Yesterday I headed down to Tokyo with my wife to attend my son’s university entrance ceremony, a very proud day for any parent. In addition to being a day to enjoy some good-natured jokes, April 1st is the beginning of just about everythinig in Japan, from the start of the school year to the beginning of Japan’s fiscal year to the day when most new laws take effect. It was a wonderful time to be in Tokyo because there were many beautiful cherry trees in bloom, and after the ceremony was over we walked around taking in the beautiful sakura. If anime like Genshiken is any guide, my son will now be pursued by members of various clubs who want to get him to join. Some of the clubs offered at his university include the Anime and Manga Research Club, the “Anglers” (a fishing club), the “Gettappers” (a club that performs street dancing wearing traditional wooden geta shoes) and the Outdoor Drinkers Society.
An entrance ceremony marks a new beginning.
