Our cultural exchange program has come to the end - tomorrow we will leave Kanazawa. It was a one-week program, the main theme of which were the gardens of Japan and the tea ceremony. It seems that yesterday we were at a symposium, during which we tried to put together all the information we received this week and offer possible solutions to the problem of Japanese gardens. How we were worried before the presentation!

Although this was my first visit to Japan, and maybe, because of this, everything that happened around me seemed to let through me. This concerns not so much Japanese as the culture of Japan itself. I especially appreciate the experience gained on the day of our cleaning of one of the gardens, at a Buddhist temple. In Russia, the cleaning process itself is absolutely not important, the main thing is the result. Here everything was the opposite - to carefully remove the fallen leaves and twigs from the moss, so that in no case does not damage it, all this requires a special concentration. Restoring order in the garden is as if you are putting your mental state in order.

The tea ceremony and directly the master who conducted it made an indelible impression. Looking at his focus and polished movements you feel an inexplicable peace in your own soul.

But besides this, I realized that we, Russians, have something to learn from the Japanese. The idea expressed by one of the lecturers - that the Japanese, unlike most of us, the people of the West, don't struggle with nature, trying to subordinate it to themselves, but rather try to adjust to it - this thought made me think about a lot. And the fact that bus drivers muffle the engine while waiting for a green traffic light to harm the environment less! Nature and society are  one, should be one, these are the ideas that we tried to voice during our speech at the symposium, which became the culmination stage of our program.

My level of Japanese has also improved.This is especially true of listening skills - due to communication with native speakers and training during the class. In addition to listening, we also analyzed several grammatical constructions and read several texts on the nature of Kanazawa’s city and, in general, the main social problems of Japan.

Thanks to everyone who helped us throughout the training. To the lecturers and the organizers who created and successfully implemented this eventful program in life. To the students who spent their time with us.

This trip and the experience gained taught me a lot, but so much is still to be learned! I believe that someday I can return to this city again.

Cleaning of the garden

After the tea ceremony

In Kenrokuen Park

Walking in the garden♡