We visit Hachiya-san in Horisaka to get a story of a photograph that Suzuki-san found.
The photo is an Osori Primary School Graduation Commemorative Photo. Though we were thinking about many questions about the photo, Hachiya-san was in a different class, so we couldn't get the detailed story.
Instead, we tried to hear about the life and culture at that time.
First, we asked about what teachers were like at that time. To our surprise, there were only three teachers in the Osori Primary School, that is , a school master with glasses and white beard, who looked neat and clean, one male teacher who was small and looked strict, and one female teacher who was small and looked chubby and warm. Two teachers other than the school master had classes. We were amazed to hear that only two teachers managed to teach numerous kids.
Next, about costumes. Boys wore a hakama (a divided skirt), and girls wore a kimono with splashed patterns. They wore it anytime, when playing sports, studying and playing games, etc. Usually they wore straw sandals. When they went to school, we put on a bit high wooden sandals (clogs) made of rose trees. However, the high sandals were easily broken and they didn't last for 3 days.
Nowadays, we can buy things whenever we want. In the past, people dealt with things very carefully. We should learn from them.
Next, about students' records/marks. Now, students' records are reported by numbers or good/bad criteria. In the Taisho era (1912-1926), the records were reported by "Kou"(Excellent), "Otsu"(good) and "Hei"(bad) Kanji characters/marks. Now, we have a battle in education even at primary schools, but at that period, it was important for kids to help their house work. Which on earth is better, now and then?
Next, about sweets. Now we have lots of sweets, such as an ice cream, candies, cookies...., we cannot name everything. But in the past, there was one; a steamed sweet potato. On a festival day, kids received one yen from their parents. At that time, one yen was a big money for kids, so they could buy lots of sweets. At a "Fukiyama" festival, they could buy cinnamon sticks with their hands full only at one or two sen (1/100 yen). Next, about play (recreation). Nowadays, boys and girls don't play something together. At that time, they used to play together. Boys made up toys by themselves using a bamboo, such as a bamboo dragonfly and flute. Girls used to play at marbles, Ojami and cat's cradles. Now, it is common that we buy toys at a shop. But in the past, children made up their toys by themselves using natural things.
Finally, we asked Hachiya-san about her most memorable incident. That is, a school excursion that were held twice or three times a year.
One day, after they went gathering sea shells at Sehama, they popped in their female teacher's house in Isshiki. They had steamed sweet potatoes at the house. We thought that they cannot forget such a lovely time they spent with friends and teachers.
We tried to remember our school days. We feel the memories just happened yesterday, and they are also the most memorable time.
It was regrettable that we couldn't ask Hachiya-san about the photo this time. But we were able to know the past culture and learn from it that we should go out to feel the nature, instead of staying indoors by playing at toys, PC games and so on.
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