Oyakokai
Weekly News
July 22, 2001
On Sunday, we went to Yasui Koube with our Oyakokai group. Twenty-five members
in total, fourteen children and eleven adults enjoyed a nice, sunny day at the
beach.
The children played Suikawari and Takarasagashi. After fifteen minutes of
searching in the hot sand, the children were finally given a reprieve. They were
allowed to stop searching and were handed their presents.
A couple of the men in our group went diving and caught octopus and shellfish.
We also enjoyed a Yakiniku affair.
After my first beer, I was told that each additional beer would cost me another
three-hundred yen, jokingly.
When we returned to Kami Igata Town, I was in need of some lotion, because I
looked like a lobster out of water.
<<< Oyakokai 1 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
It is one of game usually played at sea bathing.
It is one of the games we usually play at the beach.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
It is a game for children to search the card hidden by adults.
It is a game for children where they search for cards that have been hidden by
adults.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
It was too difficult for children to discover the hidden card in fifteen min.
It was too difficult for the children to discover where the cards were hidden
within fifteen minutes.
Note: Actually, their feet were getting burned by the hot sand. I walked over to
the place for just a minute and I couldn't stand it.
4. Who got sunburned?
Mr. Ahner got sunburned.
Correct.
<<< Oyakokai 2 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Suikawari is cutting a watermelon by stick with blindfold.
Suikawari is where watermelon is cut by using a stick and being blindfolded.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Takarasagashi is searching some presents which are in the sand.
Takarasagashi is where children search for presents which are hidden in the
sand.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
Probably it was very hot day and the sand was hot too, so searching in the sand
was hard.
Probably, it was a very hot day and the sand was hot too, so searching in the
sand was hard.
4. Who got sunburned?
You got sunburned as looked like a lobster out of water.
You got sunburned and you looked like a lobster out of water.
<<< Oyakokai 3 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Suikawari is a kind of a game that someone with his eyes blinked search the
place of Water melon and pat it with some stick.
Suikawari is a kind of a game where someone, blindfolded, searches for the place
where there is a watermelon and pats it with a stick.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Takarasagashi is also a kind of a game that someone search Takaramono(some good
things) hidden in the sand.
Takarasagashi is also a kind of a game where someone searches for Takaramono
(some good things) hidden in the sand.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
Perhaps it was a very hot day and it was very difficult for children to search
small Takaramono in the sand.
Perhaps, it was a very hot day, and it was very difficult for the children to
search for the small Takaramono in the sand.
4. Who got sunburned?
"I" got sunburned.
You got sunburned.
<<< Oyakokai 4 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Suikawari is a kind of game.
Correct.
The player stand apart from a suika by a few meters distance, put a towel over
his eyes around head, take a rod in his hand and proceed to the suika to hit it.
The player stands apart from the watermelon a few meters away, puts a towel over
his eyes and around his head, takes a rod in his hands and proceeds to the
watermelon to try to hit it with the stick.
If he succeed to break the suika with the rod, he is winner.
If he succeeds in breaking the watermelon with the rod, he is the winner.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
This is also a kind of game.
Correct.
Before the game start, some presents were hidden in the sand.
Before the game starts, some presents are hidden in the sand.
The players will search them.
The players will search for them.
If he can search some of them, he can get it.
If a player can find them, he can keep it.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
They know fifteen minutes is the time limit.
They knew that fifteen minutes was the time limit.
Note: Actually, the sand was very hot and the adults present thought that it was
too difficult for the small children to continue without getting hurt.
4. Who got sunburned?
Mr. Ahner did.
Mr. Ahner got sunburned.
<<< Oyakokai 5 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Suikawari is a typical summer amusing game held on a sand beach.
Suikawari is a typical summer amusement game held on a sandy beach.
The player of the Suikawari wears a blindfold and try to thump a watermelon with
a stick, guided by the voices of bystanders.
The player of Suikawari wears a blindfold and tries to thump a watermelon with a
stick while being guided by the voices of bystanders.
"Suika-wari" means "watermelon-smashing" in Japanese.
Correct.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
"Takara-sagashi" means "treasure hunting" in Japanese.
Correct.
A takara-sagashi can also be an attraction held on a sand beach.
A takara-sagashi can also be an attraction held on a sandy beach.
I guess, what they do is that hide toys or something in the beach-sand and let
children search for them.
I guess, what they do is hide toys or something in the beach-sand and let
children search for them.
It must be a fun.
Correct.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
Well, obviously because it was too hot to continue the game.
Well, obviously, because it was too hot to continue the game, they were given a
reprieve.
One shouldn't work too long under the summer hot sun, because there is a danger
of a sunstroke.
