1997 School Magazine

----------------------11--------- '19irlli '19rammar ~cbool ~rilibane 1997 ~

Calligraphy class

Eating sashimi

other theme parks. We also ate a range of food from fish eggs to eel, sang (or rather croaked) at Karaoke, and went to communal baths. We also experienced the Japanese New Year with food, presents of clothes and lots of money.Many of us were also able to spend hours putting kimonos on and pounding rice cake with a sledgehammer type tool. Although we did encounter a few embarrassing moments, these all contributed to our experiences. Some of these included wearing toilet slippers around the house , emptying the commu- nal bath water and leaping around in our kimonos.

The trip to Japan is something that we can never forget. There is something special about it for each of us, something that will always be with us. So for this, thanks must be given to our fantastic host families, Mrs Thornquist for organising the trip, and Tsushima Girls' High School, for all their friendliness , tolerance and great kindness which made the trip such a great success. MANI SETHI AND KARLENE BOOKER

"Kogyaru"

I 'll tell you the true facts about high school students in JAPAN. Some high school girls are called "KOGYARU". A few years ago, women who were University stu- dents were called "GYARU". "KO" means a child in Japanese, so "KOGYARU" means a daughter of the "GYARU". "KOGYARU" are trendsetters. What they are interested in always becomes the fashion. For example, a "BEEPER" which is one of the most necessa1y things for teenagers now and "TAMAGOTTCHI" or virtual pets have come into fashion because of them. And now it is becoming the trend in JAPAN to wear fake flowers.

always had their hair dyed or bleached. They love light brown hair. Most high school students have a beeper and "PHS" which is like a mobile phone. These are necessary for us to have a conversation with each other. Most adults dislike this fashion . Not all high school girls do such things. But some adults call all high school girls "KOGYARU". That is a pity for the serious girls . Some of the "KOGYARU" don't bring their things for study. They bring PHS, beeper, magazines, cosmet- ics, a handbook which has PRJNT CLUB collection, their diary, sweater and LOOSE SOCKS to wear after school, and a purse. They love high-class brands, specially GUCCI,

., \\ ~. ' \: ',i'' I .

.

'

I i I I

Michi Yokoi

LOUIS VUITTON, PRADA. These are the true facts of high school girls inJAPAN. I think you may be surprised to know these . They always set the trend of the new era. This fashion may be finished soon. It depends on them.

After school some girls change their uni- form. They are transformed into "KOGYARU". They wear coloured contact lenses, Ralph Lauren Polo sweaters, LOOSE SOCKS which are ve1y famous socks in Japan for teenage girls , fake flowers and make-up. It is most important for them to trim their eyebrows. Last year, it was ultra trendy to have fine eyebrows, so their eyebrows were ve1y thin and raised. They

MICHi YOKOI, TSUSHIMA GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL ----------------------95 ----------------------

II