As an event to promote greater understanding between Japanese citizens and their non-Japanese residents, Kyoto International Cultural Association, Inc. (KICA) will hold its annual essay contest on the views of Japanese culture and everyday life.
Those interested in Japanese culture, specialists and non-specialists alike, are welcome to write about their personal experiences in Japan or to compare Japanese culture to that of their own. The essay must be original and not yet published.


1. Applicants : Non-Japanese (those who can give an oral presentation at the Presentation and Forum in Kyoto on Sunday, September 28)
  2. Text : English or Japanese
  3. How to apply:

(1)An application form and a copy of our Newsletter carrying prize essays can be requested via postcard or e-mail. Include full name and mailing address.

(2)Essays should be submitted with the application form. Japanese essays must be between 4,000 to 6,000 characters in length and those in English between 2,000 to 3,000 words.
●Application Form PDF file or WORD file

(3)We will take essay submissions via post or e-mail, not by fax.
[Attention]
We will acknowledge you the receipt of your essay submissions within a week.
In case you have not heard from us, please contact us at office@kicainc.jp .

  4. Application Deadline: August 3rd, 2008 postmarked
  5. Apply to:

KICA , Room 116 Kyodai Kaikan
15-9 Yoshida Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku,
Kyoto 606-8305
Tel: 075-751-8958/Fax: 075-751-9006
E-mail: office@kicainc.jp /URL: http://kicainc.jp/

 

6. Selection Process:

The selection of essays will be divided into Japanese and English. The six best essays will be awarded KICA prizes, and each author is expected to give a fifteen-minute presentation on Sunday, September 28 in Kyoto. Transportation expenses within Japan will be covered for six authors by KICA. All the applicants will be notified of the result of the selection by September 10.

Head of Selection Committee: Yasunori Nishijima, Professor Emeritus, KyotoUniversity

  7. Presentation and Forum:

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008
Place: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall, Kyoto
-In Japanese: 13:00-14:30
-In English: 15:30-17:00
(1)Each author will give a fifteen-minute presentation.
(2)Authors and members of the audience will be invited
by the Selection Committee to participate in discussing
the essays and asking related questions.

  8. Prize: Six authors will be awarded KICA prize (50.000 yen each).
         

 
Essay example  
     
 
 

*The contributed essays will not be returned. The copyright of the prize essays will solely by owned by KICA.

   
  Photos
  Three Prise-winning Essayists in English at Forum  
 
 
Mr. Varma
Ms.Shaaban
     
 
  Mr.Shintani    Prof. Smith Giving a Closing Address
     
 

 
  With the prize-winning Essayists at the Reception  
     

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