Sticks and Stones... and Heavy Burlap Sacks of Stuff

Parade of Clans

No, there were no name callings, or anyone getting hurt (that I could see). For 'twas the 2009 Virginia Scottish Games and Festival, in The Plains, Va. Wanting to take advantage of the beautiful weather and this nice long weekend, I made myself get out of the house and by my lonesome off I went to this festival.

AmeriKilt
For the colonial Scot.
Kind of hot, if you ask me.

Foes Beware
Boy Scouts get ready to give their best Scout War Cry during the sword fight demonstration.

For $5 parking and $18 to get in, here's what I got to see.

Sporran

Handy little Scottish inro.

There were many vendors present selling all sorts of Scottish wares, from jewelry to sporran to kilts to pirate bumper stickers.

Sword Hilts

Also featured was the "Living Encampment Display", where several otakus dressed up in period clothing and provided information about various topics, mostly of a military nature. It was actually pretty interesting, and must be fun for these folks who have studied the history for fun, and had historically accurate clothing made just for these types of events.

Joseph Goes Commando

The gentleman in the beret, for example, talked to me for quite a while about this reconnaissance vehicle, a Daimler Dingo, ca. 1942. Why do I remember the name, you ask? Because he also provided me with some literature, complete with the organization's website. Should you be interested.

Collie

Apparently there was also some sort of dog show, but I must have missed that. There were, however, tons of Scottish breeds wandering about with their people, as well as on display at various Dogs of Scotland tents.

Sporran and Fox Heads

Walking past a clan tent, I saw a man with what I thought was a small dog on his lap. Turned out it was just an animal head around his waist.

Pipers

In the festival spirit, I bought myself some bad-for-you food (no haggis, thank you), and plopped down to eat, enjoy the view of the fields and listen to the assorted Scottish music playing all around. Soon, the bagpipes became not so distant, as they assembled right before me. As they decided where to go to perform, they chose a route that involved parting the waters... around me!

Tickled as could be, I dropped the chicken and fries in exchange for my camera, and took advantage of my fortunate angle.








When I spotted this bloke, I was enjoying the tunes of a great, lively Scottish band that was playing under the ... band... tent. They were awesome! During one song, the fiddler suddenly jumped off the stage with his wild blond hair and bounced up and down the aisle, fiddling away. The music was infectious, and but for a great amount of self-conscious restraint, I almost counted myself among the few folks who couldn't help but jump up and down to the music. Just grand. If I weren't so poor, I might have bought a CD.

Throwing Rocks

What would the Virginia Scottish Games and Festival be without the games?

Dudes in Skirts
Me likes.

The games I watched included throwing big heavy rocks shot put style, hurling long logs and tossing heavy burlap bags through an upright. With a pitchfork.

It's Good!

Girl Power

Some women also competed in the events - albeit against each other - and this girl was the only person I saw get the pole to get vertical. And she did it twice.

Kilts for Girls and Boys

The games were held at Great Meadow, host of the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase, an event I would love to check out in the future. Assuming plebes such as I are allowed. Looking at the web page, I think I might be out of my league. And the tickets are $55. Maybe when I find my Sugar Daddy.

Tre
The last event I watched was the sheep herding demonstration, featuring border collies. Amazing creatures, them.

And that was Sunday. I came home with a spot of sunburn, exhausted - I'd spent nearly as much time driving as I did at the event - but happy that I'd been outside all afternoon.

Would I go back again? Probably not. While it was interesting, and a nice family outing, for $23 and an hour drive each way, it's probably a better deal if you're involved somehow in the events or the clans. But it was an experience, and fun.

Old(e) Town(e) Alexandria(e)

(Unfortunately, as authenticke as "Old Town Alexandria" is, they don't use Olde E's.)

Joseph making friends on the street.

Last month I rolled back into DC for an interview, and Melissa and I did a little interstate exploring: Old Town Alexandria, Va.

Jobama

You never know when you might run into someone cool in OTV.

Photo Op on the Pier

Within a few seconds, the handler was putting another bird on the mom's head. She took it like a champ.

