A flood of lights -lanterns, bulbs and all the like. The cover of darkness descended upon us and so began the year’s obon (or festival of ancestors) here in Japan.
The last few weeks I have had the schplendid opportunity to join some taiko (Japanese drumming) practices here in town. It is really a nice thing. I have been drumming at home in Canada too for just about a year now.
But these practices in Japan offer something sweet. Something refreshing and so very Japanese. When you subtract the English, flop yourself into a city and a setting that you have literally no familiarity with you get something special. Something unique.
These taiko experiences have been just that.
And little did I know, and to my surprise, that the beats and drumming we were practicing would have a requirement. And that requirement would be my presence at the annual bon-odori festival.
This town in which I live is quait and small. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t break out the fireworks to signal the commencement of the parade on the last day of celebration.
I won’t get into details. That is what your imagination is for. Or, is that what this blog is for? Hmm. Don’t hate me for that.
There was a festival tower in the middle of the square. A crude scaffolding covered in a festive red and white. Our taiko drums circled this monumnet. The first two days of this event included music blaring over old foghorn speakers. Think 1950’s, but hey, it worked.
First the children danced a traditional dance circling the stand. I too danced with them. But this last day was the real event.
Dressed in costume, some like One Piece, others like temple servants and following when it was at last dark and they finished tarrying the large floats (again including a One Piece-like ship) around town, the adults came and danced.
We played a new beat on the drums this time. On of my favourites. Unique, repetitive, but it melted into the night. The orchestrated dance and the hilarity of some of the costumes is something I won’t understand -without more study of course.
And our series of events went something like this:
After our short rest before the parade showed up at our location the taiko group enjoyed dried fish snacks, pepporoni and some enjoyed beer and sake. It was festive indeed.
From there we drummed for what seemed like an hour -continuously. Switching crude and tired arms for a fresh pair -where beside us waited the next member of the drumming team.
The evening ended late. We made our separate ways, participants and our drumming group. We ended up at a small karaoke bar where over fried fish, a few more beverages, and some classic Japanese songs (okay, some English for me) we sang, we danced, and ate our way well into the night. And one final night cap, our taiko group went next door for a bite before heading home. Nothing like shoyu ramen at one-thiry in the morning.
The Traveller's Typewriter 