2019-2020 KUFSA EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE IS COMING IN ACTION!
The Kyushu University Foreign Student Association(KUFSA) is therepresentative organization for all international students at Kyushu University. In my view, our mission is to provide opportunities for foreign
students to have enjoyable experiences, build meaningful relationships,
experience cultural exchange with other international and Japanese
students, and overall have a memorable time at Kyushu University.

RAAD ASIFPRESIDENTTENURE2019-2020
1KUFSA’s long legacy of 50 years brings a well established list of successful annual events. In the 2019-20 tenure we will bring you improved
versions of events which we know you will love, just like the students
before you have. So joins us! It would be our utmost pleasure to haveyou at our events.
——Raad Asif

Liu Yuqi, Creativity & Innovation Coordinator
Creativity & Innovation Department mainly focuses on the external image promotion
and innovation project development of Kyushu University Foreign students association，including KUFSA events poster design，product design，magazine，photography，translation，social media management，and innovation project，etc. We
provide supports for our three department, travel, culture and sport. We are the mirror
for people to know KUFSA.

Simon Juba, Travel Team Coordinator
We all deserve a breather from our studies every once in a while and what
better way to do so than to go on an expedition with the intercultural communitythat is KUFSA. Join us as we explore famous sites, make memories and mostimportantly friends and travel buddies for our own personal trips.

Romeo Marcel Kurniawan, Culture Team Coordinator
Japan has been a country with its unique culture and tradition. Though it receives
many praises and appreciations, it may be hard for the foreigners to adapt into thesociety. Thus, the culture team is created to become a bridge to help foreigner
students to immerse themselves in Japan through cultural events.Nonetheless, weare more than welcome for Japanese to join the event as well, as this allow more diffusion of culture on both sides of party, a truly global experience.

Sampad Ghosh ,Sports Team Coordinator
We know your time is precious, but you know sports play a significant role inshaping the character of a student. We, Sports Team of KUFSA, are warmly
welcoming to all level of players and committed to giving you memorable
moments via different exciting games throughout the year. We will see you onthe field!

GLOBAL CORNER

THE ORIGIN OF THE
VIETNAMESE SOUL - LOTUS
There is a common folk saying that every Vietnamese
person knows:“In one pond, lotus beauty, none can compare
Green leaves, white blossoms, adorned with yellow pistils
Yellow pistils, white blossoms, green leaves
Nearby mud, yet a tranquil scent it carries.”
The lotus sprouts from mud, yet its flowers rise through the murkiest
water and bloom above the surface without the smell. In Vietnamese conception, the lotus represents the purity of the mind, body,and soul rising through the darkness to touch the sun of dawn. Not
only that, but lotus flowers are also considered as the symbol ofelegance and solemnity because of their harmonious color and mildscent. Therefore, lotus flowers are often used in architecture,design, and cuisine. Vietnamese people see the lotus as the symbolof beauty overcoming darkness. It resembles the image of Vietnamese people who, even though live in adversity, yet still strive to risewith honesty and sincerity.

Today, people grow lotus for both contemplating and economic
purposes because lotus is not only beautiful but is also very
useful from roots to tops. You can enclose tea inside the flower
during nighttime to have a delicious lotus teapot in the nextmorning. The lotus stem is usually used in Vietnamese-stylesalads. The seeds are roasted and used for cooking sweet
soup or enjoyed as a tasty snack, while the leaves are commonly used to wrap food, such as steamed rice and certain
kinds of fish.

As useful as it is, yet lotus is easy to grow. Its flowers bloom inlakes outside the wilderness, in a farmer’s yard, or proudly invillas’ garden. It is difficult for you to travel in Vietnam during
summer without catching blooming lotus ponds along the road.
Lotus connects people together from all over Vietnam without
discrimination. Probably because of that, lotus became thenational flower in the Vietnamese heart. If you visit Vietnam,
you certainly will have a chance to sit on a bamboo chair, witha hot lotus tea in your hand, while contemplating the serenityof lotus scenery with the music. Then all troubles of yours will
be eased down to peace. Sounds great, isn't it?

2

YAMAKASA FESTIVAL IN FUKUOKA
Alternatively, you can take the underground tunnel to the Komyokaku Cave below. The 88-step,
all marble stairway is an amazing new landmark, and the “Hell and Paradise Museum” decorated
with unearthly and thrilling paintings and statues is definitely worth a visit.

