Sports Day
Written by: adekun on 30 September, 2008 7:59 am - Filed under: blog ?
Imbuing a few more ounces of gambarimasu
Not to be confused with Sports Day, a public holiday in October, schools have been hosting their sports day throughout September. The districts are already divided into communities with a leader to manage the many differing day to day aspects. These communities within the catchment area form the teams and people of all ages compete, regardless of their own ties to the school.
Go geta(下駄)'em
For sports day, our team seems to be at a disadvantage to the majority. I’m probably half the average age. Nonetheless, a good effort is made. Last year we managed to get to the semi-final in the tug-off-war contest! Sadly this was not the case this year. A surprise win the the relay made up for the early defeat.
Lunch was a bentō, beer or fruit juice subsided by monthly contributions.
Denise
3 October, 2008 #
How fun! Is this Undokai? I remember participating in that when I went to Japanese school (here in the States). Adrian, your blog is such a neat place to pop in to.
I took a look back at your previous posts, and I loved the very first one. It had such a sense of adventure. (Did you leave the UK?) I picture you leaving Europe, and an office job, to be a gardener/explorer in Japan. :o)
adekun
5 October, 2008 #
I suppose undokai is one of the reasons I chose to move out here; the community spirit. Although it is an adventure it is also a good test of resolve and a struggle. It is far from easy and do sometimes question why I left the UK.
It has changed my perspective, a feel I have gained a lot despite losing out on so many things I took for granted.
Your mention of the Japanese school explains a few things.
James
7 October, 2008 #
We just had our local undokai in Kishimoto and my wife went to participate in the tug-of-war as the representative of our household. She was happy to lose and be able to come home early. Apparently, if noone in the household participates, the neighbors will then give you the cold shoulder. I wouldn’t exactly call that community spirit, more like semi-enforced participation through peer pressure. If people are up for it, cool, but there isn’t enough allowance made (in terms of what is socially acceptable behavior) for those who don’t want to participate.
This applies to many areas of life in Japan.
For my own part, I would rather work with my neighbors on some local task. The idea of playing with them doesn’t appeal to me at all and I can’t ever see myself participating in an undokai.
adekun
8 October, 2008 #
A fair point. I’m not for giri. We had a good, and perhaps easier time. I’m glad we went. The idea of obligation and expectation doesn’t appeal, nor does the point at the foreigner and say jouzu jouzu.
This past weekend the drains got cleaned and the streets weeded; tetsudai?