My last Undokai by Tony Green

Undokai flags

For the last few years on the first Saturday in June I have participated in the traditional Japanese sports day known as undokai,  For the last few years on the first Saturday in June I have participated in the traditional Japanese sports day known as undokai,  運動会. Attendance is one a requirement since my daughter attends the Hoshiko Japanese school. The school, which is held every Saturday during the fall and spring, is designed to enable its students, many of which are the children of Japanese citizens living in the U.S., to read, speak and write Japanese at a native level. 

The “undokai” is traditionally held on a Saturday or Sunday morning.  The children are the primary participants, but their parents and friends attend in order to enjoy the experience.   During the weeks proceeding the sports day, the students practice their events with the intention of showing off their prowess to their loved ones.

Since I was not participating in the events my job was to arrive early enough to reserve the spot within close proximity field where the event would occur. In addition, I pitched a tent and ensured the box lunches (bento) are ready for lunch. 

The morning events began after the opening ceremonies are completed. After engaging in casual conversation with some on the other parents I used the opportunity to brush up on some on Japanese grammar all while being immersed in the various side conversations which were taking place in Japanese. I should mention I did take a moment to observe my daughter participate in one of the races where four children are paired off and run one lap around the track, with more of a focus on competition than winning and losing.     

The break occurred at lunch where all of the parties take time to eat the carefully prepared bento lunches.

In the afternoon, I finally got a chance to actively participate taking part in the tug-of-war and a race where four people, two facing forward and the other two facing backwards hold two poles and raced as a team. The key was to ensure all four people kept in step which other which is easier said than done since the two of the people are looking in the opposite directions are not able to see each other. This year the race wound up being successful since we did not fall down in a heap like last year in the grass as the other teams raced past.

After a long day of events all was well with the exception of one child who received a bloody nose during one of the competitions.

Since my daughter would be moving on to junior high next year this would be my last undokai. All told it was a long day after working all week but the opportunity to experience a true piece of Japan in San Jose all without having to endure the long flight was well worth it. 

 Attendance is one a requirement since my daughter attends the Hoshiko Japanese school. The school, which is held every Saturday during the fall and spring, is designed to enable its students, many of which are the children of Japanese citizens living in the U.S., to read, speak and write Japanese at a native level.

The “undokai” is traditionally held on a Saturday or Sunday morning.  The children are the primary participants, but their parents and friends attend in order to enjoy the experience.   During the weeks proceeding the sports day, the students practice their events with the intention of showing off their prowess to their loved ones.

Since I was not participating in the events my job was to arrive early enough to reserve the spot within close proximity field where the event would occur. In addition, I pitched a tent and ensured the box lunches (bento) are ready for lunch.

The morning events began after the opening ceremonies are completed. After engaging in casual conversation with some on the other parents I used the opportunity to brush up on some on Japanese grammar all while being immersed in the various side conversations which were taking place in Japanese. I should mention I did take a moment to observe my daughter participate in one of the races where four children are paired off and run one lap around the track, with more of a focus on competition than winning and losing.     

The break occurred at lunch where all of the parties take time to eat the carefully prepared bento lunches.

In the afternoon, I finally got a chance to actively participate taking part in the tug-of-war and a race where four people, two facing forward and the other two facing backwards hold two poles and raced as a team. The key was to ensure all four people kept in step which other which is easier said than done since the two of the people are looking in the opposite directions are not able to see each other. This year the race wound up being successful since we did not fall down in a heap like last year in the grass as the other teams raced past.

After a long day of events all was well with the exception of one child who received a bloody nose during one of the competitions.

Since my daughter would be moving on to junior high next year this would be my last undokai. All told it was a long day after working all week but the opportunity to experience a true piece of Japan in San Jose all without having to endure the long flight was well worth it.