Over the weekend the local shougakou/primary school had their summer festival. This is the school that Noah & Shion will start at in 2016 and 2017. It is the same school that Shumpei and his brother went to and also Shun`s dad. I thought their grandfather also went but I got that wrong as the school is 60 years old this year but Shun`s father was the 10th person to graduate from the school as he was in the first full graduating class which is kind of amazing!
We didn`t stay long as we were having dinner with the in-laws but it was nice to walk around the playground, see the stalls set up and see the primary school kids running around having fun.
Due to the boys age and the fact that a lot of the hanabi/fireworks this year have been cancelled due to the earthquake/tsunami/radiation so that the money used usually for them can be sent up North to help with reconstruction/survivers, we probably won`t be going to see any fireworks or other festivals this year. There is a festival at the shrine in October though which we will go to. Anyway- I wanted the boys to have a chance to wear their jimbeis which are like a traditional summer house wear but are often worn at festivals etc especially by boys/men.
Shun & I did not wear yukatas this year- it is just too hot!!! Maybe if we do actually go see some fireworks we will but I doubt we will this year.
Here is an OLD photo of Shun & I in yukata though taken at the temple in Asakusa where we went to see the fireworks a couple of years ago. We are eating kakigori in this picture or shaved ice.
Linking up to My Little Drummer Boys for the Aussie Wordless Wednesday!
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I am just a twenty something Aussie girl living in Chiba, Japan with my Japanese husband trying to make sense of the crazy Japanese world we live in! We welcomed our first son in December 2009 (Noah) and a second son in January 2011, 2 months premature (Shion). I am working hard at raising them to be confident, bilingual, happy kids!
So interesting to hear about your daily life and culture.
Gorgeous pics and jimbies.
Happy WW, thanks for linking up
Thanks Trish! Happy WW to you too of course. Most weeks lately it is pics of my kids- very different from when I was doing WW a couple of years ago, hey!
Great pics. cool about the fact they are going to be going to a school that other family has been to
Happy WW
Yes- I like that too. It is the public primary school about 100m from where our house will be so very close and if I go back to work it will be fine because the in-laws are close by too which means if they walk home someone will be next door to watch out for them.
It seems like a nice school!
What gorgeous photos and that is so cool that the boys will be going to the same school as their grandfather!
Thank you! I like that too- I think Japan definitely has that more generational living system too so it is quite common for this sort of thing to happen. The boys will probably go to private JH and HS in Tokyo but we are still undecided and it is so far off yet! Primary is from 6-11!
I LOVE summer yukatas ! Your family is just gorgeous !
Interesting how there are no hanabi matsuri’s this year. That’s a shame. Just amazing how much Japan has to cut back on everything.
Even more amazing how the Japanese people will make such sacrifices to help their fellow country men.
You’ve got me all natsukashii…
There will still be some hanabi but they are definitely cutting back. People seem to be doing their part to cut power usage is well which is nice. Everyone is sticking together!
Would love to be able to send my kids to the same school that my mum, my sister and I went to, but a bit too far away and $$$$! Lovely pics, and happy W.W.!
I went to the same highschool as some of my dad`s sisters but mum went to school in NZ. My brother went to the same school as our uncle/dad`s brother. So I guess it is even a bit common in Australia at times if you grow up in the same area…
My primary school was a new school when I started there though so NO ONE had been there. hehe. Happy W.W to you too!
I love your pictures of the boys in their jinbei!! Absolutely adorable…
Oh, You and Shun look great in your yukata too <3 You know I have never worn a yukata before…
Nay, I have two yukata. You can borrow one if you want and take it back to Shizuoka to use later in the festival season. They are so hot though in this weather. I would much rather a jimbei!!!
Interesting to read about your life and the culture in Japan. I love the pic of you in your yukata. The shaved ice looks rather yummy too.
Shaved ice is awesome especially in hot weather!! You get to choose which flavor syrup or two flavours that you want on top!
They look adorable in their matching jinbei!!! OMG!
It’s too bad there won’t be much festivities this summer, but for a good cause I guess.
That’s so neat that they’ll be the 3rd generation to attend that school!
It is a shame but considering what it will cost Japan over the coming years I think missing out on some hanabi for awhile is a fair enough call!
Thanks- does Missha have yukata or jimbei for this summer yet or will you pick up one when you get back!? She will look super cute too! We could have everyone dress in jimbei for her 1st birthday!
Yea, I agree. What can ya do!
Missha doesn’t have any Summer wear, but since we’ll prolly miss any festivals this year, might not buy one. Hopefully next year!
I really enjoyed this little insight into the culture. And the cute pics!
Sounds like a great tradition is in the making with your boys going to the same school that the family’s older generations attended.
Well originally it wasn`t the plan but because we live in this district now and are building our house in this district they will go there- it is amazing really! The land we will build our house on has been in the family a long time as well!
Love the new look! And your boys are too cute!!!
Thanks Daisy!! Still a couple of things to work out but I am loving it too- I just need to make a button or something. Any hints? mmm…
Oh, your boys are so lovely and I love the photo of you too.
Japan has always been so fascinating to me. Somewhere I have always wanted to go.
Thanks Tiff. Well maybe when your younger kiddies are a bit older you and your hub could jetset off for a trip to Japan! Or, perhaps Ivy and Noah would like to see Disneyland?!
I love to dress up in yukata but they are a summer thing and they are so hot to wear in the summer!
You have such a interesting life, looks like a world away from here and the terribly interesting wind and cold weather.
mmmm…..not sure about interesting but most of the time it is okay
– The weather is still something I am getting used to even after been here on and off for 7 years- still so weird to have hot weather this time of the year and then cold weather at new years. That said, I love spring and Autumn in Japan- Brisbane never had distinct seasons like that.