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静岡県, 観光, Festivals, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: Nue barai Matsuri in Izu Nagaoka, Shizuoka Prefecture-第４９回鵺ばらい祭

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

The picture of the day: a smiling face inside a monster’s mouth!

Yesterday I traveled all the way train from Shizuoka City to Izu Nagaoka Station by train and took the the local bus to Yu Rakkasu Park to attend an unusual Matsuri/Japanese Festival!
I managed to arrive one hour before the start of the festivities which allowed me to have a good location at the location and its people!
As in any festival the locals were selling food to the visitors!

Okonomiyaki and karaage!

A local specialty, big deep-fried gyoza!

The stage!

I saw the students from Nagaoka Junior High School arriving directly from their school!
The lady in the middle is Ms. Kamoshita, Director of the Izu No Kuni City Tourism Bureau who had faxed me the details of the vent!

Mount Fuji was looking after us all the time!

The program clearly indicated for everyone’s benefit!

One of the great staff in attendance who kept me informed me all afternoon!

A great hapi/festival coat!

Great kids from Nagaoka Junior High School!
So well-mannered, ever smiling and enthusiastic!
Years ago the festival used to be performed by adults. Now it is exclusively enacted by Nagoka Junior High School!
And from this year boys and girls are equally represented!

the drummers practicing before the event!

The “nue/鵺”!
The nue is a monster of old Japanese lore. Check the NUE LORE HERE!
It is monster with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and a snake as a tail in Izu Nagaoka.
The legend was brought a lot time ago to Izu Peninsula from Kyoto by a Lord’s wife.
It is a monster/spirit thought to be a bringer of misfortune and illness.
This festival is held every year to make sure it does not appear to mistreat the local inhabitants!

Great kids again including some big boys!

One of the very old drums used during the festival!

A last practice!

But before the Nue Dance we witnessed a Japanese archery/Kyuudou/弓道 demonstration, which an integral part of the festival, held by the local Japanese Archery Association!

These two gentlemen might be of a grand age but they did not miss their target!

Male archers!

And female archers!

The nue did not stand a chance!
The target made of paper was subsequently shredded into small pieces to be distributed among the onlookers for good luck!
I got mine, which might come useful when facing the home dragon!

By then the nue dancers had got ready and were coming out of the changing room!

Some of the costumes had to be carried by hand!

Samurais!

I would like to thank these two young ladies who were so kind to answer this strange foreigner’s questions!

Peace!

Getting ready in the cold wind!

The choreographer giving his last advice!

And the dance starts!

The nue and its minions ready to pounce!

The fever went up a grade with the drumming!

The nue’s minions are taunting the samurai!

Mind you the kids inside are no monsters!

The nue has crept among its minions!

The minions first attempt to frighten the onlookers!

There must be some kind of hierarchy among the minions as a few carry big tail snakes!

The minions are attacking!

Why have they stopped?

This is the reason!

The samurai have come to defend the onlookers by first loosing arrows!

But the nue’s minions are undaunted and chase the samurai who have to unsheathe their swors!

All the while the nue is looking at the action from a safe distance!

Nothing frightening about these two sweet young ladies!

While the nue kept looking at the action I crept behind it for some photoes!

Big and horrible tail!

Nasty head!

The samurai were starting to get the upper hand!

Take that!

The nue’s minons were getting killed one by one!

The nue’s minoons had all been cut down!

The Nue still did not intervene!

Things seemed to be all but lost…

But this is when the Nue finally came into the fray!

The drummers lustily encouraged the samurais!

But the onlookers started throwing beans at it!

The Nue roars back into the fight!

But the samurais show no fear!

The Nue is struck with fear!

The samurais have started their killing dance!

The Nue has no chance!

The Nue is finally down!

The Town and its citizens are saved again this year!

Well done, lads and gals!

The onlookers picking the beans which contributed to the demise of the Nue!

