Tuesday, August 03, 2010

More Sansha Tasisai Parade Photos

ACK - this was a LONG post with photos and video clip and it's blank....tomorrow...it's after 11:00 p.m. and school must go on in the a.m.

Dressing for Sansha Taisai

A bit of background info: 
The yukata is a Japanese summer kimono worn by both men and women. The name yukata comes from the word "yu" (bath) and "katabira" (under clothing ). Thousands of years ago court nobles began wearing yukatabira.It gradually became worn by Japanese warriors and then by the general public when the sophisticated Japanese public bath became popular. Today, the traditional Japanese yukata is widely used for everything from festivals, ryokan, summer daily wear to simple night attire. In Japan, the yukata is the most popular daily clothing wear and is beloved for its 100% lightweight cotton fabric. The fabric designs vary from the traditional plain cross hatch pattern to more colorful scenery designs.
 (I knew it would tie in to the onsens somehow....)


We entered an incredibly old, authentic Japanese building. Really old...like back in the Meiji or Edo time periods....but I DO KNOW that during WW2 the family lost some of their fortune and gave the mansion to the city of Hachinohe. This is where we came to dress or be dressed for the festival. 


We took of our shoes. We walked in and quickly saw a room full of folks dressing. The boys high tailed it back outside. They enjoyed an international discussion between American, Japanese and Brazilian young men. Men the world over drink juice and wait for women to finish dressing. ::snort:: 


I noticed that one American had worn tights and a tank...wish we'd thought to do the same....but that's fine....the one man wouldn't leave...so Akikosan took us behind rice screens...and we began to transform our dress. Akikosan brought a "professional kimono dresser" in to dress us....who knew? 


Beautiful yukata that Akikosan gave Arielle

When in Rome....yeah...derriere photos...to show the Obis....these must have been good, because we were stopped throughout the festival by women who chattered and admired either the tied obis or our rears...I figure it was the obis. (Do note I did NOT make anything up - there's a gentleman in the room). 



Do note the slight problem with Akikosan's plan of hiding us behind the rice screen...a bank of windows on one side...

Stacia's tied Obi

Poor Arielle, they tied and tied and tugged and we waited....

A window facing into the room of waiting men and dressers with a window...too bad I didn't notice this before we were dressed. ::snort:: Maybe better I didn't. 

Prerequisite derriere photo

 This made everyone happy - they put matching flowers in their obis because they are sisters. 


No one seemed overly concerned with MY hair...but several were thrilled to get their hands on the blond hair.....


Arielle, Akikosan, Me, Stacia

All those people dressing in one room.....


The mansion was old - as was this tree....wish I'd had time for more photos


Process: Drape the yukata over your body, secure with bungee cords, wrap torso in thick, fabric covered, cardboard...pull, twist, stretch, squeeze, tie bow....take mincing steps to the fancy hair station.  The goal is to have a shapeless figure...got me...but that's it....straight, no waist...check the video clip below. 


If you'd like REAL directions (and in case you don't believe me about all the layers) view here....


I see the undergarment we need to buy before next time. As you can see there is a "right" way to wear each piece. If you DO get it wrong...you are sure to be stopped and adjusted. 



Arielle had the wider obi and had a terrible time trying to eat.


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Life is not always fair...just sayin

I have so many truly profound topics to blog about....if I could find the time when my brain is functioning, I would blog. LOL 


For now....since I've committed to keeping a family journal, we'll forget the profound and go with the typical. 


Zander, Stacia and I went to say goodbye to Mr. Jim as he left for another 8 months. Honestly....life doesn't seem fair. He's only been home 3 months. Hard for families to be together, be apart, be together, be apart....and yet we do it. I wanted Twyla to know that she is not alone, that I also think this is simply not nice or fun or a good way to treat troops...but that I know she's going to make it.  We said our goodbye, left to run errands so they could have a family goodbye and then....


We went to the beach. Janet told me when we first got to Japan to find a place that is "mine," where I feel at peace and closer to "home" and our older kids....a place where I can go when I feel overwhelmed. The beach is that for me. It was unbearably sad to watch the Patriot Express fly away.....but the silver lining is one more deployment buddy. Deployment buddies are ladies who have no man at home, are willing to drop everything at a moment's notice to go play, share charcoal, sit in an onsen with you when you don't feel like talking but don't want to be alone either.....these are good friends to have. I'm blessed to have several. 


Simply amazing what an observant beach comber may find in Japan. ::snort:: This fellow migrated from MT to AK to TX to Japan. 

My favorite wave jumping partner

We bought this with high hopes....

Stacia discovered immediately, what Arielle discovers here, it FLIPS in the waves...and holds you under. 


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...