<Begin Segment 49>
[Kay sings a Japanese New Year's song]:
Toshi no hajime noKM: Now which means, "this is the first day of the year and how happy, medetai, how happy we are." And then, "it just seems like the world has no ending this beautiful New Year's morning. So we put our matsu and take, pine and bamboo in front of our entrance for longevity of happiness. And so we all celebrate together, how happy and medetai it is today." That's what it means.
AI: Thank you.
KM: Now this is a song that we always sang after all the class was ended. And then as we sang, we all held our hands. And then when we said "sayonara," we would all bow our heads. That I can't do here, so...[Laughs]
[Kay sings a Japanese song]
Tanoshiku kyo mo sumimashitaSayonara minasan gokigen yo
Sayonara sensei o daiji ni
Tanoshii kondo no tsudoi madeKM: You can understand that one.
AI: Very little.
KM: Oh really? Well, "everything, came to an end with lots of memories and happiness." And then, "we were all protected by mioya which is mihotokesama. And now we're gonna go to our happy home together." So we say, "Sayonara, mina-san," all the pupils and friends. And then, "Sayonara (teacher), take care of yourself, until we meet again."
AI: Thank you.
KM: We were really, instilled so much custom and everything through songs and actions. I really, some of the songs I really remember. And then especially the little operetta things that you performed. I still remember everything.
AI: It really stuck with you.
KM: And then one time, you know one lady, girl that was a little older than me, she had the lead part in ningyo gokko. Pretending she had a doll that was a baby, and then somebody else was acting as the doctor and the baby got sick. Well, at the last minute, day before the program was to be, she didn't want to do it. She just didn't want to do it. She was about twelve or thirteen, at that age, they didn't... and then the teacher asked me, she says, "Do you remember all the verses," and all what you could say? And then she said, "Do it." And so I remembered everything from the start to (end). So I performed it the next day.
AI: Oh my.
KM: And it just came, Japanese came very easy to me. So teacher, at the program, he says, "We're so proud to have a special student that can take over in case of emergency." [Laughs] But that wasn't very nice to say, because the poor girl was embarrassed. [Laughs]
AI: Well, thanks so much for doing this for us.
KM: Well, I enjoyed myself. I just hope that everything comes out.
AI: I think it will. Thank you very much.
<End Segment 49> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.