The two choreographers who teach the kids every year!
They are brothers and volunteers.
As the second generation of choreographers they confided that they are aiming at teaching the next generation to make sure the Festival outlives them!
Well done, gentlemen!

All the while local geishas working at the hot springs establishments had been stoically waiting for their turn in the cold!

And they graciously danced for all!
Don’t ask me why I chose this particular lady! LOL

The Nue mascot!

Looking forward to my next visit to Izu Nagaoka!

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

25th (and last?) Shizuoka Mikoshi Festival

October 28, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I experienced a great surprise and some disappointment at the same time….

Festivals are an integral part of Japanese life and culture.
But why are they so little advertised in some cities?
Unfortunately Shizuoka City is one of the culprits.
In the whole day I espied only one other expat when there should be droves of them!

For all the official attendance of Shizuoka City Mayor, Nobuhiro Tanabe/田辺信宏, the participans confide me that next year it would not be possible to hold a 26th event in the same form for lack of subsidies form Government Agencies…
To think that Shizuoka Prefecture is said to be actively promoting tourism.
I didn’t even know about the event after more than 36 years of residence and I discovered it yesterday because I had changed my schedule at the last second!
And it took place for 4 hours in a row all over the center of Shizoka City along Aoba Street, Gofuku Cho Street and Shichiken Cho Street!

In spite of it all Satoko Sanada/眞田里子さん was doing some great work announcing it all to the public!

At least the sake was on hand! (Mind you, not Shizuoka City sake, but Hamamatsu City sake by Hana No Mai Brewery!)

The Mikoshi Festival still has an Association! I hope they will still find a way next year!

Peace”!

Well, the younger generations are still hopeful!

Great kid!

I had arrived just in time for the preparations in Aoba Park Street before the real start of the festivities!

I took advantage of the waiting to take some shots of the participants!

All waiting quietly!

Let me do it for you, kiddo!

There were 7 mikoshi/お神輿 from Shizuoka City and 1 from Toyohashi City in Aichi Prefecture.
The great majority of the participants are connected with lumber and construction businesses.

Posing for the ladies?

Old hands taking it easy!

Great “happi/半被” design!

Colorful butterflies!

The lady on the left wears a happi emblazoned with a “aoi/葵/hollyhock” crest, that of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu!

Elegant!

These ladies’ long happi could become a new fashion fad!

Proud participants!

Still waiting…

Let’s have a look at the mikoshi while we have some time!

If you look carefully you will realize they are a miniature copy of real shrines!

Bear in mind that these mikoshi were made by lumber workers and wood craft artisans!

This one was topped with a Japanese phoenix!

Can you see etched against the background?

This one, too!

I love dragons!

I really love dragons!

Almost ready…

Last recommendations and encouragements by the organising committee and the Mayor!

At last the parade/procession is being launched!

Headed by the singers!

This young lady seems to enjoy the whole event for more than one reason!

Maybe a bit older but enjoying every moment of it!

These old guys seem to know they have a long way ahead of them!

Good team work!

With their eyes kept on the leaders!

Slowly but steadily warming up to the event!

Ambling in cadence through the crowd!

Great smile!

Strong ladies!

Stopped by a traffic light…

Hold it a bit more, guys!

Handsome gentleman for the lady photographers!

As strong as a man!

And certainly more beautiful!

Proud old men!

Encouraged all the way by the youngest generation!
There is still plenty of hope for great traditions!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Shop with Intent by Debbie
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Matsuri, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 7: Daimyou Gyouretsu-The Lord Parade

October 21, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Sabres Dancer!

the Daimyou Gyouretsu/大名行列 is the sole responsibility of the Dai Nana Kai/第七街/Seventh District and come last after all the chariots, stage dancers and parades have come through since 8:30 a.m. They usually start between 13:00 and 14:30 depending on the day.

Onlookers were sitting on the kerb a good hour before the scheduled Parade!

They are very strict about the organisation and young members ensure that there isn’t the slightest impediment.
I was told in no uncertain term by a metal cane wielding young man to move to the sides well before the parad actually reached my spot!

