I had no idea what I was doing until the moment I was standing in my grundy’s with some bloke trying to fit me with a big pair of white knickers/shorts.  A whole bunch of men I’ve never met before sat around eating bento, sweating gently.  Terrifying.  A square concrete building, a beige wallpapered squareish room.  Low veneered tables, taiko drums, glass cabinet full of trophies.  Little plastic bags filled with different items of clothing.  Everything was pretty self-explanatory (except the white knickers) but this guy insisted on dressing me completely.  I asked but he didn’t tell me his name.  I am eternally grateful for the help sir, thank you.

Now, three or four days later my calf muscles are sore and I am thinking back and smiling about it all.  I’m looking forward to next year.  I had volunteered to help at the Ooshima Seishoen Sanatorium in Kagawa prefecture.  Oooooshima is a former leper colony, I say former because it cannot really be called that anymore.  Although there are a lot of leprosy (or Hansen’s disease as it’s more commonly known here in Japan) patients still on the island, they are free to move around wherever they wish.  This festival is an excellent way to change attitudes and reverse the leprosy stigma that has prevailed for many years.

Transportation pattern:

Kamiyama ——> Tokushima Bus terminal (by mini car)
Tokushima Bus Terminal ——> Takamatsu Ferry Port (mini coach)
Takamatsu Ferry Port ——-> Ooshima Seishoen Sanatorium (mini ferry)

Beautiful evening.  The ferry was speedy and driven by someone familiar.  Aikawa Show!  哀川 翔!!

Big waves suddenly, all the little girls from the Ebisu Ren Awa Odori group scream!  Aikawa san, take it easy!
Yamashita san, one of the organisers (probably) had the unfortunate job of looking after me.  The girls went one way to change, the men another.  Knicker situation happened now.  Yamashita san on the left of the picture.

Now wearing the proper outfit and shoes I follow these two guys (above) and we stand in a large empty square and slowly people in costumes begin to gather…  The Ebisu Ren look pumped.  I’m pumped.  My Awa Odori isn’t so slick yet but I’m thinking to myself it’ll be good practice.  It was good practice.  We dance slowly along a road past lots of people.  It’s lively and I am enjoying myself.  Eri chan is part of the women’s group, wearing the traditonal female outfit.  The hats don’t fit quite as well as the professional ones.  But no ones complaining.
And the sun is setting through the pines and the mosquitos are piercing my legs repeatedly.

A 20 minute break, it’s hot.  Quick photo opportunity with the other volunteers, some high school students.

And the dancing continues along the seafront and then back into the crowds and the food stalls and then suddenly it’s over and we are watching the pro’s do it right.

And as the sun sets and the dancing ends, fireworks.

Waiting for the ferry I got a close-up the spent firework casing.  Never seen them before.  Are they computer controlled?