Lantern at Okazaki Castle for Omisoka

Wally's Yamasa Journal

Now that classes were over for me, I took some time to scan over the magazines at the Mini-Stop outside the village looking for a current events guide and, after a few questions, bought a Tokai Walker. Wish I picked it up earlier. It's a good event guide for the area but it was in Japanese. I was able to figure out a number of things though, like local movie theaters and times, TV schedules, and local events. Stevie Wonder, it turns out, is playing in Nagoya on the 4th. Too expensive to consider though. A lot of bargain sales too, but mostly on fashion clothing. It was a New year's edition so it had a fair bit of information about club and resort events but I wasn't particularly interested in them.

Osu Kanon Temple, Nagoya

I went to Nagoya for a few hours to check out the Osu Kannon shopping arcade I'd heard about from other students. The Kannon itself looked ready for Omisoka. The arcade itself was certainly more for shopping than the one I saw in Osaka. Lots of discounts too though I couldn't tell if it was because of New Year's or not. Ran into a couple from the village who managed to pick up a yukata with obi for 1,700 yen. Couldn't find the place, but I did pick up some Japanese style nightwear for 3,000 yen. I also wanted to buy a sweater but the place wouldn't let me try it on for size, even when I said I'd buy one whichever size had fit.

The "Canada Company", Osu shopping arcade, Nagoya

I did make one disturbing discovery though. Despite the opinion of some around here, Canada does have an identity but the brand name is elusive. It looks like someone has been to promote one in the Osu arcade but unfortunately, it leaves the impression that Canada is a lot like Texas. In spirit, it's a little like the spoof Canadian restaurant in the movie, Gremlins 2 (including a life size "chocolate mousse").

Back at the student village for the evening leading up to the midnight first prayers. It was interesting choice for TV that night. The tradition is the annual Red and White singing contest but oddly, it had to compete with the hugely hyped K1 ultimate fight between the champion, Bob "the Beast" Sapp and former Yokozuna Grand Champion sumo wrestler Akebono. The sumo world here seems to be in a bit of turmoil for a number of reasons but to see one of its Yokozunas jump to ultimate fighting must have been quite a shock. Sad thing too, other than Akebono's haircut, was how quickly the end came, less than three minutes. It's the first time I've seen a K1 fight but with Akebono's size and the level of violence involved, it wasn't going to be a competition of stamina anyways.

A 25-minute bike ride to Okazaki Castle after 11:00 and I just missed the fireworks in Ota river though I did catch a couple of bursts at the end. There was about 1,000 people lining up to the Shinto shrine at the castle base for the first prayers of the year. There were fires lit brighten and warm things up and a taiko group to entertain but when it came to midnight, there was a countdown like anywhere else. I was expecting a 108 bell toll and I heard a couple of strikes as I neared the castle, but that must have been somewhere else. I mistakenly thought there was a bell at the castle, and the 108 strikes were for Buddhist temples, not Shinto shrines.

Lining up for first prayers, Okazaki Castle

I brought my ojuzu along for the first prayer though I was wondering at the time if it would be appropriate. The prayers were followed by a small bowl of rabbit soup, Amesake, a sweet soup with a little sake in it, and small drink of sake. It was also time for an Omikuji to start the new year (and to negate the very bad one I got in Asakusa the week before but that was last year now!). I still don't really know what it says but it has to be better than the last one.

I did run into a classmate and her visiting boyfriend. They also had a friend along, Toshi, who voluntarily teaches free Japanese lessons outside of the school. He helped explain a few of the activities going on. I wish I asked him about all the arrows being sold with references to the incoming year of the monkey. Between that and the number of Miko's (priestesses, or volunteers dressed as them) selling them, I'm sure there's an Inuyasha connection there somewhere.

2004 has begun not with a bang, but a prayer. Not that I needed to wish for anything on this occasion. I really can't ask for much more so far with this trip.

Wally's index page