3

Yamakasa displayed at Tenjin Shintencho and Nakasu-Kawabata during the festival.
Not only displayed Yamakasa around the city, there is also running Yamakasa uses for the race
called “Oiyamakasa” in the final day of Festival. Seven Nagares (racing teams) of Kakiyama
together with Kamikawabata-dori’s yamakasa, race at full speed through the city. The racestarts at 4:59 in the morning. An extra train starts operating at 3am on that day. Also, you canstay from the previous night and enjoy the sleepless night of Yamakasa.
The speed of those heavy Kakiyama floats and men’sstrong voices shouting the traditional chant are amongthe main highlights of the festival. The goal of the float
race, Suzaki-machi; also known as the Mawaridome, isan excellent place to go to experience the real excitement of Yamakasa when the floats kick into high gearand the shouts of the men reach fever pitch.
▼Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
2019 Information
Date: July 1st (Mon)to 15th (Mon,Holiday), 2019
Location: Throughout Fukuoka City, mainly Kushida
ShrineAccess: 5 minute walk from Nakasu-kawabata or Gion
subway station

References
https://yokanavi.com/en/feature/29244/
https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/
https://ohmatsuri.com/en/articles/fukuoka-hakata-gion-yamakasa

SPRING ACROSS PREFECTURE
On the 5th of May 2019, KUFSA set out on an exciting excursion across 3 notable spots
representing the 3 prefectures of Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki on a one-day trip aptly named“Springing Across Prefectures” to discover some of the wonderful gems that lie hidden in theregions. We had a total of 114 participants join us on the fun-filled day and awesome memories were made.
Yakimono Park in Hasami, Nagasaki.
Yakimono park is known as the “World’s Kilns Plaza”
with replicas of 12 different kilns from all around theworld illustrating not only Japanese but exotic styles ofceramics manufacturing from China, the Korean Peninsula and Europe. Moreover, during the golden week, it
is also the largest-scale venue of the Hasami Ceramics
Festival where close to 150 stores gather, selling various wares from fashionable daily ceramics to masterpieces and works of art to cater for all tastes.
Mifuneyama Rakuen in Takeo, Saga.
Mt. Mifuneyama, the symbol of Takeo, is quite often referred to as Mt.
Karafune, which translates to Chinese ship, as it is said to resemble one.
At the foot of this mountain is the spread out Mifuneyama Rakuen
Garden, which is an impressive garden with hundreds of thousands oftrees and flowers covering the vast grounds and changing color according to season. Every Spring people visit the Miyafuneyama Rakuen
Garden to see the 5000 cherry blossom trees, and 50,000 azaleas,
which merge together in a beautiful way that looks like a traditional Chinese painting. The garden is also famous for its fiery fall leaves inAutumn.
Narita-san Temple Kurume, Fukuoka.
This temple houses the Affectionate
Mother Kannon statue, which is 62 meterstall and made of reinforced concrete. The
dot on her forehead is a gold plate 30 centimeters in diameter encrusted with 18
three-carat diamonds, and her ornamental
necklace contains an arrangement of a crystal and 56 jadestones. Inside the statue, you can make your way up the spiralstaircase to the observation window to get an incredible view ofMt. Unzen in the distance. Alternatively, you can take the underground tunnel to the Komyokaku Cave below. The 88-step, allmarble stairway is an amazing new landmark, and the “Hell andParadise Museum” decorated with unearthly and thrilling paintings and statues is definitely worth a visit.

4SUMMER CHALLENGE IN JAPANOBAKEYASHIKI—HAUNTED ATTRACTION

Summer in Japan can be annoying for its hot temperature and high humidity. However, don’t let it
limit you from enjoying your time here! You can do several activities popular in summer, such as eat
kakigoori (Japanese shaved ice), go to the beach, visit fireworks festival, or if you want something
more challenging, you can do one of the haunted attractions in Japan. of fireworks is usually inAugust, some start as early as July or as late as October. There are many famous firework festivals
in Fukuoka and the following are some easily accessible one via public transportations.

5

Haunted attraction (obakeyashiki in Japanese) usually is most crowded during summer period.
Some haunted attractions are even specially set up at malls or theme parks only in summer period.
This tradition is related to Japanese Buddhism, which view August as the period when ancestral
spirits may return to visit their living family. During summer, ghost-related attractions, such as
haunted house, horror movie and ghost story, are seen as ways to chill people down from the soaring heat. If you are interested in visiting any haunted attraction during summer period, here aresome of our recommendation!

