Rest well and we look forward to seeing tomorrow. Please have your child
arrive at 10:30. It will be a light day with the teachers checking the
physical conditions of the students, reflecting on the trip, and looking at
photos. After that, we will have lunch and you will be dismissed at 1:30.
See you tomorrow.

I am closing these updates with a message of peace from Pope John Paul II,
in 1981.


War is the work of man.

War is destruction of human life.

War is death.

To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.

To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.

To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to peace.

10:30 a.m., 25 February 1981


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亮(ryo)

We just got on our last buses for day. If the roads are not too crowded,
should get back to school in about 50 minutes. If the roads are bad, we
will arrive in 60 minutes.

We should arrive at Ikeda Elementary School between 6:45 and 6:55 Pm.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.



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亮(ryo)

This week, we were very fortunate to have Ms Kanzaki accompany us for three
days during the trip. When students felt a little ill due to motion
sickness, or got bumps, bruises, or scratches, Ms Kanzaki was there to ease
the physical and mental pain the students went through. Thank you so much

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亮(ryo)

We would like to take some time here to thank Mr Fukushima. The students
just automatically get on trains, ride Shinkansens, eat the food given to
them, borrow rooms for prayers, without thinking twice about these things.
Mr Fukushima said that schools plan and make School Trip Reservation 12 to
18 months in advance. They need to do this very early to book buses,
trains, restaurants, museums, and several other things that I can’t even
imagine, so that everything works perfect like a well oiled machine. The
logistics of it all is just amazing.

Thank you Mr Fukushima.

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亮(ryo)

Mr Gen is the photographer for many schools in Ikeda and goes on Sea Side
Swimming Camps, Outdoor Education Camps, and 6th Grade School Trips several
times a year. The has been doing this for over 30 years. His knowledge of
the routes and activities make him a priceless asset to the city of Ikeda.
He would take photographs of the students, but then suddenly appear a
hundred meters ahead of us! I’m pretty sure there are three of him or he
uses a Dokodemo Door. We relied on him not only for world class
photographs, but for advice and help for the last 3 days. Thank you so much
Photographer Gen.


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亮(ryo)

These are a few photos from the Shinkansen. We are on our way back from
Yamaguchi. The next station is Shin Kobe.

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亮(ryo)

Our wonderful bus drivers for 3 days dropped us off at Shin Yamaguchi after
an hour bus ride from Hagi.

We are now on the Sakura heading back to Osaka. Everyone seems to very
tired and missing home. The students seem so much quieter on the Shinkansen
than just 3 days ago. I’m sure all of the students are looking forward to a
home cooked meal and a warm bath at home.

I want to take this time to thank our fabulous bus drivers for driving us
hundreds of kilometers and delivering us safely to our various
destinations. Thank you so much.


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亮(ryo)

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亮(ryo)

These are the two kinds of lunches provided
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亮(ryo)

These are Ms Shinano’s fantastic renditions of the Choju Giga.
The following is Mr Gen’s beautifully written calligraphy of, “thanks”.


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亮(ryo)

During lunch, the baked cups were brought into the dining room. All the
cups look wonderful.




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亮(ryo)

Principal Saito explained to me that Hagi ware was originally made for Lord
Terumoto Mori for tea ceremonies and as gifts for his guests. Only royals
were to use the finest wares. So, the local pottery makers made chips on
the bottom of their wares to sell to merchants during the Edo period. The
traditional continues today of chipping the base of the cup. In the photo,
you can see such a chip.


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亮(ryo)

The students are now exploring the town of Hagi in their groups. They will
visit historical landmarks and enjoy the beauty of the extremely well
preserved town of Hagi. Hagi is also known for their citrus fruit so the
students may purchase summer orange drinks and summer orange ice cream.


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亮(ryo)

Yoshida Shoin is extremely highly regarded and a historical figure that we
learn about in school. I was so impressed that the teachers could
explained several memorials - the teachers do so much work before and
during the trip to be able to teach the students in a safe and entertaining
way. The teachers at Ikeda ES have planned and worked so much for this
school trip. I am simply amazed as I just follow along.

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亮(ryo)

Our first stop for the day is Shoin Shrine (松陰神社, Shōin Jinja) which
enshrines Yoshida Shoin, an important figure from Hagi
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6150.html> who inspired revolutionary ideas
during the twilight years of Japan's feudal age
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html> (mid 1800s). Mr Yoshida Shoin
advocated learning from the west and the restoration of power to the emperor
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2135.html>, thereby openly challenging the
ruling shogunate <https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html>. Although he
did not live to see the Meiji Restoration
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html> (1868), many of his students
were pioneers of the creation of modern Japan, and he is regarded by many
as a patriot who sacrificed himself for the good of his country.


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亮(ryo)

We will need to get all the calories we can as we will have a lot of things
to do today before heading back to Osaka

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亮(ryo)

Good morning! Today is day 3, our final day of our school trip.

The students were very quiet last night as our day was full of
activities(my pedometer counted over 17,000 steps!). Today, we have several
cultural and historical activities planned. But, now, it’s time to wake up,
(before the sunrise in Yamaguchi).


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亮(ryo)

One of the great things Japanese people love about staying at hotels are
the giant baths. Children too enjoy bathing in a huge bath. Today, the
students are treated to 30 minutes of bath Time per class. One bonus for us
is that the hotel has kept two baths for only Ikesho students. I think this
is a win win situation for our school and the hotel.


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亮(ryo)

The Hagi Hotel was just a short walk from Myojin Park. They prepared a
lovely dinner for all of in one large room. The meal was great! Already
looking forward to breakfast.



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亮(ryo)

This park is next to our accommodations.
We come here to enjoy the beautiful nature as well as feeding the carp and
kites before checking into our hotel.


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亮(ryo)