and held Green festa. At the opening of the event, traditional Japanese picture-card show which is the smallest play of the world was presented. Mrs. Enoki come on stage and was pushing her bicycle. It appeared as old-time style. Participants watched her original unique picture-card show in Japanese with an English translation provided Aishah Levine while eating candies she passed out. After that, participants dashed out from a tunnel of the building and played games under the instruction Mr. Asano and translator of Lucas Zastrow. One game is called Sign Game in which people are asked to write down their names on paper, the other is a Hula-Hoop Game in which all of a groups members support a Hula-Hoop with one finger, and each of them try and bring down the Hoop on the floor together. In the exchange party, OSU students showed a picture-card show, called OMUSUBIKOROEIN in English. Participants watched their show while eating rice balls. At the end of event, participants went sledding on the hill of our center with cardboard. Everybody seemed to enjoy playing outside.

Sat, May 24th 8:30a.m.-4:00p.m.
in Kameoka area and at Kameoka Cultural Activities Center
20 people (includes 11 OSU students)

A group of students from the school of landscape architecture of Oklahoma State University (OSU) are staying in Kameoka for their Study Abroad Program. They came to Kameoka on May 19th and will be here until June 5th studying Japanese landscape architecture.
On this day, they attended a workshop held by the youth group of Kameoka Gardeners' Association. They starter off the day by picking out three trees, ( a Japanese black pine, a Camellia sasanqua, and a fragrant orange olive) from a tree farm in Asahi-cho. Then they planted them in the Japanese garden of the Kameoka Cultural Activities Center in the afternoon.
This Japanese garden of Kameoka Cultural Activities Center was originally founded by the students from the same program of last year (2002). So the students of this year continued the maintenance of this garden and made some additions and improvements. The students said they look forward to seeing this garden more improved when they come back to Kameoka some day in the future.

Sat., May. 24th~ 13:30p.m.-14:45p.m.
Opened at Kameoka Cultural Activities Center
11 participants

The center has started a Portuguese class for beginners as the second part of our Brazil project. This class is geared forward people who want to learn to speak Portuguese, the official language of Brazil. In the first class, students learned simple greeting, Self-introduction and pronunciations by repeating after teacher Juana Lucini.

Tue., May. 20th 10:00p.m.-12:00p.m.
Opened at Kameoka Cultural Activities Center
15 participants

The center held a lecture by Makoto Nakamura. The theme of the lecture was "The Japanese Garden - The characteristic and outline history". The lecture discussed in English the characteristic differences between Japan, China and American gardens, and the shifting of Japanese gardens in history. OSU students and Kameoka citizens attended the lecture.

Some students of the Landscape architecture program of Oklahoma State University in the United States arrived in Kameoka to learn Japan's culture and her gardens. They visited gardens in Osaka, Kyoto and participated workshop about gardens. They also participated in events with citizens. They stay in Kameokqa until June 5th.

This year we will have the 20th anniversary of Kameoka International Exchange Association. This project is aimed at visiting Jandira, one of Kameoka's sister cities, located in Brazil. As a part of the project, we held the 1st Brazil Culture Course.We invited Takano Violetta Misaki, a Brazil-born Japanese, who is a KYOTO Friendship Ambassador. She introduced a history of the relationship between Japanese and Brazil. She also spoke about her and her family's experiences. After that, Juana Lucini demonstrated her Portuguese Conversation class for Beginners, which starts from Sat May 24th. At the end of the course, participants and guests enjoyed the aroma of Brazilian coffee in a exchange party.