Hansei-kai

What kind of words can explain the kind of lessons I have learnt during the past ten days? One of the privileges of anthropological fieldwork, I believe, is that one is encouraged to relive the growing and learning process again, to unlearn in order learn, to do the 3 yr old again in a particular setting. Instead of climbing the ladder in that place, one matures through the abstractions made possible through such repetitive learning and unlearning. If you cannot withstand the pain of growth, perhaps you're not cut out for the profession.
The festival in Shoin is over. More precisely, it is about to be over, as the float members have yet to finish their final round of sake. Every social event here is never complete without a 反省会　"hanseikai" or a drink among close circles after the main event. This is where core members get together and discuss points to be improved as well as select committee members for the coming year. Normally the party takes place immediately after the event. This time they have waited for me to return from my work trip. What an honor.
Now for some sake. More to come after the Hansei-kai.

ETA: oops, the Hansei-kai has been postponed. meanwhile stay tuned for more on the main festival.

First time feast, first time host

"Why don't you do it then?"

__"Me? The host?"

That's how it began. I am going to play host at a festival I don't even know, the biggest annual event in the area. It's time for Kiriko, a tall float that people carry through every nook and cranny of the neighborhood. Our ward happens to be one of the most rapidly aging communities in the area, and is in dire need of young people to pull the float. Last year, there were only three people and nobody ever had time to go to the loo. Imagine the situation when the procession could take until 4 a.m. 

Saturday morning I was asked by a neighbor to find "young people" where they are: our "Noto Satoyama Meister" Training Program which enrolls trainees under 45. I sent message in the morning and by afternoon was joined by four from the school. Together we went to meet the group in charge of the float, perhaps for the sake of good sushi. And thus the Meister Crew was formed over abalone and shrimp -- without much talk on the logistics as to where to stay, eat and drink during the all night event. And here was the solution given to me later by the ward lord: I play the host. Crazy? Yes. But this may be the one chance to try...