Japan's Best Dance Crew Competition!

12One of my favorite things about Japan is their love of festivals. Also, when I was asked what my favorite sight in Japan was I always go to the things that I run across. I think the top of the list are my geishas and my 4th of July Parade.

When I was in Fukuoka I was looking for a little something extra and just then I ran across a dance competition. Seriously, is this what the groups I saw in Tokyo and Kyoto were practicing for?? It really was the perfect ending to all of my trips; it tied up all of the pieces of Japan. It was so much fun just to watch them dance. Also, it was interesting to see the respect that they have in their daily lives translates to this; each performance was started off with a bow before they walked on the "stage", a hello and some chit chat, and it concluded with a thank you from the entire troupe. This was the highlight of my trip to Fukuoka!

Um, seriously who couldn't love something that had drag geishas!

Look at the little kid, way too cute! Every dance group had all ages represented. Look at the kid on the side, he just sat there with his mom.

I also loved the fact that not only American kids harrass people in the costumes; seriously, have you ever been to a Nats game I always feel bad for the presidents. These poor people were being picked on by Japanese kids but took it in stride! Also, in true Japanese polite fashion their handlers made sure I got a picture of them.

He was so intent on making sure that flag waved right!

We all know that I have fallen in love with baseball here so I loved the fact that I came across a press conference of old Lions players at the bus station. Also, lions were the team that Bridget and I saw in Tokyo - see Fukuoka is bringing together the circle of life, okay the circle of my Japan!

Um, Hello! This is genious and why do we not have this on the esclators in DC.......it would be so much easier instead of yelling "Stand Right Walk Left" over and over and over again!

Amazing Fireworks!

The first weekend in August was a rare weekend for me, I was actually in Iwakuni with no tour plans at all. I have been trying to make the most of my time over here so every weekend I do at least one thing; I so needed a weekend in town, especially because I am now in Sasebo for 2 weeks straight. When my dad asked me what I was doing I told him I was going to go to Kintai Bridge (more to come on that)to see some fireworks as part of a river festival and his response was "Wow, another festival they love their festivals!" He is so right, they do love their festivals! I love that they love corn on the cob; the cook it a little bit longer on the grill and dip it into soy sauce ooooooooooo sooooooooooo yummy!

I am very lucky to know what great fireworks are, every 4th of July I see some amazing ones at home, the lake not DC. However, these were some of the most amazing fireworks, sorry Babcock Lake, I have seen. This was mostly because they went for about 1 1/2 hrs. Every set was big and had a hung finale, we just didn't know when it was going to end. It was crazy! There were also people everywhere, I mean everywhere - they sat on the banks of the river, under the bridge, on the street, on the gravel, and were walking around eating. It was crazy.

This festival was the 43rd Nishiki River Water Festival.

They are eating large sugared grapes on a stick, they were delicious

but a lot of sugar!

The light is Iwakuni Castle on the top of the mountain.

Beauty by Candlelight

In addition to walking thru the streets for Obon, they also set candles down the river by Albuquerque Bridge. The impressive thing is that when they pass candles down the ramp into the river each person who takes it bows before he takes it; it impressed me that they would take the time and consideration to bow and be respectful for each person though they would be doing it for hours and hours. In all, it was an extremely touching experience.

Obon!

This weekend was Obon, well it is a 3 day festival and the days actually vary depending on region but this was Obon weekend down in Sasebo. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the deceased spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. My coworkers told me that they clean their families graves and then place cigarettes (if they were smokers) and saki by their graves.

In Sasebo, they walk thru the streets carrying floats, with the picture of the deceased member. As they are walking along the streets they also set off fireworks. This is the crazy part, they just throw them as they walk and I mean they throw them in front of them, behind them, to the side of them; honestly, it doesn't make any difference. They are loud noise makers that spark on the ground and you just hear pop pop pop everywhere!! I am beyond shocked that no one is injured because they just toss and walk and there are all these families, including kids, behind them and cars to the side of them.

It was amazing and touching to see these families celebrate the life of their recently deceased. Most of the floats were small but every once in awhile they were big. I was really touched by it and think it is a nice way to honor our loved ones. I was told that at midnite, so about 5 to 6 hours of walking thru the streets, they then put the floats into the water. I have to admit I didn't stick around for that. Imagine honoring your deceased loved ones with a parade and fireworks. I was telling my dad about this festival and I told him that if it was Nana we would probably be leaving tea at her grave!

I try to blend in, seriously who am I kidding.......me blend in?? So I don't like taking pictures unless I ask or I know it is okay but once I saw the Japanese doing it I figured it was okay. The first picture I took of the families they gave me the peace sign, this is a standard pose, so I figured it was kosher with them. I really can't express how even the concept of this holiday has touched me.