Preparing for Yosakoi

You probably don't remember, but last October I did a blog post about a dance festival I went to called, "Yosakoi." It was amazing! The costumes, the dancing... everything.

Well, needless to say, I was thrilled when my friend, Christine, told me she was going to join a Yosakoi team this year and asked me if I wanted to join, too.  I quickly said "yes," even though I have absolutely no dance experience (middle school dance line doesn't count) and no rhythm.  I just thought it would be something fun to do before I left and I knew Chris would be gone, so it would give me something to do. The Yosakoi team that we are on has about 10 Americans on it, so they refer to our group as "Team America."

I quickly found out after the first practice that this was a big deal and this team is in it to win it!  They are not messing around!  We started practicing at the end of June.  At first we just practiced every Tuesday and Friday night... now we practice three times a week and sometimes on the weekend.  I told you they are serious! Even though it is extremely stressful, it is still super fun and quite a great experience.  Try not being a dancer, and learning to do the routine while the instructor and everyone around you is speaking Japanese. Sometimes I just stand there and laugh because I have no idea what is going on!

We are responsible for learning three dances and for our costume.  Even though the majority of the costume was sewn for us, we have to add the snaps, velcro, hems and attach the props.  We have literally spent hours on this costume. I had to laugh at my first costume fitting when one of the ladies who was measuring me said, "Ohhh, you are long (referring to my height)." Recently, I found out that I joined the team that loves to have costume changes... the more the better, apparently!

Saturday afternoon costume fitting and sewing

Late night sewing... its about midnight in this picture so we were a little delirious.

Let me explain the costume to you... we wear all of it the entire time, and at certain points in the dance we rip a layer off or pull out one of our many props that are either in pockets or attached to us.  This is how we start the dance... This is a three layered cape that looks like it is attached by a pulley system underneath us and the layers have velcro in the front.

The layers open to reveal a face.  When we took this picture, the face wasn't added yet, but since then has two big eyes and a red mouth added to the peach fabric. (Our team is also known as being pretty silly). The black part is supposed to be the hair.

Next comes the portion of the dance that Team America calls the "Tomato Dance." It is actually supposed to be a Japanese cartoon character.  The Japanese on our team love this part of our dance, they think it is so silly.

After the tomato dance,  we loosen the top part of the neck and pull the red part down to reveal our next costume...

Then the gold pulls down to reveal my favorite part of the costume.  I love my fabric! Each person has a different kind of fabric, so this part is super colorful.

We aren't done yet... remember the pockets and props I told you about? Well, towards the end of this dance (which is the last dance), our wings make the big reveal!  They are attached to us on a belt and they stay in the pockets of the red thing the entire time.

And that's it! Exciting, huh?!?!  Our competition is October 19, 20 and 21st.  It will be a crazy weekend, but fun, too, I'm sure!  I'll be sure to do a blog about it... my Japanese student, Yasuko, told me it is her "duty" to come a take pictures for me since Chris isn't here.  She's so sweet! I really am looking forward to it, but I'm hoping that I don't mess up too much and cause our team not to place.  That wouldn't be good at all!

Weekend Trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima

 I was getting a little worried that I wouldn't be able to see Miyajima before we left Japan, so when I saw that this tour was coming up, I immediately called my friend, Christine, and we signed up for it.  Miyajima is the third most scenic view Japan has to offer and after seeing it I can understand why. Its name means "shrine island." The huge tori is an incredible sight because it appears to be floating in the water.

We had to take a ferry to the island and when we got there we were not only greeted by a huge floating tori and a beautiful shrine area, but also deer that wandered everywhere. I'm not a huge fan of getting close to wildlife (I know they can turn on you in an instant and not to mention the fact they are germy) but I did get close enough to snap some pictures.

This one apparently wanted to go inside to get some food...

I can't tell you how happy I was to finally see this sight (that would explain all the pictures)!  I have seen toris before, but none that are floating and none quite this big!  We were there when the tide was in, but when it is out, you can walk right up to it.

My wonderful friend, Christine, who came with me so I wouldn't have to be alone (since Chris is out). She's the best!

Okay, last picture of me with the tori... sorry!!

The town of Miyajima was so great... around the tori there was a huge shrine to walk around, a five-story pagoda, tons of cute shops and of course delicious things to eat!  I think before we left the island Christine and I sampled the curry, ice cream, and maple leaf cookies!

The shrine on the island of Miyajima

Inside the shrine... I love the vibrant colors!

The five-story pagoda, Gojunoto. 

