Let the games--and dancing--begin!

It seems that an undokai (sports day) in Japan is a well-attended event.

My bicycle was in good company at Osanai Elementary on Saturday morning.

There were lots of parents (many with video cameras) watching their children exercise -- through both dancing and athletic competitions -- at Osanai E.S.

As I arrived, the second grade students were doing the dance they showed me last week. (The one that I had video of on my last blog post.)

Then I watched as the older students did different stretches and movements to "Numa Numa." Here's the video of it...(which I took alongside dozens of proud mamas and papas.)



At the end, all of the students said "Arigato gozaimashita," which means "thank you very much." (the very polite way) before bowing. Here are a few pictures I took when I wasn't taking video:

The festivities went on hold at 11:30 for lunch time.

Everyone stayed around and ate a picnic lunch; it seemed to be mostly sushi, rice balls (called onigini) and such. That's a Japanese picnic for ya!

Last Saturday, I went to Okawame Junior High's undokai for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I missed the dancing, but I saw a few competitions and plenty of cheering...

Both the white team and red team had great-looking posters! No surprise there.

This wrestling competition reminded me of the swimming pool game "Chicken." Instead of falling completely off, the boys on top just fell back.

The white team's cheerleaders ended up cheering their team on to victory.

The happy (and peaceful, hehe) score keepers.

While the red team won the poster competition, the white team had the highest total in the sports competition, as well as the cheering competition, making them the day's winners.

They received a trophy for their victory. This is Shin; he's one of my best students.

Well done, white team! What a fun day. :)

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