【直営寮/Sophia Dormitory】
Sophia Dormitory Study Tour: Kintsugi

上智大学直営寮（枝川寮・祖師谷国際交流会館・アルペ国際学生寮）は、国籍、宗教、文化等、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ学生たちが暮らす教育寮です。近年、学生の主体的な学びや成長実感が重視されていますが、共同生活や交流の機会を通じて、直営寮生たちはどのような成長実感や気づきを得ているのでしょうか？　

Sophia dormitories (Edagawa Men’s Dormitory, Soshigaya International House, and Arrupe International Residence) are educational dormitories where students from diverse backgrounds live and spend time together. Let’s find out how students grow and acquire self awareness through dormitory life from following articles.

直営寮では、教育プログラムとして2023年度より「Sophia Dormitory Study Tour」を開催しています。これは、SDGsや社会課題に取り組む現場に赴き、現地での体験や人との触れ合いを通じて寮の仲間と課題解決を探求し、リーダーシップ、コミュニケーション能力、行動力等、将来役立つスキルを身に付けられる日帰りツアーです。直営寮では留学生も多く暮らしているため、ツアーは日英両言語で行われます。

今回は「金継ぎから学ぶ、モノを大切にする日本文化」について枝川寮寮生のグラシアーノ　グリッポジーノ　カルロさん（国際教養学科交換留学生）に報告をしていただきました。

“Sophia Dormitory Study Tour” is held as a one-day educational program since 2023, for those who lives in dormitories owned and directly operated by the University. This involves going to the field where SDGs and social issues are being tackled, exploring problem-solving with dorm mates through on-site experience and interaction with people, and acquiring skills that will be useful in the future, such as leadership, communication skills, and the ability to take action. Since there are many international students live in Sophia dormitories, tours are conducted in both Japanese and English.

GRACIANO GRIPPO GINO CARLO, an exchange student in the Department of Liberal Arts and a resident of Edagawa Men’s Dormitory, gave a report on “Japanese ]Cculture of Valuing Objects to be Learned through Kintsugi”

今回のツアーは、単なる伝統技術の紹介にとどまらず、金継ぎという美意識を通して、日本文化の根底にある価値観を深く理解する機会を提供してくれました。壊れた器を修復し、傷を隠すのではなく、あえて金で継ぐことでその歴史や個性を際立たせる―この考え方は、日本独自の美学であると同時に、過去・現在・未来をつなぐ普遍的な哲学でもあります。

金継ぎの思想は、たとえ器が地震や事故などで壊れてしまったとしても、それを修復することで、以前よりも美しく、唯一無二の存在へと生まれ変わるというものです。壊れたこと自体が価値となり、修復の痕跡が新たな魅力となる。このような視点は、物だけでなく、人や社会にも通じる深い意味を持っています。

The Kintsugi tour event was an incredible experience, offering a unique opportunity to delve deeper into Japanese culture and explore how this concept connects the past, present, and future of society—not only in Japan, but across the globe.

The philosophy behind Kintsugi teaches that when a ceramic piece is broken—whether by an earthquake, accident, or other cause—there exists an art form to repair it, transforming it into something even more beautiful and unique than it was before. This perspective holds profound meaning not only for objects, but also for people and society.

ツアーには金継ぎの専門家の先生方が同行してくださり、参加者一人ひとりが積極的に関われるよう、丁寧にサポートしてくださいました。先生方の深い情熱と温かい指導のおかげで、体験はより充実した、楽しいものとなりました。

作業工程は時間を要するものの、手順自体はシンプルで、初心者でも取り組みやすいものでした。まず、壊れた部分を保護していたテープを丁寧に取り除き、金属の道具を使って鋭く尖った部分を削ります。次に、通常の接着剤で破片を接着し、その上から黒い接着剤を重ねて補強します。最後に、金粉を繊細に施して仕上げます。

During the tour, we were accompanied by a professional Kintsugi expert whose deep passion for the craft was evident throughout the experience. They were dedicated to ensuring that everyone remained engaged and had the opportunity to learn. Their enthusiasm greatly enhanced the overall enjoyment of the event.

The restoration process, while time-consuming, was straightforward. First, we removed the tape protecting the broken pieces, then used a metal tool to smooth out the sharp edges. Next, we applied a layer of regular adhesive, followed by black lacquer, and finally completed the piece with a delicate touch of gold.

Later, we attended a presentation on Kintsugi that explored meaningful themes such as the beauty of imperfection and mental health. It was a truly inspiring event and a wonderful opportunity to gain deeper insight into the philosophy behind this traditional art form.

As a student, I was especially moved by how Kintsugi teaches us that our mistakes and imperfections are not weaknesses, but sources of strength and resilience. This perspective offers a powerful lesson—not only in art, but in life.