It was a weekend in February when a huge cold wave swept over the Japanese archipelago. A cold northerly wind was blowing in Shibuya Ward.

I wanted to let them play indoors on a day like this, and then I heard that a "Mukashi Asobi Kai" (a party for playing with old things) would be held at the gymnasium of Hatashiro Elementary School! I went to see the event immediately.

The spacious old-fashioned elementary school gymnasium is a nostalgic space by itself, but within the gymnasium there are booths filled with kendama, baigoma, rubber dumplings, beanbags, o-hajiki, hakoita, origami, and other so-called "old games" that have been handed down since the Showa period (1926-1989), making it feel like a time slip. It was like stepping back in time.

Contrary to expectations of a cozy gathering, Shibuya Ward Mayor Hasebe attended the opening ceremony, and a kendama expert, who had participated in the Kohaku Kendama project, even showed off his divine skills! He even demonstrated his divine kendama skills!

In addition to the "the old games" introduced earlier, there were also hula hoops, giant jump ropes, and other games that are somewhat familiar to children today, and everyone from preschoolers to elementary school students were playing to their heart's content. There was even a plate spinning game! Each booth was staffed by a "master" of Showa-era games, providing a place for children and local elderly people to interact with each other. Some of the parents who accompanied their children also got involved and played together with their children before they knew it.

There was also a fun raffle at the end of the meeting, with kendama, ojiki, omedama, and other old-fashioned playthings being given away.

It is unclear to what extent the analog, simple and clear old-fashioned games stuck with today's children, who are used to playing in the virtual world, but at least all the children playing at the event were smiling and absorbed in their games, and not a single child was seen with a smartphone or game console out in the hall.

Just being able to share such a time with adults and children was a very meaningful event.