The graduation ceremony was March 12th. For those without a handy calendar that's a Wednesday. The ceremony was during school hours which is very unfair to all working parents. In fact, I only saw one or two fathers in the audience (one of whom was the head of the PTA). I wonder if the students cared that few relatives, let alone friends, would be able to watch them graduate.
The dress code for a graduation in Japan is formal black. Looking out at the parents and the teachers it looked as though we were gathered for a funeral. We teachers were allowed a spot of brightness--handsome corsages made by the home ec teacher. Parents also worn odd bits of color. Since the graduation was held inside the gym many parents brought their own indoor shoes: fuzzy house slippers. Students wore their formal uniforms. The principal was in tails.
After singing a song (the school song? the national anthem?), the graduation got down to business. Unlike in the US where speeches come before the handing out of diplomas, in Japan the opposite is true. Students lined up in a procession four at a time. They turned like figures on a coo-coo clock. Walk. Turn 90 degrees to the left. Bow. Turn 180 degrees. Walk. Bow. Up the stairs. Bow. Turn. Walk. Turn 90 degrees. Bow. Receive diploma. Grab with left hand. Then grab with right hand. Hold the diploma high. Bow. Down the stairs. Bow. Place diploma in tray. Return to seat. No one clapped or cheered. The principal read aloud the first and last diplomas. Aside from that and a low playing soundtrack the room was quiet. I was too busy to care though. Every student bowed to the teachers. I was kept busy returning each of those bows.
After the diplomas were handed out speeches were made and (many) songs were sang. The principal gave a speech. A student gave a speech. The head of the PTA gave a speech. An important person gave a speech. Then the third years sang. The first years sang. The second years sang. The first and second years sang to the third years. The third years sang to the first and second years. It was all very nice, though I didn't understand the words. They were obviously heartfelt since many of the teachers and students began to cry at this point in the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony we teachers gathered around the exit with carnations. The students exited two by two and we gave each one a flower. Many of the students were crying (some were bawling). I only remember one who was smiling. All three 3rd year teachers were in tears (two of whom are men). Perhaps the black dress code is appropriate after all.
After the formal ceremony everyone gathered outside forming a corridor from the school door to the school's gate. The third years, wearing their backpacks and carrying all of their other school things, left school for the (not really) last time with all their teachers, parents, and peers clapping and cheering them on. Before long the corridor faded and everyone mingled taking pictures (of course I'd left my camera in the staff room not understand what I was being led to), introducing parents to teachers and friends, and saying goodbye. Lots of the female graduates gave their string tie to a favorite friend in the lower grades. I see some of them tied to bags and pencil cases in the first and second year classes now.
Afterwards, teachers returned to the staff room for a 1500 yen bento. It was incredible. In addition to the bento the principal (who is a nice and well-liked guy) bought three watermelons for everyone. That was a generous and expensive gift, especially since watermelon is out of season now. Watermelons cost about 20 dollars normally.
The flowers that had been decorating the school and the stage were divvied up amongst the staff. I got a number of blooms, and my apartment now feels more spring-like.
The stage. Red and white are celebratory colors in Japan. Graduation is also the only time I've seen a Japanese flag in this country.
Like clockwork.
He's a second year. He's carrying out the bonsai that all Japanese graduations must have. He'd best be careful. That tree cost over $1000.
The graduates don't get a cap or gown to differentiate themselves, but they get these pins. It says congratulations. This one is mine. The tea lady gave it to me.
The bento. This is from memory and this small picture, but inside we have a strawberry, sashimi, daikon, green vegetable in vinegar, assorted pickled vegetables, shrimp tempura, crab tempura, fried chicken, salmon, mackerel, eel, inari, potato, konnyaku,carrots, sweetened egg, dumpling, orange slice, and (to the side, mostly off-camera) rice with mixed vegetables.