On the Waterfront, one can watch and listen to performers, visit gift shops and restaurants, catch a boat or visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center, an art museum, studio and school housed in - you guessed it - an old torpedo factory.

Joseph Gets Himself Straightened Out

On our wanderings, we came across the Carlyle House (pronounced CarLYLE, apparently), a restored home once belonging to John Carlyle, a prominent figure in colonial Virginia.

Sitting Room

We allowed ourselves to be convinced to take the tour, for which we were immensely grateful - it ended up being the highlight of our day. Unlike many historic homes, at the Carlyle House visitors enter rooms and can even touch period and original items.

After watching a 15-minute video, you are first taken upstairs via the old back stairs - a narrow and harrowing ascent even without hoop skirts, buckets of water or full bedpans - to the Carlyles' bedroom. For such a wealthy man, the room is modest by modern standards, but the restorers have been as meticulous as possible in bringing it back to its original state.


The bedroom has several items original to the house, including a four-poster bed where Carlyle's children and grandchildren were born, where his daughter died and where, until recently, an elderly descendant was spending her nights.

The rest of the house has some original pieces, some period pieces and even some new pieces, such as the windows and a painted-canvas rug that were created using techniques and materials of the time. Our guide was SUPER knowledgeable, and since it was just the two of us on our tour, we had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and spend time in each of the rooms.

Main Stairway Landing

After the museum, we strolled about and had a yummy lunch at The Pita House, on Cameron Street.

Along Cameron Street


After lunch, we strolled about some more, visited shops, lost Melissa's keys, found Melissa's keys, didn't get Ben and Jerry's, and had a lovely afternoon.

The Elusive Melissa

Real Gas Lights

712 Prince St.
Care to purchase it?

The Welcome Pineapple

In the Oldenne Dayes, sailors would often buy pineapples in the Caribbean and bring them home. Upon returning to their towns, they would place the pineapples in front of the house to show that they were back and receiving visitors. A luxury item, pineapples often graced the most decorative tables when entertaining guests. It has come to be a symbol of welcoming and hospitality.

Getcher Founding Fathers Here

Taken just shortly before the fateful moment when Melissa traded her keys for a sample of lotion over at the Christmas store.

Kyoto for Hanami, Vol. 2, Day 4: Miyako Odori

Miyako Odori deeeesu!

I have put off this post out of laziness and because it is the last one I have of Kyoto and the last interesting one on Japan. And I don't want it all to really come to an end.

But I've put it off long enough, so here it is. Mou kaeritain desu kedo...

Kyo Odori
Miyagawa-cho

Beautiful posters announce the spring dances put on by the maiko and geiko of Kyoto's hanamachi during the month of April.

Kyo Odori
Yasuko gets her tickets.

On the way to see Miyako Odori we made a very long detour, at the end of which I came out with a pair of "My Hashi," collapsible chopsticks in a soft wrap for carrying to restaurants and thus avoiding disposable ones. Good thing I finally got a pair two days before leaving the country.

Scary Shrine Tunnel

Just before going to the theater, we stopped at a small shrine called Yasui Konpira-gu, as Yasuko wanted to show me something "scary." As she explained it to me, this tunnel consists of the bad vibes people wish to throw off themselves. They write them on the strips of paper, tie them to the mound and crawl through the tunnel. However, there seems to be another meaning to the mound (search words: "kyoto shrine paper tunnel". Amazing that I got a hit on the first page! Thanks, Inside Kyoto!) .

After further investigation at the shrine's website, it seems that both are correct:

This monument such as a white flower "a monument of relationship limit matchmaking ."

There is a hole for a person to pass midmost. It cuts a border if I pass than the list of the rock. On the contrary,

Who pass from the back and tie up a rim. Finally Who put a scapegoat on the rock and pray.

It seems to cut not only the man and woman but also the bad borders such as diseases。

Lanterns, Omikuji and Sakura
Yasui Konpira-gu

After much touring about I was getting a bit antsy, as I thought the dance started earlier than it did. But we made it in plenty of time and all was right with the world.

