Kansai University recently hosted a short-term COIL project in partnership with Florida International University (FIU), providing students from both universities with a unique opportunity to explore the intriguing subject of Japanese New Religions. The project spanned four weeks and was designed as a blended learning experience, combining virtual collaboration with an in-person component on the Kansai University campus.

The project began online with an icebreaker activity and for three weeks students from both universities worked online on collaborative research and deepened their understanding of the topic.

The highlight of the initiative came when FIU students, led by Professor Eric Isaac, visited the Senriyama campus, where they participated in a face-to-face presentation session, sharing their findings on various aspects of Japanese New Religions with their Kansai University counterparts. The session was led by Assistant Professor Adrian Bercea, the KU-FIU COIL project facilitator on the Kansai University side.

Throughout the project, students delved into the complex and often controversial world of Japanese New Religions, which are characterized by their syncretic nature, blending elements of traditional Japanese beliefs with new religious ideas. Groups of students each researched and presented on a different new religious movement, such as Tenrikyo, Ōmotokyo, and Risshō Kōsei Kai, offering a comprehensive view of these unique religious phenomena. In addition to studying these newer faiths, students gained valuable insight into foundational aspects of Japan’s older religious traditions, including Shintoism, Buddhism, and even elements of Shamanism, which influenced the development of new religious movements in Japan.
After the presentations, the students from Florida participated in an interactive origami workshop, where they learned the art of paper folding and engaged in cross-cultural socialization. This activity was held in Mi-Room, a dedicated space for intercultural exchange at Kansai University, further strengthening the bonds between students from different cultural backgrounds.