Tan-chu GraDUatIoN

ConGRatULatIONs

Today, was my first Japanese graduation ceremony. I have several things to comment on as it will be my only graduation ceremony while in Japan. So, today marks the end of their compulsory education in Japan. Yep, 9th grade is all that is required, but MOST go on to some type of high school (which will determine your purpose and successfulness in life). So I think graduation IS something worthy of celebration as I seem to have nothing but negative things to say about the schools here.

The ceremony began promptly at 9:30 AM Saturday morning/today. The parents were first ushered in (wedding style) and the 7th and 8th graders sat in neat rows at the back of the gym and the 9th graders sat ahead of them, but not up on the stage....have to make sure that Kocho Sensei has his space and maintains authority on the day's festivities. It never can really be about the students. So the 9th graders were paraded in to none other than the same graduation song played back in the States...interesting.

After sitting down (well, more like a series of standup, sit down, bow, bow, standup, bow, sit, bow) their were no "special remarks" given, the students were called up one by one to accept their certificate. I couldn't believe it--no mention of anything from anyone, no 'congratulations' banter, and only 2 minutes into this huge shpeel they started dishing out the goods...to "Amazing Grace" of all songs? What country am I in again?
Above, is a picture showing the proper way of receiving a document. It's really polite and a bit eccentric, but that's Japan for you. It involves a timing mechanism I haven't quite gotten down...basically take whatever is give to you (this applies to food and gifts as well) with 2 outstretched arms, maintain a shared grip on the object with the gift-giver, then when it's time (i never know when it's time) take it and make it yours...but don't forget to bow deeper than the said gift giver. whew...too much work i say.

SIDE:I especially loved the video camera they hook up and aim at each students face to give their "reaction" to it for everyone to see. Nice touch, but adds a bit o' stress on the day. For their entire young lives they have been told to hold in their emotions and feelings, never sharing them with others (but a bit ironic that you would blast their reactions on a movie-screen sized projector? mixed messages?) The students were MUSH BALLS! I have never seen so many 9th grade boys balling!!! WHY!?! Could the repression of their emotions for the last 15 years, stress of the zillion cultural rules and frustration in never being able to vent about it all come to an emotional pinnacle.....exploding on the camera for everyone to see? Kinda sickening they find this televisized christening entertaining. I was so embarassed for the students that I couldn't watch this unfolding over and over again on the screen, so let it be known that I did not partake in devastating their already non-existent self-esteem!

Shortly thereafter, the 7/8 graders sang a couple of unrecognizable but BEAUTIFUL songs to the 9 graders. Love this shot, showing how ceremonial it all is. The ninth graders, standing at the right of the photo were balling and balling so the song must have been a sappy one. I forgot to wear waterproof mascara but since I didn't understand a word of their songs, it didn't matter.

Below, the 9th graders return the favor with a contemporary Japanesey song of their own. The 7/8th graders took a shot at "expressing their feelings" and again, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Well, except for me---cos my mind was on things like Hawaii and edible food. In truth, I love watching and listening to the students sing. Incredible voices and their ability to harmonize is quite commendable. I don't know what they are saying, but the way they say it...actions speak louder than words right? Finally, after the certificates and the music, came the speeches. 8 of them: by teachers, the principal, the vice principal, the PTA, the principal, the student leaders, the principal..............sigh. I probably could have dozed off, if not for the kid in the front row who started puking just seconds before the picture above was taken. Of course, as the picture indicates, the show raged on, despite this kid heaving and heaving....alas, AFTER he had made a royal stink in the gym, they removed him....WHY on earth would you not excuse him IMMEDIATELY!!?!?! the smell and sight of this sickening incident totally wrecked their song! so the stinky kid leaves (why was HE nervous anyway? he's only a 7th grader, relax kiddo you got a couple more years to go before its YOU up there!) and just then, another student, this time a 9th grader, went down after fainting. he recovered quickly, by his own will and admonition, and just stood up and kept singing along. strange...next time, go easy on the breakfast of sea urchin testacles. Today, was a difficult day for me too. Not just cos I didn't understand what was being said between teachers, parents and students---but watching and 'guessing' what was said/not said made it even more sad! Maybe I was making it more sad than it really was? I know what was most sad was saying goodbye to Eri, pictured above. She is just like me, but in Japanese clothes. She's spunky and NON-Japanesey, and an absolute delight. I hope to see her again sometime, sayonara's are so hard!
Here is Taneichi's genkiest. Really going to miss these diverse personalities...the diversity in students made the job a tad interesting. The slacker, the brain and the jock, will surely be missed. Next month, they will part ways and head to different cities for high school:Taneichi, Kuji and Hachinohe. Best of luck boys! Perhaps, that is what makes it SO difficult for students to say goodbye to junior high school. It's a huge chapter of their life that has ended. They have been in the SAME class with the SAME 35 students for the last 9 YEARS! No new blood, only 2 schools and 2 classrooms....9 YEARS! If it were me, I would cry for a couple of minutes, than thank the heavens for the opportunity to MEET and SEE new people and places! But, I'm so not Japanesey!
Many sad faces in this photo....they have been crying nonstop for 2 hours. The red ribbons they are wearing on their coats become souveniors to give to the 7/8th graders when leaving the school grounds for the last time. And pictured below, is part of this ceremony. We lined the exit of the school and the ninth graders slowly paraded down it saying goodbyes....and when they are ready, they just continue on their way...walking to their homes.

The younger students pass out cards, candies, ribbons and exchange the gold buttons from their suit coats with one another as momentos. I, too, was given 2 gold buttons!

I signed a zillion yearbooks, as they realize the potential worth of my autograph someday. I was surprised by this repressed urge to speak English with me today!? Really you ARE interested in it!? If its so interesting, why didn't you try to strike up a conversation with me in the last 7 months!?

And so it goes...my last thoughts on today were a mixture of sorts. Really happy and optimistic, way fun to live in the limelight one last time with them (ie. with the baseball team below), and a bit disappointed. I was bummed that in 7 months of 'working with them' so many of them still could not make eye contact with me, would not say 'hello' or shake my hand. OK that's a bunch of American cultural differences thrown at them at once, but had they reciprocated ANY of those with the slightest interest, I may have felt my purpose over here had been met. Maybe next year...school year begins April 2nd, 2006.

Let's hope it is an enjoyable one!?!

GoOd LuCK in HiGH SchoOL!