On the 1^st of July, the students, as part of their explorative learning, went on fieldwork around the ruins of the Dazaifu government headquarters

Sugiwara no Michizane preached "Wakon Kansai", combining Japanese spirit with Chinese knowledge. This was followed in the Meiji era with "Wakon Yousai", wherein the Meiji government sought to incorporate western studies and technologies while maintaining the Japanese spirit. Our school modernises this further with our philosophy of "Wakon Eisai", wherein our students obtain the skills necessary to communicate with the world and learn from it, while still maintaining an understanding of their Japanese identities through periodic studies of Japanese culture and values.

For this year, our focus lies on a program of exploring our surrounding Chikushino and the ruins of Dazaifu, from which the current era name of 'Reiwa' is derived, to learn the culture and history of the region. Before this fieldwork, professor Katsuyuki Takegawa from our partner school, the Japan University of Economics, gave the students a lecture entitled 'An Introduction to Dazaifu Studies', giving an overview of the history of the region and its creation. Assistance was also given by guides on the day.

Beginning with the ruins of the Dazaifu government headquarters, moving on to the Dazaifu exhibition,

The Chikushi Kaidan-in,

As well as the Kanzeon-Ji.

The sight of our foreign students as well, listening intently and asking questions of the guides, left a noteworthy impression.

The studies of our students are planned to be presented at the Linden Festival later in the Autumn.

We give many thanks to the guides who volunteered their assistance in the middle of the scorching heat.