The Tan Tans' Life Begins

Our plans to visit Gassho-zukuri in Takayama area was made weeks back and we were concerned whether we will be able to catch the snow. Decided that it was a risk worth taking, the Tan Tans proceeded on with the 3hrs train ride to Nagoya followed by another 2hrs train ride to Gero Onsen (Top 3 onsen in Japan) for a break and dip before proceeding another hour to Takayama. It was a risk worth taking. Snow greeted us on the way. The 1hour bus ride to Shiragawa-go (白川郷) was scenic though Mr Tan Tan is sleeping most of the time and the sights at Shiragawa-go was fabulous The interesting part about the Gassho-zukuri is that no nails are used in the making of the huts. It is somehow similiar to ancient China methodology of building palaces without nails. The structure are set in a way with the enhanced roof to take the weight of the heavy snow. and of cos, we had our fair share of fun with the snow! The light-up in Hida Folk village in Takayama as the Tan Tans had to catch the last bus back ...

The last day of Yaya featured a day-long parade by all the 3 main concentrations. A total of 854 participants took part in this procession which started at 1pm and lasted till 6pm at the Jinja. We were treated to traditional performances... . . and the not so traditional ones. The poor shishi aka 獅子(lion) being whacked by kids from the start to the end of the parade. Cart full of tidbits! Left: Challenge for the Yaya Right: In high spirits, the men were sprayed with beer as they did a mini Yaya. Left: Final performance by the participants for the Gods at the Jinja. Right: Finally. A break. Another procession to mark the "closing door" ceremony of the matsuri. The kids were being carried on the shoulders of the adults. Not a part of the rituals but likely because the kids were tired after the full day of matsuri. And this was the archery contest where a representative from each of the 3 strongholds competed in. The one who managed to hit the bull's eye will have to go to...

Day 2 marked the actual start of Yaya Matsuri and it was than I discovered the most interesting part of this whole matsuri. Too bad that Mrs Tan Tan had to teach a conversational class and so I went to explore on my own. Of the 3 strongholds for this year, I had decided to go to Horimachi. The first impression that hit me. Drunkards! The Yaya Matsuri is basically a pushing match - groups of people clash and try to win by pushing the other group away. The smell of alcohol really hit me even though I was standing a distance away. Shortly after I reached Horimachi, the group from the other machi arrived and the challenge began. Chants of "チョウサじゃ"(pronounced jyosaja) filled the increasingly intense atmosphere. (A check with my nihongo sensei shows that it represents the "coming of adulthood" or "passing adulthood" but sadly it seems like no one really knew the real meaning of this chant during the matsuri) After the battle, the group proceeded to the port whe...