Penn State | Summer Education Abroad | Japan » Courses Offered

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Courses Offered

KINES 097A — Practical Study of Traditional Aikido in Japan (3 credits)

In this course you will travel to Japan for three weeks to study the martial art Aikido. You can learn how to use Aikido for lifelong health and fitness, self-defense, and mental discipline. You can gain insight into the language and culture of Japan and how martial arts such as Aikido were developed in Japan. You will travel to a variety of Aikido landmark areas, such as the World Headquarters in Tokyo; rural training areas, such as Akita, reminiscent of ancient Japan; and the "Birthplace of Aikido" in the small town of Iwama. While training you will be immersed in the Japanese language, culture, and society in order to have the most authentic Aikido experience possible. You will have many sightseeing and cultural opportunities throughout your trip. It is recommended that you have Aikido experience but it is not required. It is expected that you are in good physical condition, that you enjoy traveling, and are open-minded and willing to experience foreign cultures and traditions.

Instructional Location — Classes will be taught initially where Aikido was created in the small town of Iwama, two hours north of Tokyo. Students will train Aikido daily as well as see areas of cultural heritage associated with the creation of Aikido, such as the Founder’s house and Dojo, the Aiki Shrine, and the famous waterfall where the Founder meditated daily. Students will stay at a Zen temple near the training hall where they will learn the basics of Zen meditation and the relationship between Zen and Aikido.

After training in Iwama, students will travel two hours south of Tokyo to the International Budo University located in Katsuura city in Chiba prefecture. Budo University is the only place in the world that offers a bachelor's degree specializing in the training of all classical Japanese martial arts and physical fitness. Here the emphasis will be on exposing the students to the classical forms of Budo and the relationship of modern fitness principles with traditional martial arts training. In addition to training Aikido, students will view other martial arts such as Kendo, Judo, Karate, Kyudo, Naginata, and Iaido.

After Budo University students will travel to Tokyo — the capital city of Japan. Although one of the most technologically advanced and modern cities in the world, Tokyo still exudes the culture and traditions of its ancient past. Students will visit the World Headquarters of Aikido to watch advanced training and meet the Head Instructor and grandson of the Founder of Aikido. While in Tokyo students will have the opportunity to visit areas of cultural significance such as the Budokan, where martial arts are regularly demonstrated, and the ancient capital city Kamakura, where the philosophy of Zen and the martial arts are deeply embedded. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the two national shrines of Japan dedicated to the martial arts — Katori and Kashima.

Eligibility

The program is open to all Penn State students and students from other institutions with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

About the Instructors
Dr. Jim Sullivan holds a doctorate in exercise physiology and is a full-time instructor of kinesiology at Penn State with an emphasis in teaching martial arts. He currently holds a fourth-degree black belt in Aikido, second-degree black belt in Karate, and first-degree black belt in Kendo. Dr. Sullivan has been teaching and training martial arts in Japan since 1988. He also trains and teaches extensively within the US and internationally, and has filmed and produced 18 Aikido seminar/training DVDs with Pat Hendricks Sensei, of Aikido of San Leandro, California. Assisting Dr. Sullivan will be Mark Larson Sensei from Minnesota. Mr. Larson is a tenured faculty member at North Hennepin Community College, where he teaches courses in English, Japanese culture, and Aikido. Mark Sensei has lived in Japan for more than 10 years. He is approaching sixth-degree black belt in Aikido and is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Minnesota Aiki Shuren Aikido organization.

Brief Schedule of Activities

June 14, 2012	Leave United States, travel to Japan (lose one day in travel)
Day 1, June 15	Arrive early Friday evening at Narita Airport; orientation meeting
Day 2, June 16	Visit historical Narita city; etiquette dinner
Day 3, June 17	Visit historical Katori Shrine and city
Day 4, June 18	Travel to Iwama to begin daily Aikido training
Day 5, June 19	Daily Aikido training
Day 6, June 20	Daily Aikido training
Day 7, June 21	Daily Aikido training
Day 8, June 22	Daily Aikido training
Day 9, June 23	Daily Aikido training
Day 10, June 24	Travel back to Narita, stopping along the way to visit Kashima city and Shrine
Day 11, June 25	Travel to International Budo University (IBU) for afternoon campus tour and training session
Day 12, June 26	Daily training at IBU
Day 13, June 27	Daily training at IBU
Day 14, June 28	Morning training at IBU; leave in the afternoon for Tokyo
Day 15, June 29	Visit Meiji Shrine, martial arts shopping in Harujuku; afternoon travel to Budokan for martial arts exhibition
Day 16, June 30	Travel to Kamakura for fitness hike along World Heritage cultural sites and finish at Zen Archery Dojo
Day 17, July 1	Travel to International World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) to observe advanced training and meet Doshu Sensei Moriteru Ueshiba; return to Narita
Day 18	Course finished; return flight home or other location

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