The “leaders” are extremely proud of their prerogatives, even by Japanese standards.
This is after all the aristocratic part of the festival and in Edo times they were far more obvious about their power and authority as the local Lord and his retainers paraded for real!

The first herald!

The lancers!

The Lord’s mark of authority carried inside portable boxes!

Heavy stuff actually!

Those two kids are supposed to represent the two most powerful retainers!

The archers!

Kids have also taken the place of the Lord and his sons on horses!
And horse handlers are now ladies!

The Lord parading past a cake shop!

Most of the lower ranked retainers parade is enacted by children!

Those dancers are a modern addition!

The hairstyles were vastly different, then! LOL

At least these kids are not taking it all too seriously!

The Overlord was pulled along atop a small float.

Bow to the Lord!

Taking a rest and being re-groomed!

No parade would come along without its music band!

A rare smile from the handlers who seemed to enjoy themselves more than some uppity “retainers”!

Even the lord seemed more amenable to his subjects!

Another Lord with lady handlers!

At last the ones all had been waiting!
The Sabre dancers!
This was makes the unique name and fame of this festival in the whole of Japan!
Enormous obi/sashes are wrapped around giant swords secured by sashes around the dancers’ waists.

All the dancers carry different obi/sashes wrapped around their swords.
The “apron” is also unique.
All are made of expensive silk. They carry a real fortune along which is is displayed only for three days every three years!
The Parade is a very expensive a affair to take charge of. Therefore it has been held every 3 years ony for 107 times!

The dancing is also a tough challenge along the 1.7 km ( 1 mile) main road which takes more than two hours.
To think they go through that three days in a row!

The Dancers have to hold an umbrella (they certainly need it in the heat!) with one hand, make big waves with the other hand and raised the knees high with every step!

Tough for photographers who are not allowed to stand or walk in front or across the Parade!

Not so many onlookers on the sunny side of the road which could burn your skins in a jiffy, but one couldn’t walk on the shady side between the Parade and the houses along the street!

Some of them were obviously tired!

Tough work to raise your knees under that heavy apron!

Tough work too to raise your arm above the shoulder and make a circling wave back and forward!

Helpers were carrying low stools on which they could rest every time the parade had to stop!

A well-earned rest!
Mind you, even in such a sitting position it must be tough to carry all that finery along!

Fortunately an army of handlers were here to give plenty of support, water and encouragements!

One thing was sure, all had strong legs!
The dancers are basically different every three years as it is a very sought after honor!

This particular dancer was very popular with the crowd as he took often the time to look and wink at them. Note the whiskers!

There was plenty more to follow including the brandishing and throwing of decorated poles but I was running out of batteries!

A common feature to top-class Japanese Festivals!

I hope that in three years’ time technology will have evolved enough to make it a film of it all without fear of running out of batteries!

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観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 6: The “Clash” of the Chariots

October 20, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Make way!

Dai Nikai Yatai/Second district Chariot

The Chariots/Yatai seen during the Shimada Obi Festival are chariots more than floats.
Shimada City counts seven districts, Dai/第 Ichi, Ni, san, Yon, Go, Roku and Nana Kai/街.
The first six districts look after their own chariot which is also used as theater platform where plays are enacted by local kids.
The seventh district is in charge of the Lord Parade/Daimyou Gyooretsu!

Lovely fans of the Dai Nikai/Second district!

Although each chariot, after “having received permission from the other districts” is allowed to mave along the main district past all districts.

More lovely fans of the Dai Nikai!

But the fans will stay inside their own District to cheer their chariot as it passes them by.

The “movers”!

Although the chariots are mounted on wheels, these same wheels are more of wood and metal and are fixed to the frame. They do not roll!
One main reason for that is that a free-wheeling chariot is just too unstable to control.
Hence the armies of “movers”!

Now, this is tough work to ensure three days in a row!

