It's raining (on) naked men!

Hallelujah!

Yes, saturday 17th February. It's bitterly cold. It's Okayama. That can only meanone thing: get very drunk and run around town naked (almost) with 5000 drunken japanese Salary men (office workers). Oh Joy! No, seriously, joy.

Getting there last year was an adventure in on itself, and Carlton's and my participation ended up being by chance. This year, there was some organisation. Aftr much cajolling, with most of the Jets in Wakayama going skiing that same weekend, I convinced three other lads and one lass to make the journey. Susanne drove and got very wet, while we ran around in a bunch in front of her, and got very hot. It was my camera most of the time, so I'm not in any of them. There are more here, where maybe I'm in the background

Last year, my only photo from the bevent was the one on the front cover of the next day's newspaper with me in the centre. There was no topping that this year, but still a hell of lot of fun! I let theb lads know that any attempt to actuaklkly get the agic stick itself would only lead to them getting betan by the 5000 others trying to grab it.

Only one person died this year, and thankfully no injuries on our parts.

I'm in there somewhere, on the left, well away form those danmed deadly stairs.

"Acting for their lives"

John,

To keep you informed for the next wedding. This time about the arts.

Nervous Censors and Staged Rebellions

I found the article dramatically (no pun intended) informative about changes since the last election. Not directly though. Just by comparing descriptions to memories. The colour of the head scarves for instance. Now plain, before multi-coloured, with hair poking out freely to the front and rear. It seems doubtful today. And the air. Even worse from lead 'enhanced' petrol.

It's long. But make it to the end.

The last paragraph is worth it.

Setsubon

With no other plans, I spent the day hiking around Koya in the snow. On my way back through the town, I heard some chanting, and was gestured into a small side Temple by an old lady exiting.

It was the Setsubon, the Bean throwing, Holiday, and I had completely forgotten. One monk was offering prayers while another beat out a rhythm, as the fathful looked on.