During the week it's pretty much been all business, running errands and trying to take care of things. My current quest is to get myself a hanko Japanese signature stamp. (Here's an example from the internet.)
Gary already has his but I need to get one so I can sign official documents. Gary's Japanese teacher went to the trouble of helping us with our names in Kanji. Our Kanji characters for 'Case' end up meaning 'state of grace or favor' which I think is nice. After I get my hanko we will take both of ours down to the municipality office and get them registered and then we're all set to officially sign stuff!
As many of you know we have a special speaker coming to Japan next week. Jimmy and Patsy Pena have always come wherever we have been! I'm very excited to get to spend some time with them! The fliers Gary had ordered arrived but he had a previous commitment so I decided to do a solo outreach and hit the streets on Saturday to see how many I could pass out. There are no pictures of me because it would be awkward taking selfies of yourself outreaching! Lol! I did discover a very large residential area in the blocks behind the church. Since I still don't speak the language well enough to communicate anything complicated, I mostly left fliers in mailboxes which is nice and legal here in Japan.
Yay!
After a few hours of that I was hungry, so I went and ate a Big Mac at McDonald's promptly undoing any calorie burning that I had accomplished! It did hit the spot though! Nom Nom Nom!!!!
When I exited McDonald's I saw that folks were setting up for the summer festival of the dance. I found this information online:
Mitaka Awa-odori (dancing festival)
This event is held every August at Mitaka Station South exit Chuo-dori. This year marks the 30th anniversary, and it has been already familiarized by the local citizens as a regular summer event. The arcade shop owners as well as company's branch staff and office workers in the neighbors form groups call "ren" to practice, and on the event day they mingle and enjoy competing with each other. They get some support from Tokushima, the birthplace of Awa-odori dancing.It was interesting because people had taped out their seating before hand and then just came back later for the parade! I, of course, had nothing to stake out a spot with so I just sat on the curb in true gaijin/ hobo style and waited for the parade to start. Fortunately, I had a book with me to pass the time! After about an hour the street got quite crowded but I had a good view from my street side seat!
See?! I'm liking that parade saving seat thing!
First came the ladies in the beautiful Yukatas (summer kimonos) so many beautiful patterns! They were followed by another group who danced more acrobatically, and finally the band consisting of Japanese stringed instruments, flutes and percussion. Lots of percussion!!! Drums Drums Drums! Even though the groups all did the same song, each group had their own routine going on and it was interesting to watch!
This lady knelt right in front of me, I loved her Yukata pattern!
So many patterns and colors!
So pretty!
And if you look closely on their feet you will see that they are wearing getas. Getas are wooden shoes with two transverse supports underneath.
They danced the whole parade on their toes!
Notice how their sleeves look like wings!
The acrobatic dancers.
Young women
Young Men
Middle aged
And a really old guy.
Actually their were several senior citizens that participated.
Some folks tied the handkerchief under their noses, not sure why.
Very energetic!
Sometimes the two groups danced together.
Some were dancing with what I think were supposed to represent lanterns on their arms, they had some cool moves!
This guy was a happy lantern dancer!
Drums!
Or a little drummer boy!
This group must have been the comedy relief, check out the guy with the sunflowers on his head.
These folks brought along a picnic! Smart!
Here's a short video, sorry about the poor quality. You can see the mad fan dancing skills!
So that about covers my Saturday! By the time the parade ended it was dark and time to walk home!
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