Correct.
4. Who got sunburned?
Howard got a little bit of tan.
Correct.
This fall, we may be able to see a brown-Howard.
Correct.
Note: Yes, I am starting to peel. The back of my neck looks terrible. My wife is
worried. At fifty, I'm a little old to be taking chances.
<<< Oyakokai 6 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
It's not easy to explain this.
Correct.
Suikawari is a famous game in beach in summer.
Suikawari is a famous game played on the beach in the summer.
Game is as follows.
A person whose eyes are bandaged by towel tries to crack an water-melon.
A person whose eyes are bandaged by a towel tries to crack open a watermelon.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
I don't know this game. I suppose it as follows.
I don't know this game. I suppose it is as follows...
Person try to find out present which is hidden in beach.
People try to find presents which were hidden on the beach (in the sand.)
3. Why do you think the children were finally given a reprieve?
They were not able to find out present even after 15 minutes.
They were not able to find the presents even after 15 minutes.
In addition they looked like tired.
In addition, they looked like they were tired.
<<< Oyakokai 7 >>>
Dear Sir
Dear Sir,
I think Imogarabokutou is a little bit different from your explain.
I think the story of Imogarabokutou is a little bit different from your
explanation.
It's correct "Imogara" is not a sweet potato but the stalk of a taro plant.
It's correct that "Imogara" is not a sweet potato but is the stalk of a taro
plant.
The stalk of a taro plant is a cave.
Correct.
So it means he is not smart but good-natured.
So, it means that he was not smart but good-natured.
The lady who he got marriage with is "Hyuugakabocha".
The lady who he got married with is a "Hyuugakabocha."
She is not fair-complexioned nor beautiful but kind and steadily.
She did not have a fair complexion nor was she beautiful, but she was kind and
steadfast.
<<< Oyakokai 8 >>>
1) It's a game played at the beach in Summer.
Correct.
It goes like this. First cover your eyes with towel and move on to the "Suika".
Then hit the "Suika" with a stick.
It goes like this. First, cover your eyes with a towel and move on to the
watermelon. Then, hit the watermelon with a stick.
2) It's a game searching presents buried in the sand at the beach.
It is a game for searching for presents that are buried in the sand on a beach.
3) Because they could'nt search presents in the sand.
It was because they couldn't find the presents in the sand.
Note: Actually, I think it was because the children were getting hurt in the hot
sand.
4) You got sunburned.
Correct.
<<< Oyakokai 9 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
At fast, a person stand to go away from a watermelon.
At first, a person stands a few feet from the watermelon.
Then,he blindfold with the towel and bring the stick, spin two or three times,
walk to near it and break it.
Then, he is blindfolded with a towel and given a stick. He is spun around three
times. He then tries to walk to the watermelon and try to break it.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Takarasagashi is the game that children search the treasure hiding beforehand in
the sand.
Takarasgashi is a game where children search for treasures hidden in the sand
beforehand.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
In hot day, the searching in the hot sand is tired.
It was a hot day and searching in the hot sand was tiring.
4. Who got sunburned?
Howard got sunburned.
Correct.
Me, too. You turned red, but I turned brown.
Correct.
<<< Oyakokai 10 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
This is one of games playing at summer beach.
This is one of the games we play during summer at the beach.
Someone is blindfold with towel and he is turned round and round at same
position.
A child is blindfolded with a towel, and he is turned around and around on the
same spot.
After then, he must go to Suika which is put about ten meter away and he must
crush Suika using a rod.
After that, he must go to the watermelon from about ten meters away, and he must
crush the watermelon using a rod.
But he doesn't know which direction Suika is.
But, he doesn't know in which direction the watermelon is, because he is
blindfold and is turned around.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Also,this is one of games plying at summer beach.
This is also a game played at the beach during summer.
Some presents(called Takara) are buried in sand at beach.
Some presents (called Takara) are buried in the sand on the beach.
Someone they don't know where Takara is buried,but they have to dig sand and
search for.
The children don't know where the Takara are buried, but they have to dig in the
sand and search for them.
After making some effort ,usually they get it.
After making some effort, they usually find them.
3. Why do you think the children were finally given a reprieve?
I think there are tow reasons.
I think there are two reasons.
One is that the sunlight was very strong , so they could'nt continue to seek for
Takara in hot sand.
One is that the sunlight was very strong, so they couldn't continue to search
for the Takara in the hot sand.
The other is that they could'nt find Takara in spite of spending some minutes.
The other is that they couldn't find the Takara in spite of spending some
minutes.
4. Who got sunburned?
Mr. Ahner did,and maybe everyone of Oyakokai got sunburned.