The shrine with the pagoda in the background

Also while we were walking around the shrine, there was a couple there getting married.  We were told not to take pictures, but I just couldn't help myself. The bride looked so beautiful in her kimono!

And one final picture of the tori and pagoda as we were leaving the island on the ferry...

Our tour for the weekend also consisted of us touring Hiroshima.  We toured the museum and walked around the peace park.  

A replica of the dome inside the Hiroshima museum

The Genbaku Dome. Also, known as the "A-Bomb Dome" which is the symbol for Hiroshima.

On grounds of the peace park. Inside this arch holds the A-Bomb Victim Registry. Past the arch is the flame that continues to burn until there are no more nuclear weapons and past the flame is the dome.

Children's Peace Monument

Rooms filled with paper cranes at the peace monument... cranes are the symbol for peace

A view of the town of Hiroshima from our hotel

Of course, my blog entry would not be complete without posting some pictures of food! Hiroshima is famous for their "Okonomiyaki." The word "okonomi" means, "what you want," and "yaki" means, "cooked." It is a savory layered pancake made of noodles, pork, a fried egg and sauce.  They are so delicious!

And after we finished (this is a first), we were given toothpicks AND a mirror to see if anything is in your teeth! I think all restaurants should do this... how very clever!

As we were leaving, I noticed this sign...

It's almost oyster season in Japan and so this sign is advertising, get this, oyster ice cream!! I think I'll pass on that one!

I'm so very glad I finally got to see Miyajima... it was well worth the wait!  Thank you, Christine, for being such an amazing friend and coming with me (even though we had school and dance practice the next day)!  Oh, and this last picture is for Chris. I know how much he loves taking pictures of the maps of places we have visited! 

Lanterns! Lanterns! Lanterns!

August has been a "Lantern Festival" packed month in Sasebo.  Last week was the Obon Festival and just a few days ago was the 10,000 Lantern Festival in Emukae.  I missed both of these festivals last year... we were out of town for the Obon festival and school started on the same day as the festival in Emukae.  I have been looking forward to the month of August for the entire year so that I could see the amazing lantern festivals for myself!

Obon is a yearly festival that is a way to remember the family members and friends who have passed away during the year.  This festival is steeped in tradition.  The family members make and carry their family's float to the park, and they light candles, say prayers, and bring gifts for their loved one.

Pushing the family float to the park

The floats varied in size... some had to be pushed, some carried by several people, other floats only required one person to carry them.

Lighting candles

This man sat and read all the prayers. His stack of prayers was quite large!

Gifts that were brought

One of my favorite parts of any Japanese festival is seeing the ladies and children dressed in their kimonos. I love it!  The little girls are especially precious all dressed up!

One of the little girls playing with Liam, my friend's little boy... too cute!!

The next part of the Obon festival consists of placing the lantern for your loved one in the river.  As you can imagine, it is quite a beautiful sight at night in the river. 

Lanterns ready to be purchased

Decorating their lantern

Then, after the lanterns are purchased and decorated, they are passed along a small bridge that is lined with about 10 men.  The lantern is passed from man to man until it reaches the end and then it is placed in the water.  However, before each man accepts the lantern, he bows.  This is done for every lantern! 

Passing the lanterns down the bridge to be placed in the river.

The following week was the festival in Emukae (a town which is about 30 minutes away from Sasebo).  I was looking forward to this festival not just because of the many lanterns and the huge "lantern tree" but because one of my Japanese students, Yasuko, was taking me! I knew it was going to be great, and it was! She was able to able to explain to me what all the foods were, what everything said, and even where to find the restrooms! It was great!! At the beginning, I thought this festival had 1,000 lanterns however, Yasuko quickly corrected me and told me there were 10,000 in the town! Wow! There were 3,000 in the lantern tree and 7,000 throughout the town.

The lantern tree before the lights turned on...

And after...

It was huge!!

Yasuko and I infront of the tree! We had so much fun!!

You could even walk in side the tree...

The tree wasn't the only sight.  The town was lined with lanterns and delicious food booths!  

With Yasuko's help, I was able to try a candied miniature apple... it tasted like an apple inside of a jolly rancher. (Don't you just love the man's face behind me!!)

Of course, no festival is complete without a beauty pageant!  The best part is I was able to see one of my Japanese students compete!  Eri, is right in the middle with the black, white, and red kimono. She was beautiful and she won!!  How exciting!

The kimono beauty pageant

I had such a wonderful time at both of these festivals... definitely something I am going to miss when we move back to the states!!