Katsuura Shogakko Undokai, 2008.

Yesterday was the Undokai, the Sports Festival, at one of my elementary schools. It's a small school, with only about 55 or so students, total, from grades 1-6, [below is the entire complement of kids] which makes it all that much more awesome. Not a lot of students, really nice teachers and staff... there's a real sense of community and togetherness, of which they've made me a part. Which I'm quite grateful for.

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

Nope, it's not "I love New York!" it's "I love NuYama!" Nuyama is the neighborhood in Katsuura that I was a ringer for on Sports Day.

From 2008-09-20

One of the parents at the school, who volunteers and teaches English with me, made up a bunch of Nuyama Tshirts for a bunch of folks, me included, with witty sayings written on the back.

Mine says something like "suketto gaijin," which is the term that the NPB [Nippon Professional Baseball] uses for foreign baseball players in Japan. My shirt is awesome.

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

Japan at 10AM. God bless you, Japan.

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

Attack of the Killer Munchkins!

From 2008-09-20

Attention!

From 2008-09-20

Ready!

From 2008-09-20

Go!

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

Returning Jr High school kids/Katsuura alumni.

From 2008-09-20

Stretching out the adults...

From 2008-09-20

One of these English teachers is not like the other adults. [Hi Akemi!]

From 2008-09-20

And again, not quite like the others. ^-^

From 2008-09-20

The closest I get to a dramatic pic.

From 2008-09-20

You do not get much cuter than this.

From 2008-09-20

When racing, don't forget your purse. My JHS students exemplify the Japanese female spirit.

From 2008-09-20

I've been to Katsuura dozens of times, and I swear this is the first time I've noticed this Sphinx like statue.

From 2008-09-20

The bread race... you have to snatch pastries off of line with your teeth, no hands. [Yes, this girl is kind of cheating.]

From 2008-09-20

In Japan we occasionally are forced to capture the children with nets. This is rarely talked about.

From 2008-09-20

Prepare for liftoff.

From 2008-09-20

Synchronization.

From 2008-09-20

White men can, on occasion, jump just a little bit.

From 2008-09-20

The spoils of jumping rope... [but not winning.]

From 2008-09-20

Attacked by giant spheres.

From 2008-09-20

Small world... Halfway around the planet I come across somebody wearing a t-shirt name-checking the military base I spent 17 years growing up next to.

From 2008-09-20

This being Japan, a picture was required, after a friend explained to him why I wanted it.

From 2008-09-20

Perhaps the most artistic jump-roping-ball-carrying picture ever.

From 2008-09-20

Barefoot in the grass. Which is awesome. My vibram fivefingers are spoiling me.

From 2008-09-20

Tug o' War!

From 2008-09-20

While last year my group was able to emerge victorious, and get the free case of beer that accompanied winning, this year there was no repeat. We went 2-1, but that was just not good enough.

From 2008-09-20

If I had to pick one thing that defines Japan, it might be synchronized dancing. Seriously.

From 2008-09-20

Baskets and beanbags a flyin'.

From 2008-09-20

Much footracing was to be had.

From 2008-09-20

From 2008-09-20

Full album here:


And here's a vid I edited and threw together for the day.

Katsuura Shogakko Undokai from Rob Pugh on Vimeo.