Zoo and Coming of Age Day

At Ridge and Holt’s somewhat insistent request, we took another trip to the Asahikawa zoo during winter break. It actually took us two attempts before we made it. The first try, a spur of the moment decision on December 2nd, was cut short by Holt’s complaints of an earache. We turned around and went back home, much to their disappointment. Aaron and I decided that Aaron would go ahead and take Ridge; it would be a nice chance for the two of them to spend some time together. However, their attempt was also cut short. Aaron stopped at an ATM in Nayoro to replenish our depleted cash supply only to discover that ALL the ATMs in the city were closed due to the New Year’s holiday (I had no idea that Jan 2 was an ATM holiday). Only in Japan do ATMs close, I think. We’ve decided that it’s because the ATMs aren’t really machines. They are actually homes for very, very small Japanese people who are required by law to have their holiday time just like everyone else. Therefore, the machines must turn off. So, Aaron and Ridge traipsed back home, thwarted yet again.

We did manage to make it out on the evening of Holt’s birthday. We spend the night at a hotel (which Ridge totally loves) and went to the zoo the next day. It was cold and clear and very crowded. We were dressed better this year, and we also didn’t have to worry about Holt needing to potty (last year we went on day two of his “no diapers” rule).

Last Monday was Coming of Age Day in Japan. This is the day when ceremonies are held all over Japan to recognize the new adults in society. When a person turns 20 in Japan, they are officially recognized as being an adult. Anyone who has turned 20 in the past year, or prior to January 8th, participates in whatever ceremony their town holds. Last year, Aaron gave a speech at this event. This year, the kids being honored had a different plan. As usual, several Important People gave short speeches and all the young adults were introduced. This is commonly a time for parents to buy their daughters a kimono (not a small expense) and the boys will sometimes wear one as well.

After short speeches and introductions, everyone rearranged themselves for a large tea ceremony. First, the young adults were served traditional green tea. Afterwards, they changed seats and their parents moved forward. The kids then served green tea to one of their parents. We, the audience, were also served. First everyone receives a sweet of some kind, which is eaten before drinking your tea. I think this part of the Coming of Age ceremony is the same every year. While the young people served their parents, others took turns reading out information about the person serving tea.

Now here’s the funny part. Remember my post on Mochi? It’s hard work to pound Mochi. However, that’s what these kids wanted to do. They wanted to pound mochi with their parents, despite the fact that they were almost all dressed in expensive kimono. So, they used a rope to tie up their sleeves in a traditional manner, donned plastic aprons, and pounded away. Afterwards, the chef of the hotel and his staff formed the mochi into small balls and bagged it up for all the kids. It was a hoot to watch. The ceremony concluded with a group “kampai” (toast) with glasses of milk (I don’t know why it is always milk), and a group photo. For some reason, Aaron got drug into the group photo. I managed to avoid it because I was in the bathroom. Lucky me. It’s strange to be in a group photo when you don’t know anyone else in the picture.

Young adults being served tea
Ridge and Aaron
Pounding mochi
More pounding mochi
Even more mochi pounding