The Even Greater Tokyo Region

Fuku –fest 2007

FACT 1: Festivals are a great way to break the boring, everyday routines of life.
FACT 2: Japan has a lot of festivals.

I don’t know if these two statements are related, but I do know that I love festivals in Japan. At a lot of the summer festivals, people wear yukata’s, a simple easier-to-wear-and-much-cheaper version of a kimono. Guys also wear a more mono-tone version called a jinbei. While in Kyoto last weekend, my brother took me past the festival there, which is one of the three biggest in Japan. It was incredible. With all the people wearing yukatas and jinbei, this could well have been the world’s biggest Pjama party.

I firmly believe that there is nothing better than wearing a pair of Pjamas in public. This weekend, in a nearby town, there was another festival. This was my big chance. While an pretty average festival, the fact I was wearing PJs made it so much better. It was more than just being cool and comfortable, and knowing I wouldnt need to get changed for bed when the inevitable time came, but the reactions from strangers was fantastic. I even fooled one of my ALT friends into thinking I was a Japanese person.

When one thinks of small town countryside Japan, one does not think of Carnivale. Yet, this is exactly what happened. On the last day of the 3 day festival I went back for a Samba parade. I call this festival "fuku-fest". Apparently the town bought the services of a professional travelling samba troupe. Really though, they bought goods and services. We found a spot, and as the paradey music became louder, they emerged. Okay, so they weren't authentically Brazilian, but the costumes were. If you have ever watched Fashion TV during Canivale, you'll know what I mean. Women dancing like hyperactive strippers while wearing a few strategically placed strands of material accessorised subtly with glittering enormous hats and wings. The unauthentic Brazilians were, honestly, probably would not warrant much attention without wearing glitter, wings and enormous hats, but to see this go down in "conservative" Japan was really quite amazing.

Quickly though, the line was crossed. A carnivale costume on a 35 year-old is one thing, but the 2 girls following after her were no more than 11 years old. It was unbelievable. The sick feeling in my stomach confirmed this was the most awful thing I've ever seen. It might have been acceptable had they been wearing something other than a g-string. First of all, who makes a g-string in 10 year old sizes? And what kind of parent could buy and outfit their kid with it? Another kid, barely old enough to walk was almost as bad. The worst thing was, I don't know if most of the Japanese thought this was any worse than the adult dancers.

After the "professional" dancers, the local the townsfolk had their turn. There was a prize of about $US 2000 for the best local samba group. The Japanese interpretations of samba was... It was almost as wrong as before. Here's a rundown of Japanese interpretations of samba.

1. About twenty mid-20 to 40 year old men and women wearing pink tracksuits doing a Tae-bo style (or in Japan- Billy's boot Camp) kickboxing exercise video demonstration. If you are wondering where the Samba element is: they were wearing some tinsel on their right ankles.

2. A bunch of disinterested company workers, all from the same company holding batons. I felt like the boss said to them: "Twirl this gay glittery stick at the parade or you'll be fired".

3. A local elementary school class who were wearing rubbish bags and home-made animal ears.

4. The largest group of parents and their children. They had all made costumes from cardboard and PVA glue in the theme of Anpan man, a popular Japanese cartoon.

Incredibly, intsead of handing out severe punishments, the last group won:Won the "samba" parade. It was quite entertaining seeing the leader of the group, who was wearing a full costume in the likeness of the popular children's cartoon character, accept the prize money and a crate of 24 beers. They were the Fuku-fest Samba champions. In true Japanese fashion, in the tradition of cheese-less Italian pasta restaurants, this was true bastardisation of a foreign culture.

After the Brazilian drums had died down, the festival resembled the night before. An ALT friends high school student was performing. His name was Mr. Black. Okay, that wasn't his actual name, and he was Japanese. Mr. Black was his performing name, as magician. This kid is for real, he even had a friend with a printed polo shirt that read: Mr. Black, Staff. Check out his website. http://www.geocities.jp/magichan_black/magic/profile.html

Although I disapprove of magicians wearing bowties and penguin suits, I am a big fan of magic. Okay, I'm known to do some card tricks (some people only know me that way), but I am a complete rogue with no polish or finesse. I haven't studied magic, unless you include nervously shuffling cards while travelling or waiting around. This kid, according to his website, has been doing magic since he was 8, and takes actual lessons from a real magician. He is, a protégée.

Among the rain, he performed a bunch of really good card tricks in front of 30 people. Incredible technique. I was very impressed, I mean, he's only 17. We hung around talking to him after his set, and he idly showed some more tricks. Eventually, someone mentioned I do some card tricks. Suddenly, I was put on a huge spot. I mean, I just saw this kid magically change a 2 of hearts into a King of Spades which another guy had drawn a face on. Incredibly, I did not have my own cards on me, but he kindly lent me his. I showed him some mid-air cuts which I believe I invented. I mean, I've never seen anyone else do them. It was just a result of way too much free time that I thought up of it. But my friends, and him, wanted to see what I could do. I don't think I have ever been this nervous, and the kid was only 17! It was ridiculous. Reluctantly, I let him choose a card, he put it back, I shuffled... But even though I was shaking like epilepsy, I found his card. Now for the kicker, as I tried to throw his card out of the deck and catch it. I had forgotten that these were not my cards, and they were new and slippery. The whole deck flew into the air. Life was in slow motion. I tried catching it, but there was still a few cards in my hand which prevented me from clasping. This acted instead as a punch, sending 40 cards flying across the wet street and all through the stall next to Mr. Black. It was a catastrophic failure, and this deck of cards was ruined. I must've apologised 100 times before sheepishly presenting him the card he chose- one of the few I managed to catch. This was a back-handed success.

Festivals are always interesting times in Japan. In two weeks time, I will be running on a wet log at a summer water festival. Another interesting event, I'm sure and a great opportunity to embarrass myself. I'm looking forward to it.