My artifact full of memories

 My artifact is pencil case. The length is about 20 cm and the color is navy. The fabric is leather fabric. It has my name on the bottom right.It is sewn with white thread. The pencil case contains 9 pens, a rular and an eraser. This is compact and slim, not big enough to hold a lot. It has no scratches or stains. It's hard to see, but if you look closely you can see the lines written in red. This pencil case looks like a thin seaweed roll.

                             

 

 This is a story that before I entered high school. I have been learning calligraphy since I was in elementary school. But, after entering junior high school, an acquaintance started a calligraphy class, so I started going there. The calligraphy teacher was very kind and gave me easy to understand and accurate advice. Also, she listened to my story and gave me advice on my worries. So, I looked forward to going to the calligraphy class every week. 

 

 However, when I took the high school entrance exam, it was sometimes difficult to go to calligraphy class. I had to go to cram school in order to get a good score on the entrance exam. I couldn't go to calligraphy for about half a year. I liked going to calligraphy class, so I was very sad that I couldn't go, but I decided to concentrate on my studies for the future. Then, I went to tell the the calligraphy teacher about it.

 

  I said that "I would be absent from the calligraphy class until the exam was over. I'm sorry."

 "It's tough, but do your best, I'm rooting for you."my teacher said.

 "Thank you very much. I'm very sad not to go to calligraphy class. But, I will do my best to come soon again."  I said.

 "Come whenever you get tired." my teacher said. 

 

  Also, my calligraphy teacher was very supportive. I was very happy and did my best. It was very difficult for me to take the exam that continued for such days, but thanks to many people, I was able to enter the high school I wanted to go to as a result. After that, when I went to a calligraphy class for the first time in a while, my calligraphy teacher gave me this pencil case. I was very very happy. 

 

  My teacher said that " Congratulation on passing! You really tried hard. I'm happy! "

 "Thank you so much! I feel so good now!" I said. 

  Also, my teacher told me that "This is a present for you to clebrate passing the exam. Enjoy your high school life and do your best!" 

 

 Then, I've been using this pencil case for three years since I entered high school. I have never used another pencil case and I still use it carefully. The high school entrance exam are a very memorable period for me, so this pencil case I received at that time is my treasure. Also, this pencil case is only one in the world because it has my name on it. I would like to keep using this pencil case, because it gives me motivation and energy. Also, I stopped taking calligraphy class after graduating from high school, but I still go to calligraphy class to see my teacher when I go back to my hometown. 

 

 Here, let's think about gift culture in Japan and other countries. Japan is said to have a culture of giving gift. In Japan, there are many oppotunities to send presents. For example, there are souvenirs, presents when going to someone's house, entrance celebrations, graduation celebrations and success clebrations, etc. However, there are culutres in foreign countries where there are few oppotunities to give presents. In  Europe and United States, they don't give gifts very often. For example, in Japan, people give gifts to people who celebrate their birthday. But, in Europe and United States, it is said that the person who celebrates their birthday behaves. For this reason, It can be said  that Japan has its own gift culture. 

 

 Finally, look at it from a social point of view. Japanese elementary schools often have school rules regarding stationery such as pencil cases. This rules especially applies to students in the lower grades of elementary school. Stationery with characters and patterns is said to interfere with class. Rules vary from school to school. However, a school can survive without such rules. Also, it can be said that studying will be more enjoyable if you use things that you like.