Kintsugi Workshop (repair broken pottery w/gold powder glue)

NAME: K. Seiji Kawamura

MAJOR: Japanese

PROGRAM: Faculty-Led Program (FLP) – Explore Japan thro Art – Summer 2025

EMAIL: keith.kawamura@sjsu.edu

BIO: Japanese American, major in Japanese, KSJS radio DJ host of “Sounds of Japan” every Sat 6-8 on 90.5 fm / ksjs.org. Photography and RTVF minor. Interested in opportunity to do manga, indigo dying, pottery, kintsugi… hands on.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

Actually do Japanese art (instead of seeing it in a museum) to grow in cultural awareness of Japan.

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

Networking with Canvas Gate (in Kyoto) and SJSU students.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

Art 178 (fieldwork)

Participate (i.e. wood block printing–attended lecture, choose an image, traced on wood, carved wood, mixed pigment with glue, applied to wood, pressed into paper).

Wrote a reflection of my hands on experience and Canvas Lecture readings on wood block, manga, kintsugi, etc. and submitted assignment.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Collaboration (watch when others are doing tea ceremony; mix, pour, and serve tea when my turn.)

Learn to make a Glide Show presentation with Adobe Express

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Japanese are a collective society and value harmony in the group more than individual expression (as in the US).

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? I hope to contact Canvas Gate (in Kyoto) for opportunities (i.e., homestay, going to a college in Japan, getting a job in Japan).

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?

Find a country you are interested in.

Match the dates and expenses with what is in your budget.

Attend any promotional meetings. Ask questions. Apply.

Keep your gpa as close to 3.0 or greater