Opening Remarks
Keynote Remarks
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March 2025
Cultural Article
School Ceremonies for Japanese Kids in Spring
By Yukiko Nakamura
March is the time of year in Japan when people feel the cherry blossom season approaching. Spring is also sometimes referred to as “the season of meeting and parting,” because April is the beginning of the school and work year in Japan, and from March to April, many people celebrate milestone events such as graduation and new employment. Usually, Japanese schools have six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, and three years of high school, and it is customary for a ceremony to be held at the school when students enter or graduate from each.
Graduation ceremonies are held in March. At elementary school graduation ceremonies, graduating children often wear formal wear such as suits or one-piece dresses and jackets to the ceremony, and when there are no restrictions on clothing, girls may wear “Hakama”, a type of kimono (Japanese traditional clothing).
“Hakama” is a trouser-like garment worn over a kimono that covers the body from the waist down. Originally worn by men, it also became popular as a garment worn by women, especially on solemn occasions such as at imperial court in old Japan.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the custom of women wearing Hakama on academic occasions became widespread. Later, as the shift to Western-style clothing took place, it was no longer worn as an everyday garment like other kimonos, but it is still worn by women on occasions such as graduation ceremonies.
At graduation ceremonies in elementary schools, it is customary for graduates to receive their graduation certificates from a principal while their teachers and family members look on, and everyone sings the school song or a song related to departure together.
Entrance ceremonies are also held at each school in April. At elementary school entrance ceremonies, children dress in formal wear or their uniforms and carry shiny “randoseru” to school.
A “randoseru” is a school backpack used by many Japanese elementary school students. It is said that “randoseru” is derived from “ransel,” a Dutch word for “backpack,” which used to be used in the military. It is said that randoseru was first introduced in the Meiji era as a school bag. I used to use one when I was in elementary school, and my oldest son, who is now in elementary school, got a randoseru when he entered elementary school in Japan 3 years ago.
In the past, randoserus were often red for girls and black for boys, but nowadays, children are choosing them in various colors such as pink, purple, blue, green, and even silver, and it is sometimes a popular topic of conversation among family members which color randoseru to choose before entering elementary school. However, randoserus, while sturdy, are quite heavy, making them a bit of a burden for elementary school children, and they are also expensive, so in recent years, more and more children are choosing generic backpacks and the like for ease of movement.
Many schools in Japan have cherry trees, and if the timing is right, the entrance ceremony may be held with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The sight of smiling children starting their new school life under the cherry blossoms with their shiny new belongings and clothes is a very joyous image and one of the most popular scenes of spring in Japan.
References
Yumeya (History of Hakama)
Japanese Clothing
Randoseru Kogyokai