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Dancing Kamikaze Gaijin Yosakoi 2

To think that next week at this time, I will be back in America. I hate this thought. Not that I am dreading going home, but leaving Japan, a country I have come to feel at home at, is heartbreaking. I used to read some exchange student blogs from around the world before I left, and would get really annoyed at the students who said, "I hate America (France) is ten times better! I only think of (France) as home now!" It's true, I hated people who made those obnoxious comments and thought, 'you've only been in your host country a year, so shut up.' But now that I have been here for all that time, and fallen in love with this country, I understand this point of view to an extent. And this is what I was feeling as I woke up at 7 to the alarm of my cell phone. I quickly threw on a buttoned shirt, because it would be easier to take off later, and a jean skirt. I barely made it out the door, when I heard Michiyo screaming that we had to go. Michiyo and I set out for the hair salon right around the corner. Contrary to yesterday, I was not nervous. In fact, I was overloaded with excitement. When I noticed Michiyo not twitching with joy, I asked her what was wrong. She told me she was sad how quickly Yosakoi was flying by, it was already half over with since we more than likely would not be making it the final round tomorrow. I called her a Debbie-Downer, and told her to just enjoy the rest of the day. Kind of ironic coming from someone who was really hurting over the ideas of going back to America. We headed up into the 2nd floor of the salon and were greeted by the beautician, who on the previous day had remarked at the big size of my head because she didn't think I could speak Japanese. Today she smiled and fought very hard not to look at my large head, though she did talk to me a few times. Michiyo went first again, and I followed. Still quite painful, with the beautician stabbing me n the head with a million little bobbie pins, I asked for a new style. Today I wanted my bangs to fall into my forehead. Today I had hatched an incredibly embarrassing plan, that involved my forehead and my dignity. Bangs would certainly help. Back at the Katou's house, I unbuttoned the shirt and dressed myself in the green Yosakoi uniform for the team. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV like I had planned to do, instead I ran back upstairs to reveal my embarrassing ploy. I got my hatchimaki, the same one I had worn on my last day of school, and tied it to my forehead. For the record, a hatchimaki is one of the bandanna type things that wrap around the forehead and usually display a single word that has something to do with pride. If you still aren't sure what I am talking about, I recommend watching an old World War II movie. At the part about the Kamikaze pilots that fly their planes into American battleships, you'll see pilots wearing a Hatchimaki on their foreheads. I wish I could give you a good movie to watch, but I really hate the old American war movies about the Pacific conflict. Not because I side with one side or the other, but because I have lived in Japan for a year. And in that year I have learned that the Japanese are NOT English speakers, and are no where near being decent enough to merit the title of an English speaker. I was once watching a movie about the Battle of Midway or Guam, I'm not sure what island exactly, and Emperor Tojo was speaking with a distinctive Midwestern accent. Emperor Tojo couldn't even speak English, let alone have an accent you might find in Illinois. Call me crazy, but something just isn't right with this. Anyway, I decided to wear my favorite Hatchimaki, the Nippon (Japan) with the Rising Sun. Even though the Ban Ban Zai Yosakoi team had strict rules about hair, I figured they would be laughing too hard to really consider the rules. And sure enough, my first test, the Katou family, was literally rolling on the floor as I rushed into to show them me being an idiot. Katou Okasan insisted on taking another set of pictures with the cute little Gaijin in the Hatchimaki. I was also reminded to put on my medals, the red flower and the tiny golden Yosakoi chain, though I was really quite reluctant. I had begun to consider the fact that I got those medals because I am Gaijin, cute, and stupid all at the same time. It was unfair that when I was this bad, I got the most medals. But I didn't say anything to my host family. Instead, after a few hundred pictures were taken Michiyo and I set off for the Sunny Mart where the Ban Ban Zai bus was waiting. We looked over the itinerary, and both agreed that this day would be better than the previous day, if that