12:41pm 急行
天気：晴れ
I’m on the express to 橿原神宮前 (Kashihara Jingu-mae). We’re going to see a fertility festival in Asuka; that’s Sam, Jeremy, Victor, Naoya, Jacinthe, Hugo, Rachael, and I. When we went on the field trip to Asuka last semester in History, I recall transferring trains at Kashihara Jingu-mae. It’s a nice, relatively warm day, and there’s no sign of snow, which is a shame. Still, on the way to Makino this morning, there was a bit of snow on the ground, hiding in the shadows. I don’t know what exactly to expect from this festival, but I think it will be fun…
5:30pm 急行
We’re on the train back to Tambabashi. The festival was so fascinating… When we got to Kashihara, we hastily made our way to the bus stop, and found the bus that would take us out front of Asuka Daibutsu. We met up with another large group of Gaidai students, and ended up all crammed on the same bus together. I was worried we weren’t going to make it in time, while realising I’d been to this area before on the field trip. We went pas
t the museum, and up the same street we had came riding down so many months ago. We got off in front of Asuka-dera (which I’d also been to before), after driving past the shrine, and the chaos, we would soon be a part of. The shrine is called 飛鳥坐神社 (Asuka Niimasu Jinga – Asuka “sitting” shrine) and while we never went to it during the field trip, I remember Jo pointing it out, curious to see it. We made our way through the torii, past the stalls, and up the steep steps, to a crowded opening in front of a stage; we had arrived just in time. I decided to film it, and again was thankful for my height; we were quite far back, and not everyone was so lucky. The festival started slow, with representatives from other shrines in the area making offerings and praying. We noticed three figures in the back in costume and wearing masks; an ox, a 天狗 (Tengu – lit. “Heavenly dog” – dangerous, but protective spirits, characterised by their unusually long noses), and an old man.
After all the representatives had finished, the “play” started. First, the cycle of rice planting and harvesting was depicted, with the ox ploughing the field, and then a priest sowing the seeds, and panting the crops; agricultural fertility. The story was narrated, and the three characters were all very playful and ludicrous at times. They came out into the crowd, hitting people on the legs and bottoms with bamboo rakes, before going down the hill. Returning, they brought with them an “old women” masked figure in kimono. Then the old man and woman depicted the act of human procreation. Bits of tissue were thrown out into the crowd. Called fuku no kami, which is a pun ~ fuku no kami can be written in kanji to mean “lucky gods”, or “wiping paper” ~ they were blessed, and also significant in their use after intercourse; hence the term wiping paper. Also depicted, was the spilling of seed, by the Tengu figure, holding a bamboo rod as a phalluc symbol; he aimed this toward both the crowd, and the represtentatives.
Offerings of rice were made, and then a priestess performed a dance to pre-recorded music; still very beautiful and haunting though. More offerings were made, and then everyone up on the stage (including some children) started throwing mochi into the crowd. Although the ritual was over, the Tengu, Ox, and old man and women figures, continued to prowl around the crowd, whacking young and old alike. 
Being whacked like this is supposed to wake up the spirit from its winter hibernation, to get ready for spring; I got whacked a couple of times on the legs. Some older people readily bent over to get hit, but the kids generally ran away, screaming in fear or delight as they were chased after. As the crowd made their way back down the hill, I met with Jacinthe and Rachael and we explored the shrine some. Rachael and Jacinthe had both caught some mochi, and when we went up the stage, a man gave us more, and also gave Jacinthe a piece of tissue paper. We then made our way back down the hill, and met up with the rest of the group, and also Jo and a few others, who had only seen the last few minutes of the play. This didn’t mean there were exempt from the whacking.
