I was finally fortunate enough to take in a local Shinto festival this afternoon, right here in lovely little Arimacho. The festival began with a long parade which passed right by my place, toward Shichiri Mihama beach, just beyond Hana no Iwaya. The parade consisted of talented local performers wearing beautiful clothing from the Heian period who later performed Shinto songs, music, and dance at a small stage on Shichiri Mihama beach.
Although the festival only lasted a short time, it drew quite a crowd as this was the first time it had ever been held. I myself drew quite a bit of attention being the only white person to be found. I was able to meet a few locals - a Kumano Kodo tour guide who turned out to be a former student from my school many years ago, and a Mie bus driver who was kind enough to help me search for some mochi (although advertised in the festival brochure, I was unable to find any ><) and brief me on meaning of some of the rocks and worshiped areas at the Hana no Iwaya Shrine. I also ran into one of my adorable kindergarten students who, being the wonderful student she is, pointed out to me that I was wearing black shoes in English. I was even interviewed by a reporter from NHK!! So who knows, maybe I'll be on tonight's six o'clock news...
After returning home, still disheartened at the lack of mochi and having at this point built up a massive craving, I broke down and made for the local Circle K for some mochi and green tea ice cream which I enjoyed on the beach once the crowds cleared. OK, so it wasn't lovingly prepared by hand in some elderly women's kitchen (the best kind of baking out there) but it still hit the spot :)
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