a Beginning and an End - Graduation Ceremonies in Japan
(Jesse)
The Japanese graduation ceremony has many interesting facets, unique to Japan. Although the concept of a ceremony commemorating one's advance in society is common worldwide, Japanese culture places specific emphasis on these turning points - not all educational. The ceremonies are often grand in scale, and attendance. Today we're going to discuss a few of the most interesting aspects of the Japanese graduation ceremony.
Hakusen Nagashi - Floating White Line
This tradition is unique to a high school in the Gifu prefecture, but it exemplifies well the Japanese mentality surrounding ceremony. The ceremony involves the white lining of the boy's school caps being attached to the girl's scarves (both white) and all of these in a grand line, being floated down the river in front of the school.
In a grand display, the memories of high school are tangibly tied together.
The Second Button Phenomenon
It is common (especially in high school) to confess feelings you've had for someone. If a boy confesses to a girl, he gives her the second button from his jacket, as it is closest to the heart. In this way, the act signifies 'giving one's heart away'.
(Jason)
Interview with a Japanese person - Kie
To enhance our understanding of Japanese Graduation Ceremonies, we interviewed a Japanese person, Kie. We asked Kie a few questions in regards to graduation ceremonies. Kie went through 3 graduation ceremonies. One for elementary school, one for middle school (junior high) and one for high school. She describes graduation ceremonies as a "bittersweet" feeling. The "bitter" part coming from the fact that she leaves a lot of friends and sensei's that she made great memories with behind. The "sweet" part coming from her excitement of new opportunities opening up. In these graduation ceremonies, Kie says they first listen to speeches from important people. Afterwards, they receive their certificates. They sing a song and take a big picture afterwards. The most common thing that happens during these graduation ceremonies is that the students receive their certificates and take a picture.
(Emily)
Interview with a Japanese University Graduate- Yu
We also had the chance to interview a Japanese person who has gone through the University graduation ceremony in Japan. Yu graduated from University a few years ago but still remembers the ceremony and the feelings he had during it. The ceremony was held in a big concert hall with a huge number of students, and there was a speech held by an executive of the University. Yu says he remembers the speech because it was soo long. It was mainly about telling the graduates to “がんばって” and to try hard in their new jobs for the future. Yu says he felt like he was ready to enter a new stage in his life after hearing the speech and going through the ceremony, and he felt like he wanted to get a job start making money to support himself and his family. He was ready to become independent and start from a new beginning. Yu says the male graduates all wore formal suits for the occasion, while the female graduates wore a Hakata. A Hakata is a traditional Japanese clothing similar to the Kimono, but specifically worn for ceremonies such as this graduation one. After the ceremony, groups of friends joined together and went to restaurants or Izakaya, to drink and talk and celebrate. Yu still has great memories from that time, and it sticks out in his mind as it was the end of all of his school life and the beginning of starting an active role in Japanese society.
Japanese Graduation Ceremony Rocked by Mad Max Procession
Recent years, some Japanese universities have gained a reputation for some entertaining antics during their graduation ceremonies. As they are not strictly a cap and gown affair, although they are formal wear and kimono are often the go-to garb, students can attend in free dress, and some universities, such as the prestigious Kyoto University and Kanazawa College of Art, have a tradition of students attending their commencement ceremony in elaborate cosplay, from Super Mario Brothers to My Neighbor Totoro.
Cosplay Makes This The Best Graduation Ceremony in Japan
Kyoto University is one of Japan's most prestigious universities. And it has a delightful graduation tradition: Cosplay. For years now (save for a brief period when it was banned), students have dressed up in amusing cosplay while they receive their degrees. In Japan, students graduate in the spring, and this month, new grads came out, costumes and all, in full force.
(Xiaotian)