Each “mover” is armed with a long pole made of a solid tree trunk cut at a slant at its base.
The poles will be used to lift and push the chariots from any side as thick tree trunks are fixed to the bottom frame just above ground!

Whereas at other times of the day the chariots will become the theater stages, in the morning they are paraded along the main street to the sounds of drum and Japanese fife players sitting inside!

The rope pullers of the Dai Ni Kai!

On the other hand teams of young men will pull the chariots with long ropes to help move forward.
But when it comes to moving sideways the “movers” will take care of the show!

The Fourth/Dai Yon Kai District pullers having a break!

Getting ready!

A last re-adjustment before the pull!

A few more details to take care of!

the “cheerleaders” standing on the roof, sticks in hands!
Notice that they are all light-weight!

The fans’ fans!

The Dai Yon Kai Chariot about to start!

The Dai Ni Kai Chariot about to star, too!
The whole affair is to manage to have two chariots moving along each other in different directions without any mishaps!
Not easy!

Still waiting to start…

Just a few more seconds…

Start the drums!

Moving forward at a slant needs so much physical synchronization!

Now the “problem” is starting! Both teams must absolutely ensure the very close by-passing!

The “clash” is beginning!
Actually it is all carefully planned banter.
The two chariots “riders” will scream at each other to leave the way or move aside.
There will be no real fight in spite of the very “serious” faces of the participants.
But in the rare occasion when the chariots do hit each other by accident older members will immediately run between the handlers and shout them away from each other in no uncertain words!
The police is invisible at such times and the citizens handle themselves!

The “riders” guiding the “pullers” and Movers” sideways to the sounds of sticks and whistles!

The “movers” concentrate on their task as if nothing was happening…
Mind you, they are well armed! LOL

Handlers waiting patiently while riders are screaming at each other!

In the meantime some young pullers are having their own fun!

C’mon guys! Let’s go with it!

Unrelenting drumming during all that time!

Some young ladies were very serious at it!

Move aside, will ya!

Now that we getting closer the “movers” are waiting for the “directions”…

It is the turn of the riders to frantically scream at each other while directing their respective chariots!

careful guys, careful!

Move aside!

Steady! Steady!

Very little leeway, I can assure you!

All the time the fans’ fans in a frenzy!

The last scramble!

Safely through, but look at those “stares”!

Part 7 will the daimyou Gyouretsu/Lord Parade close the show!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shimada Obi Festival 5: The Food Stands!

October 17, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Brochettes, brochettes, brochettes!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the food the Japanese take for granted at a Japanese Festival or such events! It becomes nothing less than a giant BBQ!

Like any city worth its salt in Japan and furthermore staging a major festival or event a very large space will be made available for visitors to refresh and feed themselves (as well as relieve themselves).
This space in Shimada City is either used for open-air events, festivals or as a supplementary car park.
As cars are prohibited form entering the town center during the the 3-day festival, the space is just ideal.
The sign reads: “”One of the Three Unusual Festivals in Japan. Welcome. 107th Shimada Big Festival/Obi Festival”!

Not only the city provides the space for the food stands to be erected along its perimeter but it also provides the tents, chairs, tables and plastic white table cloths for visitors to eat and drink comfortably under the searing sun in day time or eventual rain!

They also install large trash boxes regularly emptied and cleaned all day long by city workers!
The trash boxes are divided for “Bottles (glass) & Cans”, “Burnable Trash”, “Trash to be Incinerated (heavier than the former)” and “Plastic Pet Bottles (soda, etc,)”!

OK, let’s go around the food stands!

Charcoal-grilled “ayame” trouts!

Naturally sausages are a must!

It is also a good time to sample specialties from all over Japan: Oita (Kyushu) style stir-fried chicken!

Hiroshima-style noodles, pasta, Yaki, Okonmiyaki!

Yakitori!

Fujinomiya City has made Shizuoka famous all over the country for its Yakisoba/Stir-fried noodles!