2009 Miyako Odori Kimono

Miyako Odori is held at Gion Kaburenjo. Those with the special Chaseki tickets enter to the right. Just inside the theater entrance is a small display area with the current year's kimono. There is also a small gallery of artwork by the maiko themselves.

Koi wa?

As you wait to enter the tea ceremony room, you are invited to sit or go outside to enjoy the garden.

Temae: Terukoma
Hikae: Kyouka

This year, the geiko preparing the tea (for the special guests in front of her) was Terukoma. The maiko serving them was Kyouka. By some stroke of luck, we were first in line again this year, and were able to get the same seats.

Terukoma Enters

In retrospect, I might have chosen a different seat in order to get a different perspective on the process, and I might have taken fewer pictures and just enjoyed more. But it's so amazing to watch her work, and if I've got that camera in my hand... I guess now I can just enjoy it for a long time.

Kyouka's Silent Aisatsu

Kyouka's Obi
Kyouka is such a pretty maiko, she looks like a doll. And the combination of her pink kimono and purple arrow obi were breathtaking.

One more for the road.
Terukoma and Kyouka begin a new ceremony as we move on to the theater lobby.


Showa 53
1978
While most Miyako Odori kimono are blue, a few are green.

After leaving the tea ceremony, guests may enter another part of the garden which has access to a tiny room lined with kimono of Miyako Odori past.

Baby Momiji

So dazzlingly beautiful in their autumn reds and oranges, the spring momiji sprout tiny purple and white flowers that create a lovely fringe under the canopy of leaves.

Katsura

Just a sampling from the displays in the Maiko Gallery at Gion Kobu (Gion Corner)

Kanzashi for January to May

Uchiwa fans for July

Fuji for May

Miyako Odori everywhere.

After our show, like last year, two maiko were giving a special photo session for all the otaku. So once we left the theater, we jetted over to Tatsumibashi to take advantage.

Takasuzu

Jama!
Mamehana's Adornments

I realized, after I'd gotten home and started going through my pictures, that while taking these shots of Mamehana from the back as she moved to a new spot, I was a jama! I was one of those inconsiderate people who get behind the maiko and end up in everybody else's pictures. Sorry everybody...

Mamehana

Just beautiful. And her butterfly kanzashi were so lovely.

Maneki Neko

Soon enough the maiko were spirited away, leaving the rest of us glowing from the brief encounter. Even the birds didn't know what to do with themselves.



After the Odori, it was time for me to move along. I had a shinkansen to catch back to Nagoya where I would hop on another train to Gifu to spend the night and next day with Aya-sensei's family.

Losing his Shorts
I love this crazy shop.

Obamagori
Yes,We can enjoy GAMAGORI!
Nothing is sacred.

And thus my last day in Kyoto came to an end. And what a Good Time it was.

Kyoto for Hanami, Vol. 2, Day 3: Uji and Daigo

In Japan, thank goodness for Kyoto.
or
Thank goodness Kyoto is in Japan.
Sort of changes the meaning, doesn't it.

On the third day, our first stop was a "quick" errand to run down to Uji, to find some of the delicious kuromame hojicha that I'd gotten in the fall.

Life is Living You

Ok, just kidding, the first stop was at Isetan, at Kyoto Station, to see if they had the tea, thus sparing us a trip to Uji.

Yummy, yummy takenoko.
Bamboo shoots.

But, of course, they didn't have it, as it isn't a very common tea, so off to Uji it was.

Momoyama
The JR is spelled out in hiragana, instead of katakana.

RAAK
A delightful store full of all sorts of printed cloth items - handkerchiefs, bags, scarves, hats, wall hangings, hand towels, etc.
Situated on the corner of Byodoin Omotesando (the street leading up to Byodoin), near the bridge. That's the best explanation I can give you.

寺島屋
Terashimaya
Established by Terashimaya-san in 1827, this store retains a "retro" funiki from its entrance to its displays to its packaging. And smells edibly delicious.

As luck would have it, of course, it was Tuesday, and of all the days of the week, the one store that sells the kuromame hojicha is closed on Tuesdays. They have all sorts of ways to order tea, but none would help me, as I was leaving Kyoto the next day, and the country two days after that.

