Episode 3: Kissing Circles (It’s Not What You Think)

We started the day off with core language lessons, and then a lecture from Randolph-Macon Professor of Mathematics, Dr. David Clark, about ancient Japanese mathematics. He talked about kissing circles, circles that are tangent to each other, and how they were the inspiration to many mathematical phenomenon. He related this unique Japanese style of mathematics to the history of math in general, and discussed the origins of math. We had the chance to attempt a simple kissing circle problem, which only three students could solve. Later that afternoon, we had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by our very own Emily-senpai about woodblock printing, a traditional Japanese art form. It was revealed that throughout the academy we would be working on our very own woodblock prints! We ended the evening with a lively session of karaoke and Just Dance.