These disappear within a blink of the eye!

Plenty of draft beer available!

Tai Yaki (seabream-shaped pancakes containing anko/sweet meat beans) for the kids and sweet teeth!

Giant nikuman/large dumplings made of steamed bread and pork. I had the bottom one made with Shizuoka tea!

Fried sweet potato and potato sticks!

Whirly sausages!

Spicy stir-fried chicken!

I also had one of these Osaka-style takoyaki/dumplings containing octopus!

More pork kushiyaki/brochettes!

Cotton candy!
In France we call them “daddy’s beard”!

Not a food stand actually, but a soft drinks and kids game stand!

Another BBQ staple: deep-fried potato brochette, broiled corn and deep-fried sweet potato sticks!

This particular charcoal-grilles sausages and pork brochetttes stand had a constant 20-people queue stretching in front of it!

Chorizo sausage pizzas!

Giant crepes! Sweeeeeeeeeet!

Oden! A shizuoka specialty!

Karaage/Deep-fried chicken!

Baked sweet potato cakes!

Drinks! Including Shizuoka sake! Shimada city is famous all over Japan for its “Onna Nakase/Make a Woman Cry” sake brand!

Mexican sausage and potato tortilla!

Kawane green tea!
Shizuoka produces more than 45% of all green tea in Japan!

These two ladies were having a ball selling miso mochi!
Just another proof that sexiness is ageless!

We will go back to the action in Part 6: “The Clash Of The Chariots”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Weird Japan (37): Halloween Scarecrows in Shizuoka City!

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I discovered these two in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, as I cycled past a building site!

Do not forget that Halloween had a very dark meaning at its origin!

These two were obviously not erected to scare the many crows which are a real plague in this city, but to scare off would-be trespassers!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 4: The Kids!

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The best picture of the day!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the many kids I had the pleasure to (all pictures were agreed with!) to give a good idea of what to expect at a Japanese Festival!

I basically divided the many pictures along themes for easier viewing:

With the mascot!

Teaching by example?

Hungry and waiting for the parade to come.

It was a bit too hot for the kids that day!

Tired and hungry.

Eager to participate!

So well-behaved!

Aren’t we beautiful?

These are tough kids who had to walk no less than 1.7 km a day for 3 days in a row!
Also very tough for the parents who walked behind in holiday finery!

Mind you they were looked after, what with portable stools during the many stops and caretakers looking after all your needs!

Even on the third day many kids were still having a ball of a day!

A bit tougher for the bigger kids who also looked after the wee ones!

Some still couldn’t hide their fatigue!

Note the mothers following their kids in 30 degrees Celsius heat!

How far do we still have to go Mum?

Let’s have a break, shall we?

Well, that kid is certainly enjoying himself all year round!

Horse Lord 1!

Horse Lord 2!

Horse Lord 3!

Lucky boy! I wouldn’t mind being reined in by such grand ladies!

The festival chariots also served as dancing stages where incredibly clad kids form 4 to 9 years old performed traditional Japanese dances to the sound of instruments and singers’ voices!

The dancers had to be carried on a strong man’s back up onto and down form the stages!

Dancing genius 1!

Dancing genius 2!

Dancing genius 3!

Dancing genius 4 making his final salute!

All this is hungry and thirsty work so I will take you to the Festival Food Stnads in Part 5!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanes Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 3: Faces of Ladies

October 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The cutest ladies at the festival? Definitely the most serious about it!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the faces of some ladies I met on purpose or by chance to give a good idea of what to expect at a Japanese Festival!

Flaming hair!

Well, no world is perfect….

The same standing. Brrrrr…….

Always on the phone, even in the company of a boyfriend!

These two ladies selling at a food stand were certainly having a good time!

The color of their hair is a sign of their seriousness!

We’ll see many more of these with such grand hairstyles!

“Fans” with fans waiting for the clash of chariots!

Parade dancers having a break.

Looking after the younger generation.

