"Sotsugyousiki(graduation ceremony) & Nyuugakusiki(entrance ceremony)" Japanese schools have a scholar year, which begins in April and lasts until March of next year, so entrance ceremonies are conducted in April and graduation ceremonies are held in March. Entrance ceremonies, which are held during the season of beautiful cherry blossoms, and graduation ceremonies, which are held in a season when people begin to feel a soft spring breeze, both reminiscent of fresh start and renewed hope. The main framework of the Japanese scholar system is the system starting with six-year elementary school, three-year middle school, three-year high school, and four-year university. Universities include undergraduate colleges, junior colleges, and graduate schools. In modern Japan, education is compulsory from elementary school upto middle school, and about 94% of middle school graduates go to high schools, and 49% of high school graduates go to universities. (The figures were released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2003) This time, I will introduce graduation and entrance ceremonies of high schools and universities in Japan. As for the high school entrance ceremonies, freshmen wear a new school uniform (most schools have a uniform) attend their ceremony with their parents. Freshmen are usually full of hope and anxiety. It is a popular style that on the day of the ceremony, freshmen are informed of their own classes, and all of them and their parents congregate in a school auditorium (gymnasium), and the ceremonies are conducted solemnly with the principalfs speech and the school song. The day of graduation ceremonies of high school is very impressive. All of the graduates and their parents congregate in a school auditorium, where each of graduates is called by the principal in turns, proceed to the platform, and accept a high school diploma from the principal. At the same time, he/she would remember his/her three- year memories. Direction after graduation are varied by students, so after the ceremony, one often see graduates cry, making their farewells, while junior students present them with flowers, as graduates reminisce about their good high school days. Even with the renewed hope for their new lives after graduation, often, a sentimental feeling pervades as students bid adieu to their friends who have spent their adolescent days together. Many Japanese songs are based on the backdrop of such a graduation theme. When it comes to universities, both entrance and graduation ceremonies are much larger than those of high schools, so the atmosphere is very different. Ceremonies are held by universities depending on the scales of institution, and some of larger universities conduct them in a very large hall like Budokan (in Tokyo). On the day of entrance ceremonies of many universities, freshmen are in plain clothes and go to the ceremony with their parents. On the day of graduation ceremonies, many female graduates wear haorihakama(a set of traditional Japanese garment) to attend it, so they have a more classical atmosphere. It may be noted that contrary to high school graduation ceremonies, many graduates seem joyful and confident. This may possibly be a sign of growing up and being more self-assured. As for the high schools, universities, or other schools, entrance and graduation ceremonies are very important turning points for students, as they embrace the significance and reminisce the years spent in each institution. Although we rarely re-experience such an emotion after graduation, it will remain to have a special place in my heart for an indefinite time. (end) |
