I'm fine thank you and you?

“They look so cute,” I had been told, “You will definitely want your camera.”

“They look like complete dorks in their uniforms.”

Two contrasting opinions – with the truth lying, as it so often does, somewhere in between.

Yesterday we welcomed the new first graders (ichi-nenseis) to their first day at Junior High School.

The school gymnasium/hall had been thoroughly prepared – carpets laid to protect the floor, hundreds of chairs set out with mathematic precision, an imposing vase placed on the stage to house the upper portion of a Matsu (Japanese pine tree), with pride of place reserved for the school Bonsai tree.

In front of the stage 124 seats sat empty, awaiting the arrival of the new students. Behind which the second and third graders (ni and san-nenseis) sat with looks of seen-it-all-before smugness.

At the back of the hall kimono clad mothers, with the occasional father, waited patiently – nervous, proud, anticipating. Cameras and camcorders were in the “ready” position.

All the local celebrities were in attendance. The Mayor of Yosano is a stately woman who I have been told worked as an Air Stewardess. She carries herself with the regal air of one who has seen the world. Alongside the Mayor, the head of the Board of Education, local Police chief, head of waste disposal, and the Principals of the five local elementary schools were sat in the VIP section to the left of the stage.

As the band struck an upbeat oompah-pah the fresh faced ones, lead by their homeroom teachers, entered the auditorium. Their expressions were a mixture of nervousness, fear, excitement and pride. We clapped. They walked – lost in oversized black cloth. They did look stupid in their uniforms. Also optimistic and hopeful. Some of them stumbled. Others walked slowly, looking around in wonder at the scene of which they were the centre, before hurrying to keep their place in line.

After they were seated everyone rose, bowed, and began to sing the Japanese national anthem – ‘Kimi ga Yo.’ (Listen here).

This song is emotional and short. Some say the shortest anthem in the world. It sounds melancholy and full of mourning. Especially to the uninitiated who can ignore the debate about its nationalist undertones.

“May your Imperial reign

Continue for a thousand years,

And last for a thousand generations,

Until pebbles

Turn into boulders

Covered in moss.”

I first heard it live at a Japan – Nigeria football match in Southampton FC’s St Mary’s stadium. My Japanese companion warned me it was a sad song. He was right. It almost bought a tear to my eye. Since I have been in Japan four people I knew in England have died. Whenever I hear Kimi ga Yo now it reminds me of them, one especially.

The Koyo school song, unlike Japan’s national anthem, is energetic and cheerful. It was next. My spirits rose.

The rest of the ceremony involved various speeches – Mayor, principal, third grade student, first grade student – and much bowing.

I spent my time thinking about how hard it was to bow when sitting in a chair. Also remembering the time my Mum bought me football boots from a jumble sale that were three sizes too big. They were ‘Pele – Pumas.’ I was told I would “grow into them.” I often tripped myself up, but I liked them.

As we applauded the new students down the aisle and out of the hall it was noticeable that many of their uniforms were too big. The concepts of ‘up-sizing’ and ‘hand-me-downs’ are alive and well in Japan.