However, all was not in vain. On the way back to the station, I picked up a belated birthday present for my mom, one for me and one for... we'll see... back at RAAK.

Uji Manhole Cover
Can't you just see kimono-clad folks of old crossing this bridge, on their daily business?
Oh, Japan.

So, from there it was on to Daigo-ji, again.
Since the first time we didn't have a chance to go into the museum or anything else, back we went with the other halves of our tickets.

Arriving at Daigo-ji

Daigo-ji's origins date back to 874 when a Buddhist monk named Shobo built a hermitage at the top of the Kamidaigo mountain and discovered a well of spiritual water, called Daigo. But it wasn't until Emperor Daigo (so named posthumously) took an interest that the temple complex began to take shape. Yakushi Hall was built in 907, and after Daigo's death, subsequent emperors continued to provide support for the temple's development.

Shutters on Reihokan

The other half of the ticket got us into the Reihokan museum at Daigo-ji, where we were able to see thousands of the treasures of Daigo-ji. Also highlighted at the time were a collection of beautiful promotional photographs used by Japan Railways. Unfortunately, photography was prohibited inside the museum.

An interesting fellow.

Outside the Reihokan stand several glorious shidarezakura and other cherry trees.

Lush

After a tour through the museum and gaping at the glorious sakura trees, we decided it was time for some refeshments to keep up the energy and spirits. Just across the way from Reihokan was an area for omiyage, ocha and okashi. So we okashi-ed.

Mitarashi dango with kinako.
Mmmm, kinako....

Niomon
Built in 1605, the gate houses two statues that were sculpted in 1134.

After refreshing, we moved on to the rest of the Shimo-Daigo (lower Daigo) section of the temple.

Sakura Matsuri
The hanami festival at Daigo-ji has been around since the times of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his extravagant parties.

Red and White

Inside the Reihokan was a display of painted screens, including one of this red and white curtain accompanied by cherry blossoms and other natural stuffs. I had hoped to find a print or postcard of it somewhere, but I had to settle for a photo of the real thing.

Yasuko and Sachiko Strolling 'Round
Festive red and white curtains line the main path through the temple grounds.

Goju-no-to
A national treasure, this five-story pagoda was begun in 936 and completed in 951 under the reigns of Emperor Daigo's two sons, Suzaku and Murakami.

Wall of a small gate at the upper section of Shimo-Daigo

Bentendo

Sponsors

As explained to me by Yasuko, after the emperors and nobility were no longer sponsoring the temples, other sources of financial support had to be found. This board is comprised of plaques bearing the names of donors.

Leaving Through Niomon

From Niomon
Evening lends a magical light to the trees and walls lining the approach to Niomon.

Sou da. Kyoto ikou.
The theme for my next Kyoto book. Should I make one. After the one I'm making now.

Leaving Daigo-ji

Outer Wall
Tall pines line the street in front of Daigo-ji. In the afternoons they lend their shape to the white outer wall of the temple complex.

Joseph and a Torii

Feeling small, Joseph finds comfort in a mini torii - placed to remind dog owners not to let their pets use the fence as a toilet.

And thus ended the sightseeing and hanami for my second-last day in Kyoto. Next Kyoto for Hanami Post: Miyako Odori!!

Gallery Pl.-Chinatown

Next Station: Art with a side of rain.

Chinatown!

I've never been to Chinatown in Yokohama or Koreatown in Osaka. I've never even been to the now defunct Italiamura in Nagoya. But I have been to Chinatown in NYC, so when I headed to Chinatown, D.C., I was expecting something a little grittier than I got.

Actually, I didn't really have plans to go to Chinatown at all, but after I subwayed it over to the Gallery Pl. - Chinatown station and got to the door of the National Portrait Gallery... and found that it did not open for another hour and a half... I thought, what the heck, I'll take a stroll around. In the rain. Without an umbrella.

Beauty Hair Shop
Hair Salon

No, I don't speak Chinese, but I can read some kanji, so it was a fun little challenge to look at the signs in Chinese and get the gist without actually being able to "read" them.
(That and it says "Hair Salon" on the sign inside the door.)

