National Chiayi University and Ehime Prefecture, Japan, forged a bond through the legendary story of the KANO baseball team from Kagi Agricultural and Forestry School, which won second place at the Koshien Tournament. In recent years, close exchanges have developed between Ehime Prefecture and Chiayi. On October 19, 2024, Ehime Prefecture Governor Tokihiro Nakamura and NCYU President Han-Chien Lin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote exchanges and expressed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in sports, culture, and tourism, and to fostering youth development. To promote the integration of artistic creation with local cultural characteristics, foster regional revitalization, and encourage public participation in co-creative activities, the Ehime Prefectural Government and Tokyo University of the Arts will hold the “Art Venture Ehime Fes 2025” from October 18 to November 3 this year.
Based on the MOU with NCYU, the Ehime Prefectural Government reserved special slots for the university. NCYU was invited to recommend a student team from the Department of Visual Arts, which was jointly selected with the Ehime organizing team to participate. After multiple discussions among NCYU’s Office of International Affairs, the College of Humanities and Arts, and the organizing team, the College of Humanities and Arts recommended several creative proposals submitted by students from the Department of Visual Arts. Ultimately, a creative team of four students, including Yu-Yu Hsu, emerged after multiple rounds of review and earned recognition from the organizers. From July 23 to 27, they conducted preliminary research in Ehime, engaging in fruitful exchanges with local communities and schools.
The visiting delegation included Dean Jui-Chang Liao of the College of Humanities and Arts, Associate Prof. Yang Shang-Feng of the Department of Visual Arts, and four students: Yu-Yu Hsu, Yu-Ting Lin, Tung-En Tsai, and Yun-Chen Chang. On July 23, Deputy Governor Kaname Hamasato of Ehime Prefecture specially arranged a meeting with the participating faculty and students from NCYU, expressing hope that the exhibition would further strengthen bilateral friendship. The NCYU delegation also visited Iyo City for exchanges, where Mayor Kuninori Takechi of Iyo City held a special meeting with the delegation. Arranged by the organizers, the delegation first visited the Ehime Forest Park exhibition site in Matsuyama City to conduct a field survey of the terrain, vegetation, and climate. This preparatory work facilitated the planning and on-site production of the installation artworks for the exhibition in October, aiming to achieve the best results.
Beyond the art exhibition, the Ehime Prefectural Government arranged several cultural experiences for NCYU Visual Arts students to deepen their understanding of local culture. Activities included guided tours of the forest park, hands-on bamboo lantern making, and cultural background sessions, allowing students to practice traditional craftsmanship while developing their artistic skills. Some of these works will be exhibited during the exhibition. NCYU Visual Arts students were also invited to Ehime Prefectural Iyo Agricultural High School for in-depth interactions with local teachers and students. Activities included preparing “nagashi somen” (flowing noodles), a quintessential Japanese summer tradition, wearing yukata, and making handicrafts using the traditional “Iyo Kasuri” fabric. They also participated in a local festival, creating a vibrant atmosphere of cultural exchange.
The Visual Arts students shared
that their exchange with Iyo Agricultural High School was particularly
memorable. All activities were student-led, including hosting guests, providing
explanations, and guiding activities, showcasing their confidence, sense of
responsibility, and strong organizational and communication skills. Another
student mentioned that making the bamboo lanterns was especially enjoyable.
Most of the patterns were inspired by traditional Japanese textile designs,
such as fireworks, waves, and fans, each leaving a lasting impression. Through
prior practice and teacher guidance, the hands-on activities ran smoothly,
providing a solid foundation for the exhibition in October.
Photo 1: NCYU Department of Visual
Arts faculty and students posed after making bamboo lanterns at the Ehime Art
Exhibition in Japan.
Photo 2: Group photo of NCYU
Department of Visual Arts faculty and students with counterparts at Ehime
Prefectural Iyo Agricultural High School.
Photo 3: Faculty and students from
the Department of Visual Arts conducted a site inspection at the exhibition
venue in Ehime Forest Park, Matsuyama City.
Photo 4: NCYU faculty and students
visited Iyo City Hall and met with Mayor Kuninori Takechi (4th from left).