October 18 2009: Today we went off to the Towada Horse Festival. Be warned, there are LOTS of horse pictures today! Well, what did you expect? it is a horse festival, after all!Shane, Andi and I went with our friends, the Martins....(you met them in last weeks blog) Bree drove, so there was no arguing about which way to go between Shane and I... but I got to back seat drive anyway....it's what I do (I try to hold back.....it just comes out)
Anyway, getting there was easy, it was finding parking that took longer than getting there. Trying to figure out where one can park in Japan is a little tricky. Some places are reserved for apartment dwellers...the one big lot for public parking was full. We finally came to rest at what we think was a bank, next to a funeral home...The bank was closed, and we saw a few people parking there, and walking up to the festival...so we tried to blend in as best we could. And just to relieve the suspense, yes the car was still there when we got back.
The festival took place in the center of town. There is a large park called Chuo Park Green Area. The main street out front is decorated with horse statues. Even with a festival going on, it was a quiet little town.Of course, let me mention that while this festival going on, Misawa Air Base was hosting its annual airshow. When we drove to Towada, the rode into Misawa was backed up for miles (actually, kilometers out here). From what I understand, the base was PACKED with people, as they open the gates to the public for the show. We were very happy to head in the opposite direction..and it worked out well, the festival wasn't very crowded, and it was relaxing.
The first competition that we watched was the Yabusame....actually, that is one of the two main events. Yabusame is archery on horseback. Theses riders are very good at what they do. The horses all seemed so calm and relaxed....even in the holding areas....no horses snorting or kicking, just a relaxed air as they waited for their next run.
The other main event was English style jumping. The arena seemed smaller than what I am accustomed to seeing. And the jumps were all lined up one after another, no obstacle course to remember what jump come next.
The announcer for the jumping was very enthusiastic. As each horse jumped, and as each jump got higher, the more excited he became....encouraging the horse and rider with loud "itch, itch, itch!" (well that's what it sounded like to me....could have been something else of course) I was wondering if some of the riders wanted him quiet, but it made it much more entertaining for me.
This was the highest of the jumps. The horse cleared the jump! Well, acutally, if you look closely (click on the picture to enlargen it) it clipped the top bar. I'm not sure if the bar fell completly though....truely, I don't pay that much attention sometimes. (I know a shock to all) I'm not sure who won the competition, but this horse was one of the three to circle the arena when all was said and done.
Some of the lower jumps. The announcer wasn't as excitable with these.
Then, we turned our attention back to the archery. Children, women and men all competed. The children had a separate competition. But men and women competed together depending on their level.
After all riders were done, they'd wait at a holding area, then all would walk single file back down the field to the main holding areas. So then you could get a better look at the riders and their horses.
The bows resting...in the main holding area.
One of the competitors warming up for her ride. Make note of her right arm in the next picture....a complete follow through with the motion...no shortcuts.
oh, and on her left arm....couldn't decide if it was a mink or a fox. Either way, it was probably real!
Getting the riders in action took a lot of work.....I think I had to delete about 20 pictures, since all it showed was the tail of the horse.
This guy (above) was one of the best. Shane said he was hitting pretty much all his targets. I think there were two on the run.
This horse was by far my favorite. And those who know me well, know I'm not really one to gush about a horse. Now I don't know anything about the lines, stance, how many hands...I just like this one.
When we had our fill of jumping and running....and of course eating (there is always plenty of food booths at these things, never any need to hungry) we continued up the main street. The sidewalks are decorated with horseshoes, entry poles have horse heads, and even the phone booths have a horse head on top (yes, I realize now that I didn't get any pictures of the phone booths)
Oh, just what the world needs! A giant ant. To be precises, a "giant, bright red leafcutting ant" (and just in case you want more trivial info: their habitat is the rainforests of Central and South America) And how do I know this....well, I have my Towada Art Center information brochure right here with me.
oh, and on her left arm....couldn't decide if it was a mink or a fox. Either way, it was probably real!
Getting the riders in action took a lot of work.....I think I had to delete about 20 pictures, since all it showed was the tail of the horse.
This guy (above) was one of the best. Shane said he was hitting pretty much all his targets. I think there were two on the run.
This horse was by far my favorite. And those who know me well, know I'm not really one to gush about a horse. Now I don't know anything about the lines, stance, how many hands...I just like this one.
When we had our fill of jumping and running....and of course eating (there is always plenty of food booths at these things, never any need to hungry) we continued up the main street. The sidewalks are decorated with horseshoes, entry poles have horse heads, and even the phone booths have a horse head on top (yes, I realize now that I didn't get any pictures of the phone booths)
Oh, just what the world needs! A giant ant. To be precises, a "giant, bright red leafcutting ant" (and just in case you want more trivial info: their habitat is the rainforests of Central and South America) And how do I know this....well, I have my Towada Art Center information brochure right here with me.The Towada Art Center....wow! this is an amazing place! Can only take pictures of the outside exhibits, inside...no pictures.
But, thank goodness for gift shops and their postcards! This is "Standing Woman" The tall woman stands I don't know how high...and it is so realistic. Every little detail on the human body is on her. The little person, is an actual person.
"Cause and Effect" It looks like a giant jellyfish...but when you get up close, each piece is a little tiny sculpture of a human, with another human sitting on his shoulders, another on that one's shoulders, and so forth. I don't know how many pieces in all, but it s pretty neat to stand under it and look up.
This is "Flower Horse" it's "covered with flower patterns, exhibited in the exterior event space, is an alignment with the long historical relationship between Towada and the horse, the seasonal changes in flowers blossoming this street and the future prosperity of Towada."
A view of the mountains from the rooftop of the art center. The stairwell leading up and the rooftop itself were also another piece of work. The floor of the cafe was also decorated with an art piece.
But, thank goodness for gift shops and their postcards! This is "Standing Woman" The tall woman stands I don't know how high...and it is so realistic. Every little detail on the human body is on her. The little person, is an actual person.Here is a link for the Art Center.
click on the "artwork" for each artist to see their work that is on display here.
"Cause and Effect" It looks like a giant jellyfish...but when you get up close, each piece is a little tiny sculpture of a human, with another human sitting on his shoulders, another on that one's shoulders, and so forth. I don't know how many pieces in all, but it s pretty neat to stand under it and look up.The display setups are unique as well. Each one has its own room. There is nothing in there, but that display and a docent to make sure you mind your p's and q's.
If you click on #17 on the art center link, that just gives a picture of what you see passing by the room. But it is a hands on exhibit. You go and stand on the chair on the table, and put your head through the hole in the ceiling. This allows you to see the head of the seal (the strange object hanging down in the photo) and this incredible landscape as well, complete with mist. Pretty incredible.
This is "Flower Horse" it's "covered with flower patterns, exhibited in the exterior event space, is an alignment with the long historical relationship between Towada and the horse, the seasonal changes in flowers blossoming this street and the future prosperity of Towada."
A view of the mountains from the rooftop of the art center. The stairwell leading up and the rooftop itself were also another piece of work. The floor of the cafe was also decorated with an art piece.Really and incredible place to go, and will be put on the list of things to do for future visitors.
Once again, I am just totally amazed by this area of Japan. Just when you think you've seen the best thing of your life, you turn a corner and there's another.
