Abare Matsuri

Happy July, everyone! Hope you had a dandy 4th. We are counting down the days until we board our flight to Americaland (17!). We've had a busy, fun past couple of weeks and thought we'd share some pics with you.

First, we went to a hot spring hotel last weekend for a going-away bash for some of our JET friends who are heading home soon. The hot spring was relaxing, the food was abundant, and the karaoke was a blast!

This was our hotel room--it was huge! Multiple bedrooms. Traditional tatami floors, sliding doors, and comfy futons!

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a changing screen.

In our jammies!

 Next, there's this:

Found this little gem on our camera. Not sure exactly what grammar point he was teaching on this day, but I know one thing: English class with Daniel is the most fun these kids are going to have all day.

Props to Daniel on this artsy shot. He took it at his school's chorus festival this week.

Aren't they cute?!

Happy America Day! I built this tiny lego flag to celebrate.

 Finally, and best of all, we went to a festival this weekend at the very tippy-top of the Noto peninsula in our prefecture. It's as rural as it gets, but this one festival that happens every July has brought it much acclaim. Mr. Suzuki, an English teacher at Daniel's school, invited him to come along and help carry a kiriko (a large Japanese lantern-float-type-thing). Each neighborhood in this village has its own kiriko, for a total of about 50. We'd be representing the "Umenoki" (plum tree) neck of the woods. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Abare Matsuri, or as many English speakers like to call it, "The Festival of Fire and Violence."

So. We were welcomed to Noto-Cho with this unbelievable spread. Sashimi, fresh fruit, fried chicken, soup, rice, beer...wow! The Mama-San and Papa-San took such great care of us. "This is like Christmas in Noto-Cho, so all the shops close and people feast all weekend," Mr. Suzuki told us. My favorite part? Many houses leave their doors wide open with food on the table so that hungry festival-goers can stop in for a snack as they march through the streets. AWESOME. Oh, and featured on the left in plaid is Daniel's Japanese sister. (But seriously, she looked JUST like Sarah, only Japanese.)

After dinner, Daniel donned his happi. The white towel wrapping underneath is for added back support. He'll need it.

Daniel poses with Mr. Suzuki before they head out on Night 1. Notice the Fire Festival posters in the background.

Here she is! The kiriko for the "Umenoki" neighborhood.

The kiriko queue

Daniel's gettin' ready to haul.

Go time! 

As we neared the torches, embers fell like little snowflakes onto the lanterns, onto the people carrying them, into their hair,  onto the children riding in the kirikos. Safety ≠ first priority at Abare Matsuri.

I guess they don't call it the "Fire Festival" for nothing...

We met this guy on Night 1, and he had Daniel feel the bulge in his neck. He says that's what 30 consecutive years of carrying the kiriko will do to ya. Yikes. He inspired me to rename this festival the "Sweaty-muscle-flexing-hulk-athon." Rolls right off the tongue, I know.

Playing the taiko drum and Japanese flute while riding the kiriko.

For most the night, the 12-13 year old (lighter weight) drummers kept rhythm on the taiko. But when the kiriko stopped to take a rest, their senpais showed off for a bit. "They have to prove that they are better than their students," Mr. Suzuki told me. Indeed, they proved it.

Take a look!

Featured: adorable kiriko cargo. Third from left is Daniel's Japanese sister again.

We went to the beach with Mr. Suzuki the next day before the festivities started again.

Bein' the explorer that he is.

We found critters!

2PM: Time to lift again!

More adorable cargo.

Minor roadblock. 

This older guy on the right was a hoot. He was drunk all weekend and kept stopping cars and trying to pick fights with the drivers. 

We saw a lot of cuteness this weekend. Exhibit A.

And B.

When they get to this intersection they're supposed to spin the kiriko around several times.

Take a look!

Night 2 in front of the "Sacred Shrine." The one they destroy in the river. Ya know.

 All right, that's all for now! I imagine our next blog post will take place in America...WOO! See you guys soon!

With love,
Your friendly neighborhood adventurers