A total of 21 students from Okayama University—7 Japanese students and 14 international students—participated in a hands-on multicultural course titled "Field Work: Participation in Jinsho Traditional Festival in Misasa, Tottori," a common subject offered across all faculties. From May 2, the students spent four days and three nights experiencing everything from preparation to the actual event of the traditional tug-of-war "Jinsho," held in Misasa Onsen, Tottori Prefecture.

The "Jinsho" has a history spanning over 400 years and is recognized as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Okayama University has been certified as a "Japan Heritage Supporter University" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, cooperating in the preservation and promotion of local culture.

During this course, students worked alongside local residents, starting with pulling out wisteria vines soaked in the river. They then divided into east and west teams, each creating a massive rope about 80 meters long and weighing 2 tons. They transported the ropes to the festival site and participated in the tug-of-war on the day of the event. This experience provided a valuable opportunity for students from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate with the local community and gain firsthand understanding of the significance of the traditional event and the power of community ties.

Participating students shared their impressions, saying, "Being touched by the passion of the local people deepened my understanding of Japanese culture," and "I enjoyed and felt the sense of achievement in cooperating with friends beyond nationalities and languages."

Okayama University will continue to foster leaders for a multicultural society through practical education in collaboration with local communities while contributing to the preservation and transmission of regional culture.

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"Please note that this content was translated by a machine and may contain errors."