Drexel Spring Break in Japan:
Japanese Crafts and Sustainable Design Process
Japanese Arts, Crafts, and Sustainable Design Process: Discover the Heart and Soul of "Dentōkōgei"
This 11-day program offers an unmatched, inspirational journey into the heart of traditional Japanese crafts — made possible exclusively through more than a decade of research and personal relationships cultivated by your faculty leader, Prof. Yoshinaga.
Join the second immersive experience to see how centuries-old traditions continue and how they adapt to a modern lifestyle. We will discover one of the major cities, Osaka, which is well situated to explore remote locations, as well as Kyoto and Nara both within an hour's reach.
Application open to all students! (Must appreciate traditional Japanese art.)
This program offers a rare opportunity to meet and observe artisans in their workspaces, and learn some of their techniques through hands-on workshops.
In addition to an online orientation, there will be pre-travel assignments including required readings, research, and preparing interview questions. Post-travel assignments will include a personal reflection report, a short essay, and a final presentation.
Students will learn the historical background of the given crafts during each artisan visit through demonstrations, talks and by conducting interviews. They will also document each artisan’s stories, narratives and how their trade has evolved over the centuries. In addition, students will exercise their information gathering and processing skills as they appreciate the artisans’ dedication to perfecting their craft, and their commitment to passing on their traditional artform to the next generation. The similarities between the artisans’ iterative process and the experimentations/explorations in our own design practice will also enable students to develop cross-cultural and transdisciplinary insights into their creative endeavor.
Course Requirements
In addition to a pre-travel online orientation, there will be pre-travel assignments such as required readings, research, prepare interview questions. Post-travel assignments will include personal reflection/report, short essay and final presentation.
Credit/Registration
Students will be registered for VSCM T380, Japanese Crafts and Sustainable Design Process for 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave space in their spring course load for this class or will otherwise be billed for exceeding the 20-credit term maximum.
Instructor
Lead faculty:
Shushi Yoshinaga
Associate Professor of Graphic Design Program
Westphal College of Media Art and Design
Pre and Post-sessions: There will be one mandatory, preparatory class meetings during the winter term as well as post-assignments presentation after the trip (Spring term)
Arrival: March 18 (depart US on March 17 to arrive March 18)
(NOTE: flight recommendations will be provided upon acceptance into the program)
Return: March 27
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVES TO HANEDA AIRPORT, TOKYO
Travel to Kawagoe via chartered bus
Day 2
AM: Museum visit: textile demo (traditional weaving technique)
PM: Workshop 1 – Japanese printing and binding (Kawagoe)
meals on your own
Day 3
Workshop 2 – Japanese paper (Ogawa-machi)
Group lunch included
Back to Tokyo via chartered bus
dinner on your own
Day 4
Travel to Osaka
Group Project (TBD)
Day 5
Workshop 3 – KIRIÉ, cutting paper art (Osaka)
Group lunch included
dinner on your own
Day 6
Workshop 4 – Calligraphy Brush making (Nara)
Meals on your own
Day 7
Workshop 5 – Textile (Osaka)
Meals on your own
Day 8
Workshop 6 – Tamba Pottery Village
Tamba Pottery Museum and Potter’s demonstration
Group lunch included
Dinner on your own
Day 9
Travel back to Tokyo
Meals on your own
Day 10
Depart HANEDA, TOKYO >> back to US
Due Nov 16, 2026 - $500 Advanced Payment + $25 application fee
Due Jan 15, 2027 - $ 3140 Final Payment
All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
*This program has been subsidized by the Office of Global Engagement
Included in Program Fee:
- 9-night lodging in Japan (hotel)
- In-country transportation
- Chartered bus tour/excursion
- Entrance fees (museums, performances)
- 1 Special Japanese dinner
- Suitcase storage fee
- On-Call Emergency Assistance insurance
Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):
- Airfare: $2,000**
- Food: $400
- Spending money: $200
- Passport: $135
**Group flight will be recommended, students are strongly encouraged to book the suggested flight
Visa: US Citizens are not required to obtain a visa for entry to Japan. Other nationalities should confirm visa requirements on the
Japan Embassy website.
Course Grading Scale
| A+ |
100%+ |
Outstanding Work |
| A |
95-99% |
Very Superior Work |
| A- |
90-94% |
Superior Work |
| B+ |
88-89% |
Above Good Work |
| B |
83-87% |
Good Work |
| B- |
80-82% |
Slightly Below Good Work |
| C+ |
78-79% |
Slightly Above Average Work |
| C |
73-77% |
Average Work |
| C- |
70-72% |
Slightly Below Average Work |
| D+ |
68-69% |
Below Average Work |
| D |
63-67% |
Below Average Work |
| F |
00-62% |
Failure. Work Unacceptable |
