たねいちなつまつり part 2

Hard to believe that a FULL YEAR has passed! I declined the opportunity to dance in the parade again this year...I wanted to sit back and watch all of my students participate while catching the excitement of the festival in photos this time around. The pics may not be all that great, but the experience was even more special than being IN the parade last year. Now that I have developed so many wonderful friends and relationships with people in this community, I really felt a PART of the community while amongst the cheering crowd.

Like last year, it was a beautiful sunny and hot day. Over 20 teams compete in dance and song. Each team has different clothing and the yukatas look SO beautiful (they are so UNcomfortable...so this time around, with the humidity at about 99%) I didnt have any qualms about not dressing the part! The dances are VERY similar, but I'm told there are slight nuances, that after 3 hours I still hadn't noticed! Each team has a taiko group of performers and they dance to the rhythmic thundering sounds of the taiko. It's so 'Japanesey' and I was really happy that I could enjoy it a second time in Taneichi!
Mikoshi: Traditional dance for men

(you thought I was going to say Japanese male strippers didn't you....)

The kids have an hour or two to perform some traditional dances with taiko and flutes playing behind their colorful costumes and makeup.
Because virtually EVERY student in Taneichi has worked with me at one time or another this year, AND all people in Taneichi come to the festival...well, I spent the ENTIRE day being yanked and pulled and hugged and mobbed by swarming elementary and junior high school kids. It was really special and a nice time for me to say final goodbyes. I will never forget the kindness of this community, they made me feel so loved. And I love you all back!!!

The evening closes with the Taneichi Taiko Team's performance. They are fantastic! Earlier this year I attended some practices 'thinking' that I could pick it up with some of my music background...so that didn't happen, but I enjoyed watching a lot of their practices and learning about this important symbol of Japan.

Last year's festival was SO special as it was the FIRST memory of this community! But this year's festival was even MORE wonderful, cos I was able to see my efforts this year had paid off...I made SO many friends this year and though their English test scores may not increase, their understanding and interest in foreigners did. Chalk one up for me!