Seika Yochien Art Exhibition 2013

This is the fourth year I have attended the Seika Yochien Art Exhibition.  The first year was with the Putaansuu's - William was in his last year at Seika.  I was so impressed then with the kids' work!  Seeing William's work was one of the main reasons I was keen on sending the boys (Dougie & Ian, anyway) here after we PCS'd.

This year was Dougie's third and Ian's first (click here to see 2012).  Seeing how far Dougie has come over the past three years really impresses me.  No more colored macaroni picture frames - this year he made a pottery tea cup with Yuki Daruma (Snowmen) and snow falling

He made a bust of himself - and it was a surprisingly good take on himself!

The Older classes took a class trip this summer, and sketched the camp they stayed in

They also went on a number of field trips this year and took their sketch pads with them.  The Nippon Maru (a masted sailing ship)

The Imperial Palace

They even did scrolls in their best calligraphy.  Each one got to pick what they wrote.  Dougie's friend, Lindsey, picked "りんぐ" (ringo) - apple.  Dougie picked "たこ" (tako) - octopus!

My favorite was Zach's...  "おいす" (oisu) - chair.  Loved that!

Ian's class made a Hebi Garden (snake garden - 2013 is the year of the Snake).

I asked where his was. He shrugged.  Then jabs his finger at a red (aka) one and said, "There it is, mummy!"  Sure enough!  Turned it over and there was his name!

He walked all the way around the Hinamatsuri table (dolls of the Emperor and Empress for Doll Festival/Girl's Day) and then announced, "That one is mine!"  And it was!  The Emperor looks as if he may have gotten fresh with the Empress - and she gave him a black eye...

The first year we were here, I thought Dougie's self-portrait was interesting (in a cute way...) - I could not understand why he used brown for the hair.  Almost a year later he told me, "That is a picture of YOU, Mummy!"

Well, that explained the lack of glasses and the brown hair!  Ian actually gave me blond hair and gave it an Edvard Munch, The Scream, sort of look...

He said it was my "Scary Face"...  huh...

My favorite is the handprint.  He really does have a hand on my heart ;)

The kids get tickets to ride the shinkansen - one of their favorite things to do!

 

Satoh-san uncoupled the passenger cars and took one little boy for a ride on the engine.

Stefan decided to help give it a push...

Ian kept Satoh-san company after re-coupling the train and making one last pass

Past the Choo-Choo bus...

The classes all make whatever the zodiacal calendar is for the year.  2013 is the Year of the Snake (Hebi).  They are all on display on the stage.  Red and White and symbolize energy and purity, respectively.  

As one dad put it, we all had front row seats to Whitesnake.  Finally!