When the Gods get angry

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Whew, what a weekend! Out for a night in the city downtown Matsuyama, an early morning shrine bashing session the next morning, a trip out to Stephanie's island home, Canadian Thanksgiving at my Hojo neighbors' place, and a track meet this Monday during the National Holiday for Sports and Culture day. At least tomorrow I don't have to actually teach any classes. My JTE worked it for me so that I am riding the bball bus into town to cheer on our girls' basketball team (an extension of the sports and culture day from today).

Saturday morning at Matsuyama fall festival was amazing, and very scary. We walked from Rika's downtown flat to arrive at Dogo at 5:30am. Lots of crowds, but lots of nothing happening. Since we weren't sure what was about to go down, we made our way to the front of the crowd for hopes of a better view. Silly Americans...so the shrines come parading in on the shoulders of the men from different sects of town, two men riding the tops of each to direct the flow of traffic. Yes, yes, everyone applauds at their mightiness (they started drinking and travelling to the different shrines the night before and have been going all night, switching shoulders between the 100 members in each group). Ok, so this is a little disappointing. But then the police come out into the crowd and clear a space, smashing us up onto the curbside with many other Japanese and their families. Then they announce the first two contending teams, and the groups of men move forward with their shrine. On command, the floats are lifted, tilted towards each other, and then rammed against each other in a type of push-of-war. Those men not supporting the floats proceed to throw punches and begin street fighting, right in front of us. The crowd sways and I feel claustrophobic. This continues for a few more fights until I get smart and move out to a more open space, further from the dangers of the smashing shrines and bodies. I counted at least 8 stretchers coming out of the crowds of men and spectators, then loaded onto ambulances and taken away. A great start to the fall season!

Saturday I was lucky enough to visit my friend Stephanie, who lives in her own HOUSE on Oshima island. The house of course is next door to her studio (yes, studio), and garage for the skooter the town GAVE her. Spoiled brat. But she is great enough to share it with Ziggy, Josh, Josh's girlfriend Sayo and me. Plus the landlord (our little buddy Yoshi) offered me the room above the studio to sleep in during the future weekends I come to visit! Did I mention he took us sailing on his 21 foot cruiser sailboat on the inland sea. Yes, we got to sail into the sunset on Yoshi's yacht. Then we cooked ourselves a feast with some of the shellfish Yoshi had harvested that morning and sipped sake in Stephanie's georgeous home. Needless to say I will be back.

Sunday night I had another feast at Andrea and Mike's house (my Hojo neighbors) for their Canadian Thanksgiving. All the fixings, minus a turkey (2 full chickens instead). I baked some biscuits and provided the wine, while everyone else brought something to share.

Today I experienced my first Japanese track meet with HojoKita junior high track team (Naoe sensei, my JTE, is the coach). Don't worry Dad, I didn't pole vault. They only had 2 poles, but one of the boys was very good and I ended up coaching them. A great time even if I have become the coach rather than the excited athlete.

Now its back to work...sort of! More new little kiddies Wednesday at Kono Elementary school!

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Photos

Ready to attack
The shrine is primed, time for some bashing

Directing traffic
I wouldn't mind being one of the loud ones that rides above...

my new hat
OOooooh, aaahh. A new white hat, made by me!

Comments

[Aubrey]

rough and tumble
hey mar - sounds like some rough playing over there. i can picture you, right in the mix...taking a bit longer than i am sure i would to get a safer distance away. that's what i love about you - fearless! and baking the biscuits, love it. again, so you. miss you, and so happy to have seen another travel blog email in my inbox! keep em coming, my love.