Kyoto school festivals

School festivals back home hold fond memories for me. Not due to the awe inspiring feats of skill demonstrated by my fellow students and I in wobbling around the training pitch with an egg and spoon, but more because it gave me an afternoon off maths. Mothers and fathers consumed with pride as little jonny and co wheezed out 'jingle bells' in, what to an objective ear sounded like the death cries of boiling lobsters. It always seemed my high school festivals belonged in a 'Peanuts' strip, with one noteable difference, we were all Charlie Browns. There were no Schroeders performing Beethoven recitals and thats for sure. Not that we didnt lack talent, or potential talent anyway, its just that the amount of time invested in these things was so limited we couldnt really be expected to produce anything too memorable. Although a student who I only knew as 'Pepe' almost skewered the gym instuctor with a javelin. Thats a very memorable moment indeed. Thank you 'Pepe'.
Anyways...its a slightly different kettle of fish over here. It seems as though expectations (not only from parents but from the populace at large) are quite high. This was immmediately apparent by the choice of venue for the Kyoto City High School Festival. Kyoto Isetan is,for all those unaware, quite a spectacular edifice. Designed by Hiroshi Hara and (re)opened in 1997, its an impressive sight indeed, like an 11 story matrix of steel and glass, it plays host to an amphitheatre upon which the festival is annually held.


Now, im always impressed when sauntering through the station, which I do on a daily basis enroute to work. But festival day seemed to have brought Jean-Michel-Jarres lighting team to the city (or someone of equal calibre) and it was lit up as though the synth-hugger himself was about to walk on and twiddle his knobs in time to the lighting . This was obviously not to be, but the suceeding events were probably all the more entertaining (for his abscence) nonetheless. With speaker units Metallica themselves would kill for, and enough photographers and film crews around it was suprising not to see Paris Hilton or Liz Hurley. The atmosphere was undeniably different from my high school days of drizzle and grimaced applause.
And off it kicked. Now having been 'working for the man' for the last 8 hours, by the time i managed to negotiate my way to the stage, all the best vantage points were taken. Luckily i'm a gaijin, this is most helpful in times such as these. Due to my ignorance of the Japanese language (yes I'm ignorant, not innocent, I'm not proud of it but I am working on it) It allows me to most conveniently, not understand various signs and staff remonstrations when sauntering around areas I shouldnt. So sod it...front row called.
Having walked through a designated no go zone and ensconced myself amidst the masses, I settled down and watched the show. The first schools participants (team?) looked like they were auditioning for a Britney Spears video, albeit one directed by Terry Gilliam. The Britney Spears bit was the plethora of girls in gym shorts and t shirts dancing around maniacally. The Gilliam bit was when other girls seemed intent on chucking large blue and yellow inflatable balls at them and generally causing, what in England would most likely result in a ruckus. It was most enjoyable.




Next...more girls, same outfits, different colours this time, must be their school colours I'm guessing. More maniacal dancing, boys involved this time also, no blue or yellow inflatable objects however, shame, I liked them. Crappy pop/techno hybrid tune blaring out of the speakers, in front of which I'm sitting now, trying not to listen using the old zen buddhist trick of inserting objects at immediate disposal into my ears. Man theyre moving a lot, must be on genki drinks, cant focus camera on anyone so results are gonna be down to luck alone, boys seemed well trained in the art of gurning, and can rattle off about 4 different gurns per second. Girls seemed intent on smiling (again maniacal), jumping around and generally doing lots of things (boys included) in time with the pap music. Insane choreography, even at their age, my body would have shut down at the idea of it. Marching about, lots of high kicks which could be perfectly implemented into the next StreetFighter game via motion capture if Capcom so desired, Made a mental note to call them after, with this proposal. Oooh..human pyramids, seen that before, this one was moving however, crikey theyd thought of everything. Girls and boys now getting down with their artsy-side and pulling off some Andy Serkis style actions before the techno-pap brings it all to a climax. Fantastic.







Next up was a bunch of choral singers. This was undeniably most pleasant but my trains imminent departure signalled the end of my attendance at the shenanigans. All in all, a most enjoyable experience, but I'm wondering if the number of man hours required to produce something so spectacular would go down well back home. Probably not.
The 2nd experience regarding school festivals occured on the 23rd September and will be documented via video footage coming shortly. Get ready for an extravaganza.