On Saturday Nagano High School had it’s cultural festival.
It basically involved all of the classes making some sort of activity or
display. Friends and family of students were allowed to come and there were many
things to do. There was a stage setup in the courtyard for various performances,
as well as food stands that sold yakisoba (fried noodles), fried chocolate
dumplings, takosen (octopus dumplings in a hard shell), bubble tea, caramel
popcorn, pancakes, coffee, and waffles. They were all delicious! To obtain the
food, you had to purchase tickets that were worth 20円 (20¢
US). Some food was over priced and some might have been under, but it was all a
lot of fun! On the stage, bands played rock music and groups danced to pop
music and wore crazy outfits. Inside the school, classes had classrooms set up
for different things. There was a café and a bazaar. The tea ceremony room was
being exhibited and all of the art that had been created recently was out for
display. In the gym, the stage had been extended out and bands were performing
in there. The taiko drum club had their show there.
It took my class a while to prepare. We had to heat up the
big takoyaki pan that we were using and cook the takoyaki. It was a riot to see
everyone crowded around the pan flipping the dumplings!
I was not allowed to
cook because I had not taken a cooking sanitation class, so I just took tickets
and walked around handing out fliers. I think the fact that I am not Japanese
may have help me with how many brochures I was able to hand out and people were
more willing to take them. While doing this, I ran into a Canadian who has been
teaching in Japan for 20 years. How cool! He said that kindergarten was the
most fun. He teaches all over the Kansai region, which is centered around Osaka.
I also met two exchange students that are through the program YFU (Youth for
Understanding). One of them was from Indonesia and lives in Kawachinagano but
goes to school closer to Osaka. Her host sister is a third year at Nagano High
School. The other student was from Finland and lives and goes to school in
Wakayama, the prefecture south of Osaka, which Kawachinagano borders. YFU does
shorter exchanges that Rotary International; only five months compared to ten
months, respectively. Unfortunately, I did not give them my Rotary business
card, but at the time I was trying to think of a way to stay connected, so I
should at least get credit for that!
Part the preparation that has happened in the days leading
up to the festival was the organization of group T-shirts. Every class and club
had their own. Because my class’ number is 1-7, we had 壱ノ七
(1-7) on the back of ours.
The wind orchestra ordered light blue T-shirts and painted
on them. On the front was written “Nagano Wind Orchestra” with stars and music
notes sewn on. The back had our names along with two flutes and a trumpet
painted on. You’ll see that in later photos. For both T-shirts, I received a
size XL because the sizing chart is so different here!
The day was very, very, very hot and humid. Here’s the
thermometer that was in the band room on the fourth floor.
I had the opportunity to play with the Nagano Wind Orchestra
at the festival. It was very fun and I am super impressed by all of them! About
90% of the orchestra had their music memorized. Wow! We played four songs,
including a Jazz medley that included “Sing, Sing, Sing”, by Louis Prima.
Here is a link to the performance. It’s 20 minutes long, so wait until you have
time to enjoy it! Nagano Wind Orchestra
After we were finished, we carried all of the equipment back
up to the fourth floor of the school. That included three timpani, the full
drum set, a heavy set of bells, and all the extras. What a workout! There were
pictures taken of all of us once we got back to the room. Here is me with the 2nd
years:
And the 1st years:
When the festival ended, my class had to clean up all of our
stuff. That meant tables scrubbed of char, dishes washed, food put away, and
the grill disassembled. It took a while because everyone was exhausted from the
heat! Many of them slept through the closing ceremony that was held in the gym
where different classes were recognized for selling the most food. When we
finally made it back to the classroom, the last of the extra food was handed out
and we took a class picture and headed home.
On Sunday, Gigi took me to see the だんじり (Danjiri) festival in Kishiwada near Osaka Bay. We took the
train from Kawachinagano station north to Kishisatotamade, and then back south
to Kishiwada. It was kind of a round about way, but it got us there and we did
not have to drive. We went through Sakai City on the way. I will be living
there in May. We took a commuter train on the way to Kishiwada and it was very
crowded! Many people were most likely headed to Danjiri. When we got off the
train, you could immediately hear the noise. There were drums, whistles, and
shouting in unison. Just as we left the station, we glimpsed a giant wooden
carriage whip around the corner and disappear down the street.
I suppose I should also mention (before getting to into
detail) that it was pouring rain all day. This wasn’t just a Midwest sprinkle,
this was a downpour from the typhoon that is coming through. Anyway, just imagine
all the water while you read this.
We wandered through the crowd until we found a long street
that was covered. It was a pedestrian street that was lined with shops and
restaurants. There were also hundreds of people lining it.
We found a place along
the side and waited. Soon, we could hear shouts and see a tall pole with a lantern-like
structure on top of it being carried by a man. There were others around him
carrying flags and just behind them there was a hoard of people pulling on a
thick rope that was about 100 yards long. Attached to the rope was a large carriage
on four giant wheels that didn’t turn. It was crawling with people! There was
someone playing drum and another playing flute. On top was a man carrying two
fans. Behind the carriage there was a shorter rope with more people. All at
once all of the people pulling started a chant and began to run! They carriage
reached a very fast speed and then they went around the corner. To do this, all
of the pullers had to hug the turn very closely and the people at the back had
to swing far to the outside. The carriage didn’t have any wheels that turned left or right,
so it was dragged sideways around the corner until it was facing the correct
direction. As it turned the man with the fans on top was dancing around and
jumping from one side to the other. It was quite frightening! When the carriage
passed the ground shook from its’ weight and the pounding feet. How exciting!
This is the tradition Danjiri dress
We watched four or five Danjiri groups race through the city
streets. It was quite the experience! Kawachinagano will have their Danjiri in
October. I’m looking forward to it!
All last night it rained! It didn’t stop raining until about
9 AM. This morning most of the family took a walk to look at the small river
that flows out of the dam near our house. The river was huge! The river bed is
very wide, luckily. I think that is because this happens relatively frequently.
The water was brown from all of the sediment being picked up in the hills. Many
gutters were practically overflowing with the water! As we were walking back up
the hill towards the house, we started hearing noises coming from the dam. They
must be opening it up more from all the rain.
Typhoons are exciting! They bring a ton of rain and wind as
well as cooler weather. It’s quite a bit cooler than it was on the day of the
festival.
I am understanding more and more Japanese everyday! I know
it gets repetitive when I say that in every post, but it’s true! It just keeps
getting better!
School work has been tough. I’m still trying to figure out
what I am expected to do and what I’m not. My class schedule seems to skip some
classes that I participate in on other days. I think the hardest subject is
history, but that’s also really hard for Ron, the Australian who’s lived here
for a couple years, so I don’t feel too bad about not understanding.
At the moment I’m preparing a couple speeches to give at
different events. One is at an elementary school in Kawachinagano and the other
is for the first Rotary Youth Exchange orientation. I’m pretty sure both have
to be in Japanese…
Thanks for reading!
またね！
Wes
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