I planned to spend the day at home stitching, but I learned yesterday afternoon around 2:00 pm that the ceremony here would be held Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm at an event hall near the train station. (Thank you Kyoko San for your email message!) I hadn’t been so far from home on my own since coming here and Ted is working this weekend – 3 days skiing at a downhill resort with students. (I know, I know – this is work?) I didn’t know exactly where the event hall was located, but I had been to the train station before, so I thought I could find it. If I didn’t go on my own, I would have to wait until next year to see the 20 year olds in their kimonos. What was the worst that could happen? Even if I fell in the street and was run over by a car, I had my alien card in my pocket so they would know who I was. I decided to go. It was snowing hard and about 22 degrees F, so I knew to wear slick pants and slick shell over my down jacket so the snow wouldn’t stick to me and melt. I brought along my little pocket dictionary, even though I didn’t think it would help me if I needed to ask for directions.
I did find the event hall and stood outside watching the 20 year olds arrive for about half an hour. Unfortunately, my camera battery died quickly in the cold, so I was only able to take a few (bad) pictures. The kimonos were beautiful. Most of the young men were wearing dark suits, but a few were wearing the men’s version of the kimono. The hairstyles for both the men and the women were elaborate, with flowers and jewelry in the hair of the women. The women all wore shoes that were like a red patent leather flip flop inside of a clog. The snow was coming down hard, landing like sparkles in their hair.
I’m so glad I went! I wish I had better pictures to post. Maybe next year I can go and watch the ceremony too. I know Ted would have taken some wonderful pictures if he had been able to go with me. How exciting to be 20 in Japan!
Finished and waiting to be used. I finished this cross stitched pot holder earlier in the day yesterday.
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