Thriller city 恐怖城
Location: Huis ten Bosch (Sasebo city, Nagasaki)
Opening time: whole year
Types of haunted house:

Abandoned hospital, prison,
VR horror house, and many others

More information: http://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/Horror Ferris wheel 血バサミ女の観覧車
Theme: Ferris wheel of lady carrying scissor with blood
Location: Marinoa city mall in Meinohama
Opening time: everyday, starting from night until 23:00
More information: http://kanransya.death.co.jp/Tenjin horror house 最恐！天神ホラーハウス
Location: Nishitetsu hall, Tenjin
Past events: in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018
Opening time: around July- AugustMore information: coming soon
Enjoy the thrilling attractions chill down the temperature a little bit!

KUFSA MONTHLY PHOTO
CONTEST EVENT
Hi ! KUFSA members ! We are glad to tell you that we got our first Five winners of the Photo contest of 2019. If you want to win next
#KUFSA photo contest prize, just simply upload your best photo of our KUFSA events of the month to our social media and get as
many of your friends as possible to like your photo. Don’t forget to hashtag #kufsa when you post in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The photo that has the most likes from each platform will be the winners and you will get a secret prize from KUFSA! Your photo will be
published in our Konnect Magazine too. What’s more!!! Winners of each month will be invited to our International Friendship Party inDecember where we will exhibit the photos of all winners and you may also stand a chance to be the ultimate winner of the whole year.

KUFSA SPRING TRIP PHOTO CONTEST – MAY 2019

6One day trip to Mifuneyama Rakuen at
the foot of Mt. Mifune in Saga prefecture.
Enjoyed beautiful natural features of thegarden dating back to 19th century.
Golden Week’s spring holidays gave mea refreshed and focused mind which is amuch-needed boost in student life.
Thanks, KUFSA for organizing such a
wonderful trip.
@Thant Swe win,TwitterMy name is Tasrin Sultana and I belong toZoology Laboratory. "Travel leaves marks
on memory as it's better to see something
once than hear about it thousand times.
Enjoyed the green in Mifuneyama
Rakuen. Hope to explore Japan more withKUFSA."@Tasrin Tasu,Facebook

I’m grateful for having been able to trip withKUFSA as it left me with some spectacularexperiences, specially venerating the giant
buddhist pagoda and perceiving its glory
was one of those indelible memories to becherished as a buddhist. eagerly waiting
for the next excursion as well. Thank you.
@Lakma Amarasinghe, Instagram

Nature is so powerful, so strong. I reallyenjoyed the Sprint trip at Mifuneyama
Rakuen. I walked around the garden withmy friends. It generated good feelings
inside me!
@ Md Rashidur Rahman,Facebook

Enjoyed a lot while visiting the inside of amarvelous 62-meter-tall statue at Narita-santemple. We got amazed by the view of the Mt.
Unzen in distance from the observation
window; also walked through the underground cave along friends & had fun. Thanks,
KUFSA for this amazing trip. ~PritamSadhukhan !! Instagram: pritam_unplugged.
@ Pritam Sadhukhan，Instagaram

KUFSATENURE
2019-2020
MEMBERS
From top-left
Clockwise

Weilin,Amal,Aditya,Rahman,Romeo,Shouman,Ghosh,Worapol,TIago,
Yicheng,Junghwan,
Hossain,Son,Inggrid,Natanael,Simon,Ajay,Volana,Reynaldo,Van,Moe,Tomoe,Natsumi,
Ceasar,Jihed,Raad,Yuki

KUFSA CALENDAR-WITH YOU, ALWAYS“To promote the well being ofinternational students at
Kyushu University, supporting the interaction andunderstanding
betweeninternational and Japanese
students”. We，KUFSA，
have been carrying thismission and goal forward all
the time. To enrich your life
as an overseas student atKyushu University in Japan,
this year we have alsobrought many travel, sports
and cultural activities. The
following is our calendar ofevents from 2019 to 2020.
You can read it carefully. And
make sure that you don't
miss any wonderful andamazing moments. Join us！Looking forward to seeing
you in our future events, lets
have fun and make valuable
memory together！

EDITORIAL COMMITTEEDESIGN AND LAYOUT

Liu Yuqi
CaeserWorapol Ketanond

Liu Yuqi
Worapol Ketanond