Well, that definitely made more sense.
Over the weekend, we stopped by a ¥100 shop (dollar store) and grabbed some supplies.
I just needed to show up 25 minutes before school let out. Everything was ready in the classroom. Tables covered with tablecloths, hot glue guns in the corner of the room, and some extra supplies in the middle of the room. My son was excited to guide me to the table and get started. The teacher went around the room, passing out the wreaths we had made of sweet potato vines back in October. I pulled out the decorations and we got busy.
2019 is the year of the boar according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. The year of the boar brings with it wealth and prosperity. My son colored a boar, hagoita (a wooden paddle used to play a game at New Years), and daruma (good luck doll) and attached them to the wreath.
We worked together to glue on a shishi-mai (pronounced she-she-ma-ee) that represents the lion dance, a popular new year celebratory component. The lion chases away evil spirits, famines, and plagues.
It was a fun activity. I assumed that we would be bringing the wreath home, but instead the teacher and assistants hung them in the school hallway. My son beamed with pride when his teacher complimented his wreath.
After cleaning up the room, my son took me around to show me all the Christmas decorations they had made during school. I can't remember the last time I saw such holiday fanfare in a classroom.
I love going to my son's school and doing special activities with him. He gets to show me a little bit of his world.
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