Friday 11 November 2011

Ito, Kimono and Shamisen

One of my favoutie things about Japan is Japanese traditional dress, especially the Kimono, so you can understand how excited I was when I was invited to go to Ito and take part in a festival wearing a Kimono. ALT’s in the area were invited to Ito by Ito International Home-stay and I would like to thank them for the wonderful experience we had. Even though it rained a lot, we had a great time taking part in the festival.

My friends and I were very excited to get to dress in Kimono.

The boys got to dress in Kimono too.

This little boy was dancing beside me, I think seeing a western girl in a Kimono confused him!

This is everyone we danced with.

We all had amazing food afterwards at one of the members house, its was very busy around the table but we had so much fun. Then went to an Onsen.

Then next day we had a lesson on the Shamisen, I wasn’t very good but had fun learning. The lesson was about two hours and kneeling for that long meant that I lost all the feeling in my feet, it was very painful! I now have a high respect for anyone who sits for long periods of time in the traditional Japanese way.

We also got a tour around the Tokaikan, a historic three-storied wooden Japanese inn that was constructed in constructed in 1928.

There were three Geisha in training getting their picture taken and we were allowed to watch. They were very beautiful and so elegant.

Then we all then went and had amazing Tempura at the small little hidden restaurant that really looked like someones house. It was delicious!

This was an amazing experience and I hope to be able to take part again next year, I also hope that I will have many more opportunities to wear kimono while I am here in Japan. Kimono really is the most beautiful item of clothing and I plan to buy one in Japan.I hope to visit Ito again soon because it is such a beautiful place.