Kendama Ken-chan is coming (Children and Seniors Interaction Project, Hokuryu Town Board of Education)

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

On Saturday, July 18th, from 9:00 a.m., the Hokuryu Town Board of Education hosted a children and elderly interaction event called "Kendama Ken-chan is Coming" at the Hokuryu Town Rural Environment Improvement Center (gymnasium).

Ken-chan is Saito Retsu (32 years old, Social Education Officer, Lifelong Learning Division, Atsuma Town), the representative of the Atsuma Kendama Club.

Thirty-two children (1st to 6th graders at Shinryu Elementary School) and 14 members of the Fureai Project Promotion Committee participated. Approximately half of the total student population of approximately 60 at Shinryu Elementary School participated. Everyone spent a fun time filled with smiles and fun with the promotion committee members.

Venue: Hokuryu Town Rural Environment Improvement Center (gymnasium)

Opening ceremony for the Fureai Project

Greetings from Board of Education Superintendent Arima Kazushi

"This is the first interaction event for the first-year students. I am very pleased that so many second- to sixth-year students have participated, following on from last year.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the sports day that everyone was looking forward to has been cancelled. With schools also closed, I imagine that you have had a difficult time staying at home.

This interactive event was supposed to start during the seed sowing season in May, but it was delayed by two months and began today. With eight months left this school year, we have many fun events planned until the very end. We hope that everyone will attend all classes without missing a day and do their best to win the perfect attendance award at the end.

And to all the promoters, we have two new promoters joining us this year. We would like to ask for your continued support, as we did last year. We believe that your guidance will become part of the children's lives and will be a source of nourishment for their growth. We would like to ask for your continued support.

"The Board of Education will continue to take great care to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Everyone, please remember to protect yourself, and take great care in your classes to avoid catching a cold or contracting the coronavirus, so that you can have a fun year," said Superintendent Arima.

Board of Education staff self-introduction

Self-introductions by members of the Fureai Project Promotion Committee

Introducing the new first-year students

Warm-up: Rock-paper-scissors game

Rules: Three 10,000 yen paper bills are dealt to each person, and the winner plays rock-paper-scissors to receive the bills. The person with the most bills at the end wins.

Kendama Kenchan appears!

We all called out, "Ken-chan!!!" and Ken-chan appeared from the second floor!

Ken-chan's first words: Hokuryu is a great town!

"This is my first time in Hokuryu, but it's a great town!

I have a question about Hokuryu Town: Does anyone know about sunflower oil? Yes!
Now, the next question! "What is the most used oil in Japan?" "Yes! It's fourth!" "Correct!"
"What percentage is used in Japan?" "0.02%! That's an incredibly small amount! Hokuryu Town produces this oil. It's a rare town, and I don't think there are any other towns like it in Japan.

And then, I had the "Kurosengoku Natto Pizza" at Himawari Restaurant in Hokuryu Town. Has anyone tried Kurosengoku? If you haven't, you should try it right away! It's so delicious!

Also, has everyone eaten the sunflower rice?" The children all shouted together, "Yes!"

Greetings from everyone

A student representative said, "Thank you for your support!" Everyone responded, "Thank you for your support!" Ken-chan said, "Today, we're going to play Kendama, which anyone can do!"

Survey Game

The game uses the rock-paper-scissors "G, C, P (G = Rock, C = Paper, P = Paper)" format, and participants answer by raising their hands.

1. People who like Kendama: G = Like, C = Average, P = Dislike
2. Why did you come to this class? G = Because it looked fun, C = Because I was invited, P = Other
3. People who know Atsuma Town, Hokkaido
4. People who have been to Atsuma Town

Introduction to Atsuma Town

Location/Distance: 2 hours to Hokuryu Town
・The town suffered major damage during the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake (recording a seismic intensity of 7)

Ken-chan's self-introduction

Name/Nickname: Saito Retsu, Ken-chan, Gobo
Affiliations: Atsuma Town Board of Education, Atsuma Kendama Club, Ezo Kendama Collective, Hoiku Kakeru, Sapporo Drum Circle
Favorite food: Hayashi rice
Favorite sport: Rugby
・Areas of interest: Traveling around the world, childcare
・Expectations: Spend today and tomorrow with excitement
・I'm into: Reducing waste
Current feelings: I'm nervous
・Actually, I participated in the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2019.

Kendama Kenchan Origami Musical "The Captain's Shirt"

Once upon a time, a boy thought hard about what he wanted to be~♫

"That's right! I'll become a captain who sails across the seven seas! But what if a big wave comes? It's scary. I guess I'll give up!"
"That's it! I'm going to become a firefighter and save people in fires! I'm scared to go up to the second floor, so I guess I'll give up!"

