Visiting the Shrine in Azabujyuban-Azabujyuban Inari

Good morning! Today, we helped our teachers to make our Santa Soul Train Cards. We had some stickers, and markers to decorate the cards. We hope the children in Sanriku will enjoy our special cards. At the other table, we added some leaves onto our thankful wreath. It’s been a while since we collected them so they are very dry now. When we touched and stuck onto it, the sound was very crunchy. Sayaka said, “This sounds reminds me of potato chips…” K smiled and said, “Hehe, paripari (Crunchy sound in Japanese) potato chips!” Co also said, “Sayaka, I love potato chips!” Sayaka nodded her head and said, “Me too. I love chips hehehe.” M joined them and helped to stick the leaves. At the back side of the classroom, there was the cardboard house- the candy house! We played with puzzles in the house. Some of us also enjoyed playing with Kapla. 

Yesterday, we learnt about 753 with Pauline during circle time. She mentioned that people go to shrines to celebrate 753. Actually, R told us that she went to Jinjya(Shrine) to celebrate her 753 yesterday. R said that her grandparents were also there for her. R was happy to have some make-up on while wearing a beautiful kimono, and purple lipstick, she said. Sayaka told us that there is a shrine in Azabujyuban and wondered if we could visit there. Sayaka explained that the Shrine we visited there was known as a treasure boat carrying Shichifukujin (seven lucky gods), and the status of the frog and are considered symbols of good luck. The statue of the frog is known to local people as Kaeru san. Sayaka explained that Kaeru has the same pronunciation as the word for “return” or “come back”. So, it is said that the Kaeru will help people: Bujini kaeru (Making a safe return home), Otoshimono ga kaeru (Return of the lost item), or Shiawase ga kaeru (bring back happiness). So, many people, especially local people, visit there to pray. Just before our snack time, she asked us if there is something we want to pray or wish for…

Hi: I want to give some ice cream to Kami- sama

L: I wanna give it to Sayaka.

C: A cat! A BIG cat!

R: H- H play.

H: I like you, R!

K: M- play with M.

O: I wanna give present to everyone.

L: Ice cream! Apple (Flavor)!

After we finished our snack time, we headed to the shrine. It took about 20 minutes to get there. When we arrived there, Sayaka asked us where the treasure ship and the frog were. We looked around carefully and Hiori pointed out the frog and said, “Kaeru!” After that we found the treasure ship. We also climbed the stairs and were able to look around. Sayaka introduced a little bit about how people pray there. Just before we left the shirine, she explained about kumade (Japanese bamboo rakes, good luck charm) H wondered about the leaves on the kumade. Sayaka explained that all of the things on the kumade bring good luck. We had a great time visiting the shrine. Then we went back to Ohana and had a yummy lunch time.

It was a wonderful day! See you all tomorrow!

Love,

All the adventurous children in Petals Class