It was a very hot and dry day. Every respite was welcome!

Heads up! Time is coming soon to dance again!

My favorite picture!

Here they come!

Tigerish hairstyle?

I know, I know! I do like her!

A bodyline to make a lot of foreign tourists jealous!

It all might looks eanough but I can assure you all this dancing was extremely strenuous!

I’m so bleeding tired…..

Part 4 is about the KIDS!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 2: Faces of Men!

October 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Behave yourself at Festival or I’ll get at you!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the faces of some men I met on purpose or by chance to give a good idea of what to expect at a Japanese Festival!

my good friend Hisatsugu Umehara/梅原詞さん who has been helping the fourth district (there are no less than 7 organizing the whole festival!) for the 7th time in a row! (Multiply by 3=18 years!)
Thanks to him I found great spots for photographs and was offered a wealth of information!

Don’t touch the sake without my permission!

Talking it easy at the office of the fourth district!

Obviously hasn’t recovered from last night drinking! (The festival lasts three days!)

One cup of sake per person only! Understood?

Different size, length and color!

Easy hairstyles?

(Comparatively) Handsome?

This chap would have been a hit with Medieval European ladies!

When you grow older, whiter and less abundant, sport a beard!

Windy or wavy hairstyle?

Proud to be a man!

11 am and already happily drinking!
Great smiles!

Brrrrrrr,,,,,,,,,,,

This lady will be featured again in Part 3: Faces of Ladies!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Happi, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism, 半被

Shimada Obi Festival 1: Happi-Festival Coats

October 13, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
this first part will be dedicated to “Happi/半被”, which could be translated as half coats and which are usually worn at Festivals or special occasions to show to which group you belong!
But there are also purely artistic Happi!

A classical design with a lion!

Another classical happi with a chain motif!

Another classical happi with a prawn motif at the top!

A more artistic happi with a stylized Kabuki Theater Face Painting!

Samurai Fight!

The broken mask of a Goblin/Oni called “Han Ya2 in Noh Theater!

A Dragon in the clouds!

A monk astride a Dragon!

Two beautiful artistic happis!
Let’s have a closer look!

River-crossing Lady!

A Phoenix, a Winged Horse/Pegasus and a Turtle in front of a red Mount Fuji!

A Dragon flying around Mount Fuji!

A scene representing a castle with a river, a bridge and a boat in the foreground!
Like a painting of yore!
Beautiful!

Part 2 will be about the “faces of men” i met around the Festival!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Shimada Obi Matsuri (October 12th, 13th, 14th, 2013)

September 15, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shimada Obi Matsuri Statue at Oi Shrine in Shimada City!

Every city worth its salt in Japan has a major festival to boast from.
Shimada City not only has one, but it has been officially named one of the so-called three most unusual festivals in Japan!: the Shimada Obi Matsuri and its Daimyo Procession.

This is a major festival in japan!

Not only it is a major festival but although this year will see its 107th edition, it is staged only every 3 years!
So do not miss it! It was held for the first time in 1609.
Some incredible pictures to be taken!

The poster in front of Shimada JR Station!

The procession will take place in the north half of the city, so do get off the Station from the North Exit!

The 300-year old Daimyo Gyoretsu imitates the procession of a grand jumangoku (one hundred thousand koku, units of rice) daimyo, and a total of 250 marchers stretch over 500 meters. Particularly striking is the presence of oyakko who walk gracefully, carrying an obi for safe delivery of babies on the tip of a wooden sword.
The procession is held every three years, in the years of the tiger, snake, monkey and wild boar.

Here are samples of pictures you could take on that day!

SHIMADA TAISAI WEBSITE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
The Wine Wankers by Stuart in Australia!
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Events, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Mage Festival, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Mage Matsuri-髷祭 in Shimada City (September 15th, 2013)!

September 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

if you have the chance to be in Shimada City this Sunday do not miss this unusual Festival!
It is called the Shimada mage Festival!
Mage means “Hair bending” ( a poor English translation I must admit!), that is the tradtiional way to set hair in Japan!

