Day 15

The high school girls' chorus performed for us. They sang a few beautiful traditional Japanese songs. A few tears escaped from my eyes as I was overcome with the generosity and the thoughtfulness of the Japanese people at every step of our journey. Students participate in afterschool clubs at every level of schooling. At the elementary level it seemed as though most of the clubs are sports related. Usually, a child plays one sport throughout the year. At the high school level, however, students can choose to sporting teams, chorus, band, newspaper, tea ceremony club, etc. Just before we left the high school, we were invited to a tea ceremony in a special tea cermony room. High school students under the direction of an official tea ceremony instructor performed the ritual. 

Students wearing their gym uniforms are cleaning their classroom.

High school students served us green tea at a tea ceremony.

The chorus sang traditional Japanese songs and "Amazing Grace" for us.

We learned about calligraphy from high school students. Sue is practicing.