A couple weeks ago I spoke at length of the High School graduation I attended. This week, I attended two graduations on the same say. I can’t imagine there are many people in Japan have that pleasure. For me that means twice the number of long speeches. However, it also means seeing my students get their diplomas. And that is worth endure the longest and driest of speeches.
Junior high graduation ceremonies, as compared to High school ceremonies, are a little more entertaining for the audience. You have all the same pomp and circumstance, but the Graduating class sings a farewell song for the remaining students. Then the remaining students return the favor. It’s actually quite emotional and many of the students start bawling their eyes out as they are singing. It’s good for me because it keeps me from falling asleep during the ceremony.
The thing about these ceremonies that I find interesting is that every year the graduating class purchases something for the school as a memorial gift. This is called a 記念品贈呈(kinenhin zoutei.) This year, the students at Senmaya JH bought a tarp covered half-tent for the outdoor activities, and the students at Daito JH bought their school a new set of panel display boards. I always wondered where the school got this stuff from.
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