Circles Today (1) Alpenverein Alpine Club/Japanese Culture Society

This year proudly marks the 55th anniversary of the Alpenverein Alpine Club, which was originally founded for students to experience nature’s grandiosity in the mountains and learn to stay safe while enjoying climbing. We engage in activities throughout the year, from river trekking during the summer to climbing Japan’s Northern Alps in winter.

Many people tend to think mountain climbing is a tough and dangerous task, but you can easily mitigate the dangers if you plan your route carefully and go well-equipped, following the advice given by former club members. In fact, mountaineering becomes even more enjoyable when you realize the self-management and risk-management skills you gain through planning and execution.

I could mention many great aspects of mountain climbing, but nothing is better than the joy you feel at a mountain summit after a rigorous climb. Upon encountering the magnificent winter panorama atop the peak of one mountain, one of our quieter members let out a sudden, out-of-character cry of excitement. The thrill of the view is even greater because of the painstaking efforts we take to reach the top. Recently, every time I climb a mountain, I notice that I come back a little stronger than I go. It is my dream to share this joy with many others.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Japanese culture”? Depending on the person, you might hear things like Buddhist temples, kabuki, or green tea due to the wide spectrum of Japanese culture. Our main activity is to learn extensively about such aspects of the Japanese culture in order to enjoy them more.

More specifically, we pay monthly visits to historical sites, museums or art museums to admire paintings and pottery. Additionally, for our weekly seminar activities we talk about classical Japanese literature and antique art and conduct research presentations with former members who have graduated, where we enjoy seeing and learning about Japanese culture. Other important events include going to see kabuki, enjoying rakugo (Japanese sit-down comedy) at the theater, visiting many temples and shrines in Kyoto, and even visiting Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine).

We also hold lectures at our annual general meetings. To celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, we invited Hiroshi Senju, a Japanese-style artist with a deep connection with Keio, to give a lecture on Japanese painting. In this manner, our society focuses on enjoying the broad range of Japanese culture, and we welcome new members to come join us at any time. How about “rediscovering” Japanese culture with us?