Goethe Institution
In D.C., China shares a border with Germany

Yes, Chinatown was not the narrow, people-on-the-street, shops and vendors at every turn, straight-up Chinese neighborhood that I was expecting. More like some organizations, some Chinese establishments mixed in... and the big gate that I subsequently saw in State of Play and was so pleased with myself for recognizing. But it was cool enough, and certainly an experience.

Three Meiji's Please
I just learned, in my internet investigation, that in Chinese, the above kanji apparently means "sandwich," and is romanized "sānmíngzhì".
Go figure.

Quilts for Obama

A little gem I did find in my meanderings was the DC Historical Society, which is currently displaying an exhibit of quilts made by people around the world in celebration of the inauguration of President Obama. In my fragile state, I was easily verklempt, once again, and in spite of the kid trying to make off with my camera - or a hug - it was a wonderful time spent looking at the quilts and reading about the folks who'd put them together. I even had to take a minute at the end to get the verklemptness out of my system before moving on.


Awe-sooooome!
If only we really could bottle exchange students...

Let the elephant be your guide.
In front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library, looking toward the National Portrait Gallery.

So I strolled about a bit more, biding my time until it was of an appropriate hour to go back and meet Melissa for lunch. From her office, she, Matthew and I footed it over to Chipotle for my virgin sampling of the delectable burrito delights they had to offer. De. Lish. Us.

And on the way back, I did plunk my foot into a rain-filled hole in the sidewalk. But Matthew lent me his umbrella for the rest of the afternoon, so there was a bright side.

Back to Gallery Pl. - Chinatown Station
I love the D.C. subway!

Now that my belly was excessively full, I tried my luck again at the National Portrait Gallery.

Now That's Abolition
John Brown


Let the verklemptness continue. Maybe it's the times, the winds of change and hope, but while at the portrait gallery, seeing the actual photographs with which we're so familiar from our textbooks, reading about the brave men and women who were not content with things as they were, enough to stand up and do something about it, making sacrifices and taking risks, all so that they and we could have a better life... verklempt, verklempt, verklempt.
Our world is as it is because of them.
And our children's world will be as it is because of us.

Andrew Jackson

Sharing the building with the portrait gallery is the Smithsonian American Art Museum. More Good Times. Add free on to all the artsy goodness, and it's a satisfying way to spend an afternoon.

Through the Blinds
The Kogod Courtyard. Really cool. But warm.

Taking a Break
Luce Foundation Center
(third floor of the museum)

Running in the Great Hall
The site of Abraham Lincoln's 1865 Inaugural Ball
Imagine, little boy?

TV Land

There it is.

SmartBikeDC

I spent many the hour at the galleries, but I was still left with a couple to kill. So I started walking, and happened upon a most welcome sight: Ye Olde Starbuckes. For soy chai latte and a chair, out of the rain.



And that was a lovely ending to my rainy day.

Kyoto for Hanami, Vol. 2, Day 2, Part 2: Koryuji, Arashiyama and Nijojo

Yamazakura (?)

Next Stop: Koryuji
広隆寺


View Larger Map

Just down the street from Eigamura is Koryu-ji, the oldest temple in Kyoto (establishment-wise, not structure-wise). We didn't do too much exploring, as it was a little late for going into the buildings, but we took lots of kimono pictures around the grounds and under the cherry blossoms.

Stinky
I can't remember the name of this plant, but I finally realized that it is the source of the Spring Stinkiness I've stumbled through from time to time.
Pieris japonica?

Checking In
Yasuko checks out times and fees. We didn't go in.

Eaves and Faces
Onigawara

Most of my pictures from Koryuji were of Yasuko and Sachiko posing in their kimono, so I don't have much to offer you here... but there's more!

Reflections at the Train Station
Waiting at what must be the Uzumasa-koryuji Sta. When we get moving about, I just follow Yasuko, really.
The gentleman in the middle was leaving Koryuji behind us, and had been snapping pictures of Yasuko and Sachiko in their kimono. So I got him at the station.

