It
has been around a month since I arrived Sapporo, Japan, to study graphic design
and illustration. The past month was filled with creative inspirations,
cultural shocks, and adventures.
Since
my first day at Bisen (our school), I have indulged myself in its resource
collection. I visited the school library every two to three days, as most of
the books there can’t be found in Vancouver. The Japanese design aesthetics as
well as its way of thinking differ greatly from those of North America. The art
forms seem more delicate and emphasize on touching the audience in subtle ways
rather than shouting the core concept out loud. Maybe this is a manifestation
of their culture – reserved, harmonic, and detail-oriented.
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| Painting at Bisen |
Japan
is an amazing place. One of the things that struck me culturally was the
people’s high level of courtesy and social collectivity. It seems that almost every
action I took (some even as small as opening a door or pressing an elevator
button) could elicit a bow, a thank-you or an apology from someone. Not only do
I feel welcomed here, the way I have been treated compels me to absorb their
manners and kindly act back. After school, groups of students take turns
cleaning the classroom, something that I have never seen in Vancouver but works
amazingly well in keeping the rooms clean and tidy.
Aside
from the art studies, I tried my best to visit different places in and outside
the city. I was lucky enough to visit the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine during the peak
cherry blossom season to see the beautiful blossoms alongside the traditional
Japanese architecture. The shrine was crowded as people gathered to picnic
under the cherry blossom trees (a Japanese event called o-hanami), but it was
pleasant walking among them and sensing the crowd’s enthusiasm toward the
annual traditional event. It was also wonderful seeing such a modern and
technologically advanced country taking great care preserving its culture and heritage
sites.
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| Entrance to Hokkaido Jingu |
Outside
the city, the natural scenery of Hokkaido is simply breathtaking and bears no
resemblance to the landscape in BC. Being immersed in nature along the coast of
Hokkaido is relaxing and stimulating at the same time – a cure for creative
blocks. I definitely suggest other exchange students to travel outside their
designated city for a little bit. It will be an unmatched experience.
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| Cape Kamui |
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