Another Sports Day

This is not the first time that something about Sports Day has appeared on this blog.  But is always an event we look forward to, not just because of the fun and watching the different races and performances, but also because it is such a cultural experience.  Lorna is now well up on what to prepare for the lunch-time feast, but she does not get up as early as some mothers who are literally up at the crack of down to get everything ready.  This year we had the unusual experience of the Sports Day being postponed the day before because of some changeable weather, including it seems possible thunderstorms, which were supposedly on their way.  It turns out that many schools in Sapporo followed the 'advice' (if that is the right word) to move the Sports Day back one day to the Sunday when only sun was forecast.  We have now experienced 12 years of Sports Day in Japan and one thing we have learned is that the weather is indeed changeable and the weather forecast is almost completely unreliable.  So we were very surprised that a decision was taken to postpone the Sports Day the day before rather than wait till the morning and see how things were - as would usually be the case.  As it happens, the Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for Sports Day (when it did not happen) and the Sunday was not so nice.  However, it did not rain and brightened up eventually so we had a great day. 

This time it was Calum's last Sports Day and he enjoyed the extra responsibilities the 6th grade children were given.  He also excelled in the different races and team events he was in.  Alistair did well too.  And both boys ended up in the overall winning team so it was cheers all round in the Ferguson household.  Sports Day is done so well here - from the dance performances (a very energetic, fast-moving popular dance) to team events, one of which ended up with two children climbing up a pole held by other children, to the due sense of ceremony with speeches, bowing and celebration.  Everyone has a part to play, whether they are sporty or not.  There is a great sense of camaraderie among the cheering parents, grandparents and other friends who turn up.  It truly is a community occasion.    

Sports Day

One of the biggest events in the calendar for primary schools is sports day. There is nothing like it. The children spend weeks practising their races, dances and all the ceremony which is part of the day. The previous day sees hundreds of mothers (or granny if mum is not around) turning up at the school to secure their patch for viewing the races. All of this decided by lottery and as your number is called, you can race to a place already marked with white lines to grab your spot. This year we were No 149 in the pecking order but we had still had a great view. The day begins at 6.30 with fire crackers loud enough to wake the whole neighbourhood being set off to tell everyone that sports day is on. Even before that time, many mothers will have been up preparing the feast which is needed for the sports day lunch. This is no ham sandwich and potato chips job. Everything begins with due ceremony - speeches, lots of bowing, communal team cheering and the obligatory warm-up exercises. From start to finish it lasts over five hours. There are individual races, team races, energetic dances, fun events and even a tug of war for parents. This year we had one boy in the white team and one in the red so we were going to end up with one winner and one loser. The sun shone, the boys won their individual events and the lunch was great. And as always it is an opportunity for us to be visible and chat to all the parents, grandparents and others who gather for this event of the year. Roll on next year.