Summer Festival

August 22 2009 - Well, as the rice starts to mature, it is time for the Misawa Summer Festival! I think this is also supposed to be the harvest celebration. Though the rice hasn't reached it's full maturity yet. I have heard through a friend (who understands Japanese) that the harvest of rice may not be that plentiful, as it has been too rainy and not enough sun to encourage the grains. Other crops seem to be bountiful. But that is to my untrained (and never seen farming up this close) eye.

We started out at the main stage. Known as American Park, as it is right outside the main gate. The dances seemed reminiscent of what one would see in Hawaii and other Pacific Islands (yes I know Japan is an island in the Pacific) But the story telling with the hands and dance.....one more thing that transcends through most countries (Middle East, Islands, even the Native American Indians). Can't help but notice that white America doesn't seem to have this traditional story telling. (my husband says "pole dancing doesn't count")

Above:one would think that this tired little girl must be at the end of a long day. Oh wait! We've been here for all of 30 minutes....I think the music was making her tired.

Above: Could this be another branch of Torgersens? (those from this branch of family will understand....I hope)

Below: Some of the traditional dress seen throughout the afternoon.

Above: A dance/storytelling of the harvest.

The descriptions of all the dances were done in Japanese. A few words I can catch here and there, but not enough to make sense of things at the moment. Maybe next year I can give a detailed story (my I'm optimistic today..)

Above: The Japanese Self Defense Force Marching Band, to start off the parade. There were three different Parades. The previous evening was the float parade. Today's was the Costume Parade, followed by the Mikoshi Parade. Not sure why the costume parade, other than a chance for folks to dress up in outlandish characters and have a VERY good time.

Above: One of the local Japanese pre-shools performs as well. Let me tell you those little drummers were right on beat (with the drums) Not a miscue of music out of them. Very impressive.

Below: Another preschool group performing a traditional dance. This young lady was very happy to be in the parade. The boys looked less than enthused about being there.

Above: Of course, the spectators are always fun to watch as well. The ladies in costume must have performed or were getting ready to perform down at the stage.

Below: Ahhhh, a Sumo in the making. The aprons all had amine characters displayed, and needless to say the back of the outfit was in traditional Sumo style. I have another picture of full view, but decided to be a little conservative.

Above: more spectators.

Below: There were about 15 women in this company. Do a dance, all dressed as sea captains. Not sure why...or what group...I imagine they must be some sort of ladies auxiliary.

Above: More characters. That's all I can tell you..

Below: Some of the parade spectators are quiet into the process. I turned around from where I had been watching and found this set up. I'm guessing there is no problem with open containers in this city. (Asahi is a local beer)

Above: Who said Micheal Jackson is dead? I was kind of disappointed to not see Elvis....it would have explained so much.

After the Costume Parade it was time for Shane and Andi to get ready for the Mikoshi Parade. They had signed up to help carry the float for the Misawa International Association (that's where I go to take my language classes)

The Mikoshi Parade is the carrying of portable Shrines. The shrines are very heavy and require a small army to carry them.

Above: Andi and Shane dressed in their outfits. Andi was rather nervous about the prospect...but was game to give it a try.



Below: How to start a Japanese BBQ

Above: A float from the night before on one of the side streets.


Below: I went out to the parade route to watch the procession. I told Andi that if she was to nervous she could drop out. She'd be able to find me easily enough....I had worn a bright red t-shirt...plus I am a bit taller than the locals around me.

She looks unhappy...she is. But said she was still going to go.

Above: Well, there she goes.....oh wait, seconds after taking this photo, she is running back to me with tears running down her face. She opted out. Though she still wanted to march with dad. So instead of staying and watching the rest of the floats, we walked down the street a ways.


Below: And yes, like most little girls with tears in their eyes, she got an ice cream cone. Well, it's not really ice cream....not ice milk either. I would say it is more of an Italian Ice. Like the type I used to get as a kid outside of Philly. It was a beautiful creation. Looked like a flower when all put together.

Now there's a happy face!

Some of the drummers that were at the beginning of the Mikoshi Parade. The floats take awhile to get down the street due to their weight. The crews have to take lots of breaks. The group carrying the Int'l assoc float actually had enough for 2 crews...but the process of switching out still took a bit of coordination and time.

One of the other floats. This and the Int'l Assoc are the only floats I saw, due to our nervous breakdown. But that's ok....gives me something to look forward to for next year.

Above: I think I know that guy!

Evening sets in. This is actually a late afternoon, evening festival. Which is nice, as the weather is just right at this time of day.

Below: A video clip of the Int'l Assoc carrying the float. Yes, Shane was a bit tired at the end of it all. Remember, they had two crews to carry the float. Most of the floats were just one crew.

Below: The drummers at the start of the Mikoshi parade.

Komaki Grand Hotel Onsen Lake

August 15 2009: Well, finally, we got out of the house for a little bit. Though this wasn't my original intended destination for the day. I had really wanted to go up the coast in search of the wild horses. But according to my tourist info, that could be 3 hours in each direction, and Shane had to be at work that evening. So, racked my brain as to how to get to this place. And viola! my brain worked. A friend had driven me around the place one time, so this was an opportunity to walk around.
The place is the Komaki Grand Hotel. There is a lake on which some of the structures sit. In the center is an area where "festibals" are held. I'm not sure how many of the old structures are in actual use. From the amount of dust on the outside, I would say parts of this are quiet old and no longer fully utilized.





We found a parking area (well, we think it was a parking area) and decided to walk a bit around the road and examine some of the little trials and side pieces.

