New stuff to talk about

Sorry guys, I've been a bit slack lately - heaps has been going on.
Last weekend I got to be a samurai lord in a city-wide festival. The city invited 3 kiwis to take part, so I jumped at the chance. It was pretty cool. We were dressed in traditional samurai kit, and that stuff is heavy! There were 13 lords (I have visited their graves) in Hagi, and I was the 13th - Mohri Takachika. The other kiwis decided I was the Last Samurai - I wasn't impressed. I was also the smallest person but one out of all the samurai (including the Japanese samurai!). I think this picture about sums it up:







Simon, me and Jo before the armour was added. This is the basic yukata (robe). What you can't see is about 3 layers of cloth for protection - hot!!!

The sandals were pretty sexy. Made of a kind of flax like plant, they are sort of like jandals, but the thongy bit wraps right around the foot.






Anyway, we each had our own banner carried by a school kid - they were dressed in apprentice kit - and we had to walk down the main street of the city to the temple, where they gave us sake (strong, too!) then let us go and get changed. The walk was over a kilometre and it was a mission, but fun too. I reckon everyone in Hagi must have a photo of the crazy gaijin dressed like samurai.

Also, the other day we had a Thanksgiving eating event at an American ALT's (Assistant Language Teacher) house. It was great. We started eating at 3, and didn't finish until 10. I was ok, because I stopped eating at 3:30, but some of the others were practically comatose!
The weather was crap, but it was unbelievable good to just get away from japanese food and manners. Did I mention that before every meal you have to say 'Itadakimasu' and afterwards: 'gochisosoma deshita'. It gets really annoying! And then there is chopstick etiquette. Don't get me started, I could rant for hours!
Let's just say there is a right way and a wrong way of doing EVERYTHING in Japanese society.

I've got tomorrow off, so I'm heading into Yamaguchi city to see my favourite JTE perform in a noh-kyogen comedy play type thing. Hopefully I'll be able to follow it - I'll let you know:)