The 14th Shonai Seminar, hosted by the Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts, will be held from Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1, 2025.

Theme

"Learning about 'Life' in Shonai: Connecting Death and Life"

Purpose and Objectives of the Seminar

The purpose of the Shonai Seminar is to cultivate "liberal arts skills," which serve as the foundation for all learning and activities, based in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. Here, "liberal arts skills" refer to "independence/autonomy" and "social skills," which will support you as fundamental strengths required in various situations not only during your university years but also after entering society.

The first objective of the seminar is to reflect on one's own life by immersing oneself in Shonai—a field surrounded by Mt. Chokai, the Dewa Sanzan mountains, the Shonai Plain, and the Sea of Japan, and blessed with a diverse tapestry of "life" woven by history, culture, nature, and people—to consider "life" from multiple perspectives. The second objective is to experience thinking about "life" more deeply and broadly by objectifying and relativizing those thoughts through interaction with other participants, instructors, and local residents.

These experiences will accumulate within you as the following outcomes.

【Dates and Times】

Friday, August 29 – Monday, September 1, 2025 (4 days, 3 nights)

【Location】

Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture

【Content】

Experience the history, culture, and nature of the Shonai region through activities such as Shugendo experience, a tour of the Institute for Advanced Biosciences, viewing of Sokushinbutsu (mummified monks), Shonai Analects recitation, lectures, discussions, and interaction with locals, while reflecting on a wide range of "learning" centered around "life."

【Instructors】

• Tadahisa Sakai (Honorary Director, Chido Museum)

• Akiko Higashiyama (Local Literature Researcher)

• Kazuharu Arakawa (Director, Institute for Advanced Biosciences)

【Capacity】

Approximately 20 people

*In the event of a large number of applicants, results will be notified around early July following a selection process.

【Eligibility】

Keio University undergraduate and graduate students

【Participation Fee】

10,000 yen

*Participants are responsible for their own round-trip transportation to the venue (meeting and dismissal will be on-site).

【Accommodation】

Kyukamura Shonai-Haguro (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture)

【Application Period】

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 10:00 AM – Friday, June 20, 2025, 12:00 PM (Noon)

【Pre-event Orientation for Participants】

Friday, August 1, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Attendance mandatory)

Symposium Space, 1st Floor, Raiosha, Hiyoshi Campus

*Please consult if you are unable to attend.

【Advance Registration】

Required (Apply here)

Please see here for details regarding application procedures and other information.