"That's right! I want to become a wizard! But it wouldn't be fun if I could do everything."
"That's it! Let's make a fun Kendama!"

Just then, while walking, they came across a boat. The boat was moving forward, and then a big wave came from the front, causing the front of the boat to break off. But the boat kept moving forward, and then the back and middle of the boat broke off too. All that was left was the captain's shirt.

Today's Ground Rules

1. Don't cry. 2. Be kind to others. 3. Don't fart.

Red, Black, and White Game

Red = Raise both hands Black = Lower both hands White = Clap your hands

Shopping applause

- Only clap your hands when Ken-chan says vegetables
・Only the fishmonger's fish are clapped. There are fish named "Saburou" and "Senorita"

Kendama Game

Each person chooses their favorite Kendama and plays with it.

1. Where should I ride?

・Place the balls on various parts of the ken.

2. Kendama Building Blocks

・Stack the balls with the coins, then stack the balls with the coins.

3. Unicorn Convention

- A game where you place a Kendama on your forehead, using the ball as a weight, like a unicorn.

4. Drop ball

- Drop the ball from above and place it in the bowl
・Hold the ball and drop the sword from above into the hole in the ball.

5. One Takoyaki

・Imagine the balls as takoyaki and scoop them up with a knife

・Divide into groups, form a circle, and scoop up the kendama of the person next to you and connect them.

・Finally, each group lifts up the connected Kendama.

6. Kendama Domino

・For the final game, everyone formed a circle, connected their Kendama, and played a domino game!

Kendama Domino YouTube video

Looking back on playing Kendama

・Anyone can do it, anytime, anywhere
・Feeling a sense of accomplishment
- Develops concentration and patience
・Refreshing
・Improves physical strength
・Able to communicate
You can make friends
・Exercise your mind and body
・A sense of unity

So what happened: Honestly, I don't care!

・The important thing is to get absorbed in it and have as much fun as you can!!!

The difference between concentration and immersion: Enjoying life immersively

"Concentration is tiring," but "being absorbed in something doesn't tire you out." It's important to work on something so much that you lose track of time!

It doesn't matter what it is, but do something that you are passionate about. I want to encounter various jobs, find what I like, do what I want to do most, and help everyone enjoy life.

"I would like to come to Hokuryu Town again and eat sunflower rice with everyone. Thank you for the fun time today," said Ken-chan with a big smile!

The importance of working hard and being passionate: Ken-chan's talk

After the class, we asked Ken-chan, also known as Saito, about his impressions of the class.

"The children in Hokuryu are very friendly. I felt like they were living in a community. There are no problems, and the children seem to have good relationships with each other.

The first ground rule was "Be kind to people! Don't cry! Don't fart!", but this was meant to imply that "it doesn't matter," and it's okay not to be perfect.

The effects of Kendama are irrelevant. What's important is to find something you love, devote yourself to it, work hard at it, and become passionate about it. I hope that Kendama will help you find what you love and what suits you. I think it's great to find what you love and live your life that way.

I first encountered Kendama about five years ago. I practiced little by little and became addicted to it. When I have a Kendama around my neck, people start asking me, "Do you like Kendama?" and it lowers the barrier to communication. Just holding a Kendama can start a conversation between adults and children.

"I don't teach in a way that will make you good at techniques. I believe there are plenty of games out there that you can enjoy, regardless of skill level. I hope that among them, you will choose Kendama," said Ken-chan, a master of enjoying life.
　
Thank you for a wonderful and fun time!!!
Through Kendama, children and the elderly can come together as one, enjoying the game to the fullest, with boundless love, gratitude, and prayers...
　

Other photos

・See photos of Kendama Kenchan (213 photos) here >>

Board of Education and Related Articles 2020

・"With gratitude for the past 10 years in Hokuryu Town" by Noboru Terauchi and Ikuko (Hokuryu Town Sunflower University Course)(March 2, 2020)
・"Deco-maki sushi for Setsubun" by Mitsue Kimura, Ladies' School Cooking Class (Hokuryu Town Board of Education)(February 3, 2020)
・Floor curling experience at Hokuryu Town Himawari University (Senior Citizens' University) - a fun time filled with smiles and laughter(January 20, 2020)
・Riki Shimizuno, Hokuryu Town Board of Education, will be competing in the World Junior B Curling Championships. [Former Hokuryu Town Portal](January 20, 2020)
　

◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi