04 February 2005
Last Updated: 05/02/05
Enkais
come in many different shapes and forms. From the dodgy dive in Fukui's
red light district, to the most up-market hotel in the city; from traditional
Japanese on tatami mats, to full silver service with at least 10 sets of knives
and forks each; from very formal to very informal. One thing they all have
in common: everyone gets drunk and has a really good meal!
This enkai was the retirement party of the very popular tennis coach - Taniguchi-sensei. I had no idea just how popular this guy was! Held at the Palace Hotel, it was one of the more formal affairs and started off normal enough. Speeches, pouring beer for each other, the kanpai ("cheers"), etc etc.
Then
the entertainment arrived. This was unusual in itself, but with most of
the entertainment provided by some of Haruko's teachers it soon turned into a
very special event indeed. I had no idea how talented some of my
colleagues are!
|
|
Taniguchi-sensei looks on as the taiko drummers perform in his honour. |
|
More taiko |
|
|
|
Some of my
colleagues sneak up for seconds during the entertainment! |
|
Taniguchi-sensei prepares to make mochi (pounded rice cakes) |
|
|
|
Taniguchi-sensei
and two little helpers (from the taiko group) hand out mochi to all who
attended |
|
Yamaguchi-sensei sings, while the librarian dances |
|
|
|
More of the librarian |
|
The head of the school office sings a special enka song about Taniguchi-sensei |
|
|
|
And at the end, after the banzai* Taniguchi-sensei is thrown into the air by the younger male teachers (Apologies for the blurred, mistimed photo. By this stage I'd been plied with alcohol from all sides and was a bit unsteady on my pins...)
*this is the part that takes place at the end of the party. Everyone throws their arms into the air and yells "banzai" three times. After this ritual it's ok to leave. Or go on to the next party... |
Back to February's photo index
