Bōnenkai

Written by: adekun on 20 December, 2009 11:42 am - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »

I survived my first bōnenkai (forget the year party). Instead of being with co-workers, it was amongst with a mixed bag of fellow gym-goers. Over the course of the evening, to compliment the food and drink, there were several games with prizes. Refreshingly, despite being the only foreigner, I didn’t feel like one (or rather, made to feel like one). I guess everyone there was out to enjoy themselves. It was certainly one the most fun and entertaining events I’ve been to.

Tags: festival

Takoage

Written by: adekun on 9 November, 2009 11:01 pm - Filed under: japan — 1 Comment »

Throughout the year many kite flying events are held across the country. The festival has a long history dating back to the Eiroku era. Perhaps now, the gatherings, kites and armies of happi clad flyers are not as big as they used to be (see Takoage Gassen). Still, it is a fun activity to watch or participate in.
Yonago City usually hosts an uncompetitive competition early November. Continue reading

Tags: festival, japan

Obon rained off

Written by: adekun on 14 August, 2009 10:09 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

I think the usual dance over obon was close to being called off. The weather was typical of the year’s summer. I took Kento and an umbrella, determined not to let the rain spoil the meet.

Tags: festival, japan, weather

36th Gaina Matsuri

Written by: adekun on 12 August, 2009 9:39 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

The city summer festival was held over the past weekend. Unsurprisingly, it was humid. There was quite a breeze at times and several spills during the lantern balancing. Continue reading

Tags: festival, japan

35th Gaina Matsuri

Written by: adekun on 3 August, 2008 10:56 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

Gaina is a local word for big. The weekend played host to Yonago’s big festival. Over the two days the event included taiko drum performances, dancing and manto.

Kento especially liked the last; watching as teams balanced mounted lanterns high in the air.

Tags: festival, japan

Obon

Written by: adekun on 16 August, 2007 8:23 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »

The Bon Festival held since the weekend has ended. It is a time where families unite to venerate their ancestors. Graves (haka) are cleaned and at some point, a local Bon dance (bon odori) is performed.
After a tiff with the Nemesis, we went down the road to the gathering. It was one of those times where I was questioning my reason. Is the Japan escapade the better picking for the three of us?
I couldn’t get any decent shots or really capture the atmosphere of the event, but it hit the spot.

Most of the families from the immediate neighbourhood congregated and danced around a Taiko drum in the centre. It serves as a celebration and reminder of the sacrifices made. Bamboo sticks were handed around, and it seemed a little like Morris dance, without partners and bells. After a few dances, including Tanko Bushi where the motions of coal mining played out, everybody sat down talked and drunk the free beer – fruit juice for the children.

Tags: festival, japan