One girl in particular (Liz), got hit so hard she was crying. We joked that she would be expecting a lot of babies; linking the whacking with fertility too. We decided to check out Asuka-dera, and Jo and I explained to the others the practice involving the pouring of the water on the three Buddha’s heads. The scenery was just so beautiful, painted orange by the setting sun; I’m glad I got to see Asuka again. C
ontent with our lot, we waited for the bus out front, which finally came at 5:02; at least we got to sit down this time. We got back to the station, and got straight on the train, and here I am still; it’s a long ride back. Today was really amazing. It was just such a different sort of thing to see, and says a lot about the mindset, and attitudes of the Japanese; it was a real eye-opener. In a way, it kinda makes me feel like I’m missing out on something in my own background, so I was truly grateful to have seen it. I know there is another really famous fertility festival in March near Nagoya, and while I doubt I’ll be able to see it, I’ll have to let Alex know. Jacinthe is studying, a few people are reading or listening to music, and the rest have their eyes closed; I think I shall join them…
10:11pm セミナーハウス
天気：雨天
Another rainy day; with the cold and wind added in just for fun. Actually, it was quite mild this morning, especially since I was rushing to class; I was stripping off layers. For some reason I was just really slow getting ready this morning, but I managed to get to class on time anyway. It didn’t notice it yesterday, but our Speaking teacher speaks entirely in Japanese too. I guess that means Japanese is becoming so natural to my ears, that I’m just taking it in; so happy. So yeah, my listening is getting really good, but I’m still struggling with my speaking. I think this semester, in this class, I’m going to get much better though; here’s hoping. It was a very fast paced class, but I do enjoy Saigo sensie’s teaching style. We were doing revision, and he would make the class come up with sentences on the spot, using the grammar points we’ve learnt. I felt I bit sluggish, having not done enough during the holidays; I think a lot of people felt that. After class I went and had lunch in cafeteria 3, with Jo and Kim (from my class), and Rachel, Liz, and Sarah.
We chatted and had a good laugh, until it was time for my 1:15 class; Religion in Japan. Already, I like the Professor. She really engaging, and seems down to earth. We have three field trips, and a few papers to write, and we’re covering Shinto, Buddhism, and Japan’s contemporary religions like Happy Science; it’s going to be really interesting. After class (which today’s wasn’t a full 1 and a half), I went down and checked my mail box to find a letter from Nanny and Poppy. I saw Hugo in the lounge, and talked with him for a while, before Biancha bullied me to go home. I made my way over to the convenience store first, to pick up a folder and something to nibble on, and ended up bumping into Jacinthe on the way. I talked to her in Makkas for a while as she was enjoying her coffee from Seattle’s Best. She had a class to go to at three, so we separated and I left for home.
Soon after getting back, I caught up with Simon, and he wanted to go into to Hirakatashi to see if he could get his watch fixed. I decided to join him, and we made our way part way down the east gate, before it started to rain, at which point Simon suggested we turn back. We did, but it didn’t feel like going home, so I suggested we go to Midori; we saw Luke along the way. In Midori, we had a quick browse, and I was able to find a kanji game for the DS; 200万人の漢検 (200mannin no kanken – 2 million people’s kanji test). I also had a much needed play on one of the pianos. We went into Life (grocery store) below, and I found my beloved mochi, that I’ve only ever found here. I also picked up some more あんこパン (ankopan – red bean paste bun). We crossed over to “The Shoes” (that’s what the shop’s called), and actually found some in our size. There wasn’t anything I really liked, but I might go back.
Getting back, I got straight into playing my new game, and found it addicting. It’s going to be so helpful. Some of the games include having to write (with the stylus) the correct kanji, or hiragana, and choose the correct okurigana for a word. I’ve already pasted level 10 (the easiest) kanji quiz, and now it’s suddenly got a lot harder. You have to think really fast since there’s a 30 second time limit, and the fact that in don’t know some of the compounds makes it difficult. Also, it is sensitive to stroke order, especially with the hiragana, so it will improve my writing to no end; a great purchase. I went up and had dinner around 7, and then chatted with Ash and Katie for a few hours. Finally I got back down here, and played some more before the batteries got low, forcing me to stop and let it recharge. I’ve already finished the revision for Reading and Writing, and I’ll go over all the kanji again from Genki II, then I’ll get started on the revision for Speaking. Tomorrow’s a 10 o’clock start, so better get ready for bed. Hugo’s doing his Japanese homework, asking questions periodically; it’s great to help out, just like with Diego…
6:20 pm セミナーハウス天気：涼しい
Today, was a good day. After my 12 o'clock class, I went to get some money out of the ATM. Wow, I made my first online accommodation booking last night. Yes - Alex and I have decided where to go. We 're staying at 木もれび (Komorebi), in 雄琴 (Ogoto) near the city of Otsu at the edge of Lake Biwa (http://www.komolebi.jp/guestroom.html)!!! It's an 温泉 (onsen - hot spring) resort. So yeah, we're staying in a twin room, breakfast included, for two nights (Monday - Tuesday). It was the last room available on those nights, so I think it was meant to be. It's going to be so awesome. Now back to today ... 
