Komaba Branch hosted the "Bon dance & Tanabata party"　

On Friday, July 4, the Center for Global Education (Komaba Branch) hosted the "Bon Dance & Tanabata Party" on Komaba I Campus. International students and foreign researchers experienced a traditional Japanese summer event with other UTokyo participants. Over sixty participants from twenty-seven countries/regions enjoyed the event together.

We were honored to have Mr. Ukon TAKAFUJI, a dancer/Bon dance choreographer and a part-time lecturer at College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, lead the dance. Many participants joined Bon dance for the first time, dancing together in a joyful circle to traditional music. Later, they hung the paper strips with their wishes on bamboo branches for Tanabata and sang the festive song "Tanabata-sama."

This event provided a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese seasonal traditions and foster intercultural exchange among members of the university community. It was a lively and memorable gathering that brought people closer through shared cultural experiences.