The Consulate General of Japan and Mikoshiren Jakarta Community held an Omikoshi handover to Universitas Brawijaya (UB) on Tuesday (4/23/2024). Located in the co-working space of the UB Library, the event was attended by students of the Study Programme of Japanese Literature (SPJL) and the Study Programme of Japanese Language Education (SPJLE) of the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) UB.
The Omikoshi is an obligatory icon of Japanese folk festivals in the form of a miniature shrine symbolizing the best vehicle of the Shinto deities. Omikoshi is generally carried and paraded around the neighborhood or from one shrine to another.
Also attending the event were Vice-Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Andi Kurniawan, S.Pi, M.Eng.D.Sc.; Dean of FCS UB, Hamamah, S.Pd., M.Pd., Ph.D.; Consul General Japan in Surabaya, Takeyama Kenichi; Young Consul Japan in Surabaya, Nakagome Kota; representative of Mikoshiren Jakarta community, Toshio Amagasa; Director of Directorate of Student Affairs, Dr. Sujarwo, S.P., M.P.; Head of UB Library, Dr. Iwan Permadi, S.H., M.Hum.; Vice Dean for General Affairs, Finance, and Resources of FCS UB, Nanang Endrayanto, M.Sc.; Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Student Entrepreneurship of FCS UB, Dr. Aji Setyanto, S.S., M.Litt.; Head of SPJL FCS UB, Santi Andayani, M.A.; Head of SPJLE FCS UB, Dr. Sri Aju Indrowaty, M.Pd.
Takeyama Kenichi expressed his gratitude on the cooperation with UB, specifically upon this Omikoshi handing over. He also explained the background reasons of giving Omikoshi to UB.
“UB is one of the leading universities in Indonesia. UB is also famous for its achievements and high-quality teachers. UB also has excellent study programmes related to Japanese culture, namely SPJL and SPJLE. The quality of these study programmes can also be seen from the presence of native Japanese lecturers here. For this reason, I feel that UB is the right institution to receive the Omikoshi, which is a symbol of friendship between Indonesia and Japan,” he explained.
Takeyama Kenichi also explained the value and meaning of Omikoshi in Japanese culture.
“At the change of the season, especially in the fall, Japanese people will hold a matsuri in gratitude for a good harvest and a wish for no future disasters. Omikoshi is an integral part of our culture. In Japan, Omikoshi has been passed down from generation to generation,” he added.
In closing, he expressed his hope that the Omikoshi will be given to UB and that the relationship between the two parties will grow stronger.
“I hope this Omikoshi will become a symbol of friendship between Japan and Indonesia, especially UB,” he concluded.
The event continued with remarks from a representative of Mikoshiren Jakarta, Toshio Amagasa. In his short speech, he expressed his message for the students.
“Please cherish this Omikoshi. This Omikoshi is not only a physical representation of Japan, but also an importatnt part of Japanese culture. There are many universities in Indonesia, but only UB accepts this Omikoshi.”
The warmth of friendship was felt in his speech.
“This year, if there is a festival, please invite me. I will come here right away,” he said, reacted with loud applause from the students.
The event continued with remarks from the Vice-Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Andi Kurniawan, S.Pi, M.Eng.D.Sc.
“Today, what is handed over to UB is not just a physical (form), but also the value of friendship. Today, what is entrusted to us is not just an Omikoshi that will be carried together in a matsuri celebration but a trust of cultural fusion,” he said.
“On behalf of all elements at UB, UB accepts happily, with the deepest gratitude, with arms wide open, and sees it as a link in the chain of cultural unity.”
In the series of handover events, there was also a guest lecture from Mikoshiren Jakarta for students of SPJL and SPJLE FCS UB about the history, value, and meaning of Omikoshi to prepare students to receive and to take charge of Omikoshi, which took place in Meeting Room 1 of UB Library.
In addition, to know more about Omikoshi, some students were invited to practice assembling and lifting Omikoshi together. During the assembly process, Amagasa and his colleagues patiently guided the students in installing and tying the wooden blocks around the Omikoshi. They worked together to ensure that every part of the Omikoshi was firmly attached.
Last but not least, after the guest lecture, Amagasa invited all the students in te room, in turn, to try the experience of lifting and carrying Omikoshi. Omikoshi carrying is an activity with strong cultural and spiritual values in Japanese society. The students were eager to actively follow Amagasa’s instructions.
One of the SPJL students, Ferdyan Rizal Mahlafi, shared his experience building and lifting the Omikoshi.
“There is a sense of pride when being taught directly how to assemble Omikoshi by native Japanese. Moreover, not all students can practice directly with the experts. There was no awkwardness at all because everyone spoke Indonesian and was very friendly,” explained the student, who is familiarly called Ferdy.
For Ferdy, the experience of lifting Omikoshi was no less exciting. He admitted being excited when he tried to lift Omikoshi with his friends.
“Although, at first, it was a bit difficult to synchronize the movements with other friends, the constantly shouted chants at Mr. Amagasa’s instruction made the burden lighter. Overall, the process was fascinating,” he added. [dts/PR FCS]
