Come Away with Me

Fishy Business

2 weeks ago, all the students of Narao Elementary school went on a field trip to Takaitabi beach where they had a hands on learning experience of the primary industry of this island, fishing!

I was at my Narao Junior High that particular morning actually but as the school is situated right on Takaitabi (yes, this is the sea-facing school remember), the vice-principal had kindly allowed me to join in the activity during my free period. Armed with camera in hand, I was curious to see what the hype was all about and I couldn't really believe what I saw.


A teacher with fish in hand explaining to the wide-eyed students (and me) the various kinds of fishes that were caught...

Just look at these big, fat fishes! In case you are like me and wonder how they were caught, I was told that some fathers of the kids who are fishermen actually cast a huge net in the sea a week before and on the day itself, students and teachers gathered at the edge of the sea and pulled the net together onto the shore. Just check out all the beaming faces below and all the prized possessions in hand!



Teppei on the left and Taro on the right are brothers and son of the principal at my base school. Very endearing boys who readily posed for my camera when asked to have a shot taken. :P

He's carrying the big fish like a baby isn't he? And Misaki was holding a squid dripping with ink! It's simply amazing to see these kids fighting to touch and carry all these sea animals. I really wonder if our Singaporean kids will do likewise...



Saki chan with suspicious worm-like things in hand that are actually yummy seaweed!

And yes, for the observant ones, you might have realised that Saki and me share the same surname, surprise surprise!　'熊' is read as 'Kuma' in Japanese. Coincidentally, Saki's mother is also the music teacher at my Narao JHS so that makes 2 Kuma senseis in the school. Before meeting them, I have no idea that this is also a Japanese surname, interesting...



The variety of fishes that were caught that day was quite an opener,at least it was for a city bumpkin like me. I can't even tell the fishes that we eat apart, what do you expect? Look at the spiky, ball-like one!

And you may ask what do they do with all these fishes that were caught?

Well the mothers and grandmothers present were charged with the task of cooking miso soup with fish meat and the rest, in true Japanese style, sashimi of course!

This must be what it's all about living in a fishing village on a remote island in countryside Japan. Too bad I've never been and still isn't a great fan of raw fish...

posted by テレサ @ 2:57 PM