Seiritsu International Education

Jessica and I have recently had the opportunity to go skiing for the first time for me, and only the second for Jessica.

We hopped on a bus from Shinjuku and headed up to north Gunma where the weather was both much colder and much snowier than Tokyo. With wind howling round the bus, we watched as the countryside became more and more enveloped in snow as we got closer to the ski slopes.

Once there we picked out some overly colorful ski fits and headed out into the snow to figure out how this ski thing works.

Taught by a very patient friend, we gradually learned how to move forward and progressed to going down the nursery slope with our skis firmly in the 'pizza' or '八' position. While pizza is self-explanatory, I love the how the Chinese character for the Japanese number 8 resembles the shape you make with your skis.

By lunch we were freezing but emboldened by our progress. After a quick snack of some onigiri and a hot coffee, we headed back out to the nursery slop, determined to successfully go forward in a straight line without falling over or going into a snow bank.

The time flew by and I felt we both made so much progress! We returned our gear and got on the bus back to Tokyo, falling sleep immediately after the day's activities and only waking up for a midway snack run.

I really enjoyed my first time skiing and I can't wait to go again this winter ! If you're in Japan over winter, it's a great activity to try out!

writer: staff  date: 12:44 PM | Life at Seiritsu

We had a special art project presentation today by our second graders in the Tankyu class.

There was so much creativity and so many wonderful ideas.

It was impressive.

writer: staff  date: 6:07 PM | Life at Seiritsu

Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日, Shunbun no Hi) is a public holiday in Japan usually March 20 or 21. The date of the holiday is not officially declared until February of the previous year, due to the need for recent astronomical measurements. It marks the day in spring where the sun is directly above the equator.

Vernal Equinox Day became a public holiday in 1948. Prior to that it was the date of Shunki kōreisai (春季皇霊祭), an event relating to Shinto. Like many Japanese holidays, is now a non-religious holiday to give hard-working, and had studying Japanese people a well deserved day off. Enjoy it!

writer: staff  date: 10:37 AM | Life at Seiritsu

March has been getting a lot warmer and so Olivia sensei and I decided to go on a spontaneous picnic. We saw beautiful cherry blossoms and enjoyed the lovely weather. We also ate many different types of food. The highlight of the picnic is definitely the dumplings that we bought fresh off the grill. Afterwards, we listened to some tunes and chilled. What a perfect way to welcome Spring.

writer: staff  date: 10:24 AM | Life at Seiritsu

Japan has it's own version of holidays imported from other countries. In Japan the traditions of Valentine's Day are separated into two days. On the February 14th, Valentine's Day, only women give chocolate or some other sweet (but usually chocolate) to men; it is usually also given to coworkers and acquaintances, not just loved ones. Then on March 14th, men are expected return the favor and give sweets to the women they received their own from.
So men of Japan and the world, don't forget White Day!

writer: staff  date: 10:15 AM | Life at Seiritsu

Yesterday, the 3rd years in high school had their graduation. Lots of tears and hugs and smiling faces. As per usual, students and parents eventually had to be herded out of the courtyard, or they would stay until night, as noone wants it to end. Enjoy the next chapter of your lives!

writer: staff  date: 10:30 AM | Life at Seiritsu