Mr. Ahner did and maybe all the members of the Oyakokai got sunburned.
Thank you for your answers.
<<< Oyakokai 11 >>>
Hello,
I think I accidentally deleted one of your messages.
I'm so sorry. Please send it again.
1. Who sent me an email?
Ms. G. sent you an email.
Correct.
2. What does Imogarabokutou mean?
Imogarabokutou means useless, good for nothing or hopeless.
Correct.
3. Was my mother born in Japan?
No, she is't. She was born in California.
No, she wasn't. She was born in Hawaii. She lives in California. But, you
couldn't have known that.
4. What is your impression of these two emails?
My impression of these two emails is that I'm very interested in them.
Correct.
I've heard the ballad title of 'Imogarabokutou,' but, I didn't know the story of
the ballad and what Imogarabokutou was.
I've heard of the ballad entitled "Imogarabokutou," but I didn't know the story
and what "Imogarabokutou" meant.
And, I did't also know that your grandfather and grandmother were Japanese.
And, I also didn't know that your grandfather and grandmother were Japanese.
Note: Right, my grandfather and grandmother on my mother's side were Japanese.
They immigrated to Hawaii around 1907. My grandfather was a pineapple picker. He
started his own business several times, but the war and other circumstances kept
him from making it rich. At least his children were rather successful. And, his
grandchildren have reached a certain level of success. But, that's what they say
about people living in America, "One generation always does better than the last
one." However, actually, I'm not exactly sure about that.
<<< Oyakokai 12 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Representation of a member is in the state which screened with the towel etc,
and it is the play which break a watermelon with a stick.
A representative member with a towel over his eyes tries to break a watermelon
with a stick.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Many cards are beforehand hidden in the sand of the beach, or under the pebble
of a dry riverbed by a sponsor's people.
Many cards are hidden beforehand in the sand on a beach or under a pebble on a
dry riverbed by the sponsors of the event.
And simultaneously with game start, children discover those cards.
When the game is started, the children look for the cards.
And a present is passed from a sponsor.
Then, a present is passed out by the sponsors.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
It was because there was a risk of children burning themselves by hot sand.
It was because there was a risk that the children could have burned themselves
in the hot sand.
4. Who got sunburned?
Mr. howard got sunburned.
Mr. Ahner got sunburned.
<<< Oyakokai 13 >>>
1. What is Suikawari?
Suikawari is a watermelon bust with a stick.
Correct.
2. What is Takarasagashi?
Takarasagashi is a searching present in the sand.
Takarasagashi is where children search for presents in the sand.
3. Why do think the children were finally given a reprieve?
They didn't search a present to set time.
They didn't set a time limit for searching for the presents.
4. Who got sunburned?
Mr. Ahner got sunburned.
Correct.
Note: I am looking forward to our next Oyako Kai event.
<<< Oyakokai 14 >>>
1. What kind of group was Howard helping out by collecting beer and wine
bottles?
It's Oyako Kai group.
It is an Oyako Kai group.
2. What was the approximate total value of the bottles that Howard and his group
collected?
It was about 600 yen.
Correct.
3. Why do you think the older woman said, "Dame! Dame!!"
Because Howard and his group were going to want over 200 bottles.
She said it, because Howard and his group were going to want over 200 bottles.
Note: She said it, because Howard and his group were going to take her group's
200 bottles.
4. What do you think the monies collected will be used for?
I think the monies collected will be used for meeting and a event of Oyako kai
group.
I think the monies collected will be used for meetings and events of the Oyako
Kai group.
<<< Oyakokai 15 >>>
1. What kind of group was Howard helping out by collecting beer and wine
bottles?
He was helping out his Oyako Kai group.
Correct.
2. What was the approximate total value of the bottles that Howard and his group
collected?
They collected about 60 bottles.
Correct.
3. Why do you think the older woman said, "Dame! Dame!!"
She wanted redeem for a refund for her group.
She wanted to redeem them for a refund for her group.
4. What do you think the monies collected will be used for?
The monies collected will be used for Oyako Kai group's action.
The monies collected will be used for the Oyako Kai group.
<<< Oyakokai 16 >>>
FINAL NOTES:
After all, I would have to say that I enjoyed the Oyakokai adventure very much.
I am looking forward to our next Oyakokai group activity. There are a lot of
times when I complain a little more than I should. I guess I get a little tired,
and I am unable to properly hide my feelings. So, I say a few things that may
sound a little odd to Japanese. If I am going to succeed at living here in
Nobeoka, I must remember to respect my neighbors and not lean so heavily on my
own set of values. After all, many of my values were learned in another land so
far away and different from Nobeoka.
