ICSA in Japan

Inter Cultural Studies of Architecture (ICSA) in Japan

BU’s students making a courtesy call on Ryo Okawara, the chancellor of MWU, and Kazuyoshi Seguchi, the president of MWU, on July 19th, 2019

Students and professors from the faculty of architecture and design of Bahcesehir University (BU) of Istanbul joined us at Koshien Hall and Architecture Studio on the Kami-Koshien Campus of Mukogawa Women’s University (MWU) from June 20th to August 2nd, 2009 and from June 21st to August 1st, 2010. BU is located at Besiktas, which is a beautiful place where the Bosporus Strait spreads out and the Asian side of Istanbul can be seen beyond it.

BU’s students received special Japanese training before their coming to Japan. They were divided to join either the junior or the senior design classes in the department of architecture of MWU and tackled either the junior or the senior year’s design projects. By participating in this program, it is possible for them to gain knowledge, learn techniques, and increase their sensitivity necessary for the design of architecture. They also participated in a basic design studio for freshmen and had the opportunity to study about traditional Japanese culture, such as ikebana, or Japanese flower arrangement, under the guidance of Ryuho Sasaoka, a headmaster designate of Ikebana Misho-ryu Sasaoka in Kyoto, and also woodwork with Masanobu Araki, a master carpenter in Kyoto. They also participated in field trips on Saturdays to explore cities and architectures in Japan, such as Todai-ji and Horyu-ji Temples, Himeji Castle, Jodo-do of Jodo-ji Temple, Omihachiman, Funaya in a town called Ine, Amanohashidate, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, and so forth. They also took a tea ceremony lesson at Yabunouchi-ke in Kyoto.