The cement island is in the middle of the lake where fireworks are sent off.

A view of the Grand Hotel. On the other side of the trees is the new structure, not sure if this building seen here is in actual use. As when we walked around it, we didn't see anyone inside. We have a theory that it might be used for the celebrations or rented out for celebrations.

A statue of "Taro" It looked like some sort of frogman. There were also pictures of him depicting him as some sort of villain. I have done brief research, and have not yet found anything about this figure. The most I have figured out is Taro is a type of root...ah well, will figure it out at some point.

In the meantime Andi and Shane are looking over a railing to the water below...

The fish are nothing if not friendly...This one apparently heard us and came to see if we had any treats. In a little bit (further in this post) you'll see what happens when you do have something....

Above: A shrine to the strange and mysterious frog thing. There was also a series of paintings depicting him in various situations, with captions. But alas, we all know that I have not even come close to reading. (I'm working on 10 characters this week, though they only make 5 sounds, two different character studies at one time)

The little box in front is an offering box. Not sure that it is the same concept of a wishing well, but monetary offers are allowed. (yes, we placed offers, didn't want to offend a frogman)

A Buddha statue with a baby in it's arms.

The wood railings around some of the structures were works of art onto themselves. Here, where the logs join together to brass plates are used. The end pieces are also cut, then another piece of wood, with grain running in the opposite direction is placed to make the end piece. Shane and I were rather intrigued with this, while Andi is standing with a hand on hip in exasperation wondering why on earth we would want to look at wood.

Inside one of the buildings are dragons. I don't know if these are used any more. They looked rather old (well, we couldn't get close to them, they were inside, we looked through the windows) But these are the type that would be used in parades and many people are underneath holding them up and making them "dance"

A view of the center of the lake (with Taro) and the Hotel in the back ground.

A bridge over the incoming waterway.

Looking up the waterway. I really wished we had a canoe to go off exploring. Of course, assuming that one is allowed to bring a canoe....another thing to put on the list of stuff to figure out. I'm not sure that 3 years here is going to be enough time to figure this all out....I may need a life time.

One of the pathways leading to one of the houses/structure. The porch looked out over the lake. All windows with traditional tables and floor seating for eating your meal were inside. If it were mine all mine, I would probably have a hammock in there just for laying and watching the various birds that must come to visit the lake. I told Shane I don't ask for much.....just this whole section behind the hotel....my own paradise.

Natural spring water. Don't know if it was allowed, but we did put our hands in a take a little drink. Actually, we refilled Shane's water bottle, as Andi and I dutifully left our drinks in the car, and Shane's was empty. We didn't drink the whole bottle (not sure how purified this water is) but had a couple of sips to quench the thirst. We didn't get sick, so either we have stomachs of steel, or there was no bacteria in the water.....I'm going to go with pure water, it seems so much more peaceful.

A section of groomed trees....topiary. They do love their topiary in Japan. Most yards have at least one maintained tree. They come in all shapes and sizes. A great deal of patience on the homeowners/landscapers part. My sister and I tried once to groom some hedges....they came out looking like...well, like a preschooler who had no concept of what a ball shape truly is (needless to say we ended up cutting the hedges all the way down and tearing them out...I haven't attempted it since)

Another Shrine. Not sure to what, but it looked inviting and peaceful all the same.

Not sure how this fits into the hotel/resort....this is another building elsewhere on the property. Shane and I were surprised at the somewhat Japanese style on the right side of the house, while the left side (the cream colored) looked more like an English Cottage style, but yet it was one house. Perhaps it was spouses of different countries wanting a little piece of their heritage each brought into their home.

Above: A water gate.

"Symbolic gateway marking the entrance to Shinto shrines or other sacred spots in Japan. It has many variations, but it characteristically consists of two cylindrical posts topped by a crosswise rectangular beam extending beyond the posts on either side and a second crosswise beam a short distance below. The top beam often curves upward. Some authorities relate the torii to the Indian torana, others to Manchurian and Chinese gates. Often painted red, the torii demarcates the boundary between sacred and ordinary space."
For more information on torii, visit Britannica.com.

ummm, gotta love the Internet, able to find answers to some of life's burning questions in just a few clicks (other questions take a quest on the internet to find the answers)

So, this means that this area we were in is a sacred spot. And let me tell you, I believe it. Throughout our walk, the tranquility just hung in the air, and oh so welcoming. Your soul just seems to soak it in, absorb and revel in it. There are many spots like this in Japan, so easy to see why it'll be hard to leave.

I think this once used to be part of the Grand Hotel. Once again, not sure if it is in use still or not. I think some parts must be, as there is an Onsen that is also part of the hotel.

Don't know what the flowers are, but they were pretty!

Now, towards the end of our walk around, we could hear the rather loud squeal of children (so much for the piece and quiet) We had to go by the spot in order to get to our car. The people were feeding the fish. Though they were loud, they were a friendly group (Americans) and offered bread to Andi so that she could feed the fish too. They gave some to Shane and I as well. Let me tell you.....these fish swarmed by the hundreds to get treats. (trust me they are in no way starving....there are plenty of bugs abound for them to feast on...and did see many jumping for the bugs). Anyway, you know how you've seen ducks swarm for food....well the fish know where the good stuff is.....

just hold out your hand and they come! They didn't have any teeth up front, so you could let them take the fish from your hand....complete with sucking sounds. It was just a mass feeding frenzy....

Now we know why the fish on the other side of the lake popped his head up when he "heard" us..... another lesson learned....always have some bread in your pocket!


Click on the arrow below to watch the feeding frenzy!