Yasuko and the Train
Taking a picture of Sachiko

Yuko-chan

嵐山
Arashiyama

Butterflies and Pine

From Koryu-ji we took a train out to Arashiyama to enjoy some less urban hanami.

Tickets to Tenryu-ji.

This was perhaps my third trip to Arashiyama, but only my first time inside the Tenryu-ji grounds. And I have to say, it was a fantastic experience.

Short on time, we didn't go into the building, but walked about the grounds, finding all the blossoming shrubs and trees of early spring. How exciting the spring blossoms of Japan. Since I have lived in Japan and have done this blog, I have become more and more interested in the plants, finding out names and paying attention to when they bloom. That has been my Japanese experience: the closeness to the changing of the seasons, marked by the ebb and flow of blossoms, blooms, plantings, sprouts, harvests, and bareness.

Oh, how I miss it now. The rice fields must be spectacular in their newly-planted, reflective state.

Sakura?
I really should have gotten in the habit of carrying a small notebook with me. Yasuko and Sachiko know the names of everything, or at least ask if they don't. If I had, I might remember and be able to tell you the name of this variety.

Shidekobushi

The sun was starting to go down, and we would soon have to leave the grounds. I was tired from a looooong day of walking, picturing, carrying my bag and camera, and it was starting to get colder.

So when we came to a point where there was the choice of going up or just going back, I was leaning towards just going back. But Yasuko and Sachiko thought I might like to go up - to where I could see a view of the city. I still wasn't thoroughly convinced, but I went anyway. Their suggestions usually tend to bear excellent fruits.

So up I went. And my reaction upon reaching the top was a whole-hearted "Uwaaaaaaa!"

Okashi
I can't remember what he was making...

Final Stop: Nijo-jo
二条城

I love Nijo-jo. Ever since my first experience, the first time I went to Kyoto and was spending time by myself, totally kando-shita from the uguisu floors and grand yet delicate corridors, I have loved Nijo-jo.

This time, once again we were not able to go into the castle, but had a special Light Up ticket for the grounds. Yasuko and Sachiko got in free because they were wearing kimono. I really have to hand it to them for going the whole day in kimono and zori.

The light up was wonderful, and at the end of a long day I was easily moved, missing my home in Ena, my kids, this magical Japan that I would no longer have everyday access to.

Matcha and Manju

In January, Yasuko, Sachiko and I had our first matcha of the New Year at Nijo-jo. In April we had a lovely Light Up Hanami matcha. Yummy.

Just past the tent-lined omiyage and okashi section, was this building, housing the biggest ikebana arrangement I had ever seen. Bamboo, sakura, pine and forsythia made up the most part of the display. In front were three koto. Just as we were about the leave, three women entered with their songbooks and sat down for a short koto concert. Oh, Timing and your glorious surprises.

Light Up!
Joseph and I peace it up in front of Nijo-jo.

And that was the end of my second day in Kyoto.

More to come!

Kyoto for Hanami, Vol. 2, Day 2, Part 1: Toei Eigamura

Me, Glorious Me
In a Heian Juni-Hitoe getup. More to follow.

(Disclaimer: This post is going to start with the goods, simply because I ended up uploading them last. Which means they're at the front. And there are too many other pictures to shuffle them all to the end. Note to Blogger: Is there any way to do that in a more efficient manner?)

続けまして...

My second day in Kyoto, the girls and I went to Toei Studio Park (AKA Eigamura) for some Goode Olde Fashionede Edoe Periode Tymes. Oh, that and so much more. Which is why today's post is only Part 1 of Day 2's adventures.

Jinrikisha Kitty
Yes, I already have two Jinrikisha Kitty's, but they're all different.
But they all have see-through wheels. (^_<)

Yasuko had previously been to Eigamura with her friends, and they'd all dressed up in various period outfits - ninjas, samurai, ladies, whatever. So of course she felt that I should do the same, to get - the word of the day - funiki. Funiki means atmosphere, ambience, and since we were going to an Edo-themed park, it seemed fitting to bring along our own funiki. However, even the cheapest package was well out of my budget.