was possible. This is because we were set to dance in Obiyamachi and a Harimacho, both awesome shopping centers. At the bus, we boarded almost forgetting that I was wearing the Hatchimaki. Not 2 seconds passed when the whole bus ripped open in laughter at the silly Gaijin in the Kamikaze band. The instructors ranted about how cute I was as I passed them. Michiyo and I just headed directly into our seat. Our first stop was on the other side of the city, called Kyomachi. I'm not going to go into details, but basically it is just a small black top. There must have been 100 teams sitting and waiting at Kyomachi, and the sun beat down on the black top with furor. It was thus far, the worst experience with Yosakoi I had. We had to wait just about 90 minutes in the hottest weather, surrounded by about 10,000 people dressed in elaborate and heavy outfits. Needless to say, everyone was sweating so bad that it looked like we all just got out of a swimming pool. I ran into a few friends from school, Booby and Mosa, who nearly cried when they realized that I had just one more day in Japan. One more day. I hung out with them and reminisced about all the crazy experiences I have had with them, until the announcement for their team to start dancing was heard. Then I hung with Michiyo and walked around the parking lot to get views of the different dance teams. In the heat, Michiyo admitted she couldn't handle it without some delicious Kakigomi, which is basically shaved ice with flavoring, or a snow cone. I got an Extra- Large Strawberry flavored Kakigomi, which turned my mouth bright pink. I devoured the thing, but I don't think it really helped me get cooler. Meanwhile, my Gaijin senses were flaring and I spotted a fellow gaijin in the distance leading a large team of Gothic looking Yosakoi dancers. Upon scanning the team, I noticed two incredibly familiar faces. And before I could wave to them, my third host Obachan and Aunt Chizuko grabbed me from behind, "JJJJUUUUULLLLLIIIIEEEE!" They garbled on about how they had come to watch Kaho and Ebuki dance (the gothic team) and had spotted Ban Ban Zai. And besides the fact that I am dressed exactly the same as 100 others surrounding me, speaking the same language, and doing a damn good job at pretending to be Japanese, my tall height and my Gaijin appearance make me stand out in a crowd. As soon as they saw me they had to come rushing over and hug me and wish me best of luck. Even though I tried to sneak away to speak with the mysterious gaijin I had spotted, Obachan had me on a leash and sat me down claiming the heat was not good for me and that I should just take a rest. I hope no one ever wonders if I am being taken good care of in Japan. When Kaho and Ebuki's gothic team began the dance, I couldn't help but stand up and scream for the girls. I probably made a fool of myself, but I wanted them to know I was here to cheer them on. When they finished their circle around the judging pavement, they all ran off and headed for the bus. I sprinted after Ebuki and jumped her from behind. Even though she promised to come see me off at the airport, I had to make sure to say goodbye in case I didn't see her. She cracked up and told me to stop being silly, that she would come to the airport no matter what. Then before I could argue, Michiyo called me over to the team. The mysterious gaijin had approached my host sister and asked her why she had a Gaijin with her. I was really impressed when Michiyo, in her best English, said, "She is my sister. We family host Judii... She good dancer!" I complimented her English and then told the Gaijin, whom I learned was an English-school owner about my year. He was really impressed and told me to give him a call when I was done with college. There was always a job waiting back for me in Kochi. But then there is a lot more than a job waiting for me in Kochi. After what felt like forever, or at least a full blistering 2 hours, Ban Ban Zai was called up to dance. Now I'm not going to lie, this was not one of my better performances. Wearing the Kamikaze headband, and I had all eyes on me, which didn't bother me so much. Until I tripped. Actually the strings that held up my shoes slipped off and even though I was in control, the person behind me stepped on the cotton string. I lost balance. Even though I recovered quickly with a smile, I'll never forget that lousy performance. When we were finished we hauled onto the Ban Ban Zai bus that transported to the next venue, also our last judged stage. This is because we spent so much of our precious time wrapped up in that stupid overheated blacktop. The dance instructors regretfully announced we would not be dancing two venues, Obiyamachi (which I was REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to) and Harimaya SHotenkai. We were all overcome with a disappointment on that bus and it transported up the the Vegetable Street (I'm not sure of the name in Japanese.) When we got there, we had to wait on another long line for a spot. The only nice thing I can say is that there was at least a fair amount of shade. When the Ban Ban Zai truck pulled up, we all quickly assembled in position behind it. The instructors reminded us that even though the team was not about competition and all about fun, this was our final judged performance. No one expected us to actually get enough points to pass onto the final day, but the Japanese are a bit obsessed with perfection. Just a bit. The Vegetable STreet dance went well, and Michiyo even received her first medal. Like my red flower, it was a medal surrounded by a bright green flower covering. It was very cute, and I couldn't help but thing that she deserved more than anyone on the team. After all, she had to put up with me for all these months of Yosakoi practice. She even told me that she would never have done this if it wasn't for me wanting to dance so badly. At around 4 PM, the dance troupe headed for the abandoned bus lot for our big dinner. Tonight it was just two onigiri, rice with seaweed wrap. This stuff just never gets old though. I think I actually drank 4 cans of Pocari Sweat, which is strange because I usually abhor that stuff. I think it has something to do with it being named after perspiration. After dinner, we rushed over to Chuo Kouen, or central park. This is the venue that well over 1,000 people come out and watch, as it is situated right outside the Obiyamachi in the middle of Kochi. I was excited because we were right in a big stage with blaring spot lights, TV camera, cheering crowds, and smack dap in the center of my favorite city. The wait was not as significantly long, and night had fallen so it had become cooler. It was the perfect setting for what was about to come. The Ban Ban Zai team assembled in formation, held the Naruko instruments as we charged onto the stage, placed on a gleaming smile, and got into position. From the moment the song started, we were unstoppable. I really reckon that not one person WAS perfect. The thing is that we all laughed through the entire song on both dances. You see, because the whole formation was messed up in that we weren't dancing down a street but on one wide stage, no one was really sure what was going on. So we did a little improvising, knowing that this was our 2nd to last dance (or so we thought...) and that we may as well have a little fun with it. As we finished the last song, the announcer came on to restate the team name. Then another man came on and began speaking in loud and difficultly fast Japanese. I did not understand a word. Nor did I understand why all my fellow dancers had suddenly broken out in an embarrassing cheer and emotional dance. I sat there clueless, when Michiyo ran over to me, "Julie! We are dancing tomorrow! Ban Ban Zai scored high enough to dance in the All Japan Yosakoi Competition!!!!" I think I began to cry, then cheer, then cry again. Naoko and Okasan Masaki were the first to see me when I clamored off the stage, "JUDIIII!!! OMEDETOU (congratulations)" Later Otosan Masaki jealously told me that he and Naoko had been dancing Yosakoi for 12 years and never once got to dance in the All Japan Yosakoi COmpetition. And here I was a Gaijin, one that dances Yosakoi like a mangled Octopus, heading home in just 2 days. And about to dance in a major, almost professional, type dance routine. The night did not end at Chuo Kouen, for the Ban Ban Zai team was supposedly to end the competition by being the final dance team to march down Mama, or supporters. We arrived in the brilliance of the Mama night lights, all of his spouting tears of joy, and words of surprise. No one had expected to do as well as we did, but we did it, and we deserved it. The vendors of Mama that had pledged money for our team all came out to cheer us on. The Masaki's and the Katou's and even Chiake and her family rushed down the street snapping photos and cheering for our team. It was the most magical dance of the whole competition. At the end we all rushed up the street to thank our judges and supporters, receives freecans of tea and warm words of support, and a complete schedule of the next day. Excitement flooded the atmosphere. Back at home, I dug into a cup of my favorite Goma (sesame) ice cream, took a much needed shower, and finished packing my bag. I'm leaving in less than 48 hours but if there is one thing that is totally for sure besides that I am going to miss this place, it is this: I am going out with a bang.