Sports Festival...
This is no ordinary summer sports day...this is a well practiced (for six days solid) well drilled group activity involving activities unseen on any sports field I have ever been on (Big Rope, Tug of War, Tied legged races, Pole racing...), with timing and precision any army would be proud of.
This years version was unfortunately interrupted by rain so that we were unable to witness the boys Samurai like war game.....where the idea is to snatch the cap off the head of the opposing warrior before he does it to you! (thankfully we were able to witness this unique event a few days later) but regardless of this it was still an interesting and action packed day.
Many parents were in attendance...and it was quite a sight to see all the video cameras lined up...capturing the action in unison. The parents had their chance to participate in the PTA Tug of War challenge which pitted the various local districts against each other. This was a personal highlight of the day as I helped Asano to the title of Champions! ....mmm this game is all about teamwork and a battle of wills...as well as getting the right end so one can dig in a little!
The other highlight of the day for me was running 50 metres...against girls less than 1/2 my age...and holding my own!! and not tearing a hamstring!! of course the girls i was up against had already run a 50 metres by the time I was passed the baton...but this is minor detail! (please refer to the..1/2 my age fact.. detail as written above....and please also note that I had just completed an epic tug-of-war struggle!).
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day...there was plenty of smiling and oooohs and aaaaghs! and some fierce rivalry between classes and sports teams. The whole day is a triumph of the group over the individual and all about participation regardless of ability. Whilst it still seems amazing to me that the students actually enjoy this event because of all the formality and practice involved beforehand and during the day....I realise that there is much tradition involved, it is a reflection of Japanese society at large and I am looking at it through western eyes. Of course, who wouldn't mind a week off classes and the chance to take ones shirt off and display ones bravery and fighting prowess in front of all the girls?
This years version was unfortunately interrupted by rain so that we were unable to witness the boys Samurai like war game.....where the idea is to snatch the cap off the head of the opposing warrior before he does it to you! (thankfully we were able to witness this unique event a few days later) but regardless of this it was still an interesting and action packed day.
Many parents were in attendance...and it was quite a sight to see all the video cameras lined up...capturing the action in unison. The parents had their chance to participate in the PTA Tug of War challenge which pitted the various local districts against each other. This was a personal highlight of the day as I helped Asano to the title of Champions! ....mmm this game is all about teamwork and a battle of wills...as well as getting the right end so one can dig in a little!
The other highlight of the day for me was running 50 metres...against girls less than 1/2 my age...and holding my own!! and not tearing a hamstring!! of course the girls i was up against had already run a 50 metres by the time I was passed the baton...but this is minor detail! (please refer to the..1/2 my age fact.. detail as written above....and please also note that I had just completed an epic tug-of-war struggle!).
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day...there was plenty of smiling and oooohs and aaaaghs! and some fierce rivalry between classes and sports teams. The whole day is a triumph of the group over the individual and all about participation regardless of ability. Whilst it still seems amazing to me that the students actually enjoy this event because of all the formality and practice involved beforehand and during the day....I realise that there is much tradition involved, it is a reflection of Japanese society at large and I am looking at it through western eyes. Of course, who wouldn't mind a week off classes and the chance to take ones shirt off and display ones bravery and fighting prowess in front of all the girls?
posted by Fraz at 2:56 pm
1 Comments:
Nice post Frazeroosky. I like the photo of the guys in the rain. brings me back...
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