Apparently the Tokyo Olympics of 1964 began on October 10 in order to avoid the Japanese stifling summer humidity. It has been touted by the Japanese media as Japan’s coming of age and being reaccepted as part of the global community, after the defeat of WWII.
October 10 is now a public holiday, and is called taiku no hi roughly translated to sports day. SO what happens now on this day, or around this day, is that all the schools have their particular sport festivals at this time. It is usually held on a Saturday or Sunday (weather permitting – as the tail end of the typhoon season can sometimes cause havoc).
Since Rina started at her pre-school recently, she was also involved in one of these days. We arrived at the sporting ground around 20 minutes before it was due to start – and were very late. It seemed like some people had camped out all morning, with their food and all… in order to get the best spot. Have to remember that one for next year. Every little event is turned into a huge deal here… and this was no exception.
There were well drilled performances for the parents by the different year groups… one with five and six year olds building their own nine person human pyramid. Running around with parachutes. The youngest class danced with their parents. There was also a tug-o-war competition between the parents of the different classes. Rina’s class lost their only outing. Everything was greeted to quite appropraite applause. Parents moved for the best photographic position.
This moves onto the next minor topic cameras… I’m sure that the Olympics, the World Cup Football final or any other major world sporting event has nothing on the ratio of cameras and video cameras that were at this event. BUT that’s something else.
Rina seemed to have a good day, though she was a little confused at times to what all the fuss was about. I think that she was glad to leave just before midday when the threatening rain finally materalised and opened up on the event. It was an interesting eye opener…. now to make sure we get the place next time.
Take care….