For more than 15 years at California State University, Fresno, International Coffee Hour has been held. The weekly meetings started again on Tuesday with a presentation on Japan.
Linguistics graduate student Kaori Aono, alumni Mayu Fujikawa and linguistics graduate student Fumi Niizeki spoke about the different cities they are from in Japan. There were also a variety of places talked about during the presentation that aren̢۪t the usual big cities heard about in Japan.
“This shows another side of Japan,â€Â Niizeki said.
Each country has different foods, culture, and events that it is known for.
Aono is from Kagoshima, Japan. She described a drink called Imo Joochuu, an alcohol made with sweet potatoes. “Sweet potato is a famous crop in Kagoshima,â€Â she said.
Aono said the shape of the Kagoshima flag reflects the shape of the actual city. Eighteen cities, 23 towns, and four villages make up Kagoshima.
Fujikawa is from Miyago, Japan. Miyago is made up of 260 small islands.
Matt Weir / The Collegian
Fujikawa talked about a festival, Sendai Tanabata, which is celebrated every year on Aug. 6-8.
“Sendai Tanabata is based on a Chinese story about a prince and princess who loved each other but the gods only let them meet once a year, Fujikawa said. “At the festival, people write wishes on cards and the cards are hung on trees.â€Â
Sasakamaboko, which is steamed fish paste and Gyutan, which is cow tongue, are two things that the people in Miyago generally love to eat, said Fujikawa.
“The reason they started making steamed fish paste is because they wanted to eat fish in the winter but it’s hard to preserve so that’s why they made the fish paste,â€Â said Fujikawa.
Niizeki said Yamagata, the town she comes from, is famous for being a “castle townâ€Â and was once the home of the major warlord Uesugi.
Every year from April 29 through May 3, they stage a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima between the armies of Uesugi and Takeda clans, Niizeki said.
Niizeki said the first day of the festival is a big party. “You just walk everywhere there aren’t any cars or bikes. There’s no work, it’s just a party,â€Â Niizeki said.
There is also a parade held on May 3. The parade is meant to encourage the Uesugi clam to go on, Niizeki said.
International Student Services and Programs International coordinate the International Coffee Hour event. It̢۪s an opportunity for students to come and learn about different countries, according to Niizeki, who is also student coordinator for International Coffee Hour.
“I try to find presenters that are native or students who have visited for a certain amount of time. They have to know about the culture,â€Â Niizeki said.
Some students go for extra credit or to learn things that aren̢۪t from the textbook, Niizeki said.
“People come here and learn about a country they want to go to. I encourage all presenters to talk about something different, they talk about the culture and the food.â€Â Niizeki said. “We try and do it on a unique country that you don’t know about. It shows how other countries are wonderful.â€Â
“Everyone should take advantage of this program. It gives you a chance to relax from the hustle and the bustle,â€Â Niizeki said.
The International Coffee Hour will be held every Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.