I wanted to check out an electronics store some people had recommended called "Midori". I didn't know exactly where it was, but it turned out to be really easy to find; just kept on walking down the road past Top World. Getting there, there was traffic control everywhere. Midori has just opened, and it's obviously very popular. The amount of cars going in and out was astounding. Pedestrians are ushered along, or brought to a halt by traffic cops, while they attempt to keep the flow of traffic as smooth as possible. Up the escalators I went, after receiving handouts from several of the store clerks, into a vast, bright room. It was huge, and white, with mirrors that created the illusion of being even bigger. Guess were I went first; hair straightener!!! I know, it's silly, but I had to have one; good price too. So after finding the one I liked, I browsed around a bit; they have everything. Then I went downstairs to the grocery department, bought some more washing powder and some body wash (aloe vera), xD. WOW, it was packed in the food section; the prices were really good though. After leaving Midori, I walked all the way back to Avail (the clothes shop near the seminar houses). I finally got that shirt, along with some jeans, and scandals! I must have spent about an hour in there. I couldn't help myself; most items were reduced. Came back to the dor
m, and tried out my straightener; works great. Diego came back soon after, and I told him about Midori. He decided he wanted to take a look, today. So we walked all the way over there, and looked around (again for me, lol). He didn't end up buying anything, but then I showed him downstairs, and almost immediately he wanted to look for mochi. 餅 (mochi) is a Japanese rice cake, made from glutinous rice and pounded into paste. This particular type is a sweet (I think it's filled with red bean paste). I haven't had too much of it, but it's now Diego's favourite snack. We found these really nice pink coloured ones, loved them, and went back in for more. Thoroughly satisfied, we made our way back to the dorm.
9:09 pm セミナーハウス
Oh my gosh!!! I just got an email from the innkeeper saying that it is overbooked!!! Luckily, he's given us a room in another inn (湯元館 - Yumotokan), which is right next to Komorebi (http://www.yumotokan.co.jp/world/english/guestroom/). * Huge sigh of relief *. .. I consider myself very lucky this point. The rate's the same, and we will still be able to enjoy the hot springs. So, it's all good.
12:41pm 急行
5:30pm 急行
t the museum, and up the same street we had came riding down so many months ago. We got off in front of Asuka-dera (which I’d also been to before), after driving past the shrine, and the chaos, we would soon be a part of. The shrine is called 飛鳥坐神社 (Asuka Niimasu Jinga – Asuka “sitting” shrine) and while we never went to it during the field trip, I remember Jo pointing it out, curious to see it. We made our way through the torii, past the stalls, and up the steep steps, to a crowded opening in front of a stage; we had arrived just in time. I decided to film it, and again was thankful for my height; we were quite far back, and not everyone was so lucky. The festival started slow, with representatives from other shrines in the area making offerings and praying. We noticed three figures in the back in costume and wearing masks; an ox, a 天狗 (Tengu – lit. “Heavenly dog” – dangerous, but protective spirits, characterised by their unusually long noses), and an old man.
Offerings of rice were made, and then a priestess performed a dance to pre-recorded music; still very beautiful and haunting though. More offerings were made, and then everyone up on the stage (including some children) started throwing mochi into the crowd. Although the ritual was over, the Tengu, Ox, and old man and women figures, continued to prowl around the crowd, whacking young and old alike. 
Being whacked like this is supposed to wake up the spirit from its winter hibernation, to get ready for spring; I got whacked a couple of times on the legs. Some older people readily bent over to get hit, but the kids generally ran away, screaming in fear or delight as they were chased after. As the crowd made their way back down the hill, I met with Jacinthe and Rachael and we explored the shrine some. Rachael and Jacinthe had both caught some mochi, and when we went up the stage, a man gave us more, and also gave Jacinthe a piece of tissue paper. We then made our way back down the hill, and met up with the rest of the group, and also Jo and a few others, who had only seen the last few minutes of the play. This didn’t mean there were exempt from the whacking.
One girl in particular (Liz), got hit so hard she was crying. We joked that she would be expecting a lot of babies; linking the whacking with fertility too. We decided to check out Asuka-dera, and Jo and I explained to the others the practice involving the pouring of the water on the three Buddha’s heads. The scenery was just so beautiful, painted orange by the setting sun; I’m glad I got to see Asuka again. C
ontent with our lot, we waited for the bus out front, which finally came at 5:02; at least we got to sit down this time. We got back to the station, and got straight on the train, and here I am still; it’s a long ride back. Today was really amazing. It was just such a different sort of thing to see, and says a lot about the mindset, and attitudes of the Japanese; it was a real eye-opener. In a way, it kinda makes me feel like I’m missing out on something in my own background, so I was truly grateful to have seen it. I know there is another really famous fertility festival in March near Nagoya, and while I doubt I’ll be able to see it, I’ll have to let Alex know. Jacinthe is studying, a few people are reading or listening to music, and the rest have their eyes closed; I think I shall join them…
