US-Japan Partnership for Global Education
The US-Japan Partnership for Global Education aims to promote awareness and understanding of Japan in Oxford, Mississippi, by introducing Japanese culture, such as Japanese language and traditional art, through activities and events. We host activities and events mainly on campus at The University of Mississippi and local schools in Oxford.
International Cultural Night
Every year, the USJP partnership participates in the beautiful cultural event, International Cultural Night. Many students from many countries performed traditional dances, music, songs, etc.
We performed “Bon-odori” (odori = dance), a Japanese traditional dance. Bon-odori (Bon dance) used to be performed to honor the spirits of the ancestors, but it has become more of a form of entertainment at summer festivals. We Bon-danced with Japanese Club members (Japanese language learners), a Japanese program teacher, exchange students from Japan, Japanese Supplementary School teachers, and the audience in the Ford Center. Thank you all so much for your support and participation! We experienced a wonderful time and look forward to meeting you all soon!
The US-Japan Partnership Program participated in this event with Japanese students and a local student. We performed a traditional Japanese dance, “SO RAN BUSHI,” which describes fishermen struggling with rowing boats, catching several fish with nets, and pulling them in winter in the coldest area of Japan. The fishermen were saying “so-ran” loudly together to match the timing while pulling fishing nets, so the title is named after this “so-ran.” Nowadays, students in many Japanese elementary schools perform this dance in their school festivals.
The performers and audiences had unforgettable experiences in this event. We had remarkable success.
International Education Week
The Office of Global Engagement at the University of Mississippi holds an annual International Education Week in November. During previous events, USJP, cooperating with exchange students from Japan, cooked and served Japanese curry at a university cafeteria. Our purpose was to introduce Japanese homemade food to people on campus.
