2026/2/1　海外の軍属の幹部候補生さん達が留学に来ていらっしゃる防衛省の留学生会館でいけばなボランティアを行いました。留学生をサポートするホストファミリー主催のイベントでした。こういう形のホストファミリーボランティアも有る事をはじめて知りました。留学生の方々はホストファミリーさんと和気あいあいでとても楽しそうでした。さて　生け花に関しては、留学生の皆さんほとんどの方が初体験とおっしゃっていましたが、飲み込みの早さに驚きました。角度、方向等皆さん専門家ですから(^◇^;)と後で気付ました。最初に少し説明をして、その後は各自で活けて頂きました。どの作品も素晴らしい出来上がりでした。この日はいけばな体験の後　琴や尺八の演奏、そして豆まきの体験もありました。自衛隊員さんの赤鬼さん、青鬼さん大活躍でした。子供達も泣いて、笑ってとても楽しそうでした。素敵な一日ありがとうございました。

I did an Ikebana volunteer session at the Ministry of Defense International Student House, where overseas military officer-candidates are studying. The event was hosted by the host-family group that supports the international students. I didn’t know there were volunteer activities like this as a form of host-family support!
The students were really enjoying themselves and seemed very close with their host families.　

As for the Ikebana session, most of them said it was their first time, but I was amazed at how quickly they understood everything. Later I realized—of course they’re all professionals when it comes to angles and directions! 😄
I gave a short explanation at the beginning, and then everyone arranged their flowers on their own. Their works turned out beautifully.

After the Ikebana experience, there were performances of the koto and shakuhachi, and even a mamemaki bean-throwing activity. The JSDF members dressed as the red and blue oni were a huge hit—kids were crying, laughing, and having the best time.

Thank you for such a wonderful day. I really had a lot of fun!

美味しいランチの後は演奏、豆まき　Music performance & Mamemaki after the yummy lunch