Every year, Janurary through
the end of March is the period of entrance exams to schools
from kindergarten to college. In order to pass these entrance
exams, children (and their parents) must go through しけんじごく
or "examination hell." This is an extremely stressful
period for both children and parents, and there are many stories
of hardship and tragedy. Those who fail entrance exams and
wait for the next year's entrance exams are called ろうにん or
"masterless samurai."
|