Japan Study Abroad Photo Story

Kathryn Bornhoeft • Oct 20, 2026 • 5 min read • 17 views

By Kathryn Bornhoeft | Oct. 20, 2026

This summer, I was among a group of students who had the opportunity to study in a Noh theater intensive at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, Japan. Noh is a traditional Japanese theater style and a sacred art form that involves entirely handmade costumes and masks. Actors study for years to master the movement and song-like chanting the plays require. There are five types of plays: god, warrior, woman, madness and demon, each with its own defining features. Because Noh was originally performed outdoors, traditional Noh stages still have roofs.

These are Noh masks. Each mask represents a different character or demon, shown through various expressions, paint colors and face designs. Photo Courtesy of Kathryn Bornhoeft

This is a traditional Noh stage. We were lucky to visit multiple Noh stages and watch a few performances. We were even allowed to walk on one of the stages and view the backstage area. This is a great honor, and we were required to wear tabis, sacred footwear, as Noh stages are consecrated. Photo Courtesy of Kathryn Bornhoeft

While in Japan, we had the amazing opportunity to visit a mask and costume maker. The masks were incredibly intricate. Each feature was carefully carved and painted with natural, handmade paint. Noh masks are to be worn only by specific performers, and each mask has a story linked to it. The eye position, strands of hair and mouth shape all hint at the character’s personality or life circumstances.

Our mask maker was very kind and let us hold her masks and view them up close. Each of us held our favorite mask for this picture. Note that we are all holding the masks by the “ears”, where a string is tied on either side to sit on an actor’s face. Touching a Noh mask is usually seen as very disrespectful, as they are fragile and sacred, so we were instructed to hold them using their protective sleeves.
Top row, from left: Soda Cline (’29), Trevor Morency (’26), Megan Cooper (’26), Meredith Wynn (’26), Miranda Parkhill (’27), Gracie Williams (’28). Bottom row, from left: Sasha Hoenie (’26), Reid Goad (’28), Kat Wilson (’28), Jaden Greenlee (’28), and Kathryn Bornhoeft (’28). Photo Courtesy of Andy Vaught

The costume maker asked that his costumes not be photographed because they were commissioned, but they were very detailed. Noh costumes are designed for different seasons and feature native plants and flowers in the detailed work. Every line of thread on every costume was handmade. His work is so impressive that the Japanese government has recognized him.

This trip has truly helped me grow as a person. It increased my independence, my willingness to try new things and my ability to connect with others despite a language barrier. Although the program was shorter than others, at only 10 days, we made the most of our time. We visited the Osaka Aquarium, Nara Park, which is famous for its friendly deer, and Todai-ji, a Buddhist temple. We were also lucky to visit Universal Studios Japan.

This is one of the deer at Nara Park. While I was taking this photo, he bowed his head at me. The deer in Japan are very small, about the size of a medium-sized dog. Most, like this one, are very polite and will let you pet them. But if you have a deer cookie, prepare to be swarmed and nipped at, as Meredith Wynn (‘26) was. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Bornhoeft

A photo taken on our first day at Kansai Gaidai! Featured in this photo are Trevor Morency (’26), Sasha Hoenie (’26), Megan Cooper (’26), Meredith Wynn (’26), Kathryn Bornhoeft (’28) and Soda Cline (’29), from left to right.
Photo Courtesy of Megan Cooper

Outside of class, my friends and I enjoyed trying new restaurants, walking to local shopping centers and connecting with other residents at Kansai Gaidai. Chisako, our resident assistant, was the best ever, and we still keep in touch.

This was one of my favorite meals while on the trip. My friends and I enjoyed this restaurant so much that we visited twice! Food is very affordable in Japan, especially with their no-tipping policy. The featured meal cost around $3.50 including tax. I got to try so many delicious meals like curry and ramen. I also tried new things like sake and squid sushi. I quickly realized I am not a fan of it; the sake was good, though.
Photo Courtesy of Kathryn Bornhoeft (’28)

As someone who had never been on a plane, let alone out of the country, I was very hesitant to join this trip. But my love for theater and my desire to expand my knowledge convinced me to go, and I am so glad I did. Japan is a safe, clean place with beautiful culture and scenery and delicious food. I will carry this experience with me forever and always cherish my time there.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply