The Hair of Taiko

Special Edition

For a Limited Time
The Hair of TAIKO:

TAIKO: It only gets better from here

So, perhaps you remember a little entry I made last year about a certain TAIKO festival? Hmmm...? For those of you who are drawing a blank, please check October 2008 entries, as I do not plan to reiterate what this festival is all about. Instead, I will tell you how it was better this year.

So I did the Saijo trek up into the mountains again, but unlike last time, I decided to have fun with it and put on a little extra sparkle. I then decided if I was going to sparkle, so was everyone else. I managed to paint my friends faces before I took a bold move and asked Japanese people if they would like a little glitter on their cheeks. Surprisingly, I got a positive reaction and even splashed a few male faces as well. Let the party begin!

I decided that while it was fun just to trail behind the DANJIRI last year, I jumped right in and started carrying it as well! However, the other lads and ladies started to get quite drunk from sake and I gave up when I realized that I might be on my own in a minute.

I walked all night and at 6AM, promptly took a cab back to my city where I got ready for work. I had a full day where I didn't fall asleep once (last year I was a wreck and would crawl under a desk just to sleep the ten minute break period between classes). That night I took a short nap before pulling another all-nighter, this time at the opening ceremonies in my city, where the TAIKODAI weigh 2.5 tons and climbing up a mountain takes concentration and sobriety. I some students there and was pleased. I also took some snapshots of the coolest girls I have ever seen.

I then went to my school, where, to my surprise, they had TAIKODAI just sitting out on the track field. Huh? It turns out, they were there for the students to try. At first I was a bit hesitant, as I am not a student, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and jump in and carry one. Chance of a lifetime! It led to new friendships with some of the men who worked on the TAIKODAI.

The next day was Saturday, and the main event in my city. It seemed like the entire town turned out for this event.

Me and my former students!

What made it spectacular was the fact that I was asked to sit on one of the TAIKODAI and take pictures with people. I felt a little silly, but honored nonetheless.

That evening, I went to a different part of the city to meet with one of my teachers. He was hosting a party that night for matsuri, and invited the crew. We watched the TAIKODAI face each other, for the evening tends to bring out the fight in people. This time, someone lost a finger when reckless men dropped the TAIKODAI to one side and one guy juuuuust wasn't fast enough. There was no actually fighting, as the police bargade were out in full force, ready to tack on a heavy fine (think $35,000) for any group that fought. It turns out that earlier that morning, some TAIKODAI fought, chainsaws were used, things broke, fines issued, and they were disqualified to participate next year. Not to mention the repairs needed. One TAIKODAI can cost half a million dollars!

Party Time!

Mt. Ishizuchi

I love the outdoors, and why not? I come from "the Evergreen State" after all. We pride ourselves on our outdoors activities and snobby chic gear. However, like most people bred in the city, I've always been too busy to actually take the time to stop and smell the roses.

Now that I am a teacher, I have even less time because I always seem to be wasting it in between classes. Well, every now and again there is a weekday holiday, or even more rare, a burst of energy that screams "Feed me nature!" When that time roars, I follow eagerly. Now if I could only update this blog with the same passion...

Mt. Ishizuchi is the highest mountain in the West of Japan. 1982 meters in height, it is a beloved spot that attracts children to grandparents to climb it's peak. This is actually my second time scaling the mountain, with much different results in temperature and atmosphere.

The first time I went with Derry, Juliana, and Dave.

The second time I went with David, Simon, and Leigh.

The first time Dave drove us up there and back.

The second time we missed the bus so we took a taxi, and then hitchhiked back with a couple from Hiroshima.

There is a ropeway that will take you up the first part of the mountain. It was my first time to use one and I got to say, it's pretty awesome.

For those feeling adventurous, you can skip the winding pathway around the mountain and use metal link chains to scale over sheer rock face. The first time I skipped over it, as the mountain was still thawing from winter and I'm a chicken.

The second time I did the first set of chains but then decided not to risk my life and second time and took the alternate route.

At the top of the mountain, there is a shrine. Mt. Ishizuchi is one of the seven holy mountains in Japan, which only adds to the splendor. People can then cross the peak to the reaｌ where there is a small shrine. I made it across the first time and nearly toppled off into the abyss. The second time was so crowded that we decided to skip it. We had dinner plans.
P.S. Those white dots are people struggling to cross safely and not die.