Icciv's notes in Japan

A Japanese wedding

On Saturday I went to Saenaga Sensei's wedding. He's the social studies teacher at me base school. I got picked up by my JTE at 9.20 and got a private ferry over to Fukue. It was freezing cold that morning and all I was wearing was a black dress and a tiny mini cardigan (one of those fashionable types that cover your shoulders only, I had lent it from Carrie) so I was very very cold. The ferry was nice and warm and I had a power nap on the way over! We only attended the wedding reception, but it was really beautiful. To begin with the wedding couple walk into the reception dressed in traditional Japanese attire. The Bride was wearing a kimono that looked so heavy and uncomfortable, but really beautiful! There were many speeches from kocho sensei's from different schools and the BOE members, and then a video came on that the school children had made at Uonome. It was really funny and sweet, bless them. Then Kampai was made and everyone started eating and drinking. The food was amazing and and wine was really nice too. The Saenaga's then left for a while and returned in traditional western wedding attire (suit and white wedding dress). They cut this giant wedding cake, and as they did plumes of smoke came up from the floor like a fountain surrounding the bottom of the cake, it was really pretty. Then entertainment began, with singing and dancing etc. My school made a love quiz, which I couldn't really understand....though after they sang a Japanese love song that I joined in (they translated the Kanji for me!). Then the Bride and groom left one last time before returning, the groom in a different suit and the bride in this beautiful green dress with pink bows. They then walked around and lit a candle on each table in the reception hall. Then children gave them flowers and made speeches. The couple were then handed a stuffed bear each...that is the same size as they were when they were born. They then walked towards their parents and handed them the bears. The bride made this really emotional speech that she cried the whole way through, and her mother was crying and holding the bear, and then everyone started crying and I was nearly crying and I couldn't even understand much of what was being said. Then the reception was over!

Now the smallest gift you can give at a Japanese wedding is 100 pounds! To be fair that pays for your tranport, your food, your drink and a giant bag of goodies. I was also given the floral center piece from the table that was so pretty. Now, I had assumed there would be a second party in Fukue, but instead we were taken to the ferry port at 4 and returned to Kamigoto. I was expecting to go home, and have a far earlier night than I first expected. However, I then went to dinner with 6 teachers from my base school and the basketball coach (who joined us in Kamigoto, and that I had never met before). Dinner lead to karaoke, and the teachers asked to sing so many songs! It was really good fun though, and I got to know some of the younger teachers a great deal better. It was very amusing!

On Sunday I had my first lie in for a very long time. At 11.30 Chisato san from Tai chi picked me and Melissa up and took us to her house for lunch. She gave us these pretty 1950 style aprons (that I really need now I'm baking like crazy for school) which was really sweet. We got to meet her 20 cats (all of which were lovely) and choose a kimono for the tea ceremony on wednesday. Lunch was really nice, and her friend had come over to help with her two daughters, who are also from my JHS. After dinner we looked at photos and choose material for a winter shirt and Yukatas. Chisato san hobby is making clothes so she insisted on making a winter top and a yukata for the summer festivals! We got a lift home at about 3.30, and then me and Melissa went shopping for pumpkin cake goods. I am making pumpkin cake on Thursday at Kitauonome ES so we had to do a dry run through. It took forever to peel the pumpkin, but there is no tinned in Japan so it was the only way! I cut my finger in the process. In between we went to Carrie's for dinner with Catherine, to see her photos of Huis ten Bosch (it's a dutch theme park....check the blog for more info). We were making darn cake until 1am! I'm such a dedicated teacher! It was so delicious though! Making banana bread tonight!

My mum arrives tomorrow, and I'm really excited, just hope the journey is ok for her. It's another busy week and weekend, with a cultural festival and fishing trip. Will be glad for my four day break in November, I'm going to Kumamoto, which is another prefecture on Kyushu. Anyway, cleaning time now, got to go.

posted by Icciv @ 2:38 pm