These are pictures from my daughter's first day at her Japanese preschool. Preschool is called "yochien" in Japanese. On the first day at yochien there is a "nyuenshiki" (entrance to yochien ceremony). The nyuenshiki consisted of simple introductions, a couple of songs, class pictures and a quick classroom experience. My wife says that at every nyuenshiki it never fails that the principal will give a speech and say a few words about cherry blossoms. The first day of school is timed to coincide with the blossoming cherry trees. Our principal said the school's cherry tree has been standing for 41 years, and this year it's been waiting for the kids. The blossoms came early, though, so the tree had shed most of its color before the big day. Too bad.

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