kenleewrites in 日本

Spring! The bigger season for graduations! The other season being autumn of course. The majority of Japanese students graduate in March and start running the rat race in April. The usual attire for a Japanese graduation, suits for guys, kimono/hakama/suits for girls. Most girls come in Hakama, some in Kimono. I didn’t see any in their black suit. It’s probably just because I didn’t notice any. Was probably more attracted to bright colors. ^^. I really like the bright colors of the Hakama.

Flag flying high on graduation day! The ceremony was held in that hall. Not everyone could get in though. Every undergrad was graduating that day and seats were limited. Family members weren’t even allowed in. I find that a little sad, but it’s the norm here. Not many families attend their son’s or daughter’s university graduation anyway. What’s it like in your country?

I know some people don’t like to attend graduations, but I think it’s one of those once in a lifetime events worth attending.

You can get married many times, but you’ll probably not want to put in those years again just to have another graduation. ^^.

Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Had a memorable graduation ceremony with family and friends. The lot of us graduating were dressed up in the academic gown and all. A once in a lifetime photo opportunity with my mates!

I like the nice floral designs on their backs. These girls were going for a walk while waiting for the ceremony to finish. Probably because they didn’t get good seats.

Wanted to go in and take a few snaps of the ceremony, but was stopped by this ninja.

Personally, I like the kimono better than the hakama. What about you?

I suppose photos will look like this if you graduate with your university sweetheart. ^^.

I find it really amazing that no two girls are wearing hakama-s with the same design. Everyone looks terrific in their own hakama though.

Cute younglings.

I don’t really like that simple banner that the university hung off a concrete column. But that’s the only thing that’s worth taking photos with.

Hakama-s are usually rented just for the occasion. A shop was set up on campus where girls could choose what hakama they wanted to wear on graduation day a few months in advance. Hair and makeup is usually done in a salon early in the morning. Graduation days are also busy days for hair salons.

He was the only guy I saw not in a suit. Free spirited like me. ^^.

Some photographers waiting outside. Probably friends with really nice cameras. Guy in the grey suit is probably someone’s dad.

Bachelor graduates. Everyone should be about 21. Where were you when you were 21?

Keio really needs a nicer banner or some monument for their graduates to take photos with. One that is a little smaller. It quite difficult trying to fit the whole banner with faces full enough to be recognizable.

“Hey, where are you? I came out of the ceremony but you’re not here.”

Someone else was still speaking, but people were already starting to leave. Oh there! There’s a girl in a black suit.

Everyone is just all smiles on graduation day.

Out of everyone in this photo,

I like the boots version. ^^.

Graduation day is probably the only chance you’ll get to have a photo of her all dressed up in a hakama. A friend who was graduating drummed up some courage and asked one of the cute younglings to take a photo with him. Someone he admired from a distance. He seemed pretty happy after that. ^^.

Yeah, boots version. Definitely.

The cute youngling on the right reminded me of… what’s her name… the character in Final Fantasy X.

Ceremony over, everyone is pouring out. A representative from each school usually receives their degree in the main ceremony. Probably the student with the highest grades. Others will receive their degree later in their respective schools.

Nice spring colors.

The kimino group. Did you know that certain kimono patterns are only supposed to be worn during certain seasons. It is considered unfashionable if you were to wear a kimono with an autumn design to a graduation ceremony in spring. Learnt about this while watching a documentary on NHK.

Everyone is a Keio grad!

Hakama-s and cellphones. They go so well together.

Cute younglings in a row. The youngling looking straight at me has a pretty sweet smile. Can you tell which is the odd one out and why? ^^.

My own graduation is coming soon and there are quite a few things on my mind. I feel challenged by what is to come after. It’s another chapter in my life. With every chapter comes change. Change means breaking out of the mold and venturing into unchartered territories. I must admit, I got used to the post-grad lifestyle. Maybe a little too much for my own good. ^^. My life as a grad student is pretty well summarized in the pages of PhD comics. I’ve got to find the next best thing and move! Help is always appreciated if you’ve figured out the “how, when and why”. ^^.

See that nice embroidery on the bottom right? Love it.

3 of my juniors graduated. Congratulations to them!

Calamvs gladio fortior.

Related posts... maybe:

1. Graduations in Japan
2. My PhD Graduation
3. Seijin no hi (成人の日)
4. Yokohama #1 A day last spring
5. First sunrise 2009

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