Figure 1.--These Japanese boys are participating in their primary school graduation. This was a uniform school and the boys are wearing their blazers. Note the graduation certificates and flowers they received. These boys are from a Tokyo primary school in 2000. I'm not sure how boys dressed for their graduation at a non-uniform school.

There are a number of interesting ceremonies at Japanese schools. Our information is incomplete at this time, but we have begun to collect some basic information. A ceremony of considerable importance is when children begin primary schools. This is certainly a major even in the life of every Japanese child. Many parents buy a suit for the occassion which afterwards is often rarely worn. There is also a ceremony when a child graduates from primary school. Boys at uniform schools wear their best uniforms, in some cases blazers. We are not sure how boys at non-uniform schoold dress for this occassion. The children receive a graduation certificate. The boys may receive flower. We know less about secondary school. I am not sure if there is an important first day ceremony, but of course gradution is very important. Hopefully our Japanese readers will provide us some insights into these ceremonies.

Entance Interview

Getting in to the right school is very important to Japanese children and their parents. If the children get into the appropriate elementary feeder school they can avoid the exam hell that so affects the childhood of many Japanese children. It can also ensure entrance into prestigious universities, assuring job offers from Japan's largest corporations. Thus it is critical that the children and parents make a good impression at school interviews. Department schools offer guidance on how the children and their parents should dress. There are even fairs with different stores offering fashion advice. One of the most critical factors on whic most stores agree is that the boys should wear conservative suits or blazers with short pants.

First Day of School

A ceremony of considerable importance is when children begin primary schools. This is certainly a major event in the life of every Japanese child. Many parents buy a suit for the occassion which afterwards is often rarely worn. Japanese schools have special ceremony for the new children beginning school. I don't know a great deal about the ceremony at this time, but I believe the older students welcome the new children to their school. The new children commonly dress up in suits. The styles of the suits have varied over time. Another factor here is wether or not the school had a uniform. Often the parents or at least the mothers are present in the audience. Often an older student is assigned to help the new student learn about the school. Hopefully our Japanese readers will tell us more sabout the ceremonies involved.

Primary School Graduation

There is also a ceremony when a child graduates from primary school. Boys at uniform schools wear their best uniforms, in some cases blazers. Not all schools had blazers and often the blazers were not worn on a normal school day. Here regulations varied from school to school. We are not sure how boys at non-uniform schoold dress for this occassion. The children receive a graduation certificate which might be given out in fancy holders. The boys here are from a Tokyo primary school in 2000 (figure 1). The boys may also receive flowers.

Secondary Schools

We know less about secondary school. I am not sure if there is an important first day ceremony, but of course gradution is very important. We have a graduation photograph from 1939. It looks to be an unidentified boy who has just finished secondary school. Japan was at war with China, but had not yet attacked the United States. We see several uniforms in the portrait, but can not yet identify them. Hopefully our Japanese readers will provide us some insights into these ceremonies.

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Created: May 5, 2004
Last updated: 12:49 AM 12/23/2006