ayame matsuri (iris festival)

so some may know by now, but i was asked (more like forced) into being an ayame musume, a daughter of the irises. one of the only things that my town is famous for is the iris festival that it holds every June. there are supposed to be over 800,000 visitors to this sleepy little Japanese town throughout the month of June! I'm not completely convinced I believe those stats yet, but maybe I will be proved wrong.

Anyway as a daughter of the irises (I was basically just chosen since I am the only foreigner in the town) I have to dress up in a traditional kimono and parade around with other girls promoting the festival and taking pictures with the many visitors. we had some 'trainings' of sorts on the weekends in May, and the past few weekends have been the big festival. its been an interesting and certainly unique japanese experience. here are some pictures of all the festivities...

this group shot makes me laugh so much (who doesn't belong??)









the superintendent of the board of education (my boss) and I at the children's ceremony in Itako


With his family, his grandaughter is one of the little girls


adaroble


Sophia came to Itako!


Gion dancers, Sophia, John, the Mayor and I


Getting myself matsuri ready






i will attempt to post more, but things are getting busy with only about 6 weeks left here in japan!