Day Twelve

DAY TWELVE (06/19/08, 9:45pm)

Today we visited Daisan Elementary School. The children were absolutely adorable! I wish I could post photos of them here, but you will just have to image hundreds of curious and smiling faces or you can come visit me in person and see for yourself how cute they are.

Student artwork

Once again we had completely open access to the school. We could pick and choose which classes to visit and for how long we stayed before moving on to another class. In each class I visited, the students seemed very happy and engaged in their work (although occasionally distracted by us foreigners in the back). Many of the teachers were dynamic and clearly had a good rapport with their students.

Student Calligraphy

I joined the 1^st grade for one of their classes called exploration in which they set out on foot throughout the town to explore various locations of importance or interest. Today we went to a nearby playground. All decked out in matching, bright-red hats, we strolled through the streets to our destination.

Once there, the students neatly hung up their umbrellas on a park table before playing on the jungle gym.

Throughout the day, dozens of kids came up us, asking for autographs. Now I have a taste of what it's like to be a celebrity!

After lunch in a special room for guests, we took part in a tea ceremony, eating sweet, dumpling-like desserts before slurping the bitter tea down in the customary three gulps.

Near the end of the day, the children cleaned their own school, dancing through the hallways with broom in hand, crawling on all fours as they wiped the hardwood floors.

Students put their outdoor shoes on racks when they arrive at school and wear their own slippers throughout the day. There are also special bathroom slippers so that you don’t track bathroom dirt throughout the rest of the school. Overall, the school seemed like a very clean and orderly place.

After cleaning the school, students went to their club activities. I saw many walking on tall stilts and riding unicycles across the schoolyard playground.

We joined several teachers for a question and answer session and then observed a few club activities before heading back to the hotel.

I went for another long walk this evening and found many more beautiful neighborhoods and sacred spots tucked into little pockets of Tanabe.