Circle/Club activities
At Shizuoka University, there are nearly 100 circles in the liberal arts and sports, and they are developing energetic activities. Students are encouraged to participate in a circle of interest as another pillar of student life apart from study. Campus life can be more enjoyable when spent with friends who share the same purpose.
Brass band
Each member of the club is making efforts to improve his or her technique, which is raising the overall level of the band.
The club has won the Gold Medal the last 2 years in a row at the All Japan Ensemble Contest held from January to March ever year, and last year won the Silver Medal at the All Japan Wind-Instrument Music Contest. Though the brass band produces proud results at competitions, competing is only a part of its activities. All the members of the club are devote themselves to daily training to improve the quality of their playing, and right now have their targets set on the 39th regular winter and summer concerts.
There are 117 members in all. Normally, a member practices on his/her own, but some parts require ten or more members, therefore collaboration is of the utmost importance. This is virtually no barrier between grades, and old and new members polish their techniques as a single unit. Many members started playing wind-instruments in college, but kind instruction guides them to a level that they can soon go on stage. Members practice individually between classes and the more frequent musicians can be seen doing it every day. I always practice in my spare time.
Other than the normal activities, we sometimes help elementary schools, junior high schools and schools for the handicapped with wind-instrument lessons upon request. We rather enjoy it. Anywhere from 10 to 40 members come to teach technique in a one-on-one format. We learn much from children and will continue this activity in the future.
Chief of band: Yuhei Umegai (3rd year, Japanese Language Division in the Schoolteacher Training Course, Faculty of Education)
Soccer team
Shizuoka is big on soccer and has a good environment for finding players and teams to play. The club’s goal is to be always the best in the Tokai Area League.
The number of members in the Shizuoka University soccer club is about 50. We train 6 days for a week at the campus. On weekdays, we practice for about 2 hours after classes from 4 o’clock. Last year, the club came in third in the Tokai League with a record of 9 wins, 2 loses and 3 draws and qualified for the National Soccer Championship for the first time in 11 years. Shizuoka Prefecture is big on soccer and it is easy to find players among students and working members of society. We are advantaged on this point.
However, since the Shizuoka University soccer club has moved up and down between the 1st best group and the 2nd best group of the Tokai League, I think it will be our goal to be get stronger by exploiting the better environment, stay in the 1st best group and advance to the championship round of the National Soccer Championship. As we have students who began playing soccer for the first time after coming to the university, we welcome anyone who has interest and guts.
Captain: Shoseki Kato (4th year, Department of Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)
Japanese drum circle “Ryuindaiko”
You can master drumming technique while you practice in a festive mood.
The Japanese drum circle is a new circle that started in 1994. However, its ability is unquestioned. The 1st captain played the role of organizer of a drum group and some alumni remain active as professional drummers. Thus, you can adopt a serious stance in drumming. Main active members are 3rd year students . Fourth year students retire in principle, but many of them help us with drumming practice.
The main opportunities for performances are local summer festivals, autumn festivals and university events. Sometimes, overseas drum fans ask us to play because they like to listen to traditional Japanese rhythm!
Shorinjikenpo club
Fighting yells echo amidst the greenery.
Recently, the martial arts have become as popular as baseball and soccer, and the passion seems to have poured into Shizuoka University. Every year when spring comes, many freshmen with a burning enthusiasm to master the way of Ken knock on the door of the Shorinjikenpo club. After joining the club, they put on a display of soulful training everyday under blue skies, aiming at a championship at the prefectural meet and convention of federation of students. Shouting is now a common scene on campus.
It may be unexpected, but many girls belong to the club. Obviously, they joined to get stronger, but Shorinjikenpo is also good for their health and figure. They can master the art of self-defense and learn how protect themselves against offenders. I should say that Shorinjikenpo serves a dual purpose.
Other clubs and circles
Cultural and music clubs and circles
・Orchestra ・Brass band ・Mixed Chorus ・Theatrics ・Photography ・Japanese chess
・Igo ・Volunteer circles ・Environment circle [Rear Car] ・Forestry volunteer circle [Green-Green]
Sports clubs
・Athletics ・Swimming ・Baseball ・Basketball ・Volleyball ・Soccer ・Rugby
・American football ・Judo ・Taekwondo ・Japanese archery ・Riding ・Shorinjikenpo
Japanese traditional clubs and circles
・Traditional Japanese music ・Japanese drum circle “Ryuindaiko” ・Tea ceremony ・Japanese chess ・Igo
* Beside the above, many clubs and circles are engaged in activities.