Even little girls participate!

This very peculiar festival is held on the third Sunday, shine or rain, of September every year.
This year will the 56th edition!

It was first held on September 9th, 1933!
Some ladies wear wigs, but most participants spend the morning setting their at a local “hairdresser”!
Yo will be able to admire them between roughly 13:00 and 16:00 at Oi Shrine (大井神社), in front of Shimada Hospital and Udaji Temple (鵜田寺).

For more (very interesting pictures) consult the following BLOG!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

祭, 美食, 酒, 観光, 魚海の幸, 農業, Festivals, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Festivals, Japanese Gastronomy, Matsuri, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shizuoka Festival Food Stands and Dancers!

April 9, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

Cute lady selling dango/団子!

The last three days saw the annual Shizuoka Festival which was held all over town.
It is slowly becoming better organized thanks to contributions from the whole Prefecture and volunteer citizens, although the city and authorities do very little…
Anyway yesterday, a beautiful Sunday, I took the opportunity to take a few (a lot actually) pictures to show you all what a local (in Shizuoka City) festival looks like!

I first went to the Sumpu Castle (a 2/3 scale copy of the original) and Sumpu Park!

The entrance to the main “square” where most of the food stands were located.

The map of the whole park!

A small traditional band manned by physically-impaired children!

Tough-looking girls on the Japanese drums!

Drummers start young in Japan!

Unimpressive and idle Shizuoka policemen…
Shizuoka policemen (actually traffic wardens in spite of their guns and plates…) are notorious as a lazy breed…

Now, what is that castle for?

A giant air cushion for kids to play on!

Fancy a tour with a “jinrikisha”?

Some people also call this Festival the “Shizuoka Spring Cherry Blossoms festival”!

These knee-high stockings are very much in fashion this year!

Plenty of food and drinks under the cherry trees! Ever heard of “Hanami/花見”?

Bento stand!

Japanese-style country food!

Yomogi wagashi Japanese cakes!

Shizuoka Oden!

Tsubuan Manju!

Shizuoka-style okonomiyaki!

Floating balls for the kids!

Try your luck!

Shizuoka specialties: dried sakura ebi/cherry shrimp and shirasu/sardine whiting!

A treat that kids all over the world look for!

More Shizuoka Oden!

Very well organized event with many public dustbins!

Kimonos are still very much in fashion!

A whole range of fancy okonmiyaki!

Japanese-style soft ice creams!

Korean-style karaage/deep-fried chicken!

Preparing o mochi and kinako wagashi cakes!

More okonomiyaki!

No, they are not selling kangaroo meat!

Shizuoka is strawberry country!

The Japanese too love their hamburgers!

Yakisoba!

Famous Shizuoka’s Hatsukame sake!

Takoyaki/Octopus dumplings!
I took a break to enjoy some with a cup of the above sake!

Charcoal-grilled ayame and ayu trouts!

Dango/団子!

Hiroshima-style Suwaganiten and nigiriten!

Utsunomiya gyoza!

Japanese-style corn on the cob!

Mini okonomiyaki?

More Shizuoka-style oonomiyaki!

Sausages!

Giant Sasebo (Kyushu) hamburgers!

Yakitori and oden!

“Love and Peace Ice Cream”!

I finally moved out to a quick look at Aoba Park Street where the kids were having on giant air cushions!

Right in front of the city hall! I suspect that many a civil servant’s kid was there!

And then I walked and made myself a nuisance taking pics of dancing groups in the middle of the main thoroughfare!

Sexy dancers! Sorry for the fuzzy pic, I was not really looking at my camera….

Mothers and kids waiting for their turn!

The Japanese love to be taken in photographs but the setting sun was a bit of a nuisance!

Is that a gentleman in the middle?

My personal first prize for colorful costumes!

The last pic!

Looking for and forward to the next local festival!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery