The Grand Valley State University Japanese Cultural Association (JCA) aims to share Japanese culture with campus community.

JCA President, Alex Hardwood has aimed to integrate more activities and hands-on events for students. She said many peoples’ impressions of Japanese culture are limited to anime and manga and she wishes to expand their knowledge to other traditional mediums. To do this, JCA organized a Japanese candle making night. 

In many cultures, crafts and handmade items carry significance and tradition through generations. In Japan, candles are an important part of Buddhist culture dating back as far as 710 A.D. The candle making process, known as Warosoku, is a practice that focuses on using organic and recycled materials to create a signature off white wax color. Decorative elements, such as dried lavender are then added. 

The Japanese Candle Crafting Soiree took place in the Language Resource Center (LRC). Hardwood and other group members set up tablecloths and different stations for each of the candle making steps. Hardwood said the setup mirrored their previously successful Tea Ceremony event. Both events were structured to immerse students and faculty into special Japanese traditions. 

The club supplied participants with several different scents, dried flowers and colored wax to embellish their candles. As a nod to the traditional process of utilizing recycled materials, the group used yogurt jars to hold the candles’ wax. 

While Hardwood expected the majority of attendees to be Japanese in culture or a part of the Japanese Language Program, it was a shock to hear the most dominant language in the event was German. The LRC promotes events from all GVSU language programs. Many language students frequent the center and their eyes were caught by the event.

 Hardwood said she considered the event a success and she hopes to have more involvement from members and gain traction for the organization on campus.

“I am glad it turned out well in the end,” Hardwood said.