Eigamura Kitty

Soooo, in lieu of me dressing up, Yasuko and Sachiko "threw on" some kimono, did up their hair, and off we went. I wore layers myself, but the top one was a turtleneck. And a fleece on top of that. Not funiki.

Shinsengumi Kitty
Yes, I have a couple of those too, but again, they're different.

Once the girls had gotten themselves all dolled up for the excursion (an idea which turned out to be fabulous, by the dub), we headed to the bus stop at the corner. Sort of.

New Bus
Complete with New Bus Smell.

New Bus Seats
Note the momiji and sakura, and other Views of Kyoto.

Padios!
Yasuko and Sachiko get tickets.

Joseph and his ticket.

The tickets were 2200 yen, I think, which is steep, but worth every yen. So fun. Especially if you have kimono-ed pals to photograph.

Entering the Land.
Note that the writing on the sign goes right to left.

So much to see, so much to buy, so much to eat!

Our first stop was to see a presentation in the Nakamura Hall, after which we moved on to the 3-Minute Studio.

Choosing a Get-up

At 2900 yen for one picture, I wasn't planning on really doing it. But at Yasuko's "insistence" I decided to get the Heian Period Juni-Hitoe look and go for it.

Getting Posed

It really does only take about 3 mintutes - a small team of wardrobe folks have you tacked up (right over your clothes) and in position before you know what you've got on. Then the picture is snapped and the crew comes back to undress you again. While the next customer is being prepped in the wings.

Heian Peace

Yasuko snapped a billion pictures during the process, but as they're unflattering, I'll only present a few to you here.
Note to self: Full sideburns and a giant wig should be avoided in the future.

Untacking

Sanbun de OK!
So hard to choose...

Shinsengumi!
This little guy was lucky enough to have his parents shell out for the dress-up package.

Hoping for a ride in a palanquin.
Imagine if my long American legs had to fold up in there for any length of time...

My and a Tayuu. Being good.
As I'm in the market for a new job, I figured the tamer of this series of pictures was best. Not that the others were SO bad...

Down on the corner, out in the street.

Cutest Ninja EVAR.
It wasn't my idea for him to pose, but pose he did.

Jinrikisha-in'.

Olde Toilette.
Poopin' in a hole. Before they had tiles to make cleaning easier.

What it all comes down to.
I wasn't quick enough to snap the dangling legs of the kids who were dropping down through the hole.

Edo Cosplay
Yasuko and Sachiko weren't the only ones bringing the funiki.

Kickin' ketsu and taking names.

Me and My New Friend

When we came across the "Pink Lady", we asked to take a picture with her. Of course, Yasuko had "many pictures" in mind, so the Pink Lady suggested we walk a bit. She commented on the weather, so I turned it into a whole conversation among friends.
Goode Tymes.

Crossed Sword Head Shake

Back at the same theater where we'd seen a previous presentation, there were fight scene demonstrations going on. And a cute little cutie pop (TM Suzanne) trying his hand. So cute.

Abbey-sensei, Defender of Homes Against Fire

I love a good hands-on experience, and Eigamura is full of them. You can touch everything, and even play with many things and go into the rooms. It's all about being part of the scene.

Firemen's standard and lantern perhaps for identifying the brigade.

Kidz Sake

These two were so into their playing, I got away with a few pictures before the girl turned around and caught me. With some displeasure on her face. But that little boy was too much.

Shinsengumi

How you doin'?

Eigamura Has Sakura Too

Wanted
Have you seen these guys?

Samurai
These two were paying cosplayers, but that didn't stop Yasuko for asking them to walk in front of her to add funiki to a picture.

Maiko

Whatchu got?

Outside Looking In

Little Maiko

High-Wire Ninja

Just Joshin' with the Boys

The boys of Mito Komon fame.

Joseph, Sasaki Sukesaburo, Mito Mitsukuni, Atsumi Kakunoshin
as
Joseph, Harada Ryuji, Satomi Kotaro, Goda Masashi

We met these boys on the way out - and on our way to Koryu-ji just down the street.
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